Jlindsey86

Is it true that the latest recommended oil spec for this car is 229.52? If so I have only found 2 oils that meet this requirement;

1. Liqui Moly Top Tec 4600 5w30
2. Mobil 1 ESP 0w30

Are any of you using these oils? If not, what you you using?

kajtek1

I put MB oil in my Bluetec couple months ago. Don't like Mobil1 for generating iron and LM is hard to buy.
So far I logged about 3000 miles since change and in 2000 more I will send sample for lab testing.
Oils are not possible to judge on driver level and even lab results need to be studies to come with realistic conclusions.
We do have running lab test topic, where I added my previous results.

mbdiesel12

Since you have a 2008 you do not have to use the latest MB oil recommendation. They are supposedly backward compatible but in fact may not be as good for older engines as the original oil spec specified.
Check you owners manual and use whatever MB spec was recommended back in 2008. I'm sure it wasn't MB 229.52. You should have plenty of choices.

If you question what I've said you can call the MB Customer Hotline and ask them. That's what I did for my 2012. They said MB 229.51 was the original required oil for my 2012 but MB 229.52 could also be used.
Hope this helps. Keep in mind that a newer oil spec doesn't necessarily mean better. Particularly for prior engines.

By the way, I use Pentocin Super Performance III 5w30 which meets spec MB 229.51 and has provided excellent lab test results for me. It has lowered my FE numbers which are generally high on these engines.

It's expensive but I think I got what I paid for.

Jlindsey86

Excellent. There is a retailer near me that stocks Pentocin, I will give it a go. Thank you!

mbdiesel12

By the way, don't believe all the oil company or manufacture claims about extended length oil changes. Even oil analysis lab testing doesn't tell you everything you need to know about an oils longevity and wear protection. They're mostly self serving claims to convince you that their product is somehow magically great, immune from the combustion processes that occur in an engine, or that your cost of ownership will be reduced by exaggerated extended oil changes. In my opinion that's marketing hype at it's worst.

If you want the best for your engine change it at reasonable intervals. Particularly for our engines it's been said here that 5-6K oil changes will yield good results without compromising engine wear and help minimize issues with sludging.

2009 E320