What oil do you use on your M104 engine - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ronald_m · #1 07-24-2002, 10:21 PM

I got a 96 e320 w/54k miles I don't know if i'm gonna put conventional or synthtic .I know there's a topic re: synthetic and conventional but i can't find it.Am I wasting my money if i put synthetic on this engine or does it cause a leakage?

Ashman · #2 07-24-2002, 10:50 PM

I use castrol 20w50 regular ol dino oil. My mech uses penzoil.

If switching to synthetic mobil 1 is an excellent choice.

Alon

300EVIL · #3 07-24-2002, 11:26 PM

I use 10W30 Amsoil in my E320 and my 300E which is a full synthetic oil. I have no oil leaks yet.

stephenson · #4 07-25-2002, 02:29 AM

There are probably 1000 posts on this topic.

There is really no longer a debate on whether or not synthetics are technically better. Only on whether or not they are worth the extra cost.

If you will keep your car for a long period of time - they are worth it. If not, then they aren't.

Same goes for syns for transmissions, gear boxes, and rear ends.

Speedtek · #5 07-25-2002, 02:51 AM

I use Valvoline Durablend which is a sythetic blend. I can't see paying $5 a quart or more for oil which you are going to change in 3-5000 miles anyway. Even on our $40k racing engines we only use pure synthetic if someone else is paying us to use the oil or giving it to us. On the dyno or on the race track we see no improvement what-so-ever in pure synthetics vs GOOD blends.
and usually the good blends are moderately priced.

In long term street use I have taken apart engines run on synthetic and some ran on blends and all parts were wearing well.

So I guess if you are happy spending $25.00 to $55 for oil per change than that is kool with me.

my 2 cents.....

ronald_m · #6 07-25-2002, 07:54 AM

I think i'll go with semi synthetic ,right now i wanna save some money for modifications.

stephenson · #7 07-25-2002, 09:15 AM

Let's see ... that is $1.50 differential per quart times the number of quarts? Say, about $10 per oil change, tops?

Just my 2c, but seems like going part way ...

If cost and/or time were issues I would probably go with petro base with max additives at a differential of $3.00 per quart.

stephenson · #8 07-25-2002, 09:19 AM

Shoot, I forgot.

I know I am going on 6c worth, now ...

My last Mobil One was from Walmart on sale ... about $17.00 for 5 quart jugs ...

Also forgot to mention cold weather starts (may not be an issue for ya) and extreme heat operations (also may not be an issue for ya).

You can also safely extend oil change intervals signficantly in most engines (data on diesels are still unclear, but it looks like they too can go for extended intervals - everyone is just concerned about how the oil "looks" due to particulate suspension).