So what's the real deal here...
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 669
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From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
I agree; how hard would it have been for the dealer to tell me this? On one phone call, the parts person did say that early on that he had attended a Mobil 1 meeting and complained that they (the dealers) needed a spec 229.5 oil and not just a spec 229.51. Seems to me the dealers would know first-hand that Mobil 1 did just that, and that there is no retail version, other than through Mercedes parts and service.
Anyway, I'm glad I finally got an answer that makes sense and I now know that there is in fact a 'Mobil 1 5w-40 Formula M' oil that exists and is approved for my non-diesel vehicle.
Last edited by Richard / E320; Jul 9, 2011 at 12:07 AM.
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
Thanks for the thread and information Richard. My dealer changes my oil using Mobil1 Formula M 5W40 (no ESP) from their bulk tank and have for the last couple of years. I don't know if in the mean time they went to 0W40 and back again as suggested.
I went as far as contacting MBUSA when I thought they were using the ESP version. They called the dealer and got back to me that they are using the plain Formula M.
Coincidentally, my oil consumption was about 1 quart/750 miles running the 0W40 and it went down to 1 quart/2500 with the 5W40 so I am happy. I have since had my leaking valve covers replaced so consumption should drop even further.
Hope this helps.
I went as far as contacting MBUSA when I thought they were using the ESP version. They called the dealer and got back to me that they are using the plain Formula M.
Coincidentally, my oil consumption was about 1 quart/750 miles running the 0W40 and it went down to 1 quart/2500 with the 5W40 so I am happy. I have since had my leaking valve covers replaced so consumption should drop even further.
Hope this helps.
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
Labels
...Parts states the the current recommended oil for my 2001 E320 / gasoline engine is Mobil 1 5w-40 Formula M (not ESP) and referred to it as the one with the 'black label' and that diesels use the ESP Formula M with the 'green label'. Taking a quick look at the Mobil 1 website, I don't even find a 5w-40 non-ESP version of Formula M.
....At some point, I'm going to stop in just so I can see what the label looks like....
....At some point, I'm going to stop in just so I can see what the label looks like....
I never saw the Formula M on the Mobil website either and I think that's because it is no longer available in quarts. They only sell it in bulk to MB dealers. I bought what I have over 2 years ago from a place called AVLubricants in Ohio. Customer service had a hard time locating it even then!
Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 669
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From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
I never saw the Formula M on the Mobil website either and I think that's because it is no longer available in quarts. They only sell it in bulk to MB dealers. I bought what I have over 2 years ago from a place called AVLubricants in Ohio. Customer service had a hard time locating it even then!
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Just
wait for a sale at Napa or autozone or oreillys
get 0w40 mobil 1
at the same time you can pick up a napa 7078 or a Purolator L25277
or a wix 57078 filter on sale and then
get some sleep
Please
get 0w40 mobil 1
at the same time you can pick up a napa 7078 or a Purolator L25277
or a wix 57078 filter on sale and then
get some sleep
Please
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 191
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From: Richardson, TX
'04 Cobra & '04 S430
I was looking over the "stuff" I had left over from the car. Within my Owner's Manual package, I came across an informational graph that indicated which oils could be used in the car. It had 5 or 6 different oils weights listed - all based on the coldest start temperature your car would encounter. I'll try to take a picture of it and post it here tonight.
EDIT: nevermind... Ohlord is correct in that I wouldn't be adding any new information to this thread....
EDIT: nevermind... Ohlord is correct in that I wouldn't be adding any new information to this thread....
Last edited by Huachipato; Jul 18, 2011 at 05:59 PM.
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
0w40
fits the bill for those temps.
The chart is on the mbusa site.
That horse is getting tired of being beaten
The chart is on the mbusa site.
That horse is getting tired of being beaten
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
If you are changing your own oil, as advised, look for Mobil1 0W-40 on sale and use that. If you have a dealer do it, you're stuck with Mobil1 5W-40. Either should be fine and meets the MB 229.5 spec.
I am burning significantly less oil running 5W-40 than I did when running 0W-40 so I'm sticking with that.
I am burning significantly less oil running 5W-40 than I did when running 0W-40 so I'm sticking with that.
Senior Member
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From: Northern Virginia
2006 E320CDI
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
MB Factory Approved Engine Oil (pdf)
I found this but I don't see Fuchs mentioned. This is dated 2007 so might be too new for most of our applications, but I see 235.7 among the rest.
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Joined: Jul 2011
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03 e500
This thread is funny.
Dealers and shops can be wrong. Dealers (which are shops all the same and not arms of the MB corporation) do things for various reasons, usually revolving around money. It is entirely possible that a service manager at a shop or dealer with a GED and years of word of mouth from mechanics is wrong.
Do some research about what the different grades of oil actually mean and you won't have to lose so much sleep at night or ask so many questions.
5w-40 and 0w-40 are not all that different. furthermore, according to the MB manual, my e500 can take any grade from 0w-30 to 10, or even 15w-40, depending on climate and conditions.
you can be within specs, and correct, while using two different grades of oil. neither is wrong.
if you live in climates with a real winter, the 0w-40 is better, but if you live in arizona you can use 10-40 and have the same result... and no problems! you only need to worry about the spec# when choosing brand, IMO.
there is too much to be said about oil viscosity in one post... all you need to care about is the effect. with a 0w-xx oil you will probably burn more oil than you would otherwise but it will also be easier to start your car in the cold and the oil will be more fluid in the cold, thereby protecting your engine better than a thicker oil before the engine is warm. when the engine is warm the second number is all that matters. conversely, a 5w or 10w oil will be a little thicker when cold... but it has to be REALLY cold for there to be much difference between 0w and 5w.
Dealers and shops can be wrong. Dealers (which are shops all the same and not arms of the MB corporation) do things for various reasons, usually revolving around money. It is entirely possible that a service manager at a shop or dealer with a GED and years of word of mouth from mechanics is wrong.
Do some research about what the different grades of oil actually mean and you won't have to lose so much sleep at night or ask so many questions.
5w-40 and 0w-40 are not all that different. furthermore, according to the MB manual, my e500 can take any grade from 0w-30 to 10, or even 15w-40, depending on climate and conditions.
you can be within specs, and correct, while using two different grades of oil. neither is wrong.
if you live in climates with a real winter, the 0w-40 is better, but if you live in arizona you can use 10-40 and have the same result... and no problems! you only need to worry about the spec# when choosing brand, IMO.
there is too much to be said about oil viscosity in one post... all you need to care about is the effect. with a 0w-xx oil you will probably burn more oil than you would otherwise but it will also be easier to start your car in the cold and the oil will be more fluid in the cold, thereby protecting your engine better than a thicker oil before the engine is warm. when the engine is warm the second number is all that matters. conversely, a 5w or 10w oil will be a little thicker when cold... but it has to be REALLY cold for there to be much difference between 0w and 5w.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: the Netherlands
'01 W210 E320 CDI
Remember when all our W210 engines were brand new and ran in, the best that was out there was 229.3 spec!
229.5 will be FINE whatsoever! 0W-40 for Petrol, 5W-40 for Diesel
229.51 is for Diesels with a DPF (Diesel Particle Filter) and like ohlord said is also low ash and might be bad for the bearings in our over 10y/o engines.
229.5 will be FINE whatsoever! 0W-40 for Petrol, 5W-40 for Diesel
229.51 is for Diesels with a DPF (Diesel Particle Filter) and like ohlord said is also low ash and might be bad for the bearings in our over 10y/o engines.
