About 6 liters for the trans and about 4 for the converter.

Got the prices from Rusnak Jaguar:
- filter $51.25
- gasket $34.85
- fluid $45.96/quart
These are retail not incl tax. What I found odd is that Rusnak didn't stock any of these - order only.

I followed up oninfo in Plum's post above and here's what I found:

Valvoline max life dex/merc 1 gal jug is $22.99.

The OEM is about 8 times more. That is significant.

The filter+gasket would be OEM, but search on Internet would get you these close to wholesale price. Thanks for the details, Plums.

 

I was informed to completely flush the gearbox would require 15 litres (with some waste) The going rate for the approved ATF is $60 per litre (maybe a little more as it has to be sent via road transport and is not postable) Not stocked locally as I live VERY rural.= $900
If xjay8 has had success with Castrol I will do a little investigation to satisfy myself but mainly rely on his experience,that is why I asked here first. Many Thanks again..

 

Tirefriar..I always get a laugh when you Americans talk prices.Valvoline max life dex/merc 1 gal jug is $22.99. From memory a gallon being around 4 litres cost here $65+
However I brought a full service kit from British Parts (brought Thursday arrived Monday morning) Not sure how they did that! But the trans filter was actually cheaper. Got OEM Oil,Air,Trans and gasket and Fuel filter,Drain Plug and a few clips I was missing for $145AUD delivered. OFF topic but similar-Water Pump for a Waukesha engine-Australian Price $800 plus post. American Price $210 (with thermostat) delivered!

 

I will in future refrain from complaining about costs. I also use Castrol transmax import.

 

Yes, the prices in the US are on the low end of scale compared to other parts of the world. Next time you plan to visit LA (that's Los Angeles not Louisiana), put a list together and I'll hook you up with parts at wholesale prices

 

Frankly my friend...you are being ripped off ;o)
Go to Amazon for a good price.

 

Thanks for the heads up Gippsland ;o))

The last two hydraulic flushes on my transmission were performed by Roadbend Jaguar in Perth WA and they reccomended the Castrol Transmax-Z and I have no cause to doubt their choice.
The gearbox operates flawlessly hot or cold with super smooth shifts even at full throttle kickdown.
I buy the Castrol from Repco at $72AUD for 5 litres which I think is a good price.
Where abouts in Gippsland are you situated?

 

2.5 Jugs in reference to oil has no meaning in Australia..Jugs contain beer and "nice jugs" are the upper part of the female anatomy.
However after some research xjay8's suggested CASTROL Tramsmax-Z full synthetic is approved for use in ZF autos. It was known as the Multi Import in the US..I am more than happy to take his advice...Many Thanks to all. Neil

 

Please direct me to good source of OEM filters on Amazon. At $40 for the OEM filter OTD I don't believe to be too bad of a deal. I do see attractive prices on Amazon but then shipping and tax (another great Commiefornia law - tax Internet transactions) will make the difference in price negligible.

 

Tirefriar...log onto Amazon, go to Automotive, sel;ect 1999 Jaguar Xj8 and drill down choices.
They also have fuel filters and trans filters and gaskets. amonghst many other approved parts for this model.

 

To be clear, as mentioned in the post, the Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc is in reference to the Mercedes W5A580 transmission found on the supercharged models of certain years. Not the ZF. That is why the application was bolded in the post. It was being used as an example.

On the other hand, if Valvoline says it's a go on the ZF, then it is not a bad choice. Seems like the BMW crowd really likes the Dex/Merc and they are on ZF all the way. They whine loudly when Walmart is out of stock. The owners, not the transmssion

Just being careful that each reader checks his own requirements and takes responsibility for his or her own decision.

 

Looked at Amazon as you suggested. I have an 01 XJR rather than a 99 XJ8 so the transmissions are different. There are several applications being offered but none are OEM, which is the point I'm putting across. Furthermore, if you add cost of S&H plus sales tax you will be at the same price point that I'm at for a non-OEM part. In this applicaton, I would suggest to go OEM.

I do consider A/M based on criteria that 1) it surpasses OEM in quality and performance and 2) financial feasibility. Quality/performance will have precedence over the price offset.

My thought on the topic OEM vs. A/M is this: "you CAN pay NOW or you WILL pay LATER".

This is just my opinion.

The trip to Amazon was not a complete waste. I did spot an NOS kit in the Jaguar section...

 

Trade out the door at Mercedes should be way less than $40. And for that filter, OEM is the only way to go.

Anyways, the governing concept in OEM vs aftermarket could be stated as "overall value".

There are many cases where there are equal or superior substitutes to the OEM offering. In those cases, it would be stupid to insist on OEM.

Here are just two examples:

1. ATF as shown in this thread. Not even the hardest core OEM only proponent is willing to pay a $40+ premium for getting the OEM "relableled" fluid. Yes relabeled, because no vehicle manufacturer owns a refinery.

2. Strengthened aftermarket ZF forward drums that specifically address a known weakness. Most knowledgable independent transmission specialists will favour this route given the cost of a comeback.

The above specific examples are either cheaper, better, or both cheaper and better. In neither case is the choice inferior to OEM. However, the buyer must be able to evaluate the available options. Many are not have the expertise to do so. Others do.

 

Okay..in the morning we are using CASTROL Tramsmax-Z full synthetic. If my next post is "where to buy an x308 gearbox" = FAIL.