ATF change frequency

[sailorP]

Please can someone tell me the recommended interval for changing the ATF on my 2002 SLK32AMG.
It's a long time since I've posted.
My stone-yellow SLK32AMG, which I have owned since 2008, has reached 85k miles.
I vaguely remember having the ATF changed by Uncle Benz, back when I lived down south...I think that he recommended 40k.
He also mentioned that a new filler cap is required, and that you can tell if the ATF has been changed as the replacement filler cap is a different colour from the factory fitted item.
Anyway, I've been thinking all winter that I should have the ATF changed soon, based on the memory of what Uncle Benz said.
So I asked the local garage that does all our cars to include the ATF change during her annual service & MOT, which is ongoing today, (and includes changing all 12 spark plugs, as that hasn't been done for a while either).
The garage have just phoned saying that they really don't want to do the ATF as it requires "specialist equipment", and recommended a local mobile gearbox technician.
I agreed that the garage shouldn't do the ATF if they don't have the equipment...no-brainer, really, as the ATF level is crucial IIRC.
Any wise words or advice on the ATF change for this car? I can't find anything using the search.
She still runs well, is stored on a SORN in a garage all winter, and comes out when the weather gets better. She is much loved and cared for, so much so that I am regularly teased by family members about my attachment to my yellow peril.
Thanks folks
SailorP

 

[Blobcat]

Get it down to @alexanderfoti for a proper service
Yours will be a 5G box without a torque converter drain plug. They were “sealed for life” originally, but the ”life” wasn’t as long as Mercedes were expecting.

 

[sailorP]

Thanks Blobcat...I live in Herefordshire. Anyone closer?

 

[Wighty]

Thanks Blobcat...I live in Herefordshire. Anyone closer?

Is @Steve@Avantgarde Mercedes , Clevedon near Bristol any good , he is on this site as well

 

[Wighty]

Thanks Blobcat...I live in Herefordshire. Anyone closer?

Update your location from Surrey buddy ?

 

[sailorP]

Will do.

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks Blobcat...I live in Herefordshire. Anyone closer?

I didn't find anyone when I was in Hereford - Steve as mentioned above or there's a good few in the midlands (Brum area)

 

[grahamcol]

I recently had an atf and filter change on my CLK 5 speed auto for £198 all in at ACMS in Walsall, a well respected Midlands based Merc independent.

 

[sailorP]

Thanks grahamcol. I'll give them a ring...see if they can fit the car in while I wait. Good excuse for a run out.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Wow! A blast from the past! Glad to see you still have the car. A lovely thing!

The “special equipment“ they don’t have is a dipstick.

 

[sailorP]

Thanks, mate. It's still great to use, for high days & holidays, dry miles only. Still puts a smile on my face when I look at it, such a pretty car. And although my daily driver (Skoda Superb 280 TSI) has basically the same performance, it's still special to drive. I was thinking today I would only replace it with a 246 Dino if I won the lottery. Cheers.

 

[charlysays]

I usually do mine every 25-30k miles (DIY) and it seems to make the 722.6 last as long as the rest of the car despite messing about with remaps, big turbos and thrashing them. It even seems to prevent conductor plate issues as there's less conductive sludge going around accumulating on the top of the conductor plate. I use fuches titan 4134 which I buy 20l at a time which I decant down into more manageable 5l bottles with a bottle of lucas transmission fix mixed in to each transmission fill. Mine is 5G (C250 TD) but with TC drain plug. After a few years of this generous servicing of these transmissions I generally change the filter every other service now (seeing as they aren't known for blocking up), same for the pan seal which can be reused once in my experience with it being a springy rubber seal rather than a crush seal.