XSeries-forum

Sadly I am.

I don't have any real friends as I don't get along with any people, I'm always out and about/stressed. I live quite a lonely existence and the only thing I have in my life is my job which I am quite grateful for as the only thing I get to look forward to in my life is people being relieved their cars are back to normal.

Genuinely can't think of any other reason other than that to live for if I'm being honest.

[quote="moar"]
[quote="jaynana"]
Dude, this is a 'forum' plus a 'set of friends', many who have met f2f as well. We also have new members all the time who nicely fit in, who are warmly welcome.

And then there are the odd ones, THAT is what we have 'no choice' about!


[/quote]

That's not very nice 

I would have thought that a BMW master technician covering dealerships oop North would have been a valuable asset to the forums 
[/quote]

what did i do wrong - just gave u a bit of ur own medicine - that makes sad faces huh?

precisely the point my friend  - thats what you gave some others here

anyways, seen ur last post - hang in there mate, we love rude ppl too , we have much worse ones, we take the rude bits on the entertainment value  ) just that it wasn't a good start

The smiley faces weren't that serious     

Naa no need to hang anywhere. I'm very happy. Some people are good at socialising and having friends, some aren't so much. I can't do what they can and I'm confident they can't do what I can.

You should meet 535dboy then.......he drives an Audi and thinks it's the dog's doodahs.  It'll be fun watching you two getting to know each other.

Any BMW Master Tech is welcome and you may even be able to solve some of the mysteries that crop up on here....

Richard

[quote="moar"]

Cough cough, my job is to cover dealerships who aren't able to repair their BMW due to running out of ideas etc.

Usually the cars have done the rounds at independents and the owners has come to us as a last resort. They will pay a premium to have their car looked at.

I think I deserve to be paid a premium for my knowledge and expertise in repairing rare faults seen in BMWs. Don't you?

Do you also understand the very basics of overheads?
[/quote]

Yes I do understand overheads and there is no way (whichever way you look at it) the costs the dealers charge is justified by overheads. Errrrr have you seen the profit they make.....hmmmm.

I don't have an issue with anyone earning a good salary from doing anything but you are the one who started on me without real justification at being ripped off for a basic service when you are quite happy for the dealers to rip off the public also for basic servicing etc.

Anyway, this is becoming a little pointless now.

Believe you me, if you look at the rates, insurance, all the labours costs, the audits, updates, tools, training,  it all piles up.

If I remember correctly someone did a fluid and filter change on a 6hp19 just before christmas. The customer was charged around £400. Did you call around assuming the service rep doesn't get scared. If it's a service bulletin then you can push and it will get rated up no problem.

Do you fight with your own shadow 

Yes, I argue with myself and talk to myself quite a bit.

[quote="moar"]
Yes, I argue with myself and talk to myself quite a bit.
[/quote]

  )

I think the problem here as that there is much confusion about what transmission fluid can be used. There are plenty of examples on the Internet of various companies supplying (and "fitting") the wrong fluids. There are many different brands and specs and it is hard for Joe Public to know which are the right ones to use. Hence a confidence factor in using the folks who built the box to change the fluid - surely they MUST use the right one?




[quote="moar"]
As long as you're happy.

But I think it is wrong to push people to think that the level and quality of the workmanship would be substandard compared to ZF.

ZF do not manufacture pans, it is outsourced just like their fluid.

So "pattern" German parts are pefectly acceptable. And to be honest, with the 6hp26, I would rather pay extra and purchase the metal sump pan and the normal filter that can be swapped. A common and recommended modification to do.

You can purchase the mod here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-OE ... 51b62b1c32

I don't like the idea of a plastic sump and it is common for them to leak. So it's worth paying extra to upgrade to metal.

For the fluid Febi and Meyle do perfectly fine fluid for the 6hp26. It is the correct golden colour and I wouldn't be surprised if it is the exact same stuff. Only a handful of companies would manufacture this fluid for ZF.

