Walt,

The MB diesels are indirect injected and that will put a lot more soot into the oil. Particularly as they age and pass thru several owners - timing chains stretch, things can carbon up, people don't change the oil as often as they should have. Not to say that there are 123 diesels that will make 10Kmi changes, but just that its not a given.

To keep things in perspective, Jeep 4.0's aren't known to burn oil even with mediocre servicing. They're one of the most durable motors ever made.

BoostnBenz,

TDI's are 10Kmi drain intervals and the manual specifies synthetic only. No bypass filter. None needed. In their stock configuration they just don't put much soot into the oil. Direct injected diesels are generally less sooty.

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Brian Toscano