Talk about a pain in the rear. Thank you Glyn for posting your info. Armed with the WIS PDF and pictures from forum members, I got into an argument with a local service manager here in Maine.

He said this was the "first" time he's heard or seen this TC procedure. But, he is "willing" to try it. He was going to "ask the parts department" to see if they had a TC in stock that had a drain plug... so clearly doesn't believe a word I'm saying.

But get this... his "regular" service, without the TC fluid change is $459. With this "extra" work, he will have to charge an additional $200!!! Seriously? For doing the work as prescribed in the WIS, I HAVE to pay an additional $200?

Does this make sense to anyone? And who here has paid $659 for this fluid change?

Jason

 

659 is too much. I'm in Atlanta with a few stealers, so that may help keep prices somewhat in check. Had my fluid changed and had to put up somewhat of a struggle to get them to accept the fact it had a TC drain. Reg price was 410 and they just charged me for the extra fluid. Go somewhere else if you can, but also keep in mind that the tranny fluid change is something you want documented by mercedes in case of issues later.

 

That price for ATF $650 is out of sight. A local MBZ dealer (Anaheim, CA) just mailed service specials for a ATF for $300 pre 2010 (reg price is $350). Some of the local ATF shops would do it for $70 if you supply parts and ATF. They have the machine, but don't carry the proper ATF, drain tube, bolts nor filter. My INDY did it for $100 labor, total parts and a case of ATF (Shell 134) were under $100.

BTW service A $130/200, service B $250/350, Brake fluid $90/120 except SBC brakes. All with free car wash, moive tickets, loaner car, and shuttle service.

 

Just got back from the dealer. They state there is no TC drain plug on this model. I had them write it in the invoice. I guess I will need to get a second opinion. How can there be no drain plug... This makes no sense to me.

 

Unless your car is a freak it has a TC drain plug. I can't believe how poor these dealers are. Don't they send their techs to be trained?

 

I just pulled this off WIS, I have live dealer access.

The document is dated 12-12-2013

PM me your VIN, I'll screen shot your DATA card with engine & transmission numbers along with the VIN



.

38a6ae5b-b292-4efb-bd3c-0a23551f388f_zpsfa7561d2.jpg?t=1391731642


9927b15e-d113-4f5a-913d-33aa1f323ed2_zpsc88efee8.jpg?t=1391732312

 

I really REALLY hate getting screwed over... I sure hope they are not attempting to pull the wool over my eyes... If they are, this is going to MBUSA and UP!!

 

They are jerking you around, the document clearly says drain converter
EXCEPT transmission 722.93

You have transmission 722.964 02 553453

Engine# 272948-31-443044

 

Here's the EPC information with your VIN

As you can see, a torque converter with a drain plug applies to your car.

 

Those techs are Circus trained Clowns.

 

We have posted updated WIS on a number of occasions showing TC drain requirement. Stealers.

 

I just want to pull my hair out, these few dealers are giving all of us a bad name.

I always drained the converters on the 722.9's when I did the 40K service.

I didn't even ask the service advisor if he quoted the full amount of fluid
because it's in the WIS instruction to do it.

.

 

I'm afraid this is rather common with US dealers. It is all over the forums. I have confined my comments to the W203/204/209 forums that I primarily look after.

It is probably not fair to beat up on the techs. The decision is most likely made higher up. There is no doubt some of it is ignorance. Some more responsible dealers have changed their practices after being shown the WIS.

Fortunately my SA dealer is owned by MBSA so the techs/SM & dealer principle are **** scared to violate the WIS for fear of having their butts kicked.

 

I just find it unacceptable behavior at an Official MB dealership to LIE to a customer.

Then want to charge more for a service that INCLUDES draining the converter.

 

You're absolutely right!

 

I called MBUSA last night, armed with ClarkZ and Glyn's info. Explained to them there are 2 issues:
1. Dealer did not know there was a drain plug in ANY MB. In fact, he stated he had never seen the WIS documentation showing the correct steps to drain, AND has never had any of his MB car's TC drained during servicing.

2. There is documented "evidence" indicating my SPECIFIC year, model, car, SHOULD have a TC drain plug, and that I want the car inspected by another dealer of my choosing.

