xxaarraa

Hi folks,

Two questions about my 2000 W210 E55:

1. Where can I order the side marker bulb and cover? My driver's side housing and bulb cracked today.
2. Can I use an oil drainer to drain out the oil? I would like to change the oil myself instead of going to a dealer. Would a motorized drainer pump reach the bottom of the oil pan?

Thanks!

xxaarraa

bumpity!

Come on guys, help me out, I need to get this done soon, running out of vacation time. Thanks!

glassJAw

1. The dealership
2. Are you talking about an oil sucker that goes in thru the engine oil dipstick tube?? If you are, then YES, it will reach the bottom of the oil pan and you can suck all the oil out.

norb

MB actually designed their engines for the oil to be sucked out from the tube. Even the filter is on top of the car. Someone tested it a while back and found that it took more oil out than draining.

xxaarraa

Thanks, thats good to know. I bought a Marine oil extractor pump today and picked up an oil filter at the MB dealership. My oil change is coming up in about a 1000 miles so Ill put it all to test soon.

How many quarts of oil is normal for a W210 E55? Where do I pour the oil from? Through the dipstick hole or through the oil filter compartment?

glassJAw

Start off with 8 quarts of oil pouring through the oil filter housing then add as needed. You shouldn't need to exceed 8.5 quarts total.

xxaarraa

Damn, 8 quarts of oil at $7/qt = $56. Oil filter = $18. Total including tax = $85. This doesn't count the $18 I spent for the oil filter socket and $60 for the oil extractor pump. Isn't an oil change at the dealer only ~$110? This doesnt make any sense, aren't you supposed to be saving more money doing this yourself?

xxaarraa

oh BTW, I had the dealer change the side marker housing. They needed to change the whole housing, just a bulb change didnt work. It came to $43 for the whole thing including labor. Thanks for your help all.

glassJAw

I guess after you do it a few times you may end up saving some money. Oil changes for dealerships are just a way to get you in the door. They don't make money on the actual oil change, just the up-sales if the technician finds some more issues with the car.

harkgar

I have a 1999 E-55 which is mechanically identical to the 2000 and I get my oil changed the conventional way. This MY has a proper engine oil dipstick and you can actually see if there is enough new oil in the engine.

There are disadvantages in sucking instead of draining. Metal filings and thick sludge can be missed while gravity will drain most of the stuff.

You can re-use your MB oil "wrench" many times over so it is a good purchase. You do not want to ruin the plastic cover. Good luck. If you look after the E-55 it will give you many years of service and enjoyment.

xxaarraa

Aren't metal shavings limited to a car that is still being broken in. Mine is fast approaching 50k miles. You are right about the sludge, however if you change frequently (I do it at 5-6k mile intervals) and if you use good oil, there shouldnt be too much sludge?