Just came back from the dealership, was trying to buy a cup wrench for oil filter cover. the clerk told me that MB tools can only be purchased by aouthorized mechaniks?!?!
I want to change oil myself in my 90' 300CE.
What should i do? Can I get this wrench some where or is there other alternatives to using it?

Dmitry
90' 300CE

Any of the tool trucks should have that tool: Snap-On, Mac, Matco, etc.

Mercedesshop might be able to help, if not try one of these sites:
http://www.baumtools.com/
http://www.technictool.com/

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

Submit a Parts Information Request in PartsShop.
More than likely we can get it for you.

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

Does a C280 need one, I plan on doing basic maintenance in the future. Whats your cost on the above part?

Mercedes special tools can be purchased by anyone who's willing to show the money. The oil filter socket is indeed needed for the 104 motor (2.8 litre) oil filter. You'll also need a long extension and a 22mm socket to slip over the top of the MB socket to turn it with. The socket is only about $6.50 and should be readily available. Believe me, I've got tons of MB special tools filling my tool chest's drawers and while some of them are relatively inexpensive, others can be horriffically expensive. For instance, I purchased the test gauge and fittings for the hydropneumatic suspensions on some cars and the total came to a whopping $1,550!! Yikes! But for the most part, hand tools (made by Hazet or Stahlwille) are affordable. I'm sure the Snap-on guy has a socket that will fit the MB filters, but he'll probably be asking 5 times as much for basically the same thing. Snap-on's the best, but boy you'd better have deeeep pockets to own their stuff! And actually I have found that I prefer Stahlwille and MAC combination wrenches to Snap-on. I do however like Snap-on sockets and ratchets the best. Hazet (the Snap-on of Germany) also makes great tools. Most of my MB special tools are made by them and I have a very nice set of double open end wrenches that have seen tons of usage and have held up incredibly well. Craftsman? Well, if you're a DIYer then that's fine, but to have them as your "tools of the trade" I highly recommend the good stuff. When I first started out as a mechanic, I funneled each and every one of my paychecks into to buying the best tools and I am certainly glad I cut back on the "wants" and focused in on the "needs". Pays off each time I turn a wrench. Just my $0.02


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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Precision Motorcars, Cincinnati, Ohio
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8
'74 Jensen Interceptor Mk.III
'81 DeLorean DMC12
'85 BMW 745i Turbo

This may sound like blasphemy, but I bought a stamped sheet metal filter socket at Wal-Mart (the same socket fits VW spin-on filters) and I prefer it to my MB filter socket. The MB socket is a nice, cast aluminum item, beautifully made. BUT, both sockets become firmly attached to the filter (or filter cap in the case of the M104) when removing at filter or filter cap. To remove the socket from the filter with the Wal-Mart tool, I simply tap the side of the socket. With the MB tool I have to drive a rod through the hole in the center of the tool. This sometimes takes quite a bit of force before it drives out the filter and with the plastic filter caps for the M104 I'm afraid one could damage the cap. I always buy the best tools I can find, but in my opinion, this is a case where the "cheapie" is the best tool.