BMW ZF 8HP Transmission Guide

ZF 8HP · eight-speed automatic · BMW designations GA8HP45Z, GA8HP50Z, GA8HP51Z, GA8HP70Z, GA8HP75Z, GA8HP90Z, GA8HP95Z and hybrid GA8P70H and GA8P75H · US-market cars 2009 to 2019 · F-series and G-series, E70 and E71

Part of the BMW transmission guide. To find the gearbox in a particular car, use the E-series lookup or the F and G series lookup.

The ZF 8HP is the eight-speed automatic that replaced the six-speed ZF 6HP in BMW cars. In BMW parts data it appears first in cars built from 09/2009, the F02 760Li and the F07 550i Gran Turismo, and then spreads through the 3, 5, 6, 7, X and Z4 lines. BMW writes the name GA8HP followed by a two-digit size number: 45, 50, 51, 70, 75, 76, 90 or 95, with Z or X at the end.

BMW's training describes four planetary gear sets. Five shift elements, two brakes and three clutches, pick the gears, and in each gear three of the five are applied. BMW's training says a later revision gives slightly larger gear steps and an overall ratio spread of 8.20 or 8.59.

Quick read

• Ownership position: Not established yet. We are still researching how these gearboxes age in service.
• Reliability: Not established yet. We found no BMW recall or service bulletin on the 8HP in our files beyond the emergency release change.
• Cost to own: Not established yet.
• Power potential: Not established yet. BMW's documents we opened give no design torque for the 45, 50, 51, 70, 75 or 76 versions.
• Main watch item: BMW calls the gearbox lifetime fill, except on the hybrids, where BMW adds a fluid change at about 60,000 km on the ECE interval.

ZF 8HP At a Glance

Technical Specifications

Which BMWs Have It

BMW's own parts data disagrees with itself on a few cars: for the E70 X5 M, the E71 X6 M, the E70 X5 xDrive35d built 04/2010-06/2013 and the F01 740i and F02 740Li with the N54 (built 03/2010-06/2012), the parts-data fluid table lists an 8HP, but parts-catalog fluid fitment lists ATF 2, the ZF 6HP fluid, and the GA6HP26Z filter kit is listed for the X5 M and X6 M. Until that is settled, check the gearbox label on these cars.

Variants

• GA8HP45Z: the common version in the N20, N26 and N55 cars (335i, 535i, 640i, X1 28i, X3, 428i and 435i).
• GA8HP50Z and GA8HP50X: the version for the B46 and B58 four- and six-cylinder cars, 330i, 340i, 440i, 540i and the G01 and G02 X3 and X4, which carry the GA8HP50X.
• GA8HP51Z and GA8HP51X: the revised 8HP for the 2018 to 2019 B46D and B58C cars (G20 330i and M340i, G29 Z4, G30 530i and 540i, G05 and G07 X5 and X7).
• GA8HP70Z: the version for the V8 and diesel N63, N57 and S63 cars (550i, 650i, 750i, X5 50i, 535d).
• GA8HP75Z and GA8HP76X: the versions for the later V8 and M cars (X5 M, X6 M, M5 F90, 750i G11, G30 M550i, F97 X3 M).
• GA8HP90Z and GA8HP95Z: the V12 versions (F02 760Li, G12 M760iX).
• GA8P70H and GA8P75H: hybrid versions for the ActiveHybrid 3, 5 and 7, the 330e, the X5 xDrive40e and the 745e. BMW calls them ZF 8P70 and 8P75.

Doing the fluid service? Our 8HP service kit has the ZF pan with filter and bolts, 7 L of ATF (ZF LifeguardFluid 8 or Motul ATF VI, your pick) and a new fill plug in one box. It is not for the hybrids (GA8P70H, GA8P75H). Check your gearbox with the lookups above, or send us your VIN and we'll confirm the kit.

Service Parts at a Glance

These BMW part numbers were looked up in BMW parts data (December 2019 data date). The catalog lists the models, and the kit lists are long, so the first models are shown.

Known Failure Points and Service Items

Not established for the 8HP: we found no BMW recall or fault bulletin on the gearbox in our files, and an NHTSA recall search on sample US model years from 2011 to 2019 found no recall with the automatic gearbox as the component. These are service items BMW documents.

01 Emergency release change (service item)

BMW phased out the in-cabin mechanical emergency release on the GA8HP cars during 2010: from production 09/2010 on the F01, F02, F03 and F04, 03/2010 on the F07 and 06/2010 on the F10. From then on the mechanical release can only be reached from below, and the electric release that replaced it is for moving the car inside a dealer workshop. BMW says it is not approved for customers or for towing.

02 Fluid change on the hybrids (service item)

For the ActiveHybrid 3 (F30 335iH), ActiveHybrid 5 (F10 535iH) and ActiveHybrid 7 (F01 735iH and F02 735iLH), BMW added an automatic transmission fluid change to the maintenance scope, on every second engine oil service, about 60,000 km on the ECE basic interval. BMW says country-specific intervals can differ.

Reliability Verdict

Not established yet. We are still researching this gearbox family.

Power Potential

Not established yet.

Cost of Ownership

Not established yet.

Common Questions

What BMWs have the ZF 8HP automatic?

BMW parts data lists an 8HP gearbox (GA8HP45Z, 50Z, 51Z, 70Z, 75Z, 90Z and 95Z) in US E70 X5, E71 X6, E84 X1, E89 Z4, F01 and F02 7 Series, F06, F12 and F13 6 Series, F07 and F10 5 Series, the F22 to F36 small cars, F25 and F26 X3 and X4, F15 and F16 X5 and X6, and G-series cars to 2019.

What fluid does a ZF 8HP use?

BMW specifies ATF 3+, part number 83 22 2 289 720 in parts data from December 2019, and says the earlier ATF 3 and ATF 3+ can be mixed. BMW describes the fluid as lifetime fill.

How much fluid does a ZF 8HP hold?

BMW lists 8.5 liters for the GA8HP45Z and GA8HP70Z, 8.8 liters for the GA8HP50Z, 8.7 liters for the GA8HP75Z, and 10 liters for the GA8HP90Z.

Does the ZF 8HP need a fluid change?

BMW calls it a lifetime-fill gearbox with no oil change for its service life. The exception is the ActiveHybrid 3, 5 and 7, where BMW lists a fluid change about every 60,000 km.

What is the difference between the GA8HP45Z and GA8HP70Z?

BMW parts data pairs the GA8HP45Z with the N20, N26 and N55 engines and the GA8HP70Z with the N63, N57 and S63 engines. BMW's torque ratings for the two are not established in our files.

Sources

• BMW service documentation: transmission designations and maker table.
• BMW Service Information SI 24 05 96 (143): automatic transmission fluids, enclosures 14 and 17.
• BMW Service Technology: functional description of the 8-speed automatic transmission 8HP.
• BMW Service Information 24 01 10 (617): gearbox emergency release for GA6HP and GA8HP.
• BMW Service Information 00 07 12 (817), 00 08 12 (818) and 00 33 11 (747): hybrid maintenance scope.
• BMW technical data: transmission filling capacities, group 24.
• BMW parts catalog data, December 2019 data date: fluid table, fitment and part numbers.