My car just came back after a service B today. I checked the Assyst indicator and it says that the next service E is due in 9300 miles! The car only has 10000 miles on the clock. Is that normal or did they misprogram the assyst?

Also on the invoice it says that 5W/30 oil has been used (and charged for) but on the service booklet it says that 10W/40. No idea which one has been used.

 

#1 5W-30 (Mobil 1) is NOT, repeat NOT MB authorized, and is NOT, repeat NOT, a true synthetic oil.. you were basically ripped off!

#2 you should insist the dealer use (and if he can't get it, you get it and provide it for him) Mobil 1 Delvac (5W-40) which is SPECIFICALLY forumulated for diesel engines so as to better suspend the soot that is a major problem in diesel engine oils.

I would make the dealer flush out your engine with the DELVAC, and replace the oil filter and I would report him to DCX.. he's scammer!

 

Thanks for the reply CE750.

I did some research on this forum and other Mercedes forums after I posted. It seems that there is a Mobil low ash 5W/30 MB grade 229.31 which is now being used for passenger diesel engines. Maybe only in Europe because it is designed for the new Eu4 low emission diesel engines (mine is the older one so not EU4 compliant anyway).

So it appears that the oil they used is ok'ish.

Also it is the standard oil rather than the high spec 229.5 one, so gives you 10000 miles to the next service. The high spec one gives you 13000 miles.

I am just gutted that I need to pay for a 5 hour service E for the next one.

 

I know there is a DELVAC 10W-30, but I am under the impression that all mobil 1 5W are not synthetic, and the research I've done confirms it.

Please post any link or info you can on this 5W that is approved.

As for paying 5 hours... I take my car to an independent shop where he spends the money on actual preventative maintenance and not a "glorified" oil change like the dealer performs.. inspect this and that! You can inspect a vehicle in a few minutes, doesn't take 3-5hours!

 

I think that the oil they used is your car is correct. It is even listed on this much quoted website in the 229.31 Low Ash section http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html

The euro cars may come with a different emissions control filter for the diesel engine than the US cars, which requires a "Low Ash" oil to keep it from becoming poisoned.

Sorry about the 5 hour labor charge estimate. That is one advantage we have here in the "States." Many of us have lots of room to work on our cars because our suburban sprawl also means we tend to live in single family houses. Also, finding an independent mechanic is not that hard and probably charges much more reasonable rates than in the UK. Oh yeah, we don't have that nasty VAT, or whatever you call it over there. But then again, you have "free" health insurance.

William
2003 E320

 

Could you post a link that shows where Mobil 1 isn't a fully synthetic oil?

 

https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....4&postcount=60

BudC is a very knowledgeable member on this subject, ask him to send you more info via email.