I just got my 2002 C240 and want to switch to my favorite Amsoil 0W-30 Series 2000. In my 2001 Volvo, I did this at 1500 miles just to be safe, in case the car needed a break in. However, I understand that all MB's come now with a synthetic from the factory, is this true?

If not, do they need a break in? Many cars today don't I am told.

According to the Mercedes-Benz owners' manual, the break-in period is 1k miles. My 2001 E320 came with synthetic oil from the factory.

The car has synthetic in it from the factory.
What is recommended, and what I believe is probably in the car now, is Mobil1 0W-40.
The car's regularly scheduled maintanance is free during the warranty period. If you want to use "your" oil, the "you" are going to buy it and bring it in. That's kind of a waste of money, since MB is more than happy to pay for the recommended Mobil1 oil, why buy your own?
Although MB may indicate that 1000 miles is "the break-in period" as far as watching your driving habits, there is no regular scheduled maintenance at any interval other than when called for via the FSS display.
Gilly

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That pretty much answers my question, thanks, no break-in.

As for my reason for switching from Mobil 1 to Amsoil (and I have done a lot of research on this), I find the Amsoil (series 2000) to be MUCH superior (all be it more expensive). The regular Amsoil 7500 mile oil is comprable to the Mobil 1. The Series 2000 is truely in a league of it's own, look at the data sheets.

I had a 1992 Volvo 944 turbo that ran Amsoil for close to 9 years with out a single engine / turbo problem, period. Now my 2001 2.4T is running it and this new car, to be driven by my wife (about 10000 miles / yr) will be getting it as well.

I would consider at least running the MB supplied Mobil1 until the end of the warranty period, then switching to your favorite after that.
Not only is it a waste of money (IMHO) to not take advantage of the free Mobil1, but I would also be concerned about the implications to the warranty if there were an oil-related engine failure. Not that it's likely to happen, and if it were I would doubt the oil would be a contributing factor, but theres always a chance.
Gilly

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With the new MB V6, break in really is a thing of the past. These engines have an alloy cylinder with low tension piston rings.

I will not argue about your AMSOIL being superior to Mobil One, because I don't know. I will say that if it is indeed superior, it must be an AMAZING product. The Mobil One is an excellent product and way more than adequate for these or most any other engine. Given that oil and filters are already paid for by your purchase price, and given that the Mobil One that they now supply at no additional cost to you is more than adequate, I would wait for the warranty period to expire before changing to your favorite oil.

I personally have been changing oil and filter myself roughly half way between the MB paid for service intervals. I also put in a magnetic drain plug. When I do these home oil changes, I use Mobil One and a factory filter, drain it hot and let it drain overnight.

I hope you enjoy your C240 as much as I am enjoying mine.

Have a great day,

There is a definable difference between syn and non-syn. Lots of reasons.

There is, and I will say this as an opinion because the chemistry is very complex, very little difference from one brand of syn to another brand of the same viscosity and type.

Think about it ... how could it be "MUCH" superior if it is rated the same, made of the same basic ingredient, etc. Think about Mobil's high grade dino in 10-30 ... is it "MUCH" superior to Shell's 10-30 in the same circumstances?

One could safely make the point that one of the other of anything that are almost exactly the same, could be "somewhat" better or "slightly" better.

Better performance through "MUCH" superior chemistry or marketing?

__________________
George Stephenson
1991 350 SDL (200K and she ain't bent, yet)
former 2002 E320 4Matic Wagon - good car
former 1985 300 CD - great car
former 1981 300 TD - good car
former 1972 280 SEL - not so good car
a couple of those diesel Rabbits ...40-45 mpg

Better performance through "MUCH" superior chemistry or marketing? [/B][/QUOTE]

Pardon my poor use of cut and paste, but that statement speaks volumes about Mobil 1, which is a superior motor oil by any measure, but not the best. It is simply backed by a multi-billion dollar Exxon-Mobil marketing machine, while Amsoil is a small business using a multi-level marketing low cost business approach. BTW, I am NOT a dealer, don't care to be, I make enough in my day job.

I like to run the best in my car and Amsoil simply is, the research has been done by several independant organizations (just do the google search) including FTC when they were testing PTFE additives. The term "First in Synthetics" was being used by Amsoil, as they were the first manufacturor of fully synthetic automotive motor oil. The FTC tested this term both against their claim as "first" chronologically as well is "first" as possibly read as being best, and low and behold, it was the best. BTW FTC ruled that PTFE was a snake oil (slick 50, etc...).

Three things ultimately matter in a motor oil. Kenetic Viscocity, Film Strength, and Flash Point, in all three the Amsoil Series 2000 is superior to Mobil 1.

Notice that Amsoil scored three times less wear on the ASTM Four Ball Wear test than Mobil 1? ASTM by the way is the "American Society for Testing and Materials". They are the oil industry approved lab for the testing of motor oils and lubes. They are the real thing, like SAE.

Also look at the test that FAST Fours and Rotories magazine did on all the different synthetic oils, here is a link: www.guarding-our-earth.com/amsoil/fastfour.shtml ------ this is a reprint of the article from the magazine.

Mobil didn't get on the synthetic bandwagon until they saw their high performance oil market share drop to synthetics (mainly with commercial operators). They have since become a leader (in volume) in this market, but again, I want the best oil money can buy in my car. Both my cars cost close to $40,000 each.......spending and extra $100 a year to provide that "extra" measure of protection on each is trivial at most, and advisable at the least.

As for warrantee, I called MBUSA (as well as Volvo) and they stated that Amsoil meets or excedes all specs. Volvo went as far as placing it on their recommend list (along with Mobil 1 to be fair).

Enough of my rant, thanks for the info on the break-in period anyway.

Happy New Year.


SJS
2001 Volvo V70 2.4T, 2002 MB C240