Sukha Soma Group

Quick question for the mechanically inclined folks on here because I'm getting conflicting info from every direction I look. My 2016 A6 has the ZF 8 speed and just crossed 120,000 kilometers, and the owner's manual says the transmission fluid is filled for life and doesn't need changing. Something about that just doesn't sit right with me, like how can any oil last forever especially in this heat and stop and go traffic we deal with daily. Called the dealer in Abu Dhabi and even they seemed unsure, one service advisor said leave it alone and another quietly told me they do recommend changing it at around 100k even though Audi officially says it's unnecessary. ZF themselves apparently recommend a fluid and filter change at 80,000 to 120,000 kilometers so why would Audi contradict the actual manufacturer of the gearbox? I'm leaning toward just getting it done somewhere that knows…

That horrible metallic buzz from the back of the car when I start it up in the morning is finally getting to me, it's been happening for months but I kept hoping it would magically fix itself which was wishful thinking I know. From what I understand it's the valve in the driver's side exhaust flap that opens and closes depending on the drive mode, and the spring mechanism inside gets worn out over time causing it to vibrate like crazy when the engine is cold and idling higher. Once the revs drop it goes back to normal and the car sounds great again especially in sport mode, but those first ten seconds echoing through the underground parking are genuinely embarrassing. I've seen people online say you can just unplug the flap actuator with the valve in the open position or even weld it permanently open, but I don't want…