The Archman

I once took my car to a local (German Car)independent that came highly recommended by my BMW friend. They changed the oil with Valvoline Synthetic 5-30. After about 5 days my CEL came on. I was told by this indy that it was a O2 sensor. Replaced. Then about a week later, the CEL again. I was told it was a MAF. Replaced. It may coincential, but I have my suspicions, so I replaced the Valvoline with Mobil 1 0-40 and have no problems since. I will only use Mobiil-1 from now on and I will not return to that indy again.

manila58

My local dealership (San Jose CA) uses 5w-40. A well-regarded indy shop says they follow the dealership's lead and recommends 5w-40 for my car (98 E320), and will use 10w-40 if I insist. The previous owner of my car, a dealership mechanic, says it's on Mobil1 5w-40 and since it's running well I will leave it there.

grane

As has been said before dealers buy mobil 5-40 in bulk at a lower price and consumers are afraid of zero viscosity.

0 -40 is better oil. There are zillion discussions on this search on glen ryuck who was a lubrication scientist on this Forum.

JohnE320

So I'm a bit late on this forum but can I ask what you think of LiquiMoly? It's the #1 car engine lubricant in Germany. They have a 5W-40 synthetic that meets 229.3 specs.

E320User

Confused guys.

I use 5W30 on my car and it runs fine, I change oil every 10000 kms/ or once per year...What is the best oil to use? 5W30, 5W40, 5W50, 0W30?

Plutoe

The issue is not "what is best", the issue is what lubricants are speced for your car. Then you can buy what ever lubricant you want as long as it meets the specs.

E320User

cool.

which ones best?

Plutoe

Ok we will have a CJ------define best!

edwinwalke

Looks like there are many opinions on what oil is best, what oil should be used (Viscosity) and what oils are approved for use in MB passenger cars.

Here are several links that provide most if not all of those answers if one cares to take the time to read. These are not my opinion or anyone else on this forum -- they are what MB (not just MBUSA) recommends and approves.

Read and enjoy.

http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/d/d/en/Spec_215_0.pdf<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/d/d/en/Spec_221_0.pdf<o:p></o:p>
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/d/d/en/Spec_224_1.pdf<o:p></o:p>
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.5_en.html<o:p></o:p>
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.51_en.html

AKATIREGUY

This is why the dealer sells you 5w40 ESP
Mercedes Maybach bulletin
P-MAY-B-18.00/27c

Granted this is the opinion of Mercedes-Benz
Simply because the SAE 5W40 ESP Formula M is approved in most every vehicle does not meat that it is better. Simply put, you can use this in BOTH gasoline and diesel vehicles.
As stated on the updated packaging by ExxonMobil.

Plutoe

That is a rather bold statement.

Other than that why would you go through an extra expense for little or no value!!

JohnE320

The other way around. The 0W-40 is for colder temps, the 5W-40 for less colder climates. For your area, probably the 0W-40 would be best.

JohnE320

Exactly right. Being a .51 means that it's OK for a diesel as well as a gasoline engine.

Plutoe

Maybe not, the 51 is for diesels with the paticulate filter in the exhaust steam.

Other oils will clog and reduce the life expectancy of the particulate filter. Why gassers would use that oil is still beyond my thinking

Figuero

I think the answer lies with generalization. Most people have become very familiar with the way computer software is labled. The initial version is most always, "1.0". Then a minor upgrade and you have 1.1 and then 1.2 and so on. Then a major upgrade and you have 2.0 and the pattern repeats.
Most always, there is this concept of backwards compatability. In otherwords 3.1 software is usually compatible with anything that runs the 3.0 version.

That's not the way MB is identifying the version of the oil and there isn't an implied backward compatibility.
229.31 in not way shape or form should be considered an advancement of 229.3. It is simply a different spec tailored for specific requirements of a diesel. It is not "better" oil and it is certainly not backward compatable with 229.3 - It's better for diesels, but worse for gassers.

229.5 is backward compatible with 229.3
229.51 is backward compatable with 229.31

Today's trivia - what happened to 229.4?

W210 Gassers should use 229.3 or 229.5 - Diesels use 229.31 or 229.51

gpseymour

Is it possible for an oil to meet both the 229.5 and the 229.51 specs?

I'd assume an oil would be better if it specialized (either 229.5 OR 229.51), but is there any reason (necessary additives, etc.) why an oil couldn't be made to meet both specs at once?

For those who haven't yet followed the point in this, I believe the numbers simply refer to paragraphs and subsections in the MB specs (this type of numbering scheme is not uncommon for documents). It would look something like this:

229: Lubricant specifications
229.5: Engine Oil Specifications (gasoline engines only)
229.51: Engine Oil Specifications (diesel engines only)

Thus, 229.51 doesn't replace 229.5. It simply follows it in the sequence. The confusion is that they don't seem to use 229.50 (they simply drop ending zeroes), but I've seen this in project documentation.

Figuero

Is it possible for an oil to meet both the 229.5 and the 229.51 specs?

Hard to say without seeing the specs as there may be conflicting requirements. For example one might call for a ppm of an ingredient of 5-10ppm. While the other spec might call for the same ingredient at 11 - 15ppm.

Someone with STAR Tekinfo access could get the pre 2007 version of this document and we could get the answer once and for all.
http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...tedDocId=10119

Fe Man

'01 E430 w/150K miles:

Just had my oil changed by an independent(and friend) and he used 5w30; should I care?

Wmahorney

So I've been having my motor oil change every 6000 miles I live in Iowa work it's very cold everywhere I've went they've put a 5w 40 synthetic in it is this the wrong way all for my E320 2000 should I be using the o w and can you please explain why again thank you very much