Edge, our ML oil consumption is about the same as Ken's, approximately one quart of oil every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. Apparently this is within the specifications for the engine and, based on information I have read from various sources, is not all that uncommon. From the service booklet synthetic oil has been used in the engine for all but the first oil change. I am not that concerned about the consumption unless that is the reason for the plugged catalytic converter.