Just curious what most of you guys use as far as oil & filters are concerned, and what your OCI's are.

FWIW, in my wife's '04 ML350, I'm using German Castrol Syntec 0w30, with a Wix oil filter. I'm also using a Wix air filter. I change the oil/filter every 7500 miles (8 months) or so.

What about you guys? Is it a waste to change 8.5 qt's of full-synthetic MB 229.5 rated oil every 7500 miles? Would I be OK using something like Rotella 15w40 for 7500 mile OCI's, or should I stick to MB 229.5 rated oils only?

Your thoughts/opinions are welcomed.

I'd stick with synthetic oil but if the oil still looks clean at 7500, I'd push it to 10K.

Don't know about wix filters for that application. Would stick with a Mann OR Mahle.

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I use full-synthetic Mobil 1 0-40W, with MB oil filter.

I drove my '99 E300TD a grand total of 3,800 miles in the past year.......no, I'm not going to change-out the oil and filter anytime soon.

My 99 ml430 gets a Mann filter and Mobil1 0-w-40 every 10k or so.

Do you guys let the computer tell you when to change the oil (via the dash display), or do you use your own criteria?

Also, have any of you ever used a non-MB-approved oil? If so, which oil, how long an OCI, and what were your impressions?