BMW and M Power Owners

[ChrisD.]

I’ve had two ZF8 BMW’s and both buttery smooth in all situations.

 

[DJMK4]

Just been watching this guy.

He seems to enjoy the flappy paddles..

To be fair when he is flicking between gears it seems responsive.. I'd have to watch again to see if he's using it in another mode.

 

[MissChief]

Also buttery smooth changes, especially after I had the gearbox serviced and the fluid changed. On gentle acceleration the only way I can see the gearbox changing is the rev counter.

 

[MrRockliffe]

So if you set off down the road just driving normally, you find it horribly jerky when it changes gear?

I just don't see how that can be possible unless something is wrong with it. They are very smooth.

Up to around 30 mph yes, which made it frustrating for 20 limits.

Worst offender was 3rd to 2nd at around 20. Diabolical where I used to live as it was a 20 zone around the area.


I’m much smoother in a manual.


Edit: wish I had accelerometer data still as I did a full comparison with my Boxster, 320d and the 320i loan car.


Boxster was perfect and blended the gears and clutch exactly like I do in a manual. 3 series were spikey in readouts.




Edit 2: it was fine if you’re just mashing the accelerator but for town driving where you’re not necessarily braking, just lifting off, it was killer.


Higher speeds it was fine, but so is a manual.

 

[DJMK4]

Also buttery smooth changes, especially after I had the gearbox serviced and the fluid changed. On gentle acceleration the only way I can see the gearbox changing is the rev counter.

Yeh does sound like it good gear changes. What did they do with the gearbox service, transmission oil change? , how much and what interval ?

I'm just reading further , b47 and b48 engines at the moment

I did notice when I was listening to the petrol 420i it sounded abit noisy under the bonnet, but reading up it has a noisy drivetrain, and we'll a 420d sounds like a diesel but better than previous years cars.

Apparently things I need to look out for are

Still comments about timing chain, I guess along as you keep within the service every 6-8k miles you should be fine


Other comments
Coolant loss, oil leaks, failing water pumps, and issues with the VANOS system are a few problems that could arise over time in both engines. Keeping a close eye on your engine bay would be a good idea, as usual for any high-mileage BMW. Having to replace the turbocharger at very high mileage (150,000+ miles) wouldn’t be out of the ordinary.


Any owners had any of these issues ?

With regards to BMW Warrenty , if I go for approved used I assume any non BMW parts or non BMW servicing would void any warrenty . I like to do certain tasks myself that are easy (IE air filter/cabin filter) and then take it to an indie to get the oil and filter changed etc and then log it with BMW to say it's been done , I assume this wouldn't be allowed ?

 

[Robbo]

Up to around 30 mph yes, which made it frustrating for 20 limits.

Worst offender was 3rd to 2nd at around 20. Diabolical where I used to live as it was a 20 zone around the area.


I’m much smoother in a manual.

Very strange, I can honestly say it's extremely smooth and could never be described as jerky. Perhaps they were all faulty, I can't think of any other reason.

The DCT in my M4 on the other hand was a bit all over the place at times in terms of smoothness, but they're known for it.

 

[MrRockliffe]

Very strange, I can honestly say it's extremely smooth and could never be described as jerky. Perhaps they were all faulty, I can't think of any other reason.

The DCT in my M4 on the other hand was a bit all over the place at times in terms of smoothness, but they're known for it.

Have a look online. It’s not hard to find numerous threads with the 3rd to 2nd issues. Every ZF8 I’ve driven exhibited the same problem

 

[Robbo]

Have a look online. It’s not hard to find numerous threads with the 3rd to 2nd issues. Every ZF8 I’ve driven exhibited the same problem

But if I took you for a spin in my car I'm confident you wouldn't notice it. I am pretty fussy about these things and it's really very smooth.

I'm not saying the gearbox can't have problems or inconsistencies, but you make it sound far, far worse than it is. Unless there are differences between the ZF8's in a 3 Series and 5/7/8 Series.

 

[MissChief]

Yeh does sound like it good gear changes. What did they do with the gearbox service, transmission oil change? , how much and what interval ?

The filter is built into the sump so it's a new sump and fluid. BMW will say it's sealed for life, ZF themselves say 8 years or 60,000 miles. I got mine done in August 2023 for £350+VAT.

 

[DJMK4]

The filter is built into the sump so it's a new sump and fluid. BMW will say it's sealed for life, ZF themselves say 8 years or 60,000 miles. I got mine done in August 2023 for £350+VAT.

I'm going to need to service that then as I would probably be buying a car on 50-60k, if it's had it done or not I would have no idea . Probably not

I asked a garage to change the gearbox oil in my 120d before using the right product and I'm not sure if it made it worse .

 

[MrRockliffe]

But if I took you for a spin in my car I'm confident you wouldn't notice it. I am pretty fussy about these things and it's really very smooth.

I'm not saying the gearbox can't have problems or inconsistencies, but you make it sound far, far worse than it is. Unless there are differences between the ZF8's in a 3 Series and 5/7/8 Series.

I’m test driving more 3 series this weekend on behalf of a friend. I’ll check if they have the same problem.


I wouldn’t want to take yours out and ruin the experience for you. Ignorance is bliss