I'm in shock!!!B +trans oil change!!!
10-25-2013, 09:13 PM
#26
I did my transmission, bought fluid, filter, gasket, bolts, seals, and tube from RM Europeon. Very easy. Total cost was about $120. I bought 10 liters and used about 8, including the TC drain. Used the touch feel on the temperature. Don't be intimidated by this.
10-25-2013, 09:16 PM
#27
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C350 2010, BMW 325i 2001, Porsche turbo 996 2002.
Thanks a lot for the info and encouragement. I am still looking for the filler adaptor tool but got the pump and a lift ;-). Difficult to found someone willing to ship this special adaptor to Canada at a reasonable price...
10-25-2013, 09:32 PM
#28
I made the adapter. Bought a 12x1.5 drain plug at O'Reillys for $4.75, drilled a hole thru it, and used JB weld to attach a barbed fitting to it. Used my JABSCO drill mounted pump to pump the fluid in. Very simple.
10-25-2013, 11:59 PM
#30
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Ehh... dealers will be stealers... Our C300 was in service last weekend for Service B. The dealer's service B pricing is clearly listed on their website. After I dropped the car off and was called a few hours later to get an update on the work, I was given a price that was several hundred dollars higher than what's on their website. The service advisor informed me that they have a basic Service B and a full Service B and they assumed I wanted the full service. Yet their website only lists one type of Service B, and when I asked him what the difference between the two was, he started speaking gibberish but finally mentioned that it also includes tire rotation. I just about lost it at that point, considering that the car has staggered wheel setup.
As for trans fluid change, they charge $350 to replace half the fluid. They don't have a price for the other half as they claim it doesn't need to be done. Sigh...
On a related note, they recommended the following work, which I told them to skip for now:
- Replace front differential fluid (due every 40,000miles), $70
- Replace rear differential fluid (due every 40,000miles), $160
- Replace spark plugs (Spark plug replacement recommended for 5yr/ 91k service), $349.38
Are these legitimate items that need to get done? I couldn't find much info on these. I know the sparkplugs should be changed by 100K miles, but the car currently has 59K miles, and I've never heard of time being much of a factor there. What about the front/rear diff fluids? This is a 4matic by the way.
As for trans fluid change, they charge $350 to replace half the fluid. They don't have a price for the other half as they claim it doesn't need to be done. Sigh...
On a related note, they recommended the following work, which I told them to skip for now:
- Replace front differential fluid (due every 40,000miles), $70
- Replace rear differential fluid (due every 40,000miles), $160
- Replace spark plugs (Spark plug replacement recommended for 5yr/ 91k service), $349.38
Are these legitimate items that need to get done? I couldn't find much info on these. I know the sparkplugs should be changed by 100K miles, but the car currently has 59K miles, and I've never heard of time being much of a factor there. What about the front/rear diff fluids? This is a 4matic by the way.
the spark plug really make me laugh,
I don't have a C300 but I got a 06 SLK280 which has the exact same engine,
it use Bosch YR7MPP33 spark plug and you can get a set from Amazon for less than $60, I bet the shop get them even cheaper,
I change mine 3 years ago and it still runs perfect.
Yes, 50K miles for spark plug change sounds right, but $300 for an hour of labor ? hum.......
10-26-2013, 12:21 AM
#31
Member
and for the last 35K miles my car had been running Mann air filter from Amazon,
the part number is C 3698-2 and it's $30 a pair and takes 20 min to change,
Mann is the OEM supplier for MB and their filter is identical to you get from the stealersship except the color and the MB logo.
trust me, if you can tighten a bolt, you can do your own air filter / oil / spark plug change.
the part number is C 3698-2 and it's $30 a pair and takes 20 min to change,
Mann is the OEM supplier for MB and their filter is identical to you get from the stealersship except the color and the MB logo.
trust me, if you can tighten a bolt, you can do your own air filter / oil / spark plug change.
10-26-2013, 09:08 AM
#32
I wonder if MB-Germany follows these threads and understands how their customers are being treated? I wonder if it's Mercedes USA and how they hold their dealers accountable (or not) or if it's the Mercedes mother ship that just doesn't care about whether the dealers are being fair and maintaining their cars properly?
I sent a link from this forum regarding transmission service to Mercedes-Germany and how my car had indeed been serviced with 6 units of oil versus 10. MB-USA called for follow up. Hopefully it did catch the attention of MB-Germany and make them aware of the problem.
I'm still appalled that most MB dealers are taking the shortcut and saying that the TC doesn't need to be serviced. Polluting new fluid with old just can't be justified but they try. I had a Service Advisor tell me, in justifying their actions, "If it's done right, it'll take 3 hours.". Why would anyone ever consider doing it wrong? It just doesn't make sense.
I sent a link from this forum regarding transmission service to Mercedes-Germany and how my car had indeed been serviced with 6 units of oil versus 10. MB-USA called for follow up. Hopefully it did catch the attention of MB-Germany and make them aware of the problem.
I'm still appalled that most MB dealers are taking the shortcut and saying that the TC doesn't need to be serviced. Polluting new fluid with old just can't be justified but they try. I had a Service Advisor tell me, in justifying their actions, "If it's done right, it'll take 3 hours.". Why would anyone ever consider doing it wrong? It just doesn't make sense.
10-26-2013, 12:06 PM
#33
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C350 2010, BMW 325i 2001, Porsche turbo 996 2002.
A letter was sent to MB Canada about my visit to the stealership, the high cost of maintenance and the short cut of transmission oil change and no answer yet...But I don't think I will get an answer....
