AkaSigFreak

I just contacted 3 local dealerships in the Orlando/Central Florida area and received quotes ranging from $440-$685 for the Transmission service. When I advised them of the difference- they didn't seem to care. It is really sad the MBUSA doesn't have some form of control over pricing. I hate feeling like I'm getting screwed. I know I should just go with the least expensive (which is still high) but it's the principle of it.

Domm

I would think that it's the manager that controls pricing and not HQ.

Did you ask whether that was the price for a Transmission service including the TC or not?

AkaSigFreak

I asked if the price included 9 quarts fluid and they all said "yes". 2 of the dealerships know me well and know I research everything. They also claimed they would match each others prices.

vendsit

Have you checked out Euro Specialists on 17/92 and Dog Track Rd?

I called them and I think they were $399 for the service. I'm at 38,500 and will need mine done when I get back from Vegas next week.

I had them do my "A" service about 6 months ago and they did a great job. Even had a gift bag in the front seat when I left with some home made cookies.

vendsit

Did you ask whether that was the price for a Transmission service including the TC or not?[/QUOTE]

What's the "TC"? I want to make sure I'm getting all of work done that's needed and required.

Thanks

Domm

TC is the torque convertor. There is a drain plug for it if they tell you there isn't.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-done-but.html

LandSeaAir

Maybe try finding a reputable independent shop. I got mine done for under $300 from a mechanic who used to work at a benz dealership and he started his own shop.

AkaSigFreak

I had a performance shop quote me $300-$350 but they would have to order the parts and tried recommending "upgraded" fluid. He was unhappy when I told him I wanted to use the recommended MB fluid. I also received a call from "reputable" independent named Eurotech and was quoted $750. I called my dealer back and told him if he couldn't do better- I was going to an independent. He got down to $400 with a loaner car for the day aat no additional charge. Not bad considering my car is out of warranty.

AkaSigFreak

What's the "TC"? I want to make sure I'm getting all of work done that's needed and required.

Thanks[/QUOTE]

Do they know your car is a 4-matic?

nyca

I paid $279 for this service at a dealer on long island, about 18 months ago.

12_benz

Couple of thoughts/questions....

Is there anything else going on with this service other than changing the fluid/filter?

Would it make sense to just pay for the up front service plan and not have to worry about shelling out this extensive cost?

Ben'sBenz

TC = Torque Converter

AkaSigFreak

Well- after all this time spent on research, I took my car to my local Mercedes-Benz dealership for the "39,000 mile Transmission Service". I brought all of the documentation Glyn M Ruck has provided, advised my Service Advisor of the information, and left it on the passenger seat. He told me "No Problem!" and I was on my way. When I picked up the car, I checked the receipt an of course, it showed Qty: 5- 001-989-68-03-10 Transmission list $21.45 (that's more than twice what others pay). I immediately informed my Service Advisor this was not correct and if they did the service correctly- it should be close to 9-not 5. The Service Supervisor (not Service Manager), retrieved my keys, pulled my car to the back and put it on the lift. They then escorted me to the bay, pulled the panels and should be the bell housing. He had me watch while he rotated it 360 degrees and tried to explain that there is no TC (torque-converter) drain plug on this transmission. He then showed me an older model on the lift and showed me the drain plug. He also pulled up the WIS for my VIN and showed that he had followed the steps. Is the TC visible with the pan still in place? He had me looking through a small space with a flashlight.
Now- what do I do? They said this is how they service ALL of the W204 7-Speed transmissions.

Sportstick

What matters is what is written on the Repair Order, not any collateral information left on the seat. If the RO simply says "39k Trans Service" or words to that effect, they provided the service which you authorized when you signed the paper. If, on the other hand, the RO said something closer to "Flush Trans" or "9 quart refill" or something which relates to what you wanted, in that case, they did not live up to their requirement. Glyn is more qualified than am I as to what you should do...have it redone with a flush (in the absence of a drain plug - uses 14 quarts, and I have been told by good authority that this procedure is also in the WIS), or wait another 39k miles and then have the full flush carefully written down and performed. I defer to him on that call.

Ben'sBenz

First off, regarding your original post, I just drove 400 miles round trip today to save $250 on my transmission service. That's how much of a difference there is between dealerships. Ridiculous....
The service center I visited was also unable to find a TQ plug. I watched them rotate it around and there was no plug. So, I got the 5 qt service.....

johnand

I have only done the service on 1 W204, and it was a 2008 C300, and it did in fact have a torque converter drain plug.

If for some reason, MB stopped putting the drain plugs in the torque converters in later W204's it is news to me. The drain plug can be hard to find on some cars, as the torque converter has a steep angle near the plug, and you really have to look to find it.

Have either AkaSigFreak or Ben'sBenz used the MB Startek EPC with your VIN's inputted to see if they list the drain plug as applicable to your model? If not, I would be happy to check for you if you want to PM me your VIN number. If EPC lists a part number, then the car does absolutely have one.

I thought there were several members that did the service on their W204's and drained the converter?

Maybe Glyn can shed some light on this, but something doesn't sit right with me, as I have yet to find a 722.9 equipped car W/O a drain plug, and I have done many. I know there was some very early S-Classes with 722.9 that didn't have the plug, but that is all I am aware of.

johnand

While I would generally agree with you, we have had a rash of MBUSA dealers, not following, or even flat out refusing to follow the proper WIS procedures. The real question, is there some newer 722.9 equipped cars W/O the drain plug?

In addition to my post above, can I request both AkaSigFreak AND Ben'sBenz PM me your VIN number so I can run your car on WIS.net and get the 722.9 WIS document associated with your car. That would help further get to the bottom of the drain plug issue.

If it does not have a drain plug, I personally would recommend drain and refill every 20K alternating with replacing the filter as well. So, 20K drain and refill, 40K drain and refill and replace filter, 60K drain and refill, 80K drain and refill and filter. Flushes come with some other complications.

rb23lb

Awesome info! I hope to give you my VIN as well before I go in for the service to make sure it gets done right

bollcosett

I'm at 38,500 and will need mine done when I get back from Vegas next week

Garry1104

That seems like a good price and I happen to live in the NYC area. May I ask which dealership you are referring to?

johnand

AkaSigFreak, not sure what to tell you, but your dealer may just be incompetent? I pulled up you car in EPC and WIS using your VIN number you provided via PM. Here is the attached screenshot of EPC clearly showing a drain plug and valid part number (I blanked out AkaSigFreaks's VIN in the screenshot.)



Here is the WIS document for your car based on VIN:

https://mbworld.org/wiki/images/4/4d..._converter.pdf

kevink2

I don't agree with that option. Following a 5Q partial drain, I'd go no more than 20K miles before another drain, as someone else mentioned somewhere.

For the 2008 models, it's now looking like most had the TC drain, some didn't.

.

kevink2

1) can you get the WIS # he showed you?

2) The TC is visible through an opening (with rubber cover removed) in the big bell housing, as is the drain plug .. if it's there.

3) if you saw the TC plug on the older car, it's very likely you would have seen the TC plug in your car, through the same kind of access hole in the bell housing.

.

kevink2

your BMW?

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...r-profile.html

.

AkaSigFreak

1. John posted the EPC diagram. I didn't receive the WIS
2. I did not see the plug. If you look at the diagram- the rubber plug is not illustrated.
3. That's what I thought.

BTW- my car always seemed to shift hard and I had addressed it with the dealer on a couple of occasions. After the service (complete or not) the car drives much smoother and does not have the hesitation it had before.