Hi everyone,

Its time for me to change the transmission fluid in my 430. im approaching 90k miles quickly and want to do it before its too late. I went to a shop out here in Reseda earlier today and they quoted me $260 total for parts (Oil, gaskets...) and labor. Is this a reasonable price? I went to a jiffy lube and they said they dont do our cars. Is this true?

Can anyone make a reccomendation to a good shop? Somewhere in the SF valley, Los angeles, santa monica area. I work in Encino and would prefer one out here though.

Thanks everyone!

 

don't get it changed at jiffy lube!! i think $260 is about what i paid for my transmission fluid change...but i'm not sure since it was about a month ago

 

If you do it yourself, the parts for

- 8 liters of fluid
- 1 gasket
- 1 filter
- 1 plastic lock clip
- Dipstick

will run you about $130. If you have a post september 99' model, you can't perform this service at home because you can't drain the torque converter. SO, you're paying about $130 in labor costs. Seems a little high considering the job takes about 1 hour to complete (less if you drain the fluid with the machine). I would definitely not take my car to Jiffy Lube. (LOL that actually made me spit out my coffee) Considering how expensive a replacement transmission is, if you don't know what you're doing, go pay a professional to do this service for you. Underfilling and Overfilling can both damage your transmission, not to mention how delicate the aluminium threads that hold the bolts to your transmission pan are. Before I decided to do this service myself, I shopped around. (dropping the pan, without making a complete mess, is a challenging task to do using floor jacks) I'm new to So Cal so I'm not familiar with many shops. I got quotes from $130 to $280. The $130's, although were VW/MB/BMW independent shops, seemed fishy and didn't really know what the entire service should entail (fluid capacity, etc). The $280's and alike were from dealers who stressed the fact that I didn't need to change the fluid. (Yeah right!) They also couldn't/wouldn't tell me the exact process that they would undertake (woman service advisor!). I'm pretty sure it was more on the lines of couldn't. She also told me that the price was an estimate because they don't usually perform this service, so she wasn't aware of all the materials needed. MY POINT IS.....find a good independent "MB specialized" shop to do this service for you.

 

my guy said you have to let the car sit for 24 hours to let the transmission cool down. he didnt charge for that time, of course, but is that true? if so, it would be something to note if you're gonna do it yourself

 

According to WIS, ALLData, and Mitchell on Demand, draining the transmission can be done while the car is hot or cold. I did mine warm so the fluid would drain better. (you still have about 1/2" of fluid in the pan after you drain it and drop it) Draining it cold would leave more fluid in the pan. I don't know how it works when you flush the system with the machine. Which is what your shop probably did. (most shops have this equipment) I do know the tranny has to be HOT when you check the level.

 

Do you know where i can order this "lifetime" fluid at this price? I would love to buy it on my own and then take the car to an independent MB only shop and have them do the labor.

Thanks for all your help guys.

 

don't forget the giant dipstick (dealer only item)

 

For about $130 the dipstick and everything else including the fluid, filter and gasket can be purchased online, from numerous sites. The best deal I found was importec.com. Other sites are a little cheaper, but they have free shipping so it turns out slightly cheaper. Good luck!

 

If anyone is looking to purchase a dipstick, I'd be willing to let mine go for $25. (Don't think I'll make it another 100k miles)

 

very interested. I sent you a PM.

 

I'm sorry, it completely slipped my mind. The plastic locking clip for the transmission filler tube is NOT available online. I picked it up at the dealer for about $3.