I took my 8 year old E250 for its annual service (service B). I pointed out that possibly due to Mercedes shifting the auto-gearbox service schedule (almost every year) they had never serviced (or changed the oil) during the life of the car (now 82,000 miles). I took the car in and, following inspection, they say that I had a oil leak from the differential (oil seal) and another leak from the gearbox oil cooler. The cost of repair was around £4,500!! Considering I do not thrash the car and had no particular problem with it, this was quite shocking. So far just paid for B-service and MOT. They replaced brake fluid, fuel filter and air filter element as "extra work" costing £715 so far. As the oil leak in the differential is rather small I will leave this (I realise this is a big job for a small problem), but the gearbox should be serviced I think (oil and filter change only is proposed). I also think I am stuck with having to fix the Gearbox oil cooler leak from wherever it is leaking (not known at present) which is a lot of labour to get access. Cost of these items is another £1880. Is this a rip-off and should I take the car elsewhere than this Mercedes garage?
Costs for service or repair
- Thread starter greymonk
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2008
- Messages
- 18,891
- Location
- Bournemouth/Poole Dorset
- Car
- W210 E280 x2, w211 E55, W212 E63 biturbo, S204 C180K
Oh dear, another main dealer rip off. £4500 to fix a leaky diff seal and oil cooler!!
Long past the time for an indy to be servicing and repairing your car. You should have a few in your area that can be recommended and will do the job for far far less.
The main dealer should have serviced your gearbox at 45k miles if you have the 7G autobox. Don't bother with them again. They will only fleece you for the ATF change which should be about £180 -£200 at an indy.
This guy in Maidstone has been recommended before. Give them a call and save yourself some money.
Mercedes-Benz Local Independent Mercedes Benz Specialist | Maidstone, Kent
Edit.....There is also Wright Tech in Sidcup if its closer.
WrightTechUK | Mercedes Benz, Chrysler & Jeep Specialists in Kent
Long past the time for an indy to be servicing and repairing your car. You should have a few in your area that can be recommended and will do the job for far far less.
The main dealer should have serviced your gearbox at 45k miles if you have the 7G autobox. Don't bother with them again. They will only fleece you for the ATF change which should be about £180 -£200 at an indy.
This guy in Maidstone has been recommended before. Give them a call and save yourself some money.
Mercedes-Benz Local Independent Mercedes Benz Specialist | Maidstone, Kent
Edit.....There is also Wright Tech in Sidcup if its closer.
WrightTechUK | Mercedes Benz, Chrysler & Jeep Specialists in Kent
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2013
- Messages
- 2,294
- Location
- Near the forest
- Car
- Jaguar XF Sportbrake 25t X260; Mini Cooper R50
I don't know if there are any MB independent garages near Orpington but can recommend GemTech in Romford. Mercedes Benz Service Repairs and Tuning Romford Essex
grober
MB Master
Leaks are relative. Large leaks will potentially be damaging and also a possible MOT failure now. Minor leaks are liveable with if you keep an eye on fluid levels. Forget the diff many have minor leaks at higher miles. The oil cooler leak [ how do they know its leaking if they don't know where the leak is?] is probably down to road debris-damage as its fairly low down. If the gearbox fluid+ filter has never been changed then its a good idea. These are not particularly challenging jobs but time consuming if body trim/cladding has to be removed/replaced at MB dealer labour rates. You have two choices- try to negotiate the overall bill down with the dealer since you have handed over quite a bit of money to them already ----or--- entrust the work to a good MB specialist
Thanks for those quick responses. I have left a message with Stevenson's in Maidstone - they obviously save money by not having a receptionist 
. A train ride will not cost too much. The Gbox oil cooler leak is dripping down but wherever it is coming from does look inaccessible visually without a mini camera (I'm surprised they don't have one). I guess they just know that it would need a lot of stuff to take off to get to it, wherever it is. It could be the cooler itself, a gasket or the lines I guess. The leak isn't much but I don't like losing oil from the auto gearbox. The only problem I've had with the gearbox is that a couple of times it has failed when the temperature is well below zero. Seems like the Torque converter is just slipping as the engine revs but there is little or no drive to the wheels until it all gets warmed up. It could just be low on oil but it seems it has never been checked! I agree about not worrying too much about the small leak from the differential but should probably make sure that the oil level is checked occasionally - I doubt this has ever been done. I think at least it can be topped up without taking the axle off.
