Automatic Gearbox Service

[Noddy 99]

Hello, chaps,

My 93,000 mile E280 CDI Sport 7G-tronic had a MB dealer gearbox service at 37,000 miles under the previous owner. I've combed through the service history, expecting to find another one at 72,000 miles. There wasn't one.

I've since found out that this is exactly as it "should" be, according to MB: change at 36,000 then consider it sealed for life.

What do you guys think? A lot of people say it should be every 40,000 miles, regardless of MB's schedule. I want to keep the car in top condition but I could do without shelling out £350 if it's unnecessary.

As always, advice very much appreciated, even conflicting advice...

 

[Blobcat]

Do you want to keep it or sell it?…

I’d get it changed

 

[Noddy 99]

I'll be keeping it. Only picked it up yesterday, lol...

 

[AMGeed]

I would continue changing the ATF at 37k intervals despite Mercedes saying its "sealed for life" even after one fluid change.

A Mercedes indy should be less than £350 for an ATF change.

 

[mioba]

Sealed from no one.
Get it changed.

 

[Tony Dyson]

If yours is the OM 642/651 the service booklet calls for another change at 77,500mls/5 Years!

 

[Chrishazle]

I've had/have 2 cars with the 5G box (supposedly sealed for life) and 1 with the 7g with supposedly 1 change at 37.5k miles (which was not done by the supplying dealer for the first owner). I've also watched with interest the many posts on here and t'other side about ATF changes - I can only speak of my personal experience.
My first MB was a 2001 C270Cdi S203 with the 5G box, no ATF change had been done, box felt fine but I had the ATF/filter changed at about 70k miles. It made the box marginally smoother - but it was pretty good before the change!
Second MB is our current C220 Cdi S204, where I had a massive row with the supplying main agent as they had not changed the ATF in its 60k miles with the first owner they supplied it to (I'm second owner and bought it from original supplying main dealer, service manager saidi box its 5G box was sealed for life). Box was fine, my indie said it was not worth changing the ATF/filter until 100k miles, which I did - and again it made the box a little smoother.
SLK I bought November 2019 has the 7g box, supplying dealer had not changed ATF/filter at 37.5k miles, had a weep on a box rear seal so had that replaced - and changed ATF/filter at the same time, at about 60k miles npt long after I (as 3rd owner) bought it. Again, box was pretty good before the change and marginally smoother after.
To a large extent I think it's how you view the car - if it's a short term keeper, spending £250-400 may not be reasonable, whereas for a long term keeper (which our S204 certainly is as we've owned it since March 2011, and the SLK may also be!!) it's good preventative maintenance - and a damned sight cheaper than a gearbox repair! As for how often - well, that's like an oil thread, you'll get responses from every 35-40k miles to 4-5 years to whatever - I can only speak from my personal experience!!

 

[Jim2]

The schedule I go by for my 2014 E class 220 is every 4 years or 70'000 Miles. I changed it yesterday, even though it still had about 15'000 miles to go. And this is what it looked like. To be honest, as you can see in pic 2, where it shows both the new and old and new fluid side by side, there does not seem much difference between the two, despite the new fluid is actually blue in color, and when pouring it , it's clearly blue, but put it into a plastic container, and the color darkens dramatically. To really see the difference between them, you need to shine a bright through them,,,in the new ATF, you can see the light and the blue tinge,,,in the old one, you cannot even see the light. So yes, it was due a change. And a question for anyone who might have experienced the same thing...while working underneath the car, with the engine running, there was a steady stream of water dropping down from over head the transmission Guessing that its from the AirCon??? only seems to happen when the engine is running , and for a short while after it stops.

 

[Noddy 99]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. On the basis of your experiences and counsel, I'm going to book it in.

 

[Wighty]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. On the basis of your experiences and counsel, I'm going to book it in.

At £4 k for a new gearbox , it’s cheap insurance for the box .
Where are you getting it done buddy ?
Make sure it’s someone that knows MB gearboxes and they understand that the Torque converter which holds half the gearbox oil is also drained . If they say it depends if MB fitted a TC drain plug (they haven’t all got one) go somewhere else so that an oil cooler pipe gets disconnected to remove the TC’s 3.5L of oil.
MB won’t change the TC oil if there is no drain plug .

 

[Wighty]

Update your user details with your location buddy

 

[Noddy 99]

Thanks, Wighty. I'm in Telford, Shropshire and I'll be using an independent Mercedes, Audi and BMW specialist called EAC. Never used them before but they've got a good reputation...

 

[Noddy 99]

£386 - yikes! But they ARE draining and re-filling the torque converter...

 

[Tony Dyson]

£386 - yikes! But they ARE draining and re-filling the torque converter...

Ask if they have Star diagnostics and they can update the Mercedes online digital service record, if an approved MB service partner they will be able to do this, if they can't I would look for one who can!

 

[Noddy 99]

I will but up here in the wilderness of Telford, it's either that place or the main dealer. I've only ever once taken a car to a main dealer; my wallet still has to have trauma counselling...

 

[Tony Dyson]

I can sympathise, they're often referred to as 'Stealers' on the forum but the procedures of these auto box filter and fluid changes can be complicated and very specific, I'm sure someone will be along with recommendations, I know Mercland https://www.mercland.com/ have been mentioned a few times on the forum but they're across the other side of Wolverhampton from you, I'm sure there will be others closer?

 

[Noddy 99]

Ha ha - you need to get your map out, Tony - that's north of Coventry; nowhere near Wolverhampton...

Still, that's a good shout - I have a mate who lives nearby who could pick me up and entertain me for the day...

 

[Noddy 99]

OK; just got it all done and the wallet is £386 lighter.

Must say, the car drove like a dream on the way home. It's easy for your senses to be deceived, especially when you've just stumped up big dollar, but I swear the gear changes were smoother...