I did some research on oil extractors. The ones that I found to have some merit are the one sold by Griots and the Pela PL-650. Both these units (they may be the same) hold 6.5 liters, are transparent, and come with two different size insert tubes. The web sites are:
www.griotsgarage.com
http://shopus.diy-boat.com
www.overtons.com
For Griots search on "oil". For the other two search on "Pela".
I am still hesitant to order one for my C230 Kompressor for the following reasons.
1. The dipstick tube on the M271 engine has three sharp bends in it. I am not sure I will not kink the plastic tube.
2. There have been some complaints on other web sites that sticking the plastic tube into a hot engine causes it to become very compliant or in the extreme case melt.

There are some of these things that will melt if oil is at operating temperature. I don't know which ones they are, but I would recommend that you find one that will work okay at operating temperature. Removing the oil when engine is hot does a much better job of cleaning the inside of the engine. The contaminants are churned up in the oil when it is hot, thus will come out rather than remain adhered to everything inside the engine.

Secondly, if you elect to change oil this way, I would strongly recommend that you raise the car and look around underneath at least as often as you change oil. This gives you an opportunity to check for leaks and to see if anything is "falling off." This is one of the many reasons that I still rely on a good old fashioned drain, because I have to raise the car and inspect anyway, so I might as well drain it and save the trouble and expense of the gadget.

Good luck,
Change oil hot and change oil often,

I have the Griot's unit and have been very happy with it.
Yes the tube is plastic. Buy some tube at Home depot and try it before you buy the extractor
The tube is 1/4 inch OD and white plastic.
My trick for changing the oil. If you can hold you hand on the engine and not remove it then its ok to use the extractor.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

Thanks Dmorrison. Sounds like good advice. I will try to find some tubing before I buy the unit.

I have to echo what Larry Bible brings up, the whole point of preventative maitenance is to check the ENTIRE vehicle out on a periodic basis not just change the oil. I, like Larry use the routine oil change to survey the underside of the car that way I can catch any problems before they cause any trouble. Ofcourse I have a lift so raising the car is no problem. Just my .02.

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Keith Schuster
2006 E350 98K miles
2013 Ford Explorer 15K miles

Thanks Dutch. That one seems to have them all beat at a great price too. It also has the added advantage of allowing you to use it to add fluids to difficult places such as the manual transmission or rear end.

I have the MityVac too, and in my experience, I have used it on hot oil without any problems so far.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record