Gearbox Service in the East Midlands
 

Hi

I'm no expert on car mechanics but at least I have the nouse to consult the similar minded people on this excellent forum about any concerns I have with my newly purchased 8.

With that in mind, I have been reading some threads (and the sticky's) about gearboxes and the one thing I've concluded is that the gearbox is the Achilles heel of my car and that if I don't care for it then I may end up with something that will be uneconomical to repair.
I kind of know this from experience when an auto box in an old A6 Avant went south and cost me a lot to put right.

So whilst driving my car recently (this didn't show up on a test drive), I noticed a 'thump' at exactly 40mph when decelerating - foot off the gas. Nothing severe, but noticeable amongst the otherwise silky smooth nature of the box. And also some mornings when moving the stick to D, I get a similar 'thump' - subtle though it is.
When noticing this I immediately thought of my past experience and came to the conclusion that a gearbox service from a ZF Centre would be the wisest thing to do, especially considering that I have no paperwork to show that one has been done in the 115k history of the car.
I'm hoping that the more experienced forum members reading this would agree that my "prevention is better than cure" approach is the best option and that I should hot-foot it to my nearest ZF centre and get the pan dropped, magnets cleaned, oil and filter changed (does it sound as though I know what I'm doing?).
So any recommendations please? I'm on the East Northants border with Cambridgeshire / Bedfordshire and according to the ZF website, when I select Servicing > Northamptonshire > Transmissions I get 2 options.
1. ZF Services UK Ltd Nottingham
2. Wayne Lee Motorsports Cumbria

This seems to contradict some other threads that suggest Mackies (Glasgow) and Chester Transmissions (if I recall the name correctly) are also places to go for those local to them. I think that I may be using the ZF website incorrectly. I hope that some members, especially those local to me, can come up with a better option and give me a guide price to expect for such a service.

Thanks in advance for any help proffered.
Dean

I don't know if they are an approved ZF place, but MRC in Banbury know more about Audi's than most, they look after a lot of cars, high powered and otherwise and regularly deal with the fragile boxes on C5 RS6's

Give Doug there a call and see what he says

I'm not aware of any I can trust in east/south.
Suggest to drive to ZF Dortmund in Germany.
This is what I'm doing...

Hi Dean

Your box may be low on fluid, but given the age and mileage a change would be worthwhile. The only caveat to that is that there is folklore than for a high-ish mileage first gearbox oil change you can get gunk floating around in the box that was otherwise being kept in one place out of harms way.

Given yours is the diddy engine, the box isn't under as much stress as the V8s, so I reckon it'd be worth doing.

The main issues with getting the box serviced are ensuring they use the right fluid, and that the filter has the correct depth of pick up. Ordering parts through Audi based on VIN should prevent that problem.

It is quite a challenge for your average garage to get the gearbox sump leak-free - largely because some of the bolts are difficult to access. I'm not sure if yours will have easier access, but in any case a decent garage will do it right.

You'll probably have read differing experiences of late using Chester Transmissions - depending on how far away they are from you, if they're an option I would consider a fluid change by them to ensure all the old gunky oil is removed.

If staying more local then the drop the sump option is the only one open to you - I've not found any other gearbox specialists offering the pump option. Aim to have a repeat service done a couple of years later, if you're doing relatively few miles and no ill effects of the change present themselves, and any remaining old fluid will have been well diluted.

Not much fluid is likely to come out, but a lot more will go in. Not uncommon to only drain 5 litres but for 8 or 9 to go back in!

A

I have used VMTP in Cannock in the midlands to do servicing on mine before. http://vmtp-midlands.co.uk/vmtp-midlands-ltd/
I had no problems with them but I am sure there are better out there if you are prepared to drive. I have also used Chester for diag in the past and they were excellent. But then I have also used http://www.bristolgearboxcentre.com/...ta-technology/ who specialise in VAG gearboxes. They did a total rebuild on a 7spd DSG gearbox for me. I would also recommend them.

It's not as scary as you think really, any good VAG-skilled independent should be able to do it. The drain/filter/fill that is.

My local did both my old and new (current) ones but do also have the benefit of some quite good people including some who used to work at Fontain (a big independent in Iver). They also said up front that they would order from Audi and use genuine/correct parts.

My first one improved a lot, but was probably too late anyway. What came out was pretty mucky and the car didn't last much longer anyway, for various reasons.
The second one was done around 70,000 miles and what came out was clean. It has been fine for the well over 3 years since then apart from glitches that have been (finally!) tracked down to the F125 switch, now replaced with great results.
I'd seriously look at replacing the F125 switch at the same time, though that will add a fair bit to the labour (and about £150 parts).

I used these guys in Kettering Dean....

http://www.automaticgearbox.co.uk/

when I had a leak from the drive shaft at rear of transmission on my D2 S8. They did a 'transmission service' as well (which is basically a fluid change) and I was very happy with their work. They're very used to ZF boxes looking at the array of vehicles parked up outside and in the workshop. They were recommended to me by my local garage.

Just another option.

Thanks for the quick responses and advice. This is better than Google!

I can no doubt agree that driving the car to Dortmund would give me the most peace of mind (and a nice drive) but I think I'll stay closer to home for the first one.
I phoned Midlands Auto Transmissions in Kettering http://www.automaticgearbox.co.uk/ as they are very local, seemed very professional from their website - and come recommended by Professor Peach. When asked if they used ZF Lifeguard fluids I was told that they used the exact recommended parts. I didn't want to force the issue by asking the receptionist to name the EXACT recommended parts but I still have confidence. Their website shows that they have a boardroom so why not be impressed? Their quote of £295 + VAT seemed to be around the price I was thinking it would be (I had £250 + VAT in mind). Reassuringly expensive?

I also phoned my local VAG independent in Wellingborough to get a comparative quote. £80 all in for an oil and filter change and they would use the "correct parts" too. Now call me a cynic, but that quote didn't quite sit right with me. When I asked if the sump would be dropped and the magnets inspected/cleaned I was asked: "oh, would you want that doing too?".
I've happily used them before but I just get the impression that a more "proper" job would be done at Midlands Auto Transmissions (or other recommended outlets if they were a bit closer).

I'll book the car in for early January as they are closed until the New Year.

Oh and BTW Adrian, in light of your sterling assistance with the NAV CD I am prepared to forgive you for your insult. "Diddy engine" indeed! How very dare you! :ROFL:

You should see what we say about the 3.7 V8s. :eek:

You could try Stephen Engineering in Ware, Hertfordshire. http://www.stephensengineering.co.uk

I thought mine was leaking, and these guys were recommended to me by Chester Transmissions.

I spoke to Jason, who is really knowledgeable and very friendly too. I plan on going back when mine needs servicing. They have all the ZF accreditation and are members of FATE, which means you have a nationwide backup network (albeit and admittedly sparse network).