ZF gearbox service

[sixspeed]

Finally have the '6 booked into MRC for the Stage 2 map next month. Apart from being REALLYBLOODYEXCITED about the potential mind bending performance, I figured it was wise to include a gearbox oil change since the car is on 78k now. I got this added to the booking, but then a few days later I remembered there were some threads floating around some BMW forums ( ) a while back, about a guy who drove to the ZF factory in Dortmund, Germany and had a full thorough service carried out on the transmission for a very keen price.

I dug out the thread (here for those interested), and contacted ZF to see if they could offer this on their cars.

Here's the reply I got this morning:

Hello,
There is a 6 HP-26/28 in your vehicle. ZF recommends to change the oil with 80-120Tkm.
In this case the gearbox oil pan is dismantled and the mechatronic modul is taken out.
After that the oil is blown out of the converter pneumatically. So we can change the main part of the oil.
Sealings and expendable parts including the oil filter are replaced.
The whole procedure takes about 4 hours because the gear must be filled when it’s cold.
We can schedule it for the week starting 16 June
The amount of cost including changing the oil in rear axle differential gear is ca. 540,-€.

Not only is it a thorough service (and looks to be the same level of work detailed in the thread), but it's also quite a bit cheaper than having the work done at MRC. Also, who else would know these boxes better than the factory themselves (not to take anything away from MRC). So think I'm going to get booked in and head over there - maybe take a detour via the 'Ring on the way back (as I want an excuse to take the '6 over there for a few laps rather than the track toy).


Thought I'd put this out there though. No idea if there is anyone else that would be interested in this and maybe I can enquire about two/three cars getting done on the same day.

[R33]

When are you in at MRC, I'm booked in on the 30th of May for a stage 2 and 20K major service. I'll get my gearbox serviced and remapped next time as it's already costing a fair bit to get this all done.

I checked my service book the other night and my car is at 66k miles and as far as I can see from all the Audi main dealer services it's had (and it's been over serviced) I can't see that it's ever had the plugs changed, can this be right?!

[sixspeed]

Plugs should be changed around now. Mine were done at it's major service at 68k.

I'm booked in on the 23rd

[RS6chris!]

Map is unreal mate

I still laugh out loud now!!!...everytime I boot it.

I had my box oil and plugs done at 43k.

Chris

[R33]

Can't wait!

[Ungjaevel]

Very good information posted.

I'm looking into going to the ring possibly during the summer, or perhaps next.
Changing oil at the factory would be far cheaper than doing it in Sweden....

(I'm up to 9000km / 55k miles)

Again, thank you!

[Keaney]

Sounds like it's worth the trip

[classba]

Sixspeed, whilst you're at it, do also ask ZF how much BHP and Torque our box can handle ( long term) and I think you will be shocked.

[sixspeed]

Sixspeed, whilst you're at it, do also ask ZF how much BHP and Torque our box can handle ( long term) and I think you will be shocked.

Sounds like you already know?

[SmokeyRS6]

Yeah please share how much will the box take?

[sixspeed]

So returned from Germany last night and just thought I'd update this thread after visiting ZF in Dortmund for the gearbox service.

I haven't had any problems with the gearbox, but had noticed in the last few months that gear changes were a bit lumpy (especially when cold), almost sometimes like it was holding onto the gears a bit too long/they were "sticking". Hard to describe better than that, but put it more down to the new map and extra torque running through the box making the changes feel more aggressive, especially under part-throttle etc.

After picking the car up from ZF yesterday afternoon though the difference is night and day. Changes are silky smooth, and noticeably quicker/more responsive. This morning from a cold start (when "symptoms" were most apparent), the response was the same. I'm shocked at the difference to be honest! This is money well spent, and also it's pretty disgraceful that Audi view these transmissions as sealed for life (although Audi aren't alone as a manufacturer in this).

ZF gave me a full rundown on the car's gearbox, and said that the old oil was very clean, not showing any sign of transmission wear, so that is always good news to hear.

Took them 4 hours in total to complete the job, and was a simple drive-in, drive-out job. The work came out to €495, which thanks to the tanking Euro at the moment cost me around £388. In comparison, MRC quoted me around £750 to have this done, so the money saved paid for the ferry and accommodation of a few nights over at the 'Ring and a night in Cologne after!

Have to say the guys there were very accommodating as well when we arrived. Had a chat to one of their engineers about their range of transmissions and some of their applications. Pretty impressive array of work they do! They arranged a taxi to take us into Dortmund town center for a few hours too whilst they carried out the work.

All in all, would recommend this job if your car is anywhere around the 60-80k mark (which is when ZF recommend the oil to be changed), and/or you are getting some slightly sluggish or jerky gear changes

[SuprSi]

Sounds great, did the guys at ZF speak english? I want to learn to speak German, need to find the time and enthusiasm to do it.

Good price and service by the sounds of it.

[C6NVS]

Great write up six...thanks for sharing as it is good to know what options are available out there and the changes it makes to the car.

[R33]

What do they actually do in a service rather than a fluid change?

[sixspeed]

There's a list of 9 separate parts on the invoice, mostly consisting of smaller items (brackets, screws, oil seals and o-rings), the oil and an oil filter.

Yes, like most people over there, they spoke English. I dealt with a chap called Klaus over email who greeted me on arrival and went through the booking etc. There was also a German lady there who spoke very good English. When I picked the car up and explained I was heading back home, and whereabouts in the UK I had to get to, it turned out that she used to live down the road from me for quite a number of years!