ZF gearbox service

[Rassi]

My X5 may be in the higher mileage category, at 96.000 km,  so may be the first to ask this but I was considering having an oil service done to the gearbox. As I am in Belgium, I could go to one of the ZF centres, in my case in Dortmund, Germany.

I was quoted 675 euro, which seems a bit steep but having done some research it is very thorough service that takes a full 4 hours. ZF recommends having the service done every 100.000 km, as opposed to the "sealed for life" BS that BMW claims.

If your X5 was a keeper, would you have it done?

[Rassi]

Not that this seems to interest anyone, but just wanted to update it:

Had it done at ZF Brussels, which saved me a 600 km roundtrip. In the end I had the gearbox oil + filter + pan (725 euro), replacement of the mechatronic joints (120 euro), oil in transfer case (120 euro) and front and rear diff oil (120 euro) done, for a grand total of almost 1100 euro. Ouch! In fairness, looking at the amount of work done and the colour of the oil, I am glad it was done and the gearshifts, especially downshifts, are smoother.

[Rassi]

[wald0]

Interesting, did the garage say anything in particular when they were doing it or did they find any issues with your high miles? My F15 has done 115k miles in 3 years so I was wondering what I should look out for now?

[Rassi]

They did a full scan and reset of the gearbox, and no errors were logged. Their remark was that the service interval is between 80.000 - 120.000 km, depending on driving pattern (high speed, pulling trailers, city-driving, etc) but that mine was consistent with motorway miles and therefore a pre-emptive service.

Apart from the financial cost, it does give peace of mind, so would encourage anyone keeping their F15 longer term to have it done.

[marti]

I did pop over to ZF in Dortmund next to the airport a few years back and had my 735i box serviced, felt like a total new car when it was finished, didnt know there was a ZF in Brussels...may just get over there in the X6 and have that done, thanks for the info....should have had it done when I lived in Belgium...doh!!

[StuBeeDoo]

[quote="Rassi"]Apart from the financial cost, it does give peace of mind[/quote]
My X3 is having a full transmission service on Monday.  It's "only" done 72k miles, but it's never (yet) been out of the dealer network so it will never have been done.
My local transmission specialist recommended to me that, despite BMW's protestations to the contrary, it should be done every 3 years or 50k miles.
I figure that even at £500 per service, it's got to be cheaper than a transmission rebuild/replacement.

[marti]

[quote="StuBeeDoo"]
[quote="Rassi"]Apart from the financial cost, it does give peace of mind[/quote]
My X3 is having a full transmission service on Monday.  It's "only" done 72k miles, but it's never (yet) been out of the dealer network so it will never have been done.
My local transmission specialist recommended to me that, despite BMW's protestations to the contrary, it should be done every 3 years or 50k miles.
I figure that even at £500 per service, it's got to be cheaper than a transmission rebuild/replacement.
[/quote]

Think that will only be fluid and filter....I tried for ages to find a place who do the whole service in the UK...not even ZF UK do it....what I mean is they dont take the VCB out and take it all apart...like this:
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/527361