Had my first maintenence session with my [new] 97 C230 this weekend.

Replaced the front brake pads >> I was impressed by the Mercedes engineering >> as it was the easiest brake job I've ever done,,, everything came off and went on so smoothly..

Wanted to do an oil change but for the life of me >> could not remove the oil filter cap on top of the engine. Tried a strap wrench - but there was inadequate room to really have a go of it. Looks like about a 77mm socket of sorts would be the easy way to get it off.

Is there a specialty tool for the oil filter for a 97 C230?? if so >> where can I get one??

Asked a local garage that specializes in Mercedes what kind of oil they use and they noted Castrol 10-40 (non-synthetic) works for them [location = Northern VA] // I've used Castrol in my Porsche 911SCand 73 BMW Tii and never had any lubrication type probelems >> thoughts??