Is a gearbox filter service worth it?

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I’m sure some people think changing the gearbox oil is just like changing the engine oil...open a sump plug, spin on a new filter and refill..,

Thats how I do it.
 
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My local Indy has just quoted me £294 for new fluid, filter and gasket including the torque converter. Sounds a lot to me.
Versus three or four grand ( at a guess ) for a new gearbox if it goes bang ?
 
I paid £275 at an Indy around four years ago. So £300 sounds right!
 
What do think is a fair price, given the parts alone are probably £150.
It depends on the car ; the filter kits can range from about £30 to £70 ish , and the cost for fluid , depending on model can be anything from about £20 or £30 for an older car to a couple of hundred for the latest models ( which also need the oil pumped in from below and measured at the correct temperature, versus with older cars you drain out the bottom , change the filter and sump gasket , then fill through the dipstick tube ( I normally put in slightly less than the recommended quantity, take the car for a run to get up to temperature, then top off referring to the dipstick ( it can be done cold since the handbook shows levels for hot and cold ) .
 
I said it sounded a lot to me (based on other posts where people seem to have paid £200-£220).
Now that you have kindly told me that the garage is likely to have to spend £150 trade on the parts I can see why it is £300. The guys on here that paid c£200 must have had a right bargain based on this.
Thanks for the info.
The cost varies from car to car ; W123/4 and the likes can use any Dexron III fluid which you can pick up a 5L bottle for £20 ; the fluids required for later cars can be a lot more but you can save by bulk buying . I always buy genuine MB filters , which come with the gasket , but you can get aftermarket filters which are cheaper - your car your choice . It isn’t a hard job to do , and I see no point paying others to do something I can do myself .
 
I had the gearbox service done yesterday and it has made absolutely no difference at all to the car.

Just as a reminder I get a loud vibrating noise when the car is stationary and in reverse (with my foot on the brake). I also get a loud vibrating noise when the car is slowing to a stop.

Both symptoms seem to happen more often when the car is first started and with both you can feel a vibration through the seats.

Also on start up there is often a loud knock or bang which you can feel by your left leg. Again it doesn’t tend to do this if starting from hot.

The car runs perfectly at speed. It is goes through the gears well. There is a little vibration you can notice in the rear view mirror at high motorway speeds but other than that no other funny noises.

Any other ideas muchly appreciated.

Thanks
 
These are just some suggestions to prompt other people who know more to comment on them as a possibility.

Diff oil change.
Gearbox and engine mounts.
Rubber drive shaft coupling disc.
There is also a bearing of some sort (not sure for this model) for the drive shaft. There was a recent post on this or another Merc forum I think for vibration that couldn't be diagnosed. It was only when the driveshaft and bearing were stripped from the car that it was possible to identify the tiny amount of play in the bearing. This was replaced and the problem was solved. I think the guy had 2x wheel bearing changes first before identifying.

I'd get this to a trusted Merc specialist for an inspection, although at well over 100k miles, I wouldn't be shocked doing all of those items I've mentioned.
 
Both engine mounts changed and the vibration has completely disappeared. The mechanic said that the drivers side was knackered. The car feels much better.

Cost of the gearbox service and changing both engine mounts was £642
 
Great result. Reading the post I would have gone for engine/gearbox mounts the same as Bobby Dazzler.
Whether it's a auto or manual box and regardless of age/make or model of car, changing the oil periodically is a must the same with the differential. Oil deteriorates after time when in use. The previous car I had was a Jaguar S Type which didn't have a drain plug on the diff so I sucked the oil out when hot with a suction pump/syringe. I've not long ago had the gearbox serviced in the SL by a reputable Indy for £180.00 all in.
 
Another gearbox question. How can I tell if my box is the 7g or 7g+
The 7g is red atf , I think the 7g is blue fluid . Try a website like Opie Oils , they have a search facility on your number plate . Look up the atf for your car ?
 
Another gearbox question. How can I tell if my box is the 7g or 7g+
I believe if you have stop start its the 7g+ 722.9 gearbox. Transmission oil 236.15, blue in colour.
 

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