Should you get your ZF gearbox serviced?

#ZFGearbox #CarMaintenance #BMW5Series

Should you get your ZF gearbox serviced? That is exactly what I am going to find out in this video.

The BMW F10/F11 5 Series Gearbox is made by ZF. BMW claim this is a ‘sealed for life’ box, but on the ZF website they recommend an oil and filter change every 60-80,000 miles.

You might be asking yourself: How often should I get my gearbox serviced? How often should you service BMW 5 Series Gearbox? Should you get your ZF Gearbox Serviced? How often should you service ZF gearbox?

BMW claim this is a ‘sealed for life’ box, but on the ZF website, they recommend an oil and filter change every 60-80,000 miles.

Are ZF gearboxes sealed for life?
No, ZF recommend a service every 60,000-80,000 miles.

Are ZF gearboxes reliable?
Yes. According the STA Aylesbury, they rarely see an 8-speed bozx for anything other than a regular service

Where should I get my ZF gearbox serviced?
Use the Partner Finder on the ZF website to find your local dealer. I used STA Aylesbury who were fantastic.

How much does a gearbox service cost?
It depends on where you go. BMW wanted £950, STA Aylesbury charged me £400.

In this video, Tim Watson – known as Our Tim – takes his high mileage BMW 5 Series ( F10 / F11 ) in for a BMW gearbox service and transmission fluid change. The F10 / F11 5 series uses a zf transmission which is claimed to be a ‘sealed transmission’ however ZF recommend a zf transmission service every 60-80000 miles. In this video you will see what goes into zf transmission fluid change, changing transmission fluid and the transmission fluid.

BMW 5 Series Gearbox Service performed by STA Aylesbury.

STA Aylesbury Reviews / STA Aylesbury Ltd Reviews

STA Aylesbury are a fantastic company who were professional throughout. Less than half the price of BMW, they showed me every detail of the change and made sure everything was 100%. Cannot fault them, would definitely recommend.

[JSarmiento.]

That is not the true ZF full transmission service. That is just basically a drain and fill with filter. The true ZF transmission service requires a machine that uses the inlet and outlet ports for the tranmission cooler and intercepts the oil there and catches it. It then replaces the same amount of catched oil with new fluid. It completely replaces the fluid and leaves nothing behind. Its more expensive that a regular change but it is a closer to a true complete fluid replace transmission service. This is the best choice if you think you have a problem with your transmission. You can be completely confident that if problems still remain, it is not caused by oil.

[MyCold]

Agreed, preventive maintenance is better than repair.

[mattbarca]

She looks solid underneath which is good! The gearbox changes in the automatic are fantastic so I can only imagine how smooth it feels now!

[julianhopkins]

Hi Tim interesting video I can’t find any good places near me in South Wales I have a bmw 530D touring 2014 I’m also looking for ZF specialists to service my great box can’t access the link you gave

[koen]

I got my f30 320d transmissions and rear diff serviced by ZF and that cost me €800, -

[iareburgman]

Nice video. Have an Audi Q5 TDI in America that was pretty well maintained but did this service recently. I agree it went from smooth to clarified buttery smooth.

Dealership here quoted $1500 got it done at a highly reputable indy for $800. They did use zf lifeguard 8 atf fluid as well, which zf claims is a must but many argue over valvoline maxlife being alright. As it seems you can easily go over 100k often on the zf fluid I didn't go for a cheaper option. If you had many different cars you're maintaining this might be something you'd think about but this is my sole vehicle.

Preventative maintenance is key. Was at 113k miles without it being serviced and running alright but was getting some slippage from 1-2 occasionally and also some stutter from D to N etc.

The service job is not so complex that you can't diy it but getting the new oil into the box seems to be the most cumbersome issue. Especially if you have a drive shaft in the way.

[wieto]

That came cheap.. I found now oem zf parts themselves like pan/filter with oil and bolts which is full kit, cost now over £400 not mentioning replacement. Will go for my 130k miles this week so hope will see similar improvement as you 👌

[djanatta]

Just went to STA, my 420d feels so much smoother now. Serviced it after 97K miles as gear changes/moving off from standstill felt a bit sluggish as to before

[MrMudmouth]

does the your 5 series have the f30 engine? if so have you had to replace your timing chain? great video btw

[unclepabs]

Thanks our Tim. I’m on higher mileage so mine’s in for 8HP fluid service with Rob Waller ZF approved and trained transmission specialist at Witney near Oxford

[carlosmiguel]

392 pounds is a very good price indeed! I serviced mine in my bmw, bought 6 liters of ZF oil, ZF pan with filter, all OE equipment, cost me around 150 euros and the car had 75000 miles. But i had the work of course. Now, after 4 years and 30000 miles i think it's time to change the oil again because it's becoming jerky and slipping a bit. Already reset adaptations but didn't solve so...PS: you can save a bit of money if you order another oil (approved with ZF specification like Motul or Liqui Moly) and oil pan from another manufacturer but really the difference isn't that much.

[Phil-]

That’s handy I’m in Bicester they’re in Aylesbury, I have a Jaguar XF with the 8 speed box and it needs a service

[brucebailey]

Glad to hear you saw an improvement! Aylesbury not too far from me, so will check out the place you used for the work I'm considering having done too.

[gerardcodo]

Hello, I have a question: How many liters have the gear box? Thanks.

[MrGuvEuroman]

BG uk do a full service machine, you put the machine on it runs the box and filters the oil while it’s running and filters it, takes the whole box back to new inside.

[julianhopkins]

Hi Tim great video I have a 2014 BMW 530D touring what do you know or recommend on trimming chain replacement ? Can’t find true honest information some say it’s 100.000 some say never it’s last the life of the car especially when doing regular engine oil change thanks

[billybob]

How much does this cost if was to bring dealer or reputable mechanic

[sennajourneaux]

Should have put it on a gearbox flush machine

[Ste_O_D]

You haven't included the link to the ZF page that gives you your nearest service centre