Benz916

the dealer told me $200-225 to change the tranny fluid in my 1998 c230. Is that pretty good or?

ABsC280

I could of sworn they told me $85 w/filter and gaskets. maybe w/o gaskets.

Sanny

i personally think its fair. if u buy all the parts and stuff and that one tool it comes to like 150 around there?

give or take

but sounds fair.

sanny

mbsickness

Sounds about right considering the 97 and later transmissions use fluid that is around $9 a quart.

Benz916

I see....well i just wanted to change it because I wouldnt feel right waiting til 100k to change it. It is at 62k or so...and I think every 60k sounds good.

Benz916

absc280, you have a 1995 right...your tranny is different than mine. Mine is much more drama.

Sanny

really the 98s are more drama? i heard it was teh other way around. do you have thee w/s by your shifter? i heard the newer the better because they updated it in 98.

6/98 seems to ring a bell in my head as the date they changed the tranny.

sanny

Benz916

Well..i dont know much about it...but the 97 and up the newer kind of tranny...with no dipstick....what do you mean 6/98...did they revise something at that time to these trannys?

Benz916

I do have the w/s by the shifter. Does that make things different?

Sanny

yeah u have the newer tranny which is supposed to be better than the old tranny.....

YOU have the better tranny becuase it is the NEWER type.

I,Zombie

I've got a 99 with the new transmission, local Mercedes Authorized Shop says $185.00 for a transmisson oil change. The owner says that the dealer recomends a transmission change? Does the dealer really recomend a tranny change at 60K...that is a little extreme isn't it?

Sanny

i ithnk 60k sounds right i am going to spend about 120 in parts so i ithnk oil, filter, dipstick, seals...

so 185 is not too bad of a deal...

i am at 61k and im gonna def do the tran oil soon.

sanny

Benz916

I have like 62k and i will hopefully have it done by 65k.

GDawgC220

since MB came out with the electronic trannys, supposedly it's 'sealed' and the fluid cannot be changed. MB says it's 'lifetime'...but if you have a mechanic pull the fluid out at about 70k, you'll see it's all brown and metal shavings everywhere. My independent MB dealer recommends once every ~70k miles (they're pretty knowledgeble people)

If you ask a MB dealer, 99% won't touch the electronic tranny's with the 'lifetime fill fluid'.

Most of the time, you'll have to go to a MB independent place, which there mechanics know that the fluid needs changing (which most independent places recommend ~70k miles)

the synthetic AT fluid is expensive, about $9 / quart and it takes quite a bit from what I've read and heard (10-11 quarts) then labor and parts so it can run about $200-$250 for the AT fluid change alone. But worth it to do AT LEAST once at 70k or so to refresh the tranny.

the older trannys (pre-97/98) are mechanical so changes on those are pretty straight forward and less costly. There are actually dipsticks in the engine bay to check and such.

The newer one's don't have a tranny dipstick with the car...but here's the kicker...MB says it's 'LIFETIME' fluid but then why do they sell the dipstick for newer models at the dealerships???

HTH

MBdismantler

My 99 C230k just hit 100K and I went to a MB specialist and I ask him about the tranny service and he told me it was going to cost $250 to change the fluid. And then he told me that my car uses a different type of tranny fluid than the older models. But anyways Im just going to do the service myself I have done it before when I was in Autotech in a few cars including luxury cars. Is not really hard to change the filter and the fluid is just a messy job. Does any one know how much the kit for the filter and the fluid??

GDawgC220

your mechanic is right about the fluid. older MB's (pre 97) used regular ATF. The 97+ trannies use synthetic ATF, which is expensive. I'm not sure where you can buy the synthetic ATF...may be the dealer parts counter and it's expensive. About $9-$11 / quart...your looking at about $100 for fluid alone!

Then you need the tranny dipstick (and the fluid has to be put in at a specific temperature i believe). In the long run, you saving on labor...parts are about the same if the mechanic did it. It may be worth it to get it done at the MB specialist or if you like to get a lil messy, DIY.

But all the parts you can get at your local MB parts counter

scorchie

That's not a good argument.

It can be argued that the dipstick is for refilling the transmission, which would be required if ANY work is done on the transmission (replacing any seals, the control unit, bands, etc.), which is a problem that could happen whether it was designed to be replaced or not (for instance, an oil pan seal in an engine is designed to last the the life of the engine, but rarely does).

-s-

GDawgC220

i think it can be argued both ways, but i do see your point I guess the same goes for why there would be a drain plug too.

blackmercedes

In Model Year 1997, MB made the 722.6 (in various forms) standard on all North American sold cars. The 722.6 is a five speed automatic that has nothing in common with the 722.4 four speed, and not even the 722.5 five speed.

The transmission is an electronic unit that uses a "fill for life" fluid that is not sold anywhere but at an MB dealer. Even Mercedes has no definition of what the term "life" means. Some techs feel that changing the fluid every 60K-miles is prudent, others got to 100K-miles, and some say to go with MB and never change it.

One thing that is clear is that the tranny is VERY sensitive to fluid level, and Mercedes is sick of trans problems caused by "topping off" the fluid, like quick-lube shops do. That will cut the life of your tranny dramatically. So, the 722.6 has no dipstick. When changing the 722.6 fluid and filter, it's important to use the SDS to set the sluid with the trans fluid at EXACTLY 80C. If not, the fluid level will be incorrect, and you will compromise the longevity of the trans.

Keep in mind that replacing a 722.6 can run $5K, perhaps more. For the savings of $150 in labour, I would not take a chance on ruining a $5K piece of equipment.