Pennsoil ultra european 5-40 vs. Mobil 1 5-40?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 445
Likes: 8
From: Tucson AZ
2010 Mercedes GLK 350, 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roadster, 1997 Cherokee XJ
If both are true ester base synthetic lubricants & meet the Mercedes requirements, it is up to you or perhaps whichever is easier to purchase. The Mobil 1, 5W-40 is the ESP Oil? The Mobil 1 0W-40 Euro oil is what I use. It was the oil I ran in a another car equipped with a high performance turbo gas engine & found it to be excellent.
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
14 GLK 250 BT
For the GLK 250 B/T (diesel), the key here is meeting the (latest) MB oil specification of 229.51. IF they BOTH meet THAT specification: coin toss. (Also any to all)
I know the Mobil One ESP 5w40 MB 229.51 (low SAPS) oil does.
I would tend to favor the M1 for a host of reasons, one of them being MB of America, anyway says it is OEM and/or recommended fill.
For me:
1. the price performance ratios have been very good to outstanding
2. It is available off the shelf, albeit somewhat of a niche market.
3. It also has periodic to on going specials.
4. On longer fill scenarios with UOA's on OTHER (diesels) than 250 B/T vehicles, it posts the least aggressive wear metals figures.
The outlier hair splitting comes WHEN and IF UOA's are done ? !! The lower the wear metals per 1,000 miles, the better is easily one metric. However, not many A/B UOA's tests are done and the outlier of most folks who actually do these outlier UOA TESTS, really do not know how to interpret the results. The one's that are and do are normally not believed.
I know the Mobil One ESP 5w40 MB 229.51 (low SAPS) oil does.
I would tend to favor the M1 for a host of reasons, one of them being MB of America, anyway says it is OEM and/or recommended fill.
For me:
1. the price performance ratios have been very good to outstanding
2. It is available off the shelf, albeit somewhat of a niche market.
3. It also has periodic to on going specials.
4. On longer fill scenarios with UOA's on OTHER (diesels) than 250 B/T vehicles, it posts the least aggressive wear metals figures.
The outlier hair splitting comes WHEN and IF UOA's are done ? !! The lower the wear metals per 1,000 miles, the better is easily one metric. However, not many A/B UOA's tests are done and the outlier of most folks who actually do these outlier UOA TESTS, really do not know how to interpret the results. The one's that are and do are normally not believed.
Last edited by Rdub; Jul 18, 2014 at 12:36 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 334
Likes: 10
From: Northern California
2016 GLE300d 4Matic
They are both 229.5 spec oils so it's up to you. Look for the best deal. I also use Mobil 1 Euro Formula 0-40 and it has been great. I sent the old oil in to Blackstone at a 9100 mile change and filter for a UOA and the numbers came back great with additives (TBN analysis) coming back with 3.7
I think a 0-40 might give slightly better mileage. PAO oils, like these, are modified UP to the Summer number - the 40w, so the Winter number - the 0w is stable to the end. Dino oils are modified DOWN to the Winter number so can start to waiver off the 0w as they get old. This affects lubrication in a cold engine starting when most of the wear happens. You can read it up at bobistheoilguy.com until your head is swimming - but lots smarter about oil.
I think a 0-40 might give slightly better mileage. PAO oils, like these, are modified UP to the Summer number - the 40w, so the Winter number - the 0w is stable to the end. Dino oils are modified DOWN to the Winter number so can start to waiver off the 0w as they get old. This affects lubrication in a cold engine starting when most of the wear happens. You can read it up at bobistheoilguy.com until your head is swimming - but lots smarter about oil.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 3
From: Colorado
2001 ML430, 2014 GLK250
Ran 30K oil change intervals on my previous 1981 300D and 94 Landcruiser gas on Mobil 1.
On the MB the dealer dropped the oil pan to change the gasket at 225K miles and swore I was changing the oil every thousand miles. The engine was like new inside.
On the cruiser, it was still getting 8,500 miles to a quart at just under 200K miles. Same as from new.
During the warranty period I did follow the factory recommendations but that was just for the first 36K miles.
On the MB the dealer dropped the oil pan to change the gasket at 225K miles and swore I was changing the oil every thousand miles. The engine was like new inside.
On the cruiser, it was still getting 8,500 miles to a quart at just under 200K miles. Same as from new.
During the warranty period I did follow the factory recommendations but that was just for the first 36K miles.