The MBUSA Rep (Louis), glossed right over point 1. She didn't seem all that concerned that I had to provide the dealership with the correct work order nor, that the service manager had stated he's never seen or drained a TC in a Mercedes.

Then, she stated, that "not all Mercedes have TC drain plugs", and that she'll need to contact the dealership for additional clarification. Well, duh, the dealership is going to say there is no drain plug. They even wrote it on my invoice.

Bottom line, I'm going to need to get to an Indy, and have them take a picture of the TC drain plug... of course, if it is really there! PLEASE, PLEASE BE THERE!!!

In the end, what should I ask for... if the plug is there? Obviously, I want a different dealership servicing the transmission fluid change again, ASAP... but I also had them do a full service A. If they can't follow simple directions and get the Tranny Fluid changed, what makes me believe they correctly performed the Service A, and changed the oil (with the correct oil)?

In a perfect world, I would request, and receive both services again... for free... from another dealership.

Your thoughts people!!! Again, Thank you to Glyn and Clark!!!

 

That's easy, take several pics of the drain plug (it's there).

Take some touch up paint or white out and mark a circle around it.

Get that in the pic as well as an invoice from the independent shop
stating they found the drain plug and marked it as indicated in the pictures..

Go back to the dealer and show them the pictures, and ask them to put the car on the lift and look for your paint mark with you there.

And you may want to go to another dealer for this.

 

MBUSA customer service rep just called me back. She stated that "after talking to her resources", and speaking with the service manager from the dealership, she has confirmed that my particular car does NOT have a TC drain plug. I told her that I wanted to know her sources, and she would not reply. I said, if your source was the dealer, than she needs to find another source... as in, a technician from Mercedes Benz... not a dealer. She said she didn't have to, and that she is fine with the answer she received from the dealer.

I went ballistic... she wouldn't give me her supervisor name or number, would not transfer me to anyone else... but finally stated she would have "another case manager" assigned to the case.... "one who has more technical background" and get back to me early next week.

I am floored... let's just play the devil's advocate. If my car does NOT have a plug, how the hell do you remove all of the old fluid during a fluid change?!?!?!?

 

Dude, relax.

You have one by the transmission number. Go to an independent shop
Mark the converter with a X in white out, so you know where you started.

Have them rotate the engine by the crank slowly until you see the plug
Take pictures, circle the plug with a paint marker.

Worst case, Wis has a procedure outlined by Glyn to renew the fluid via the transmission cooler return line.

So your covered either way.

 

I'm trying to relax... just so aggravated with the whole thing. I love this car to death... but sheesh... so just received a call back from Robert in Product Advice. He equivocally states that there are quite a few C300's without drain plugs. When I asked him what MB's stance was on the question of only changing half the fluid, he said that it is fine. MB does NOT require one to change out the TC fluid if there is no drain plug, and that if it is NOT there, it obviously it is recommended to NOT attempt to change the fluid.

Again, I'm shocked... my analogy to him. If I fill a glass half full of nice cold clean milk, and then pour in hot 12 week old spoiled milk into it... would he drink it? That is the same thing MB is stating we can do when not changing out the fluid in the TC.

Bottom line... indy this weekend.

 

Do that, and if by some unlikely event there isn't one, I'll scan the WIS
instructions on the factory flush method authorized by MB via the cooler line.

 

Reading this is making me nervous. I recently came into possession of a 52k car that has not had the transmission service done. So besides being 12k miles late, I'm afraid the stealership will do the service incorrectly, and I was quoted $750 for it at one of the three mb dealers in NY.

How can I specifically phrase what I want to be done as part of my transmission service to ensure it is done correctly? Also service rep stated that if problems arise with transmission late MBUSA will "help out" because I had the tranny service done through them even though I am out of warranty, is this true? I'm not sure especially considering I am past the recommended service interval.

 

I know this might be a strange way of proving to the dealer that you do have a drain plug, go to the parts department and buy a plug. Give them the trannny ID number and and see if in their system it shows a drain plug. And if it does have them print out the schematic showing were it is located.

Nelson

 

MBUSA sucks. They are well known in the Benz empire to be a bunch of loose cannons.

 

I have an appointment with an Indy on Monday. I'll post my findings in the afternoon. Again, thanks everyone for the help and guidance.