oil and fluid change frequency on w124 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mus · #1 08-01-2007, 03:01 PM

I have a basic question: frequency of oil and fluid change on my 1992 400e with 180k miles. First, the car so far (three months in) is great. Fingers crossed. I love driving it every day.

The thing is I only drive it about 3 miles a day, 1.5 miles each way to work, with about 5-7 stops/lights between my house and work. Of course, i take it out on the freeway every now and then and do other errands, etc.

But I tend to put about 4-5k miles on a car a year only.

I know, sort of a waste of a 400e...i take it out for fun when I get a chance and because the car seems to be happy when hauling down the freeway at 80+ most of all. At about 45 the whole car just opens up and flies.

The PO did freeway driving almost exclusively, for whatever that is worth. And changed the oil regularly at the rec interval for miles (i have the receipts)

I have regular oil and am hesitant to switch to synth since the car has always been run on dino.

My mech, who seems great, and who has taken care of the car for 10 years, recommended getting the oil changed every 3-4 months given the mileage and the sort of driving I do.

Just wondering what experiences and suggestions more experienced owners might have.

thanks!

any oils recommended? does the "high-mileage" stuff make any difference?

Also, how should this affect tranny fluid change intervals, etc?

Hey, sorry for the typo in the title.

Larry Delor · #2 08-01-2007, 07:19 PM

I concur with the 3-4 month changes, with the driving that you do.
Oil recommendations will depend on where you live - I live in the south and use either 15W40 in the "winter" or 20W50 in the summer. (the only reason I use 15W40 in the winter, is that is what the 300D uses, so the two share the jugs of oil). The brand (in my case Castrol) is the same for both weights.
The transmission doesn't care too much about how far you drive - it is never exposed to the same stuff as your engine oil is. If you notice that it is slow to engage into reverse, wait for it...don't rev it to force it into reverse, or you won't be happy.

The bigger issue to keep an eye on, are your caps and rotors - they like to be kept fresh - you will change them long before you change wires and plugs.

Enjoy your 124.034!

mus · #3 08-01-2007, 10:29 PM

thanks. that is the same weight and oil the mech recommends for summer and winter (I am in texas, were it is hot). there is little lag between park and reverse and almost none between drive and reverse, so I have never been tempted to rev it. it drives shifts like any merc i have driven of this era. but thanks for the caution.

are there any signs that the cap/rotor need to be changed? right now it purrs.

rorypff · #4 08-02-2007, 07:46 AM

Most important, stick with the current mechanic, he has been servicing the car for ten years and it goes well so he is great! I would agree most definitely with the 3 monthly oil changes at your low daily mileages

#5 08-02-2007, 08:15 AM

Agree - I'd change the oil 3 times per year. If the car's always been run on dinosaur juice then I guess I would not make any changes.

My 400E is driven about 10K per year and it's always had full synthetic (Mobil 1.) I change it twice a year. I've been told that 10K per year is safe to do a once-annual oil change but I just cannot bring myself to do that so 2x / yr. it is.

Enjoy that 400E. Man, do I love mine! It's the ultimate Q-ship.

ohman · #6 02-17-2012, 05:44 PM

I have a question. I have a extremely low mileage W124 (300E 2.8) with only 56K miles so far, and currently only use it as a spare car and drive maybe 1,000 miles per year. Should I still change oil every 3 months?

I asked the mechanic who helped me change the oil today (10W-30 Castrol GTX), he said that there are some additives in the engine oil that would go bad after a while. Is this true? What kind of "additive" he is referring to and how come this additive would deteriorate over time and need to be replaced even though they were not used frequently? Thoughts or comments? Thanks!

ds190 · #7 02-17-2012, 11:26 PM

The factory lubrication service is oil & filter 7500 miles or once a year. You should be using at least 10W-40. Those two people above changing oil every three months are wasting money and motor oil.

Modern motor oil additives do not break down over months, maybe over years.

Transmission fluid & filter change every 30K miles or three years.

RamahX · #8 02-18-2012, 01:25 AM

I have to concur with ds190. As a long time BMW and MB hoople, once a year or 7500 is on par. And no... oil doesn't have anything that will "spoil"... so I don't know where your mech is getting that.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but 20W50 etc is NOT what I would use in a 'gasser'. 10W40 is what I use for SEUS weather.

As far as higher mileage engines, don't fall for "its so old use anything". The older an engine is its even MORE critical what oil you use. I'm a big believer in High Mileage oils like MobileSuper and Castrol GTX High Mileage - (syn blends) and for metal filters use good ones like Wix or dealer. I've personally seen significant oil pressure increases in my own and friends cars/trucks with those when compared to generic oil and cheap filters. Right now MobileSuper is only $1 more for a 5 gallon jug than big box store jugs.

Not trying to start another oil thread war, so be nice shipmates ;-)

Ferdman · #9 02-18-2012, 05:42 AM

ohman, original factory fill for 124 cars was 15W40 mineral oil. Refer to the chart in your Owner's Manual for the proper weight oil based on the ambient temperature where you live. FWIW I run Mobil 1 15W50 in our 124 cars. Oil changes every 7,500 miles, or once per year ... whichever comes first are fine.

RamahX · #10 02-19-2012, 12:13 AM

So heavy diesel oils like Rotella and Delo etc are safe for M104 engines? I had always thought that it could overwork the oil pump etc. Kindof wondering if that might slow down my leaking rear radial seal. NOT looking forward to pulling the transmission for that.

JamesDean · #11 02-19-2012, 03:22 AM

I've used 15w40 in my m103. I read a post on here talking about zddp additives and how they're not present in modern oil. Evidently our engines like this and well the diesels have it?

On the topic of intervals. I would change it and sent it off to be analysed. I havent done it yet for mine but a friend recommends it. They'll tell you whats in it and if you can go longer than you currently do and whatnot.

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