Service, gearbox oil and spark plugs

[Flyer]

I've just booked my car in for an A service with a MB main dealer as the display is indicating 300 miles to go ... earliest date is 16 December .

So, before then I'd like the spark plugs and gearbox oil changing (@65k). Spark plugs are overdue, but I don't want to pay main dealer prices for what is a fairly simple job. Ditto gearbox oil.

Jimmy very kindly offered to do these, but it is a trek to Northampton and I'm trying to conserve my mileage now before 16 December! So, thanks for that Jimmy, but I need to go local.

I'm using a local garage who used to work on my Corrados. They also prepare race cars (ran a team in the BTCC, ran a Viper and are currently running a 911 in some race series that I've forgotten the name of ).

So, spark plugs: chap there tells me he can get the type, etc., from the VIN. Anybody tell me the part no and how much they should be (off the top of his head, he reckoned they were platinum-tipped and about £12 each (x12!)).

Gearbox Oil: Can you give me the list of parts, with part numbers, gearbox oil type and quantities. Anything else?

Cheers
Andrew

 

[jimmy]

Spark plugs are a bit dear at £12 each, thats what we would sell them retail to some rich bloke with a Merc.

Trade is between £5-£8 each. But they are very expensive, most spark plugs are around about £1 - £1.50 each.

NGK PFR5G-11
Denso PK16PR-L11
Champion KC11PYP
Bosch F8DPER

Note the 'P' in all the part numbers for platinum. You can get non platinum equivalents that are much cheaper but will need to be changed more frequently.

 

[Flyer]

So, maybe some negotiation is in order for the spark plugs, then? It doesn't matter which plugs to get?

What about the gearbox oil?

Cheers

 

[sym]

MB Auto Transmission Fluid - from your friendly $tealership. Don't use anything else.

Assuming your gearbox is the same as the 202 5 speed version, then the part numbers should be the same ... got them written down somewhere and will post shortly.

You need filter, sump gasket, and sump plug seal.

S.

 

[nickmann]

...So, spark plugs: chap there tells me he can get the type, etc., from the VIN. Anybody tell me the part no and how much they should be (off the top of his head, he reckoned they were platinum-tipped and about £12 each (x12!))....Andrew

I got my plugs from either GFS or KMS, think it was the former. They were about £5 each for platinum tipped Bosch.

 

[Flyer]

Done some research on this and jimmy has posted this info before about what's needed:

MB ATF fluid. 8 Litres should be enough.
Gearbox filter.
Gearbox sump gasket/seal.
Tamper evident seal for dipstick (not essential but finishes the job off)

Sym, or anyone, do you have the part numbers for these items? Can you confirm the quantity of oil is correct? Going in on Wednesday, and I need to get the list of parts ASAP.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[Dieselman]

The quantity is correct. You will actually use 7.5 litres exactly, assuming you change the torque converter fluid.

The dealer will have all the bit's in stock so p/n shouldn't be a problem.

 

[sym]

Andrew - I had the part no's on a MB invoice - which I have now realised unfortunately went with the car.

I also had them on a PM from jimmy, which I have unfortunately now deleted !!

So not much use to you I'm afraid !! I know jimmy has them though - so sure he'll be along shortly !

Give them the part numbers - my dealer managed to sell me a W201 seal when I tried to buy the stuff without them !

S.

 

[Dieselman]

W140 589 1521 00 dipstick
A140 271 00 80 Gasket
A140 277 00 95 Filter
A001 989 2103 10 Oil.

 

[C240Sport97]

W140 589 1521 00 dipstick
A140 271 00 80 Gasket
A140 277 00 95 Filter
A001 989 2103 10 Oil.

don't forget to the washer/seal for the gearbox sump plug too

 

[Flyer]

Thanks very much for the help guys; took the details down this morning as it's in tomorrow ...

... and what do I see in the workshop ...

an F40! (with an F40 plate) Stunning work of art ...

They also had this beauty:

They ran it in the PCC last season and are presumably getting it ready for next season.

Only had my camera phone (an old one), so pictures are crap, but I'll take my proper camera tomorrow ... hopefully they'll still be there.

 

[Steve_Perry]

Andrew,

I don't know whether the spark plugs for your 320 are the same as my 240 but if they are you might want to consider buying the replacements from your stealership...

Taken from my B Service schedule in 2003:
9. A 003 159 81 03 - Spark Plug - £4.90 - 12 - £52.92


I saw the figure of 12 quid a plug and thought that was more than steep. Apologies if the 320 V6 uses different beasties to the 240 V6.

S.

P.S. Love your camera phone piccies so do you you get one of them as a courtesy car?

 

[jaymanek]

Im pretty sure they will be the same. The 240 is the same engine with smaller cylinders....

 

[kjgood]

Plugs for the C240 V6 and there are twelve of them, were £5 each from the stealership, and they all had the star on them