Iceman's C230

First oil change is coming up. What do you guy's reccomend?

vinmanc32

I was told to only use Mobil 1. Im sure I can use any synthetic but, since AMG recommends it, I will stick with it at least thru the warranty. Im not even sure if the dealers use it but I will bring it with me when I go for my included oil changes.

mbtech208

Use Mobil 1 synthetic. We use it at work, and I use it in my personal vehicle too.

vinmanc32

does anyone know if most of the dealers are using Mobil 1? does Mobil have some agreement with MB that encourages the dealers to use it?

MB-BOB

I'd suggest taking it to your dealer for your FREE, FSS scheduled maintenance. Once there, they will use Mobil 1.

awiner

Yup.. I use Mobil 1 15-W50 Tri Synthetic here in California... I change the oil and filter inbetween FSS visits.. Then at the FSS visits let the dealer do it...

todd

I just had the crank and (manual) trans oil changed after only 4K miles on my C230K.

Two service managers tried to talk me out of it.

It was expensive.

About $260.

I just feel better about changing the oil after break-in.

I'll tell you, changing the manual tranny fluid before 10K miles having no effect is bull****.

The trans shifts SO much smoother.

Those with it might know the feeling. How it is hard to get into first gear if you are rolling past 5 or 10 MPH.

I remember the same thing in my GTI in high school. I would sometimes have to shift into second, and then it would go into first.

After changing the fluid it is butter smooth!! I am glad I did it.

If I don't need to change it until 10K miles then why, after only 4K does changing it make SUCH a difference??

Also picked up a neat "New C" notebook binder with fake alum trim. 25 bucks.

Any way, Mobil 1 is the best in my absolutely non empiracal opinion. And, I am sure you can buy it at Costco or such, bring it to the dealar, and it would be cheaper then their price.

I was originaly quoted at $186 for the whole job. But it took 2 and a half hours, with supposedly, their best tech, to do it.

awiner

There are many people that will disagree with the early changes. However, we all will agree that early changes of fluids wont hurt. The only negatives it will do is cost money and some time.

For the record, I am one that does NOT agree with Mercedes and the 10,000 mile interval. I have seen the small oil filter. I don't think it can effectively filter for 10,000 miles. Synthetic oil on the other had will probably be good for well over 10,000 miles if it was filtered effectively.

Personally I am going to change my oil and filter every 4,000 - 5,000 miles between FSS services.

I will also drain and replace the tranny fluid between 30,000 - 35,000 miles .

just my take...

Mike T.

I think the amount of time that crankcase oil will last depends upon many factors, among which are the extent to which the oil has been heated up during extreme driving conditions.

I run Mobil 1 15/50 in a Peugeot 405 and I normally change it at 8000 km (5000 miles). This summer, I left on a long trip with the fully-loaded car, with already >8000 km on the oil in the sump. After some extreme mountain driving, the oil lost its ability to circulate rapidly on start up, seen by the length of time it took the oil pressure light to go out at cold start-up (2 s instead of instantaneous). After 14,000 km, I changed the oil (Mobil 1 15/50 again) and the light goes out immediately, as before. This 250,000+ km car consumes about 0.3 litres of oil every 1000 km, so the oil wasn't entirely old either.

A W203 should be able to detect such viscosity breakdown with its FSS oil sensor. But I think that my experience shows that even synthetic oils that are replenished a little due to oil consumption do not resist high mileages with impunity.

About the manual gearbox oil change, it seems like a very good idea. I wonder if the M-B 6 speed has a magnetic drain plug. If it does, it is instructive to see the worn particles of steel that always accumulate there. If it does not have a magnetic drain plug, these particles will remain in the lubricating oil until it is replaced.

I'd say the cost of the oil changes mentioned above are scandalous, bu the way. The materials were worth maybe $70.

awiner

So true and very well put Mike.

awiner

Here is a good read for those interested in oil, it's properties, makeup and use. Lot's of good info here !


Click me to read !

SoCal240/6

Mobil 1 15/50.

I changed it myself at 1500 miles and again at 5500. Cost? About $45 each change, including the factory filter. Piece of cake to change.

If anyone want to let their car go 12,000 miles without an oil change, synthetic or not, good luck to you. A $45 oil change at half that amount seems like good insurance to me. No matter how good an oil is, it can't get rid of combustion byproducts and other contaminants that build up in oil.

todd

FYI, here is the breakdown I got on the invoice.

TECHNICIAN PERFORMED OIL CHANGE

TECH 17 TYPE CM HOURS 0.50 NET/UNIT (??) 40.00 TOTAL 40.00

1 104-180-01-09 FILTER
ELEME 1 007603-014106
RING, GENERAL
6 ENGOIL00600 MOBIL1 5.50 TOTAL 33.00

MISC HAZRD WASTE FEE
CM 2.83

91 TECHNICIAN PERFORMED OIL CHANGE ON THE TRANS.

17 CM.50 120.00 120.00

2 001-989-21-03-10
TRANS FLUID 16.88 16.88 33.76


C CLASS BINDER HAS BEEN PUT IN CAR FOR CUSTOMER

17 CM 0.00
1 950-999-92-06 NOTE
PAD, C- 25.00 25.00 25.00

DESCRIPTION

LABOR AMOUNT 160.00

PARTS AMOUNT 104.56

HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL FEE 2.83

TOTAL CHARGES 267.39

SALES TAX 8.36

PLEASE PAY THIS AMOUNT (******* ;-) 275.75

todd

Thanks for the link to that article awiner.

Very very informative and interesting.

Anyone know if MBs use any magnets, in the drain plug or such?

As mentioned on the engine oil site, this guy had personal experience with the 'beartrap'. Basically just magnets in a sleeve put around a spin on oil filter.

I'm not sure if MBs even use spin on filters. I think the magnets couldn't hurt. Anyone have an opinion?

Also, does anyone know where to get a tech manual for an MB? Probably the dealer I would imagine but they must be expensive.

http://www.thebeartrap.com/


Bear Trap