djprov431

I read the owner manual & AMG supplement and it's exactly the same as my C63S -- likely a direct copy for both cars. I'm curious if new owners have been doing this differential service on their 43's?

We have a 2 yr service plan for both cars which covers this even though it's not an A or B service and I did have the rear diff service performed on my C63s; I'll be making an appointment when we get more miles on the 43 and see what they do.

Any other member experiences appreciated, thanks!

djprov431

Has no C43 owner done a 2000 mile differential(s) oil change?

jonathan358

It's not necessary. Some C43 owners who don't know better push their dealers for what they think is a mandatory rear diff fluid change like on the 63s. Sometimes they oblige...

Fyi, I have changed it myself at 95k km. For the most part, they are lifetime fluids.

djprov431

I fall into the above category - and since I paid for it, and it's in the owner manual supplement (until MB changes it), it's a win.

AhEmGee

C63S has an LSD which I guess can have a lot more friction and load internally as the torque is transferred across it, whereas the C43 is just a normal open diff.
I Can't see any benefit of doin this at 2K miles. Maybe 50,K miles especially if been used hard

pliukait

I must have a good dealership. I specifically asked about the and they told me it's only for the C63, not the C43. Different differential in the C63.

djprov431

I'll take pictures of MB service changing the differential fluid and the receipt so you can bring it to your good dealership (or maybe not, but you know I'm gonna do it!)

RichardCranium3

Approaching 60,000 with zero issues. I'll probably have my indy shop do it at next oil change.

djprov431

I don't disagree that the vehicle will run beautifully for thousands of miles without doing it - however my point is that this service requirement is still in the AMG supplement, and if have pre-paid maintenance, it's included and you paid for it -- so might as well push for the service until MB updates their manuals.

stockbmw

They told me rear diff is sealed unit for their convenience I bet. Also stated prepaid maintenance only applies for oil changes and check ups. No brake fluid changes or rear diff oil changes. So I ended up not buying $2000 prepaid maintenance plan for 3 years this time around. CAD$666 to change oil 🥶

superswiss

While the owner's manual is the same for the C43 and the C63 that note regarding the differential oil change as the title says is for the locking differential only. The C43 has open differentials front and rear. They could make it more clear, but only the C63 has a locking rear differential. It's an electronic locking rear differential on both the C63 and C63S for the FL. The PFL non-S had a mechanical limited slip differential.

However, this note is outdated now. The current C63/S no longer need this service. Some dealerships still don't have the latest information and the maintenance plans also haven't been updated from what I heard, neither has the English owner's manual. If the vehicle needs the differential service it will have a sticker on the windshield below the engine break-in instruction sticker. It appears they changed the friction material of the clutch pack in the locking differential which negates the requirement for this service. The change was made later in the MY2019 production. The first batch of cars still needed it. Mine is a Feb '19 build and it officially didn't need it anymore. I got it confirmed by AMG Germany while I was over there doing European Delivery. I ended up doing it anyway as a piece of mind and because of all the conflicting information that was going around. I did it a bit later than 2000 miles as I first had to find a dealership in Germany that could squeeze me in while I was driving through town, but they happily obliged and it wasn't very expensive. It's up to you if you wanna do it for your C63, but the C43 definitely doesn't need it at all. It has very basic differentials.

zibby43

C43 definitely doesn't need it and I would 100% advise skipping it.

FWIW, I'm very meticulous about maintenance records, so I don't throw that advice around lightly.

Hope that helps!

djprov431

I've actually already had the rear diff service completed on the C63S by my MB dealership (invoice below) -- and it was included in my pre-paid maintenance. I did a quick double check in the AMG supplement for the 43, you are correct - it does say "locking differential" so the dealership certainly could deny it on the 43 -- good catch. I'll probably still try though - just to see what they say