What is involved into changing ATF on this model? How hard is to do this and what is required? Is ATF filter needed?

I’ve purchased the ATF myself and called several places to get a quote for just replacing it. The very different responses are below:
1. Independent garage 1: declined to provide a quote, said it is too difficult and must be done by a specialist from a gearbox repair company
2. Gearbox repair company 1: £50, less than one hour work
3. Gearbox repair company 2: no price given but warned that they would only be able to replace some of the fluid in the bottom tray (?) and not all fluid as the whole unit must come out for this
4. Dealer 1: £215 plus VAT, the lady on the phone was not sure what will be done for this money.
5. Dealer 2: £169 plus VAT which would include labour and parts, as, apparently, some kind of a filter is needed.

Please help, as I am confused.

 

Firstly it's not a difficult job.

The official method to change the fluid is to loosen the transmission sump (there is no drain plug) and prise one corner off and catch the ensuing oil pouring out. Then remove the sump completely where you will see the ATF Filter, which can then be replaced.

You then refit the sump and refill the transmission. You can't get all the fluid out as alot of it is held in the torque converter. But that's the official method.

The other method is to suck the fluid from the filler hole using a special pump and simply refill. This will be cheap but does not provide for changing the filter.

I'd say quote 2 is about right, but it may not include the filter.

The filter costs about £20 at the most and a professional using the official method should easily do it in an hour. So perhaps £70 is about what you'd expect an independent garage to charge you, unless you also provide the filter in which case £50 is about right.

 

Booke 23, thank you for this response. Your help is very much appreciated.