From the oil change thread, it sounds like the consensus is that:

• An extractor is a fine way to go for oil changes
• It's fine to go 10K miles between changes

Please do correct me if I am mistaken.

Can anyone recommend an extractor that they prefer?

I have a 1999 e320 sedan, if that matters.
Thanks a million!!

 

I personally change oil when my car tells me to. I don't wait for 10,000 miles if the car says "now". As far as the extractor goes, one with a ten quart capacity (you really only need to pull about 8 quarts max. will do the trick. Make sure you pick up a filter socket that has the same number of teeth as your filter. Easy job - have fun.

 

Okay so 10K unless the car says otherwise.

Thanks again!

 

The sludge , metal and crap is at the bottom of the oil pan and in the filter, you want to leave it in? Your Penny wise, pound foolish.

 

A 1999 can go substantially longer than 10k between changes. It calculates the interval based on your driving habits and input from a sensor in the oil pan (not sure what kind of magic it uses). I typically saw about 13k miles on my w210 cars. At any rate, it will call for a change once per year regardless of mileage.

Topside extraction is the official factory service method and is preferred.

 

If you serviced them or analyzed the oil you would not be saying this . Ignorance is bliss.

 

The best thing to do is have the oil analyzed , there are places that do it for about 20$. Also cutting open the oil filter to see how full it is. Even the feel smell and color of the oil will tell you most everything. Where and how you drive is really the most important thing. Real cold weather short drives of only a few miles can ruin oil in a few thousand miles. Or warm weather long trips and it will last longer.

 

The reason I know that 13k miles in a w210 is fine is because I serviced the car myself and used Blackstone labs to analyze the oil. Also, MB engineers tend to know their business quite well. You make too many assumptions. Btw Blackstone recently raised their prices to $27 iirc.

 

Thanks everyone! My order finally shipped from MBParts/MBUSA. I ordered the filter, the drain plug, oil drain plug and the gasthe last week, but didn't realize they emailed me back and asked for my vin in order to proceed with the order. That was on 6/6....I emailed today and asked for a status and they said they needed vin and they emailed me already. Went to spam, doh! It just shipped, so I will be doing my own change this weekend coming coming up. Mobil 1- 0w-40.

 

I stick to the manuals that come with the cars, haven't had a problem in 6 cars....