[jcolman]

I had my M40i in the shop recently for an inspection and the service guy said my transmission was leaking fluid. He had a photo of the pan and you could see a bit of fluid on the edges. The shop wants over $800 to replace the pan and fluid along with the gaskets, etc. This seems excessive to me. I found a kit that contains everything I would need (I think) for $260 including fluids. I don't really feel comfortable tackling this job myself as I don't have a lift. But I also don't like the idea of paying over $500 to a shop just for a couple hours labor.

Thoughts ??

[MisanoblueZ4]

Was this a BMW dealer? I think I’d want their opinion on that work first and see what’s covered on warranty and if that falls under power train coverage.

Like everything else, inflation has made car work gone up in price. Consider my local Valvoline Oil Change place charges $150 for oil and tire rotation for 20mins or less of actual labor.

[jcolman]

Originally Posted by MisanoblueZ4

Was this a BMW dealer? I think I’d want their opinion on that work first and see what’s covered on warranty and if that falls under power train coverage.

Like everything else, inflation has made car work gone up in price. Consider my local Valvoline Oil Change place charges $150 for oil and tire rotation for 20mins or less of actual labor.

It was a local bimmer specialist shop. The car is out of warranty (2020 model). I'm sure the local BMW dealer would likely charge more.

[jcolman]

I found a very good video that explains the procedure to fill a ZF transmission. Besides ordinary tools, it requires a scanner to monitor oil temp and a pump to fill the transmission. It looks like it should take about an hour to do the complete job. I use to have a neighbor with a lift in his garage but he's since moved on. If I were younger, I'd tackle the job myself using ramps, but I don't feel like crawling around on the ground under my car.

[tracer bullet]

The dealer could be worth asking, I've found my local indy's are actually not at all cheaper. You could also play them against each other a bit, you usually get a quote on book rates and maybe a materials lookup, or they may just take a guess as well (I've seen it). Tell the dealer that nearby specialist XYZ only wants 800 and see if the dealer goes go lower (have experienced this too).

Yep, ramps and / or stands, and a jack, and time. DIY-able, up to you if you wish to do it. You could tackle a few more things while you're under there - Rear diff fluid for example. DIY oil changes perhaps, etc.

I do all that stuff myself, but maybe I'm "only" in my early 50's and I do know it's only getting harder each year. I also have a lifetime's worth of tools built up and rarely if ever need something new to do a job. Buying tools when you're young they easily pay for themselves, as life goes on and you use them less it's a different story.

Guess I'm rambling now and saying obvious things.

[BEAR-AvHistory-2]

Have changed a number of transmission gaskets & filters in the past last time was only a kid at 79. Not very hard to do with basic tools in most cases.

I would check to see if you actually do have a leak. Oil mess can come from anyplace and accumulate anyplace. Open the fill plug I see if the fluid level is even with the bottom of the opening when at temperature.

Anyone without a leak ZF recommends a change at 50,000 -75,000 miles or 8 years.

Best thing to do is hit YouTube & check a BMW trans pan removal & filter install. Should either give you comfort or a no way am I getting involved with that.

The scanner & fill tools can be replaced with a meat probe thermometer. The fill unit can be a funnel with a flexable piece of hose on it, brake power bleeder, garden bug sprayer etc.

Two Things - 1) If you drop the pan change the filter. 2)Warning AT trans fluid will ruin any clothes you get it on. IIRC the 8ZF swaps the plastic pan for a fresh one so you don't need to do a separate filter replace.