A great car though. It was my company car but bought it from Mercedes Leasing when I retired a few years ago.
. A train ride will not cost too much. The Gbox oil cooler leak is dripping down but wherever it is coming from does look inaccessible visually without a mini camera (I'm surprised they don't have one). I guess they just know that it would need a lot of stuff to take off to get to it, wherever it is. It could be the cooler itself, a gasket or the lines I guess. The leak isn't much but I don't like losing oil from the auto gearbox. The only problem I've had with the gearbox is that a couple of times it has failed when the temperature is well below zero. Seems like the Torque converter is just slipping as the engine revs but there is little or no drive to the wheels until it all gets warmed up. It could just be low on oil but it seems it has never been checked! I agree about not worrying too much about the small leak from the differential but should probably make sure that the oil level is checked occasionally - I doubt this has ever been done. I think at least it can be topped up without taking the axle off. A great car though. It was my company car but bought it from Mercedes Leasing when I retired a few years ago.
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2016
- Messages
- 978
- Location
- Fleet, Hampshire
- Car
- 2008 CLK 350 Sport Cab and 2021 BMW 520i M Sport Saloon
Just take it to an indy and save a fortune. It’s madness to be taking an 8 year old e class to a dealer. The car’s value just doesn’t warrant it. I don’t mean that in a rude way, but the car is nearing the bottom of the depreciation curve so main dealer or indy will not impact resale value.
David404
Active Member
Agree entirely, find a good Indie and save a fortune. Its worth building a relationship with an Indie, if they know you will become a long term customer...
At 8 years old your car should be on the electronic On-Line service record, the good Indies will be able to add to this so you keep the service record and have a STAR diagnostic unit. The place I use looks a bit 'back street' but they are friendly, helpful and know their stuff Oh and WAY cheaper then the main dealers.
At 8 years old your car should be on the electronic On-Line service record, the good Indies will be able to add to this so you keep the service record and have a STAR diagnostic unit. The place I use looks a bit 'back street' but they are friendly, helpful and know their stuff Oh and WAY cheaper then the main dealers.
Skd884
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2017
- Messages
- 3,536
- Car
- c180 w204
These guys are good and won't rip you off
Keys mercedes Bexleyheath
Independent Mercedes Specialists - Keys of Bexleyheath
Keys mercedes Bexleyheath
Independent Mercedes Specialists - Keys of Bexleyheath
Took the car to Stevenson's who were very helpful and was there whilst Steve examined the car and identified the Auto-gearbox oil leak as coming from the upper joint going into the gearbox oil cooler. He did the job and replaced the gearbox oil and filter within the day though said I should keep an eye out for any further leaking. Well there is further leaking from the same joint and I only spotted this after about 1000 miles of use (on holiday in Wales). I need to get this looked at urgently because I don't know how much oil I have lost and need to use the car.
However, I cannot get through by phone to Stevenson's at all; just an answering system. I left messages on the main phone answering system and Steve's mobile but have had no response. Maybe it is a one man operation renting time in a well equipped garage and he is on holiday!
The upper connection is not too bad to access if I knew how to disconnect the plastic aircon stuff (not sure where all the holding clips are) and a radiator hose without a workshop manual. It is probably a seal that needs to be replaced as there does not seem to be any corrosion. Anyway, I would prefer to have someone do it who has done it before and also has the equipment to steam clean all the oil soaked polystyrene-like panels under the car. I would be grateful for any suggestions.
However, I cannot get through by phone to Stevenson's at all; just an answering system. I left messages on the main phone answering system and Steve's mobile but have had no response. Maybe it is a one man operation renting time in a well equipped garage and he is on holiday!
The upper connection is not too bad to access if I knew how to disconnect the plastic aircon stuff (not sure where all the holding clips are) and a radiator hose without a workshop manual. It is probably a seal that needs to be replaced as there does not seem to be any corrosion. Anyway, I would prefer to have someone do it who has done it before and also has the equipment to steam clean all the oil soaked polystyrene-like panels under the car. I would be grateful for any suggestions.
