Zf Auto - Worth It?

[elfinke]

Hey all,

Long time lurker, first time poster (but you can't hang me on a wall - well, not easily)!

I'm currently looking to jump on the XR6 bandwagon - I have loved the B series Falcons ever since I laid eyes on one in '02.

Only now am I in a position to grab one, and so here I am, nightly perusing forums, hitting up carsales/point/drive/ebay/countrycars etc, seeing what's what.

And in the last few weeks, I have been pestering my local car dealers for both test drives and information. After much research, I decided I wanted to pick up an XR (N/A or Turbo, whatever happened first, though obviously I expect to find a N/A for the money I want to spend more easily) with the ZF 6 speed auto, but not spend over $25k. And as I'm sure you are all aware, finding a second hand one of those in NSW through a dealer is damn near impossible at that price point :(

Worse still, it means I can't hop down the street and test drive one. So far I have only been able to drive the 4sp autos, which were rather noisy and uncouth in 1st gear but otherwise rather quaint (however, I must mention that my current ride is a 1990 XF Falcon Ute, with a 3sp column shift, so when I say uncouth, you need to take it with a grain of salt, haha). Tomorrow, I hope to take a BAII with the 5sp manual for a spin and see how it compares (though from all your posts, I expect 'clunky'?) Still, it will be interesting to compare.

TL:DR, I guess I'm just looking for some affirmation of my decision - should I hang on, and wait for that ZF to show up, or is the difference between it and the 4sp just not worth the extra $$ and time spent waiting?

[ZAP]

Mate 2 things:

The ZF is by far the best auto gearbox money can buy

Get the turbo with the ZF as it is the perfect match.

You are better finding a higher milage car with these options than to choose a NA or 4Sp auto as you will alway regret the decision.

[elfinke]

Thanks for the quick and bang on reply. That's more or less what I had 90% convinced myself to believe, but, y'know, the whole not having driven one myself thing was proving a bar in convincing myself that final 10%... Even though I keep telling myself that if the ZF is good enough for Bentley, BMW, Jaguar and other various V8/V10s etc, than it is surely good enough for the stunning inline6 XR6 hehe. But still that nagging doubt.

What about 'the ZF life span is 150000km' sort of chatter I hear modders talk about?

As you can plainly see, I have fark all idea :D

[Benji_vs]

With proper looking after the lifespan of the box should exceed 150,000k before a rebuild, People talk of changing the oil and filter at regular intervals if the car is making more power but at stock levels you should be fairly confident that the box will last because its an awesome and very strong transmission.

Word is that Ford charge a heap for an oil change and will only do it if there is an problem with the box but a reputable auto specialist should be able to do it for you at a reasonable price (compared to ford), Castrol Transmax Z seems to be the oil of choice.

[xr0500]

I drove tons of different variants before I bought my car, 4spdauto T, 6spd manual NA, 6spd manual T, and then you drive a T with the ZF and it just doesnt compare.....

You should check the cars for sale section on here if you are after a well looked after, full service history, BF T with the ZF....

Edited 27/07/09 12:15 AM by xr0500

[tab]

If you need convincing line-up a test drive of a FG with the ZF. Although it's a better package than the BA/BF it'll give you a good idea.

Not sure if you'll find many NAs with the ZF though on the second-hand market given it was an optional extra.

[elfinke]

Some great responses, thanks guys!

Today, I took a 5sp Manual for a drive. Compared to my 3sp XF ute, it was a dream to drive, but after being pampered by even the 4sp auto, it was too much like hard work. And then when I think how rare the 5sp manual is, it made it just not worth it.

The coup de grâce however was this afternoon, I drove a 2003 BA XR6 Turbo. Bugger me that is the fastest thing on 4 wheels I have ever driven. I went out on the highway, stopped at the 100km sign, and then gave it a bootful. Sure, 0-~20km (and 2000rpm) wasn't very eventful, but then something went bloody nuts under the bonnet, and just as I thought I was going to achieve lift off, my partner leaned over and said 'you're speeding'. I now see why everyone harps on (and on and on) about the turbo!

So, back to the drawing board it is.

I don't have enough moolah to go the BF+ZF option, but I can stretch it to do the BA+Turbo option (the one I drove today is a one lady owner, 70000km serviced locally at every stage - very compelling car), and there are a few of them to choose from.

[SuckSqueezeBangBlow]

nsw dealers are very expensive. I had to go to QLD to get my BF turbo for $23k, with 26000kms.

[ZAP]

The 5sp is the worst gearbox in the turbo, do not even consider one.

What is your budget ?

[elfinke]

nsw dealers are very expensive. I had to go to QLD to get my BF turbo for $23k, with 26000kms.

Yeah I'm discovering that. Again, just browsing the online dealerships, SA and WA drive me crazy with both availability and price of BA/BF turbos - they're cheap as chips - as well as ZF transmissions! A trip to QLD or (certainly, given I have relo's down there) VIC is not out of realms of possibility if it comes to that.

The 5sp is the worst gearbox in the turbo, do not even consider one.

What is your budget ?

I drove the 5sp in the NA, so I can guess at what it must be like in the turbo! Thanks for the heads up!

Budget is $20k, give or take 10%. Given that an '07 BFMKII NA is readily available right here in my local dealership with low Km, (it is an ex Hertz renter though), with balance of new car warranty for under $20k - after haggling - it is a case of convincing myself that it is worth going the older ('03/'04) turbo route, for what will be essentially the same kind of $$, and no warranty to speak of.

Dammit, buying a house was easier than this, haha!

Edited 27/07/09 09:47 AM by elfinke