Craig, I agree with you not wanting to "muck" things up with an engine that has that many miles. My car had 223,000 on her when I bought it last Oct. I was told not to waste my money on synthetic oil, due to the age and miles of the car. They said it would be a "shock" to the engine to switch. Besides my engine leaks some oil and switching would only make that worse.

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

Only because my uncle sells it. Mobil Delvac 1 would be my first choice if it were easier to find.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

I use Mobil 1.Here in UK Mobil 1 & Mobil 1 Diesel hitherto was on open sale but because of confusion by public,Mobil have modified the brew & just produce it under the Mobil 1
which is suitable for both petrol & diesel engines(Including TD models).Examination of Data Sheets for specific Mobil oils(Available on their website) reveals a certain amount of duplication/cross referencing & ongoing
brand development, particularly when TD models introduced.
Tigerfox.

Many relevations...

Mobil 1 - possible flame war.

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Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

I use Castrol in my cars. My 300D has 164k and I am thinking about switching to synthetic oil. Is the mileage on the engine too high for this? I've heard that bad things can happen when you switch to synthetic on higher mileage engines. I'm just not sure if 164k is considered high mileage for my engine.

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Ben

The MBs:
1976 300D (W115) - 330K and still going (sort of)
1991 300D 2.5 Turbo - Sold at 221K
1983 280SEL - Sold at 206K
1981 300SD - Sold at 232K

Well, not wanting to stray from my own guidelines for this thread, I would say it's ok to switch. That is, as long as your engine doesn't currently have any oil leaks. From what I have read, "DINO" oil has something in it that makes gaskets/seal swell. Synthetic oil doesn't have this, so if your engine is leaking with convential "dino" oil, then the theory is that the leak(s) will get worse shortly after you switch to synthetic. As with anything you're not sure about, you should get a second or third opinion. The independant MB shop I bought my car from said to stick with convential oil since the car had 223K on her and was at the time 20 years old.
I am surprised andg glad to see this thread go 4 pages. Luckily there hasn't been any of the usual flaming that happens with this subject. I see though someone did decide to start a seperate "flame inducing" thread about Mobil 1, not wanting to start it here on this thread. I do appreciate that, thank you.
Now, back to the brands of oil.

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

I feel, since I just put synthetic oil in my car, that I must comment about my experiences regarding that issue.

To anyone who has an "older" car... don't be afraid of a good brand of synthetic oil. My car had 222,000 miles on the engine and I put Mobil 1 synthetic oil in her. Before doing this I checked all over the internet, took testimonials and found that the saying "you can't put synthetic oil in an older car, it will leak" has no substance at all as far as any proven circumstances... it's a "young wives tale". My front-end mechanic (and friend) has a 76 300D and put synthetic oil in his and the little circle of oil on his driveway has decreased in diameter. Mine leaks less on the driveway also. I'm not saying that it will stop leaks, but in mine and his, it pretty much did stop 'em. So besides finding no basis for not putting synthetic oil in older cars, I actually find two of us that can say.. our leaks lessened. I also have not used any oil in over 3,000 miles and still driving. If something drastic happens to my engine I will be the first to tell everyone
about it, but until then.. do some research and if you can find scientific fact that synthetic oil does harm to an "older engine" please share it with us. Oh, and Patsy, I was a "diehard" Castrol man.. beginning with my Jaguar and continuing until I changed to synth. I have noticed other members of this group who put synthetic in there older MBs.. maybe some could share their testimonials. So any of you "older" engine lovers out there... please don't be afraid of synthetic oil... mine says on the label that it's for diesel engines.

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Nello Tare

1982 300D (266,001 mi.) looking and running great

Previously owned:
1976 450 SLC
1983 300D
1976 300D
also
1982 Jaguar XJ6 (loved, but gone)

After several hundred thousand miles in various MB Diesels, I am convinced that frequent oil and filter changes are much more important than the brand of oil.I change my oil about every 1500 miles The API rating on the oil container is also critical. I buy what ever is on sale and is the least expensive as long as it has an API rating of CG-4,CF-4 or CF.
I occasionally run a qt. of RISLONE in with the oil.This additive dissolves sludge and keeps the rings free.
Bill

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J. William Tarbrake
NY State Dealer 7014303DLU
Registered repair shop R7014303
82 300SD modified for waste vegatable oil
92 300SE 270K miles perfect
79 450SEL (2 tone custom paint for special occations) SOLD
80 450SL
79 450SL 69K Miles FOR SALE
86 Carver 28 Voyager twin 270 Crusaders (SOLD)
94 CARVER 32 Voyager(SOLD)
67 Chris Craft 40' Aft Cabin(twin ford 427 side oilers)

Just to remind those responding to this thread, BRANDS of oil and maybe what weight, but not the reason you use it. This is how "flammings" start and I was hoping to avoid that as much as possible. Again, thanks for all the replies.

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

OK rickjorden,
My favorite brand of oil is "generic", that being whatever is on sale.
Bill

__________________
J. William Tarbrake
NY State Dealer 7014303DLU
Registered repair shop R7014303
82 300SD modified for waste vegatable oil
92 300SE 270K miles perfect
79 450SEL (2 tone custom paint for special occations) SOLD
80 450SL
79 450SL 69K Miles FOR SALE
86 Carver 28 Voyager twin 270 Crusaders (SOLD)
94 CARVER 32 Voyager(SOLD)
67 Chris Craft 40' Aft Cabin(twin ford 427 side oilers)

Castrol GTX in all the Benzes except for the 380SE. That gets Mobil 1 10W-30 Synthetic. The others which use GTX get 10W-40 grade, but the DeLorean gets 20W-50 (slows leaks, ) The Jensen also gets GTX 10W-40

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Regards,
Aaron

Quakerstate 15W40 HDX


Trius91
1978 300D 338000km

Amsoil Series 3000 5-30 synthetic.

Amsoil has a product to use to clean out the internal engine parts when switching from regular oil to synthetics.

AMSOIL Series 3000 in the TDI
Mobil Delvac 1 in the 190D (soon to have)

-Lawson

This is my first posting on your website. I hope its ok since I don't have an MB. I use Amsoil 15w-40HD synthetic oil in my pickup,and Chevron Delo400 in my tractor. I change my oil based on oil analysis, usually in the 20K mile range(I'm using the Amsoil dual filter setup). Started out using Rotella-T, then swithched to Delo400, noticing a significant reduction in the clattering noise, then to the Amsoil so I can get extended drain times.

[Edited by binderengine on 05-05-2001 at 11:26 PM]