Hi MB forum,
what is the general consensus on engine oil brand for a 2003 CL500 500 with 45,000 miles ?
Mobil, Penzoil, Motul, Liqui Moly ?

 

I think everyone agrees that there is no agreement on the best brand. Everyone has his/her own brand preference (but I don't believe anyone who claims their engine is quieter and or smoother on the $12/L brand versus $8/L stuff). I buy MB 229.XX approved oil and don't lose sleep over the jug's label. IMO, frequent change intervals are more important.

 

I use MolyGen. Maybe I pay more, but, I get peace of mind. Hard to put a price on that.

 

Paying more for an oil to be shipped from Germany along with its Trump tariff doesn't makes my engine any happier than Mobil1 or Castrol Edge. All oil manufacturers test their competitors' products and formulate their products to meet the same approvals and standards. If there are differences, they never show up in the 5K miles during which any of them reside in my crankcase.

 

Thank you, that’s what I was thinking, I use Liqui Moly for my GLS 450 , you are 100% correct frequent changes is very important. THNAKS AGIAN

 

@streborx

Again, cost DOES NOT MATTER TO ME. I pay for peace of mind.

 

Where on the oil jug is there a "peace of mind" approval?

The extent of my expertise is:
1. Finding the oil viscosity requirement and the MB 229.xx sheet number in the OM.
2. Finding the compliant oil brands on MB's fluids website.
3. Purchasing oil at a retail location, confirming the viscosity and MB approval printed on the jug.

Cost doesn't matter to me either -- I just don't understand how 2 approved oils can be differentiated on the basis of an arbitrary psychological metric, nor why this should be decisive in purchasing.

 

Why do some people prefer Coke and others Pepsi? Why do some people drink rot-gut and others pay $4,000 a bottle for whisky? It is preference. Oh, and I do not allow Pepsi in my kitchen.