I believe this may have been brought up before. I am concern about the FSS of MB for changing oil about 10000-12000 miles. I may never wait that long on my newly owned 98-E320 (maybe M1 synthetic oil every 5000-6000 miles).
However, I am very curious on the success stories of MB owners - Would any one be interested in posting:
Your (MB type) oil change interval, oil type, mileage when bought and current mileage.
Hopefully it may help the give new MB owners some guideline.

Thanks,
Jeffrey P.

Many of the people who attend this list are so into their Benz they cringe at the thought of 10K mile oil changes. But: there are those who have strictly followed the FSS and you might find their stories through the search archives under FSS on this site.
I change my Mobil 1 (0W40) every three to four thousand miles on my `98 C230 51K miles and never any kind of engine problem. And I regularly cruise at the highest possible speed the car is capable of.

I've changed all my cars to Mobil 1 15W50 (red cap), even the diesels except the 220D. That one gets and "oil change" every other tank of fuel due to excessive consumption and leakage.

Bought the Volvo with 150,000 miles on it 7 years ago, currently has a serious compression problem (blown head gasket, I think). No other engine problems.

The 300TE had 196,000 on it three years ago, now has 215,000, two oil changes. Uses too much oil, but I think it is all leaks (front seal, valve cover gasket (replaced) and oil filler cap leaking (replaced)).

The 300D had 166,000 on it when I got it two years ago, now has 184,000, needs another oil change. No issues with oil use, needs a quart about 8000 miles or so, when I changed it last.

Oil changes are at 6-8000 miles, depending upon when I can get to them. Filter change at the same time.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Jeffrey, I have 99 ML430 since new with 90,000 now. I follow FSS intervals - comes usualy at 12,000. I always do my own oil change, use M1 15W50. Recently I sent oil to the lab after 6000 miles and the result was very good, almost as new oil, no change needed. Once in the past I went NY to AK and back with no oil change, so I had almost 15000 on the oil and FSS indicated I had more oil life left. Here is a comparison of the lab results:

After 6k miles................ After 15k miles
Aluminum 5...........................7
Chromium 1..........................1
Iron 12 ...........................16
Copper 4...............................7
Lead 0...................................4
Tin 1 ....................................1
Molibden 0.............................0
Nickel 2..................................0
Manganese 3 ......................72*
Silver 0 ..................................0
Titanium 0............................. 0
Potassium 9...........................0
Boron 58..............................31
Silicon 23...............................9
Sodium 5................................4

* High Manganese content was due to a lot of Canadian gas used
Regards, Mike

1994 E320 wagon bought with 66,000 miles now with 203,000. Oil change with Valvoline 0W-40 or10W-40 every 3K miles.

1999 E300 Turbodiesel bought with 38,000 now with 74,500 miles. Oil change recently to Mobile Delvac every 5 - 7K miles. Previously done with Shell Rotella every 3K miles. (My wife doesn't drive it hard enough).

__________________
dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles

A very objective opinion.

I recently switched to synthetic [Shell Ultra] (from semi). And I have penned 6,000 miles for the next service instead of the recommended 7,000. However, in light of this lab result, perhaps I ought to remain at 7,000?

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

98 E320 purchased with 58K miles, car now has 86K miles.

Changed oil twice/year (3K miles/oil change). Use Mobil 1 15W50 in summer and Mobil 1 0W40 in winter.

This summer I switched to Mobil 1 0W40 for year round use and plan on 5K mile oil changes.

The original owner based the oil changes on the FSS and used Valvoline 20W50 (Mercedes dealer standard at the time).

The car runs strong with no oil usage or any oil related problems.

