XSeries-forum

[quote="X5Sport"]
Do you have the instructions for changing the gearbox oil too?  It isn't a simple drain and fill.
[/quote]

Yes thanks mate, I've actually done this job on a couple of cars in the past with similar procedures (old xjr and an e39), but it's been a while and it just seemed so much more straight forward then... maybe i'm losin it in me old age :p

You would almost believe manufacturers don't want people working on their own cars  O:-)

You're not wrong there...


I've just ordered in a cv boot from the dealer after some reading suggested ebay ones etc would be likely to fail after a year... I don't want to be repeating this job on a regular basis so shelled out the extra cash.
Got quotes on the trans pan gasket/filter from the dealer too...  Don't even go there!!

Breaks My Wallet eh?

Should be easy to get one elsewhere as it is only a ZF kit.

[quote="X5Sport"]
Breaks My Wallet eh?

Should be easy to get one elsewhere as it is only a ZF kit.
[/quote]



Haha ain't that the truth. I've had a good run car-wise for a few good years i'd say but it seems it's my time to get my hands dirty and shed a few tears about my lighter wallet. Oh and thanks yeah I ordered a Mayle filter/gasket online for around £30... I would've liked to renew the bolts too but the kit including the bolts was around £50 more. Makes sense.

This coming weekend i'll be looking to do the gearbox service (including the sealing sleeve for the mechatronics which I believe is leaking) AND the CV boot if i've got time on Sunday.

If I don't check in on the weekend, assume i've collapsed under the car or i'm rocking in a corner somewhere.

[quote="Horizon"]
Has it got a BMW part number on the bottles. ? Are you just changing the oil, or the pan and filter too.
I've just had my X3 gearbox serviced  ( at Transmission Specialist ) and he used genuine plastic sump and filter from ZF and ZF Life Gaurd6 oil
£ 275
[/quote]

Who did you use Horizon? Was it a ZF approved garage? Looking for a decent specialist to do a service on mine and investigate some slightly delayed gear changes, based in Warrington

[quote="acarty"]
[quote="Horizon"]
Has it got a BMW part number on the bottles. ? Are you just changing the oil, or the pan and filter too.
I've just had my X3 gearbox serviced  ( at Transmission Specialist ) and he used genuine plastic sump and filter from ZF and ZF Life Gaurd6 oil
£ 275
[/quote]

Who did you use Horizon? Was it a ZF approved garage? Looking for a decent specialist to do a service on mine and investigate some slightly delayed gear changes, based in Warrington
[/quote]

The place I used is near Bolton. Proper old school garage

Thanks for the info Horizon, really appreciated. I agree with you re old school garages, go to BMW for a service and they get the apprentice to do it.

It just seems to hold every gear for slightly longer all the time, seems worse when warm. It also seems to drop a gear a bit too early when braking and you can feel this gear change in the drive train...is this normal? Had the oil wear code on the transmission (116k) and took it to a local indy who said they wouldn't normally replace the oil (?) but did a software update for me and topped up the fluid (he said there was no leak but it needed just a bit topping up?).

Will check the engine temp... what should I be expecting? It seems the issues have developed after having one of the circuit boards replaced on the EGR by a non indy garage....does this need EGR adaptations resetting?

Thanks a lot!

Quick update...


I managed to drop the transmission pan and get a new filter and 'sealing sleeve' in (to stop a slight leak - common apparently) and 6litres of new bmw oem oil in using the procedure described on so many of the forums (i.e fill,gear shifts, refill, temp 40deg until steady stream etc) and all is quite well since. The leak has been stopped which is great and I got rid of some old very watery looking oil which can't be bad. The only differences i've really noticed are that the 2-1 shift lurch is less prevalent (but definitely still there), less 'gear braking' feeling when slowing in sport mode, and actually better acceleration. The car was feeling sluggish before and now it feels pretty good. Not sure if the fluid was low causing this, or if this would even be a side effect :s A good thing to note for future diyers is that the fill plug for the autobox is situated in quite an inconspicuous place so get a torch when you're trying to find it. Even though i'd researched a LOT this was annoying. Also, my fill plug had some weird soft rubber bung in it, which was easy to remove but I didn't expect it to be there.

Also refilled the transfer case with new bmw fluid while I was there. I've ordered fluid for the differentials too which will complete this round of maintenance once and for all - I'll be looking forward to that.


I also got my cv boot fitted (oem from bmw dealer) and having researched this job extensively I felt a bit intimidated going for it... However the job turned out to be a doddle and took me about 3 and a half hours start to finish. Do your research on the forums and youtube and you will be fine doing this job from my experience. Anyway I should make another thread about that.

Long story not so short, it all went quite well thanks to the excellent info on this site (and others). Thanks a million to all of you knowledgeable people out there sharing your wisdom. I've got a few jobs on the x5 under my belt now so hopefully I can repay the favour in future.

[quote="acarty"]
Thanks for the info Horizon, really appreciated. I agree with you re old school garages, go to BMW for a service and they get the apprentice to do it.

It just seems to hold every gear for slightly longer all the time, seems worse when warm. It also seems to drop a gear a bit too early when braking and you can feel this gear change in the drive train...is this normal? Had the oil wear code on the transmission (116k) and took it to a local indy who said they wouldn't normally replace the oil (?) but did a software update for me and topped up the fluid (he said there was no leak but it needed just a bit topping up?).

Will check the engine temp... what should I be expecting? It seems the issues have developed after having one of the circuit boards replaced on the EGR by a non indy garage....does this need EGR adaptations resetting?

Thanks a lot!
[/quote]
My X3 runs at 88 degrees now I've fitted a new stay. So between 88 -105 depending on load and speed etc.
Regarding the unexpected downward gear change, that's normal for all X's my E53 did it My X3 does it my 3 series doesn't.
It's designed to act as an engine brake whilst descending also saves the brakes being over used on a big car like the X5. Auto boxes take signals from many places such as throttle position, load speed sensors and also brake switches. If you stay of the brakes it won't change down.