Finally jumped in and serviced the transmission
2012 X5 35d ZF 6 speed. 89k miles.

I bought the service kit with pan-filter, bridge seal and mechatronic seals and Pentosin ATF1 oil from ID Parts.

I have to admit, seeing this guy do it convinced me I could also in my garage.

https://youtu.be/dCvmdo1bLLw

The interesting part was his video has transfer case/rear trans cross-brace that is out of the way.

On my rig, the cross-brace is right over the rear pan bolts with no way to get to them (1" clearance above and no angled torx could fit). Being that I didn't have a lift and was working under jack-stands, I didn't see how nor want to remove the cross-brace.

So I drilled access holes through the brace for a long torx-40 to get through.

















Other than the access issue to the pan, the next was the mechatronic plug seal. It was a b!%ch to get out and the new one in. I could barely get my fingers up there. I used a loop of wire to pull the plug lock ring down because I couldn't reach it.

Filling the transmission under a running car was a new experience while waiting for the trans to come up to temperature and spill excess oil back out is the German way I guess to determine full (my 2013 VW JSW was the same way).

Overall, cheaper than dealer and very possible with some planning ahead for access issues.