2010 transmission warning

[Foobar]

Hi forum,
I’ve never posted in my life, so forgive if I’m doing it wrong

My wife was away with our whole family (minus me), they had to take my car at the last minute since the rental they ordered wasn’t big enough. Fast forward a week, I get a call saying the car has “broken down”, on questioning the symptoms are;
Clutch slip follows by transmission malfunction warning.
Recovery driver 1 said it will need a whole new transmission and noticed oil on the underside - though I have to question his assessment since his diagnostic machine didnt fit and that only bmw have a diagnostic machine that will fit!! I’m not that daft, I know it’s ODBII (and have a cheap Chinese one myself).
Second recovery driver did have a scanner that fit (sigh), and said the fault code is clutch related.
Another 4 recovery trucks later (they were miles away), it’s now at the bmw garage.
One thing I did notice before the exchange was normally the oil level is full, but it was showing as 1/2 full.

So.. are there 2 problems here? An oil leak and transmission issue at the same time? Seems unlikely - though obviously possible!
It is 2010 e70, 97k Miles.

I like to be prepared with garages, for the obvious reasons. Does anyone have any insights on what the problem might be / how bad it could be..

Thanks in advance

[X5Sport]

6 or 8 speed box?  Loss of transmission fluid means loss of oil pressure and that wrecks the clutch packs.

If clutch errors are showing that usually means a rebuild is required.  BMW will not repair the box, only replace it and that is very expensive.  I was quoted the wrong side of £7k by a BMW Dealer about 9 years ago.

Based on a 6-speed rebuild by a specialist, you are looking at something in the region of £2k.  No idea about 8-speed as very few have failed and no one on here has had a rebuild done yet.

[Foobar]

Thanks for the reply (I think). That’s what I was concerned about! I couldn’t find anything about it on the web.
So presumably if that’s the case, I should find a gearbox specialist or even a recon?
I had a major service a few months back and bmw said they could see oil on the pan but came to the conclusion that it was coming from the flaps or something and just told me to keep an eye on my levels - they never dropped - until Thursday when this happened. I’m now presuming that was actually transmission fluid? Shouldn’t they have known the difference?

[X5Sport]

Transmission fluid is a different colour!  It also comes from a different place on the car, however given the number of covers underneath it might have been difficult to track without removing them.

If the warnings are already showing then you will need a ZF Specialist.  Depending upon whereabouts you are, there may be a member who had an E53 box rebuilt who can point you in the right direction.

Mine was done by A1 Premier Transmissions in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire and was £2,200 all in with a 12 month warranty.  They collected the car from Milton Keynes.

[IanP]

Just wondering if you meant the engine oil level had dropped, or the gearbox oil level. If the gearbox, then how are you checking It?

[Foobar]

It was the engine oil level that dropped. Obviously I have no idea about the transmission fluid. I personally can’t see how the 2 could be related, but must be somehow. It’s an e70 - I “think” 8 speed, but that’s outside my pay grade!

[kkx5]

Its zf 8hp. 2010 had an issue with front propshafts. Broken shaft could have damaged engine pan and gearbox pan...transmission fluid colour is same as engine oil on these gearboxes.

[Foobar]

Hi, I don’t think it’s the prop shaft as it’s still drivable, in fact not showing any warnings other than screenwash now, but a stored error about the clutch. I should have the full diagnosis later on today, so will update