.............seems you have a good bunch of tech's who know what they are doing.

As stated mine was booked in last week for oils ervice plus ATF change plus filter ands sundries.

Having prior made 2 calls and sent emails re this work dealer called me 30 mins from drop off & the conversation went a bit like this.

Dealership " Are you sure you want the Transmission fluid done ? "

Me "Yes"

Dealership "You do know that you can get problems from doing this ! "

Me " Yes -That's why I supplied the ZF manual "

Dealership " We have done ATF drain and refills on these before and done the procedure as per the BMW service manual connecting the car up to a machine that tells us when the new ATF is up to the right temperature for shifting geers and topping up/bleeding. Despite this we have had boxes fail near immediately after the work. We had one X5 in for new fluid as the owner was paranoid about his car. We did it all by the book and reversed the car of the ramp -THE GEARBOX WENT BANG AND THAT WAS IT- A NEW BOX WAS REQUIRED.
Me " Was his car under warranty"

Dealership "I cant remember but I think not - BMW made a contribution but he ended up with a big bill "

Me " I am concerned re the signs of ATF around the gearbox sump gasket"

Dealership "We will check the torque of the bolts"

Me "If it was your car would you have the ATF changed"

Dealership "Absolutely NOT.........and I know we are turning work away"

Decision - Dealer checked torque of the pan / sump bolt heads and claims leakage was sweating only & near insignificant. I am not confident any bmw main dealer will do a correct drain /refill, (without torque convertor flush).

Dilema - Non dealer work under 100k means waiver of goodwill in event of failure...........Leaving it until 100k increases risk of failure from debris movement on drain or flush. Doing nothing fails to reassure.

Interim decision - run car as is & if owned over 100k consider drain and refill or drain flush and refill. Any work will have to be performed by ZF gearbox specialist &/or BMW Indy Expert with experience of changing and/or flushing box as on mine, (5HP24).

Frustrating............. I suspect whatever I do this will often be in the back of my mind.

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UK Black Sapphire 2002 4.4i Sport