Thanks to MB DOC for some help on this subject.I just purchased a new(not rebuilt) 16V engine complete for my 87 16V. I purchased the CD shop manual to be aware of all procedures but it does not list the run in procedure. What is the corect way to do a run in on a 16V engine? Has this motor been run at the factory prior to shipment back in 87 or do I have to do the "run it at 2000 rpm for 20 minutes" thing? when should I change the oil? What oil should I use for the run in? Any thing I need to be aware of? I paid a ton of money for this thing and I don't want any surprises. Thanks for any help,
Peter

I doubt that this engine had any run in by Mercedes Benz. If it were mine I would fill it initially with a quality non-synthetic oil and do as you said, run it for 20 minutes without load at various RPMs. Then take the car out and run several half throttle acceleration runs and then cruise at speed varying the RPMs again. After 100 miles change the oil and filter and again add non-synthetic oil. Run this oil for 3-5,000 miles driving without restrictions. Then change to Mobil One or what you feel is its equivalent and change every 6 months or 7500 miles.

It would be a good idea to disable the spark (I don't know how to do it on that engine) and then crank the engine over for several minutes to cirulate the oil before it's first start.if you take the spark plugs out while cranking this will blow out unwanted fuel while letting engine turn over faster bringing up oil pressure ,just be sure that theres no spark as you will get a mist of fuel coming from spark plug holes. on older cars we simply pulled the coil wire off....
William Rogers........

The text book for my engine rebuilding class said to do a number of full throttle-closed throttle cycles to seat the rings.

I also know a guy who hooked a power drill up to the oil pump and got the oil pressure up before starting it.

My theory is to do as many hot-cold cycles in a few miles as possible. This is cause the cylinder bore goes around and the piston goes up and down. The temperature cycling would temper and align the surface of the cylinder wall.