Quote:
Originally Posted by LarryBible
These engines do not have roller cam followers as do modern engines. For that reason, your standard Premium engine oils do not have a zinc additive that is required for long cam and lifter life. The oils that still have this are oils such as Chevron Delo, Mobil Delvac and Shell Rotella T. These oils are primarily designed for diesel engines but work out quite well in the M103. I have used Chevron Delo and my 300E now has 320,000 miles and is still in top shape.
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I just bought a 1991 300SE with 86K miles and full records, including window sticker. A real creampuff. The car is coming up on its first oil change since purchase. On this forum, I have read that starting at year model 1990, the M103 engines changed metallurgy of the cams and/or followers so from 1990 on up, the M103's don't need zinc additive. Can anyone confirm whether this is true or not? The PO in Texas used Castrol 20W-50 religiously every 3K miles. I will continue with the Castrol if someone can confirm these newer M103's don't need the zinc, otherwise I'll switch to Delvac like I run in all my diesels  . Thanks.
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1972 280SE 4.5
1984 300SD, 250K
1991 300SE, 89K
1992 300D (330K miles when KIA'd by mother-in-law 8/10/09 - still sitting in my barn)
1994 E320, 109K
1995 E420, 60K
Proud Member of the Mercedes Benz Club of America - Idaho Chapter
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