Differential Oil Change at 2000 miles
Just a new part failure, it happens to the best of them. Just ask the AMG GT owners that have needed new transmissions on cars with less than 500 miles. We've done several.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
I received a letter from them asking me to book my car in for a complimentary diff oil change after 2K miles.
Unless its free for cars bought through the MB UK Network.
Last edited by Uga Uga; May 13, 2017 at 10:50 AM.




I don't know about the other models as I have a 2017 C63S Coupe, but the owner's manual on page 130 (yeah I read it) says:
Your vehicle is equipped with a self-locking differential on the rear axle.
Change the oil to improve protection of the rear axle differential:
- after a breaking-in period of 1,850 miles (3,000 km)
- every 31,000 miles (50,000 km) or 3 years
These oil changes prolong the service life of the differential. Have the oil change carried out at a qualified specialist workshop.
I had it done for $95 at the dealership where I bought the car.

And this was before I took out the service plan.
Last edited by michael640D; May 16, 2017 at 03:47 AM.
Last edited by AMGC63S; May 17, 2017 at 04:20 PM.




I've had a few cars over the years new and second hand and have experienced different levels of service at dealers and independents. Having conducted my own servicing where I feel confident nothing beats the feeling of knowing the job is done properly and you have used the best quality oils or components.
Having had serviced vehicles returned to me where it has been obvious some work hasn't been done or the next time you come to change a tyre and the wheel nuts are so tight you can hardly budge them (or loose for that matter) self selvicing has distinct advantages.
Sure it's not for everyone but once your car disappears from view at the service centre who is actually working on your car? The apprentice who started a week ago and isn't sure he likes the job and has just cross threaded your oil filter?
Great information in this thread thanks to Nobbys and I'm changing the diff and engine oil at the same time. I'll enjoy having a look around underneath as well.
Can't wait to unleash the beast after the run in period, lovely vehicle looking forward to years of enjoyment.
You will need:
1) (2) screw plugs part #001-990-23-17. I found these online for $18/ea, which is highway robbery, but I would recommend replacing them. They're a pretty soft aluminum that really wanted to round when I got a socket on them to remove
2) At least 1.5L of Castrol Syntrax 75W-140. The MB part # is 001-989-52-03-10. This stuff isn't "commonly" available at your average auto parts store, but you can find it online for cheaper than at the dealer. The OEM fluid is literally a bottle of this with a MB parts sticker label on it. Note that this comes in both 0.5L and 1L bottles (which I suspect is the source of the confusion regarding exactly how many bottles the dealer charges for). The diff takes ~1.4L; I bought two 1L bottles just in case I spilled any.
3) 19mm 12-pt 1/2" drive socket
4) 1/2" drive ratchet
5) 1/2" drive extension bar
6) Waste oil collection pan
The steps:
1) Lift the car up. The BEST way to do this is on a lift or using four jackstands. You want the car to be level.
2) Find the diff. It's got aluminum cooling fins on the back of it. The housing itself is black. The drain plug is on the passenger's side, the fill is on the driver's side. If you forget which is which, the drain plug will be lower on the diff housing (duh)
3) Remove the fill plug FIRST. On the off chance you strip this plug (and those things are in there good!), you don't want it to be AFTER you drain out all the diff fluid. I found the extension was needed here to clear the exhaust on this one
4) Position your oil collection pan
5) Remove the drain plug. My oil really wasn't that hot after the car sat for 1/2 hour, but be aware of it. Use just the socket (no extension) for this one.
6) Let it drain for a bit
7) Replace the drain plug with a new one. I could not find a published torque spec for the W205 for this; I used the spec from the W204 (35lb-ft)
8) Fill the diff through the fill plug hole directly from the bottle. I originally thought I'd need a fluid transfer pump, but there's enough clearance that the nozzle built into the fluid bottle makes it in pretty simple.
9) Keep squeezing the bottle(s) until the fluid starts to ooze out the fill plug hole
10) Replace the fill plug with a new one
11) Wipe up any spilled fluid (especially from the exhaust)
Pretty easy. Cost me $100 in parts, and took 1/2 hour. Seems like most people opted for the prepaid maintenance, which should cover this, but I didn't and the $225 quote I got seemed silly for something that takes 1/2 hour. YMMV
As I could not find online the part number, could I ask if this p/n for the screw plug ( 001-990-23-17 ) would fit the LSD rear diff of a w204 C63 Black Series?





