Service - But with a Difference.....

[nkotecha]

So....A nice call into Audi Leicester about a Transmission Service on my S8....'Sorry Sir, your car does not have a Schedule for a Transmission Service, therefore it is a sealed for life unit' DOH!

So then speaking to a few Specialists, who gave the disruptive speel about dropping the exhaust and whether it was a Plastic Sump with Filter built in OR a just a filter change......

I get frustrated easily (married 18 years)! - so I put a call into ZF Dortmund - whom within 4 minuted after taking my VIN, told me exactly what I needed in terms of parts and gave me a really nice quote of 490Euros.

Well, the excitement almost gave me a hernia, so I am planning a nice trip to Germany get the works done and return........

Watch this whilst I give an update of my experiences. I think this should be a no brainer - appreciate it might a little more then UK prices, but this is ZF doing the works!!!!!

So i go back to my coffee and speak real soon....

Nik

[rs32]

whilst you are there - can you find out if they offer a similar service for the D2 5-speed box ?

to have it done properly and get a decent road trip into the bargain - sounds good !

[IT]

More detail on the experience here:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=338

[nkotecha]

This is ZF HQ in Dortmund - I am sure that they will be able to do that!

Originally Posted by rs32

whilst you are there - can you find out if they offer a similar service for the D2 5-speed box ?

to have it done properly and get a decent road trip into the bargain - sounds good !

[overboost]

FWIW, ZF Dortmund is the recommended place in german forums to get your automatic serviced.
Common schedule is 80k-100k kilometers by those in the know.
Pricewise it seems always to be in the 500€ range and it is way more extensive than a quick lube at Audi's for the same money. Everybody is happy with the service.

I plan to check in at 120k kilometers next year, as my trannsmission already had 2 regular oil changes (which drain a lot less oil) due to a complaint of the 1st owner and persuasive talking during negotiation on my behalf .
The salesman gave me the usual lifetime filling crap when I collected the car, but he stood to his word an made the mechanics change the oil.

[David's8]

ZF have facilities in UK (Nottingham) too. They, according to their website "remanufacture ZF 4, 5 and 6 speed automatic transmissions and ZF power steerings to OE quality levels at its dedicated facilities in Nottingham. Using genuine ZF parts, incorporating the latest modifications, and assembling and testing the completed product to OE standards, ZF Services can provide replacement automatic transmissions at a competitive price and with a full ZF warranty." See; http://www.zf.com/eu/content/en/grea...utomotive.html

They also have approved service network centres (which includes Mackies of Glasgow):

See: http://www.zf.com/eu/content/en/grea...e_cars_uk.html

[snapdragon]

Originally Posted by David's8

ZF have facilities in UK (Nottingham) too. They, according to their website "remanufacture ZF 4, 5 and 6 speed automatic transmissions and ZF power steerings to OE quality levels at its dedicated facilities in Nottingham.
They also have approved service network centres (which includes Mackies of Glasgow):
See: http://www.zf.com/eu/content/en/grea...e_cars_uk.html

I tried the ZF in Nottingham last 'summer' - (it's only a stone's throw from the Audi dealer on the same street), and I pass it every day, they said they do not deal with the public or have a garage there The antithesis of Dortmund.

[nkotecha]

Before I go into depth of my recent experience of my Tranny service at ZF in Dortmund, I think we should take a 30 second silence for the 'feeling' of the S8......She was pushed hard and she loved every minute of it.......

Now its 6.30am on Monday Morning, I have my DFDS ferry booked from Dover to Dunkirk at 12.00.....however living in Leicester, thought I would make a reasonable start......

I fire her up, she sounded a little tired (more about this later) but she pleased.....

The journey was a little boring, the wife packed mw some breakfast bars and a can of Pepsi Max, so I was duly hydrated. The A1, M25 and M20 flew pas and I arrived at Dover with 45 mins to spare before boarding - Thanks to a certain coffee chain, I had my caffeine intake!

As I mentioned earlier she sounded a little tired, WELL as we arrived in Dunkirk, I returned to my Car only to find the battery was DEAD - Well thanks to the staff of DFDS Ferries, they jumped me and I was on my way.

Dunkirk welcomed the roar of the V10 and I as drove initially with caution (all this wrong side of the road etc...), I soon found myself enjoying.

I put in the address of my Exquisite hotel in the Nav, and it tells me 240 Miles away......

As I entered The Netherlands, I decided that a well deserved 'empty the bladder' break was on the cards - returning back to the car, put the key in and Battery DEAD!

A friendly fellow UK driver again helped me to Jump - But now this was becoming an issue. I looked for Special Destinations on the NAV and dialled in Audi Dealerships and there was one approx 13 miles away - so I rang them game them what we call our VIN, but they call it Vehicle ID......They had one in stock. Next destination RAES Audi.

320 Euros later - YES! - thats approx £280 I had a new Audi battery and the S8 was once again happy! albeit my mood was a little hampered......

4 hours later (20.10) I arrive in Dortmund, and I pull up outside the IBIS Budget (I did say exquisite), and go to bed dreaming how I could have got that battery almost 50% cheaper in the UK!!!!!

8.00am I drive into ZF, it was only 2 miles away from the hotel and I was greeted by Bert, whom I have had many email exchanges over the past few weeks.

Anyway he tells me what the service included (even though we had covered this many times before) i think he was chuffed to have someone from so far away visit his outfit!

9.10 they take the S8 in and up she goes. Unfortunately I was not allowed to take pictures, even though I mentioned that I had seen some on another forum, it must be a new rule! anyway. 40 Minutes later 11 litres of Tranny fluid was drained - they took it out of the Torque converter as well!

Off with the sump, this was a mission as the S8 has the exhausts in the way, but they did it - Off with the filter and then the Valve control unit (Mechatronic).

All cleaned and new seals, rings and all went back smoothly.

In with ZF lifeguard fluid and then started her up - had to wait till Tranny was 40 degrees - rechecked and then taken for a test drive!.

ALL OK! and I had a big grin. The works to a total of 4 Hours.

So back in the car, entered Dunkirk and back on the road again, The Ferry back to the UK was a 18.00

Another experience I had when I entered the UK, was Customs (1 guy, Bald, Indian, Audi S8, 24hours in and out) I got pulled and they checked all my documents and the S8 was up on the Ramp again (maybe looking for some Narcotics or little chinese people).

But in General a great trip, loved the S8 as she eat all the miles and aper from the small obstacles she drives like new!

Total cost

Ferry - £30.00
Hotel - £23.00
Battery - £280.00
Tranny Service - £410.00
Fuel - £200.00

Not cheap, but an experience, and those boys know their stuff!

[Adrian E]

Fantastic! Thanks for reporting back. Good to know the service appears as sound as ever from ZF in Germany. Bet they don't consider their own transmissions to be 'sealed for life' either lol

[notorious]

I'm impressed.

>> All cleaned and new seals, rings and all went back smoothly.

Did they actually remove gearbox to reseal it ???