I recently purchased a 2003 E320 and was told that special tools are required for an oil change on this vehicle. Any guidance on this matter would be appreciated.

You'll probably need a tool to remove the cap on the oil filter canister.

Most often, oil is "sucked" out the dipstick tube rather than drained from below, and the tool to do this is probably what your "sources" are referring to.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

On ML vehicles, it is recommended that oil be sucked out as the drain below is above the sway which causes oil splatter all over the bushings which can degrade with exposure to oil. On your e320 with a m112 motor, you can remove the plastic belly pan below. It is held in place with a few 8mm screws. Then undo the bolt and drain the oil. It will help if you get a set of ramps. To remove the filter assy, you will need a special cup tool that fits over the filter assy. Once you get the assy out, remove the filter element along with all the rubber o-rings. Replace those o-rings with new ones that come with the filter kit. THe engine holds approx 8.5 quarts of oil.

The oil filter socket P.N. is 103-589-02-09-00.