Diesels dont go faster than 100 mph, and if you let off the throttle and turn on the power emergency brake (the AC), usually you can stop pretty easily, so you dont need to stop too hard too often so ATE SL fluid offers a great b.p. for this car.

In Gas cars (MB) usually you drive faster than 100mph and you typically slam on the brakes, so you need a higher temperature fluid, that is why I choose the ATE Blue.

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

Interesting note about SynPower blending. I didn't see any warnings on the label, I think they claim it works with all fluids? Anyway I pressure-bleed and flush everything out so I have all the same stuff through the whole system...

K good, I think I told you about that before!

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

My 2 cents worth..

Interesting site...

...fluid

Not sure i agree my self but thought id share the info

From the MB Club UK

1. Hi.
2. Please enlighten us what do you not agree with and why?
3. For info I cross posted the link on MB Club from here (yesterday evening 7 pm ish) - we really are in a global village.

Regards
NormanB

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NormanB
230 TE (W124) 1989 with 153,000 miles on the clock - hoping for at least another 100K

Hi Normanb,


Sorry, i meant that i am all for changing the fluid and didnt realy agree with the article on the link.



Stu.

This is a liittle of topic but related to fluid change intervals. There is not a specified time to change the power steering fluid of the diff fluid (as far as I can tell). Are these both a permanent fill that only require topping up if nec.?


Also, I was reading a review of the new S class a couple months ago in Car and Driver and they said that the diff or tranny (can't remenber which) is a permanent fill, which MB equated to lasting 10 years?!

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I'd rather argue against a hundred idiots, than have one agree with me. — Winston Churchill

MB has no interval for the diff. However industry experts (Stu Ritter, etc) recommend replacing the diff juice every 30kmi or so. I'd think 30-60kmi with synthetics would be fine. I personally intend to change every 25kmi (for easy intervals - 100, 125, 150, etc) and I use RedLine or Mobil synthetic lube. Never changing it seems rather foolish, IMO, if you intend to keep the car a long time.

Same for the p/s, no interval, but it's a good idea to change periodically. Mobil-1 ATF is the preferred lube for pumps with V-belts, the pumps with serpentine belts may be happier with the special MB fluid, although I think the M-1 ATF won't hurt anything.

Thanks for the into. Looks like a have something to do this weekend.

BTW, for the p/s do you just change the fluid in the res. or do you do some sort of power flush to get all of it out?

__________________
I'd rather argue against a hundred idiots, than have one agree with me. — Winston Churchill

Hi Stu

I do not want to be 'like a dog with a bone' over this but what in particular did you not agree with - copper leaching?

NormanB

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NormanB
230 TE (W124) 1989 with 153,000 miles on the clock - hoping for at least another 100K

Most people suck out the fluid in the reservoir, pour new in, run the engine a bit, and repeat that 3-4 times. You'll use 2 quarts of fluid and end up with ~85% new fluid, which is good enough. You can't really power flush. You can pull the return line, pour in fresh fluid, and catch the old in a container as it comes out. This can be messy and requires a second person. I use the first method, which works OK...

Hi Normanb

Please burry the bone:p


All i meant was, i didnt agree that you should never change the fluid. IMHA that is crazy and it should be changed at least every 3 years.


Many regaurds, Stu.

OK Stu

Its buried deep!
NormanB

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NormanB
230 TE (W124) 1989 with 153,000 miles on the clock - hoping for at least another 100K

Actually I thought my W126 had a change interval for the p/s. Their is a filter in their, I bet the W124 has one to.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I think the interval is for the filter alone, not the fluid. I could be wrong though...!