Well I did it! I have to say it was one of the easiest oil changes I have ever done. Not a drop of oil on the ground. For all those thinking of partaking in the do it yourself change--do it. I used a Topsider to suction the oil out, and I purchased a regular oil filter wrench from AutoParts for 2.99. I will now be doing regular changes between the FSS interval. My first Mercedes! I love it!

If anyone needs any help with this car, please email me. I will be glad to share my limited know how. Also, thanks to those who offered assistance. I must say, I was a tad bit nervous at first.

John Cappuccilli
jcappuccilli@comcast.net

jcapp,

Congratulations! We had one of those, a "Sport" model, for three years (a 1999) on a lease and it was really reliable. I did not have to learn much more than changing oil and filter work the entire time we had the car, and it had nothing fixed on warranty. The car wanted a manual transmission though, and we got a 1988 300E 5-speed to replace it when the lease ended. Good luck and hope you enjoy the car as much as we did. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

I am glad you are enjoying your car. Can you share your experiencies on your C? I heard the C240 is lacking power compared to the C320. What is you view on that or any other points that only an owner can tell?
Thanks in advance!

__________________
J.H.
'86 300E

I traded in a 2001 Jetta Wolfsburg 1.8T. I chipped and changed the exhaust. This car moved. The power was there no matter what gear you were in. Also, I hit about 140 with this car. Although this seemed to be a tad bit beyond the limits of the suspension it flew.
When I first drove the C230 I was a bit suprised. It did not seem as fast as the Jetta. I had a hard time getting use to the six speed over the five in the VW. However, once I learned were the power was in the C it was there. Also, the car does not feel like it is traveling all that fast until you glance at the speedo. Off the line I would say the VW kills, but the C230 is much better all around. It handles much better, the ride is more stable at speed. I took the C up around 120. This is when I really felt the difference in the ride. The card not only felt heavier but also felt more responsive, (i.e., I felt I still had control of her).
In short, I wish the C had some more power--right now I am looking at the pulley kits, but I am completely satisfied with ever other aspect of the car.

John Cappuccilli
P.s. For those that think of nuts for driving that fast on local highways, I have been to Skip Barber. I also went through some amazing driving schools back when I wore a policeman's badge. So please keep the flaming to a min.

jcapp,

I think your model actually has a few more hp than the 1999 C230 Sport we had. Wish it was available with a manual at the time, we might have kept it. The automatic was really unpleasant in an otherwise pretty nice vehicle. The Kompressor was really pretty impressive, lots of torque for a little motor, but it exchanged gas to make that torque and we never got more than about 26 mpg, with 22 the norm. Is the new model a little less thirsty? Good luck, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)