jimbo1mcm

In general, these have been absolutely great cars. My wife's has 30,000 and mine has 23,000. I change the oil and filter myself every 5,000 with Mobil Delvac. Transmission fluid was changed with a BG flush machine and new OEM fluid was added at 30,000. Air filters were changed also. Couple of minor glitches that are documented on this site. As the 50% wear sensor on the left front wore down, it created AM static. Fix was to disconnect the sensor. Newer models don't even have it anymore. Battery module upgrade was done early in my wife's car. I am a long time Benz owner and can say that these are really good cars.

harperb

Good to hear - i'm thinking of buying one soon myself. I'd imagine their reliability (and durability) is a bit higher than some of the petrol engines in general (and petrol-powered mercedes?)...it's nice to know the rest of the car is as good as the engine is supposed to be.

SEC1939

Where is teh oil filter & what is needed to remove? I have an 05 CDI and wish to do my own changes as well. It's 8 Qts right?

Thanks

mon-004o

Thats great to hear, I'm glad that everything is going well with both cars, I do however, feel that oil changes ever 5,000 miles is too often. That's just my opinion on the matter

cdiken

The oil change is easy but you'll need a few tools.

The oil filter is on top under the engine cover, just near the power steering fluid fill/check.

Removing the engine cover takes a star driver. It's a common size found in most sets. A magnet to pluck the screws helps.

Removing the oil filter takes a cup, Hatz and a few others make it, the dealer may even sell them. The same one fits all recent Mercedes. The filter is a paper only cartrige. Once you have the filter out, peer into the engine with a flashlight, I found a little o-ring that separated from my original filter, and got it out before it could plug anything.

Next, the oil. Choose either vacuum or drain (my preference). You can suck it out and never go under the car if you have a pump, they are not expensive. I prefer to get under the car and drain. 8mm socket to remove the middle aerodynamic panel, and then you can drain it the old fashion way.

Consult your manual for quantity. I think it's 7.5 qts. Set you inst cluster to quantity display if you want a cross-check to make sure the sensor is accurate, etc.

Have fun!

lkchris

There's already a repair/maintenance CD out for W211.

1-800-formercedes or your dealer.

SEC1939

Thanks for the info. I have had the engine cover off already, necessary to remove air filter cover or makes it easier. Thanks for the oil filter tool tip this the tip I was looking for.
In 30 years of car ownership I have always changed my own oil except when it's in the maint program or the short time I had a Co car. Germans have the right idea with the filter up top. I have 3 BMW's all are this way. Even my 39 International has a top side cartridge. I am on the same page as you to use the drain plug.

Steve

khaug

My owner's manual says oil capacity w/filter change is 6.87 US quarts. This is what I've used on our CDI with no issues after 4 oil changes.

BTW, the only oil I've found that meets M-B published requirements is Mobil 1 0w-40. It meets M-B standard 229.5. I don't believe any of Mobil's Delvac products meet that, and I haven't located any other brand of oil that does.

jimbo1mcm

I had a large stock of Mobil Delvac from my previous vehicles ( 02 S430 and 04 C Class wagon). The Mobil Delvac is absolutely fine for the temperatures that these CDI's operate in. Also, I change the oil at 5,000, so the spec for longevitity doesn't really apply. By the way, the oil change quantity is 7.3 quarts. The owner's manual is wrong. There was a change to the MB Maintenance program in their computer.

SEC1939

So I can avoid chasing around can anyone give me a PN and other purchasing info regarding the tool to remove the oil filter can lid? Is it a MB specific tool or some type of universal ?

Thanks,

SEC

JRGD4L

Great to hear your CDI experience has been as great as mine. I just hit 65,000 miles on my 05 CDI and could not be happier with the car. I also change my oil every 5000 and alternate between sucking it out through the oil removal tube and draining below. The filter removal cap someone asked about is available from any MB dealership. Only issue thus far was one of the batteries went dead and the car needed an alignment. I still have the original brakes on the car as I drive a lot of highway.