My '02 ML320 works great, no problems with the transmission or engine and has 51,000, mostly city/suburban driving. My mechanic, trustworthy guy, suggested I change the transmission fluid/filter/gaskets as a precaution even though MB says that the fluid is good for the life of the vehicle. He showed me a sample of my fluid, it's obviously not as clean as new fluid. Anybody have any suggestions, experience - is it worth getting done? Thanks.
If you want to keep it for a while, I'd suggest doing the same thing at around 50K.
You have to wonder if "lifetime" means "6 yrs" nowadays. The lifetime spark plugs is also a silly idea... :-)
My '02 ML320 works great, no problems with the transmission or engine and has 51,000, mostly city/suburban driving. My mechanic, trustworthy guy, suggested I change the transmission fluid/filter/gaskets as a precaution even though MB says that the fluid is good for the life of the vehicle. He showed me a sample of my fluid, it's obviously not as clean as new fluid. Anybody have any suggestions, experience - is it worth getting done? Thanks.
I was at my local dealer waiting for an alignment job on my ML and I saw this advertising poster that says MB "recommends" transmission oil change at 60K miles. Don't know if it's a dealer gimmick trying to drum up more businesses or MB changing it's mind about the "lifetime" deal.
That said, I think it's a good idea to change the trans oil at about 60K despite what MB says otherwise.
Vehicle: 2001 ML320 W/ D2 Nav and XM Traffic, 2000 Audi S4 Stage 3
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 103
My local shop (not dealer) but he specializes and will only work on German Vehicals is adment that both the transmission and transfer fluids be changed no later than 70,000 miles. He quoted me $370.00 to perform this work. Does anyone know what the stealer would charge? I'm sure it's much higher.
My '02 ML320 works great, no problems with the transmission or engine and has 51,000, mostly city/suburban driving. My mechanic, trustworthy guy, suggested I change the transmission fluid/filter/gaskets as a precaution even though MB says that the fluid is good for the life of the vehicle. He showed me a sample of my fluid, it's obviously not as clean as new fluid. Anybody have any suggestions, experience - is it worth getting done? Thanks.
Your mechanic is a smart man. Yes, have it changed sometime between now and 70K - that's what my master tech told me. You may even go 100K, but, really no further than that if you plan to hold onto the vehicle. BTW, if you do this, also do the entire drive train fluids (Xfer case in this case).
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My local shop (not dealer) but he specializes and will only work on German Vehicals is adment that both the transmission and transfer fluids be changed no later than 70,000 miles. He quoted me $370.00 to perform this work. Does anyone know what the stealer would charge? I'm sure it's much higher.
Responding to the 2nd part of your question: At the 'stearler' you are looking at a minimum of $500 if you're lucky, wait did I say luck?. There's no such thing at the stealership. Anyway you get the point.....Go with the local shop and have them change the fluids.
Thanks for all of the insight, I will have it done before 70K - I wouldn't even dream of asking the stealer to do this sort of thing. In fact, the last time I brought it to the stealer (and it will be the last time) they told me they changed my oil, but the the oil was filthy - my mechanic confirmed it hadn't been changed. I got my money back. Unbelievable.
Vehicle: 2002 ML 500, 1994 Ford Explorer donated to Doctors without Borders
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 2,037
Quote:
Originally Posted by goldML
Thanks for all of the insight, I will have it done before 70K - I wouldn't even dream of asking the stealer to do this sort of thing. In fact, the last time I brought it to the stealer (and it will be the last time) they told me they changed my oil, but the the oil was filthy - my mechanic confirmed it hadn't been changed. I got my money back. Unbelievable.
WoW! Good for you! How did you get your money back? How did you aproach the stealer. Tell the story!
I told him them that it was clear that the oil had not been changed - (1) bc the oil was dirty (2) because the filter cap was dusty, no sign it has been handled or removed (3) when oild comes out of these things at the drain plug it splashes all over and then somebody has to wipe-up, here there was no sign of either. I told him he was welcome to call my mechanic if didn't believe me and that I would take him to task (court) if he refused to refund (I'm a lawyer, this is the only time it's worked in my favor). He wanted me to bring it in so he could check himself, I told him to come to my house since I shouldn't have to waste more of my time due to him being a theif. He finally just gave in and did the refund. I was pretty mad.
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