SMG Servicing

[photodrt]

Hi. Anybody have any recommendations for a garage that will service and repair the SMG gearbox? Finding it increasingly difficult to locate anyone who will touch them these days. This includes main dealers.

[markplant]

https://www.rbmhampshire.co.uk/
Call Ross see if he can help
Well respected on here

[photodrt]

OK thanks I will give them a call.

[patriot66]

Hi Photodrt. Whereabouts are you situated ?

[photodrt]

Cirencester Gloucestershire. Car has no specific issues at the moment but when I bought it 10 years ago it failed spectacularly and Cotswold BMW replaced most of the system (pump, actuator, ECU), at great cost to me (and them as they warranted the first attempt to fix it). I was looking to try and maintain the system to preserve it for as long and possible. There is no specific maintenance regime as you know, although five years ago I persuaded Cotswold to change the hydraulic fluid which they did but again it didn't go smoothly. Cotswold now reluctant to touch it. I have approached Redish in Bristol, PSC in Cheltenham and Protech cars in Aylesbury about maybe changing fluid again, checking motor brushes, lubing actuator, doing software checks etc but all are reluctant to touch it. As I have invested a lot of time and effort (money) in the car and love it to bits I'm wondering whether now is the time to off load it or maybe look for someone to do a swap to manual. But again here are placed with experience of covering the M3 but I've never heard of anyone doing a Z4?

[patriot66]

My SMG is now at 106k miles. I've NEVER fully changed the Pentosin CHF11S, just a partial top up by myself two years ago. I've changed the gearbox oil itself twice, in 2017 and 2022. In 2018 the clutch actuator was weeping a little and I had this repaired and reconditioned by SMG Society in Berlin. I give all the electro/hydraulic components a thorough visual inspection every time I am under the car, which is quite often. All is dry and in good order. I fabricated a weather shield from 3mm aluminium sheet a couple of years back and this definitely keeps things clean and free of corrosion.

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I love the SMG, drive it almost daily all year round and don't worry about it. If a problem does arise it is very unlikely to be the gearbox itself as the 6speed ZF GS6S37 is pretty bombproof. All other electro/hydraulic components (mainly Magnetti Marelli and Denso) are readily available new (expensive), used/reconditioned (EBay) or repaired/exchange (SMG Society). As a last resort I have a very capable and well equipped independent only 30 minutes away

[photodrt]

Hi patriot66. Thanks for that very interesting and quite reassuring, as I said no problems at the moment just a bit concerned about the future. I’ve only done 22k since system was completely rebuilt (albeit 10 years ago) so probably be OK for a while.

[patriot66]

I'm sure it will be fine. Get out and enjoy it !
Guessing from your avatar you may be a Denny Hulme fan ?