__________________
Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

Thanks to everyone sending a reply. However, I'm surprised that there are minimal responses. I am still trying to as much input as possible to get some sort of guideline for taking care of my 98 E-320.
I suppose it's difficult to get a general oil change interval(mileage, time) since it depends on driving style, trip, climate etc..
From Mr. Myarmar response, it seems that the FSS works fine. However, my car is out of warranty so I don't think I will follow it totally.
I think I'll follow my original plan and change my M1 10W30 oil at 5000-6000 mile interval as my car holds 8.5 quarts of oil (so I don't believe it needs to be change at 3000 which is usually for 4-5 quart of dino oil). If it goes well for a while, I think I will extend it to 7500.

Regards,
JeffreyP

Jef

everything you said sounds good, did you know that Mercedes put out a `Factory Approved Service Products, October 2000`
booklet, I think it is part number S-0473-00N

pick it up from your nearest dealer, this booklet does not mention M1 10W30


but the booklet is a great source for Mercedes oil recommendations.

On my 1998 C230, I have used the FSS, but with some modifcations. I change the oil every time the FSS counts down 5000kms (3K-miles). This usually gives an oil change interval of about 7000-7500kms (4300-4600miles).

I use Mobil 1 and my car is at 150,000km's or 93,000 miles. It has yet to show any consumption on the dipstick.

While I had a new tranny installed a few weeks ago the dealer did a compression test, as I am coming near the end of my warranty term. The engine ran 11.5bar exactly on all four pots. (167psi) New spec is 165-170psi.

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Isn't it strange that M1 10W-30 not being mention in MB service? I remember seeing somewhere that oil this weight meet standard driving for 10-86F and above temperature? I'll do some checking. Also, According to howstuffworks site, it looks like the oil type is among the best (see link below).
In your opinion, what'd be the best oil for warm climate (South Florida)? The temperature here rarely goes below 40F.

Thanks,

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=question164.htm&url=http://www.vtr.org/maintain/oil-overview.html

Do you have Autozone stores in your area?
If you do, they sell Mobil1 OW40, I use it here in the mid atlantic where summer temps are quite high.

That OW40 when the temps are high is acting like a 40 weight oil.

If I were driving at constant speeds above 100mph a lot, and soon afterwards sitting in heavy traffic jams, then in my opinion that may make me think about Mobil1 15W50.

But, for normal sub 80mph drives and urban traffic, and your horsepower figures for your car aren't really pushing any limits, 0W40 or 15W50, either

get the Mercedes booklet !!

Jeffrey,

Since I have a reputation at mshop for being the "call the guys in the white coats to take this guy away" type reputation for being a fanatical oil changer, I suppose that I should weigh in here.

With the exception of my 203 car, I use Delo 15W40 in everything I own from Ford diesel tractor, gas engine pickup, wifes 4Runner, daughters Civic, Corvette, Cub Cadet lawn mower, Dixon Lawn mower..... well you get the idea.

My 240D went 380,000 miles on the original motor on this stuff and my 300E has 260,000 and still uses no oil. I change all my cars at 3,000 miles(except the C) and drain it with engine hot and let drain overnight replacing the filter EVERY time.

The 203 car gets Mobil 1 between the free at dealer FSS oil changes, so that means about every 5,000 miles.

You have a very good plan that you outlined in your original post if you are using Mobil 1.

Have a great day,
Change oil hot and change oil often.

The MB garage (at my last service) recommended the next change at 7,000 miles. I figured 6,000 would be more likely.

Would there be any advserve impact if I changed the oil at 7,000 miles? Looking at the lab-result, this would seem the logical conclusion.

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

mayarmar & Ymsin posted results of used oil analysis. The metals analyzed are possible wear metals but what about the additive metals depletion as they are used up? I did not see a reading for zinc, calcium, or magnesium. The very low reading of phsphorous does not make sense to me unless they stopped using that additive. Another important element for additive/wear/condition is sulfur but there was no reading for it. Also there was no mention of viscosity or viscosity index. But synthetics should have very good VI.

I also use Mobil1 10W30 change every 7500 mi as specified in manual. I should take interval oil metals readings as miles gets accumulated. You peaked my curiousity.

BTW I work for a major oil co. and have a 92 400e with 166k mi.