There is nothing wrong with purchasing the millers version either which is derived from Dexron oil but conforms to the ZF specification. I have had perfectly good success with this fluid.

Transmissions are very basic things and servicing them is even more basic. There is nothing complicated about the job. It can easily be performed in 60-90 minutes for a sump drop whilst taking care to torque up everything.

For future readers, you can perform this job with in the UK with no problem at all to the same standard as the manufacturer.
[/quote]

I completely forgot we are talking about E53s.

The ZF transmission in the X5s is slightly different for the 6hp26.

On normal 6hp26 trannys you get the plastic sump with the built in filter.

Our X5s have a normal seperate filter away from the pan which makes it much cheaper to do the job.

Dealer parts are around £80 for the filter whereas aftermarket Febi are around £15. Nothing wrong with aftermarket parts here.

Regarding fluid, you are ok to use anything that meets the spec as long as you're with the main brands. There is nothing special about transmission fluid and I am aware Joe Public get very scared on this topic.

The reality is you are ok using the spec fluid rather than the original fluid. Alot of the original fluid is also rebranded to others and some bigger companies make it themselves.

My local bmw showroom is fantastic and is staffed by male and female models who all have degrees in one thing or another, dress in designer gear and looked seriously stressed at me parking my 2006 out front!! Lol I do know why their overheads are so high! I don't think it's down to the their superior knowledge or expertise more down to their expensive taste in staff, pretty receptionists and posh showrooms. One day I will be able to walk in and buy from the brochure


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[quote="Raj"]
Well I've just spent the weekend prepping the beast for a run to ZF tomorrow evening.

Full oil change with new level sensor and 8 spark plugs changed to boot.

The spark plugs were an absolute pita to do. I mean there isn't much space as it is but when you factor in the LPG components it's near impossible to get any clearance for the back 2 on the nearside. Tool 3 hours just to change the plugs lol and with a lot of scrapped arms etc. BUT all done and she's purring nicely.

Also have her a good proper clean with the lovely day yesterday. Waxed with Collinite and exhaust tips cleaned up too.

The reason for heading to ZF themselves, is that the electrical connector running into the back of the box is leaking so I'm having to now go down the full service road for the oil etc. With all the usual uncertainty of changing the fluid now is hit 120k miles I've now got no choice. It's only worked out about £120 more expensive than getting it done here an they replace the lower pan, bolts etc too instead of just the gaskets.
[/quote]

Hi Raj

Been considering doing this for a while and have heard so many good things about them but I emailed them four or five days ago off their website and have had nothing back. If you have an email address for them directly can you post here or pm it to me?
Cheers
Smee

[quote="Smeeagain"]
[quote="Raj"]
Well I've just spent the weekend prepping the beast for a run to ZF tomorrow evening.

Full oil change with new level sensor and 8 spark plugs changed to boot.

The spark plugs were an absolute pita to do. I mean there isn't much space as it is but when you factor in the LPG components it's near impossible to get any clearance for the back 2 on the nearside. Tool 3 hours just to change the plugs lol and with a lot of scrapped arms etc. BUT all done and she's purring nicely.

Also have her a good proper clean with the lovely day yesterday. Waxed with Collinite and exhaust tips cleaned up too.

The reason for heading to ZF themselves, is that the electrical connector running into the back of the box is leaking so I'm having to now go down the full service road for the oil etc. With all the usual uncertainty of changing the fluid now is hit 120k miles I've now got no choice. It's only worked out about £120 more expensive than getting it done here an they replace the lower pan, bolts etc too instead of just the gaskets.
[/quote]

Hi Raj

Been considering doing this for a while and have heard so many good things about them but I emailed them four or five days ago off their website and have had nothing back. If you have an email address for them directly can you post here or pm it to me?
Cheers
Smee
[/quote]

Here you go Smee:

Carl-Joerg Sagert
+4923019122940
E-mail carl-joerg.sagert@zf.com
http://www.zf-dortmund.de

Email him directly otherwise call him. His English is a little broken but he can hold a conversation.

perfect, thanks

Smee