Tonye456

Hello everyone I'm new on the forum hopefully this question hasent been asked before. I have a 2003 w211 E320 with 240,000 miles and I've been using Mobil 1 0w40 since I've bought the car (second owner, bought it used with 80,000) I'm wondering should I consider switching the oil to something like 5w40 or 10w40? The car seems runs great, no noises and it doesn't leak a single drop of oil. The only thing I've noticed is a little ticking sound at startup that goes away after a few seconds and it seems to use a some oil if I run it hard at about 4,000 miles. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Plutoe

Not a problem---your conundrum is very personal with loads of support on both sides for less viscosity high mileage lubrication--however I like "if it ain't broke don't fix it" therefore stick with what you are using!!

dbldpr

Welcome I agree if it is not broken leave it alone. Stay with what you have been using

Gersh320

the dealerships have all moved to the 5w40 oil. Just today I was wondering about changing. My car has been using 0w40 since day one.

blackopal

I think it's a never ending story. Different climates, different uses and different recommendations/personal preferences. Your budget might come into it too.


I have an S430 with 240,000 kms on it and I run mine on 5W40 Valvoline full synthetic. I use the same oil in my CLK55 so it works for me.


But, you can't go wrong sticking with the Mobil 1, although you could just as easily run 5W40. Be warned, it's easy to loose a few hours researching oils online!!


James

MJ50

moved to W211 forum...

homeofstone

I use 5w30 Valvoline synpower in my E500 and have used it for years. I use 5w40 pennzoil platinum Euro in my E63. But if I lived in a colder climate 0-30 and 0-40 might be my choice.

kajtek1

Blackstone oil testing cost $20 about 3 years ago and even if they raise the prices, it is still cheap comparing to cost of oil change, not to mention cost of the engine.
That is when you don't trust Mercedes engineers...

2MERKS

Think of it like sex, if it's good you keep hitting it!!
if it ain't broke don't fix it! Seems something is working correctly.
GL

kajtek1

The truth is that even advanced car owner has no way to tell one engine oil from other.
I record mpg at each fill up my whole life and when I switched old Volvo from dino to synthetic, thinner oils, I had noticeable mpg increase.
But switching from 0 to 5 oil weight will not make a change that anybody can notice.
That is why manufactures do have their approvals and oil labs stay in business.
With bad oil you will notice some sludge, but I just did breather cover at 160k miles and engine with good records does show some sludge inside.
So it is truly never-ending debate.
But switching from 0W-40 to 5w40 or 10w40 is not changing the oil viscosity at operating temperatures, while heavier cold oils will run starting engine with no lubrication longer than lower weight.
That definitely doesn't sound like good idea.

Glyn M Ruck

I'm a tribologist with one of the largest global oilco's. At operating temperature an xW-40 is a 40 & only a 0W at Minus 16 Celsius. Stick to what you are using. 0W-40's are more expensive to formulate than 5W-40's or 10W-40's & generally use better base oils to meet HTHS (high temperature high shear) with those viscometrics. Some oil use is nothing to worry about & likely due to valve stem seals anyway. I'll bet you can still see honing marks in the bore at your mileage if properly maintained. Alusil bores are as tough as hell.

Only use approved MB products. There is a large choice.

kajtek1

Speaking of which - this is 603 cylinder at 297,000 miles.
Run on dino oils 95% of its life

Tonye456

Thanks guys, yeah I'm gonna stick to the same Mobil 1 0w40 oil I've been using. The car runs and looks great despite its age and miles its never given me any problems. I stay on top of all the maintenance and at 240,000 miles it still runs like a champ. Just tough id throw this out there the only major things I've had to replace is the engine and transmission mounts and the Radiator since it had a tiny crack that leaked very slowly, I replaced it along with the hoses since it was fairly inexpensive. Also at 190,000 I took out the wheel bearings (they still looked new) repacked them with some fresh Mercedes grease and replaced the wheel hub seals.