Greetings:
I feel like an interloper, not being a Benz driver anymore.
This was a hot topic for awhile, so I thought this note might be interesting for you. For those who continue to be interested in the synthetic vs. dinosaur oil debate, there is a very good article in the March 2002 issue of "Roundel." I believe it may be accessed on the BMWCCA's website, though I'm not sure.
www.bmwcca.org Great magazine, by the way.
Happy driving.