Sharing quotes for Automatic Transmission Fluid W204 -

[K80]

I just got some quotes today for the changing of automatic transmission fluid and filter, as well as a vehicle inspection, on my c class coupe 220 CDI W204, in case this information is helpful or interesting for anyone.

Mercland (Nuneaton):
Did not quote based on car model they seem to have a flat fee, so no call back was needed. I used the words "automatic transmission fluid" and the lady said "you mean gearbox service, yeah?".
There is something about the reviews and their mannerism when I ring that I don't trust but maybe I am being snobby about the location of Nuneaton. Just feels like a place that might cut corners to me but I base that on no evidence.
- £325 ATF
- £45 inspection
Total: £370 - but now I realized I did not ask if that included VAT, parts and labour and just assumed it did.

Autohaus Werkshoppe (Coventry)
Best customer service out the three; answered quickly, dealt with efficiently and called back quickly. Mentioned the use of real Mercedes parts and that the price included parts, labour and VAT without me prompting the question. I found this very thorough.
- £451.66 ATF
- £90 inspection
Total: £541.66

Mercedes-Benz of Stratford-Upon-Avon (main dealer)
I rang Stratford instead of Coventry just because I assumed they would not be as busy and it is just as easy for me to get to.
Had to give me a call-back for the quote, but did call me back within 30 minutes. I was on the phone for 9 minutes total on the first call due to needing to go on hold whilst the representative found out information.
Here I have the option of waiting whilst the work is done, the airbag recall can be done at the same time (and I will try my best to decline the emissions update) or I can pay £20 for a loan car.
Inspection is free and the representative explained to me that you are emailed the results and if anything noted, it comes with a video and a phone call follow up. I'd prefer an in-person one to one to go through the results but I am not sure how good that will be at the specialist garages to be fair.
- £459.62 ATF
- £0 inspection is free.
Total: £459.62

I thought this was very interesting in that a specialist was more expensive than main dealer, and yet the other specialist seems suspiciously cheap in comparison?

What would you go for?
Right now, main dealer seems appealing purely based on my surprise of the competitive pricing, although I am wary of them putting the emissions update on even if I decline. Mercland is cheapest, so maybe it's just fine and the best bang for buck. Yet get the feeling there is attention to detail to be had at Autohaus and they have compelling reviews - it might be that their vehicle inspection is the best since repairs is all they do, no car sales to be distracted with.

 

[Benz17]

I have no affiliation with mercland, ( I am a Londoner) never used them, but they are very highly regarded on this forum.

Many of their cars are also advertised for sale on this forum.

Others who have used them, would be able to give further info.

 

[Skd884]

Mercland wins, why pay a penny more?

They are superb

Not unusual to find a indy charge more than a main dealer = rip off merchants it's that simple, keep away.

 

[K80]

I have no affiliation with mercland, ( I am a Londoner) never used them, but they are very highly regarded on this forum.

Many of their cars are also advertised for sale on this forum.

Others who have used them, would be able to give further info.

Yes I've seen the forum seems to like them but weirdly I just get different vibes when I inspected the lower reviews myself and I found the phone call a little odd. It sounds like the customer service could be better. They are also the furthest from me. But I may give them a shot.

 

[Benz17]

Autohouse price to me anyway seems high, even more so then London indy prices.

 

[Smart320]

Highly recommend Mercland , they serviced the gearbox on my E class , then the ML I bought from them and also did the ML belonging to my daughter. All were perfect , they are MB specialists and I would trust them rather than an MB dealer

 

[markjay]

To clarify, the transmission in question is the 7G+, yes?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I would say Autohaus are the outliers on price in that list of three - that’s very very expensive.

Mercedes main dealers and many garages don’t fully drain the transmission and torque converter. Those who do incur more cost because it takes longer and requires more fluid, that said in my experience the cost to the customer is similar. That doesn’t necessarily mean that Autohaus do and Mercland don’t, you’d need to check.

After I read your comments on Mercland last night I had a look at the most negative Google feedback. As you would expect it was a mixed bag of some genuine issues, angry birds without much rationale, and anonymous feedback which Mercland couldn’t link to a customer or job and so may or may not be legitimate.

Most of the feedback related to car sales, when an issue manifested post purchase. I spotted one which related to service and repairs, and it was someone who complained that their MOT slot had to push back an hour or so, and then Mercland couldn’t repair the things that it failed on at the time of the MOT.

What the person providing the feedback failed to mention is that they requested the MOT on Friday night for 0900 the next day. The fact that Mercland still managed to accommodate them an hour or so late sounded pretty good to me. The fact they could do a repair there and then on a Saturday morning ought not be a surprise to anyone.

For any business and on any platform, I tend to look at the majority of feedback and exclude the extreme positive and extreme negative.

I only mention the above by way of balance. If you feel uneasy then you shouldn’t use that business, not least because you’ll kick yourself if something does goes wrong, however unlikely. Unfortunately mistakes happen and Sod’s Law is real.

 

[Bellow]

As per BD's post above, the first question re auto trans fluid change is whether the TC is drained also or just the box. The latter is a job half done.

Re Mercland: in all the years I've been a member of this forum I've never heard a negative comment about Mercland. There has never been anything but praise for Jay and his business.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

As per BD's post above, the first question re auto trans fluid change is whether the TC is drained also or just the box. The latter is a job half done.

Re Mercland: in all the years I've been a member of this forum I've never heard a negative comment about Mercland. There has never been anything but praise for Jay and his business.

Draining out the TC removes friction material,needed to drive the gearbox. Which is why it's not drained at most garages. It can shorten the life of the drive system. There were posts on here recently that brought alot of facts to light for alot of us.

Prices where I live are around the £270 mark. I paid £380 and that was for a 9g which is even dearer ....

 

[Bellow]

Draining out the TC removes friction material,needed to drive the gearbox. Which is why it's not drained at most garages. It can shorten the life of the drive system. There were posts on here recently that brought alot of facts to light for alot of us.

How does the transmission work from new then?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

How does the transmission work from new then?

Same way when it's old , clutches

 

[Bellow]

Same way when it's old , clutches

So the notion that friction particles suspended in then oil are necessary is just a load of bollox. Or is there actual evidence that they are required and why then do the manufacturers not advise against complete oil changes?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

So the notion that friction particles suspended in then oil are necessary is just a load of bollox. Or is there actual evidence that they are required and why then do the manufacturers not advise against complete oil changes?

Main dealership don't do full oil changes . I've never seen any literature regarding what the manufacturer recommend so can't comment.

 

[W1ghty]

Main dealership don't do full oil changes . I've never seen any literature regarding what the manufacturer recommend so can't comment.

They do if the TC has a drain plug

 

[JHS]

I bought the filter and ATF kit, including the ATF from Edinburgh Mercedes on eBay for something like £160 and my local garage did the ATF service, MOT and changed my winter tyres for 2 hours labour, around £180. So Mercland seem to be where an indie should be.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

They do if the TC has a drain plug

I'll remain a sceptic on this .

 

[markjay]

Main dealership don't do full oil changes . I've never seen any literature regarding what the manufacturer recommend so can't comment.

MB Brooklands changed the ATF on my 7G+ transmission and confirmed that they drained the TC (via the drain plug).

Not sure what other dealerships do.

 

[W1ghty]

I'll remain a sceptic on this .

They did with mine a few years ago .

 

[DSM10000]

PCS fully drained the 7 speed gearbox on my car and there have been no issues.