Took the plunge and bought 2008 E320 BlueTec. Recommended motor oil is Mobil1 ESP M 5W40...but they tell me it is only sold to dealers. They say "developed this fluid for this engine" insinuating anything else voids the warranty.
Does anyone know why ONLY their 5W40 systhetic performs and that it must be a special 5W40 at that? WalMart carries one titled "Turbo Diesel Truck", but I am told it is not the same. Shouldn't Mobil1 synthetic be the same with only weights varying.
Need help.
thanks,
martin

Mobile One would be the same but weights do vary and that is the cause. 15w40 is usually a diesel grade oil. Get what they say and you can buy the oil from the dealership if need be.

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http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...titled-1-3.jpg
1981 300d

Dealer BS. The Mobil 1 5W-40 Turbo Diesel Truck synthetic is fantastic oil. It doesn't matter if you buy it at Wal-Mart or anyplace else.

Putting the dealership aside, what does your owner's manual say? Chances are it gives the viscosity and some letters pertaining to the ratings. As long as you use oil that meets those specs. you're covered.

And I would keep all receipts as long as you're within the warranty period.

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'81 300CD - 180K, cannot be killed by any conventional means
'99 Ford Escort - good MPG

Because its a low ash(I think thats what its called, Dave(GSXR) can fill you in better) oil that won't ruin your very expensive emissions controls and exhuast. They also seem to have reduced the zinc.


Considering the dealer usualy charges the same price that every other place does for Mobil 1, I don't see the point in going nuts to save maybe a $1.


Your engine needs an ESP oil, don't know of the Truck and SUV oil that Walmart sells meets that standard. I don't believe it currantly does, Mobil has been fooling with oils lately. You could always try Amsoil I am pretty sure they have the right oil, its going to cost more than the $6-$7 a quart the dealer sells Mobil 1 for though.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

The ESP oil is starting to show up at some oil change places. You could probably make a few phone calls to oil distributors and find it by the case.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

These oils are safe for your enigne. Do not use a non 229.51 oil in your Bluetec.

Amsoil European Car Formula 5W-40
Anglomoil RoadMaster 500 API SM 10W-40
Aral SuperTronic 229.51 0W-40 LOW SAPS
Aral SuperTronic Diesel 229.51 0W-40 LOW SAPS
Bizol New Generation SAE 5W-30 (added 09 July 2007)
Castrol EDGE Formula RS SAE 0W-40 (added 09 July 2007)
Castrol EDGE Turbodiesel SAE 0W-30 (added 09 July 2007)
Castrol Longtec Turbodiesel 0W-30 (229.51)
ELF Solaris LSX 5W-30
Fuchs TITAN GT1 229.51 SAE 5W-30 (first fill oil in OM 642)
megol Motorenoel New Generation SAE 5W-30
Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40 (to become available in the USA on 15 May 2006)
Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30 Emission System Protection (Europe, from December 2005)
OMV BIXXOL special C3 SAE 5W-30 (added 09 July 2007)
Pentosynth HC 5W-40 (added December 2007)
Shell Helix Ultra AX 5W-30 Mercedes 229.51
Sunoco Synturo Xenon SAE 5W30 (added 09 July 2007)
Valvoline SynPower MST 5W-30 229.51 (added 01 June 2006)
Valvoline SynPower 5W-40 229.51 (added November 2007)
Valvoline SynPower 20W-50 229.51 (added November 2007)

I would definatley stick with the dealer/MB recommended oil....oil is too cheap to play around with compared to the price of an engine/fancy emissions system.

Mobil is insanely expensive.....$6.59/qt here now for the turbo diesel truck oil and $7.69/qt for transmission fluid. Good thing I don't use either one.

I use Rotella synthetic in the engine and valvoline synthetic trans fluid for the tranny. Both fluids perform great and are almost 1/2 the cost.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Pfff cheap MB owners...oh wait I just insulted myself!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

The spec FI noted is correct and any oil meeting that spec and also having the CI4(?) diesel rating is fine. Check your owners manual to be certain.

You'll also need a "fleece" filter as the ESP oil is only "half" the deal.

I'd let the dealer do the changes until it is out of warranty; there are other services they provide too during A, B services such as recalls and warranty work....

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

IMHO thats a good idea and what I would do, that way if something breaks they can't try to pawn it off on you. You can be like you guys did all the service, so you can't blame XX on me.

Thats what we are doing with my moms Toyota.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thanks for all your comments. Since posting, I have totally confirmed that the Mobil1 5W40 MSP is THE oil I will have to use. Received reply from Pennzoil and the closest thing they have is one used in Europe and not yet availble here.
I guess, as much as anything, I am VERY annoyed that I am so locked in when the world used to be open.
Sold my '85 with 365K when I bought the new one...and it seemed happy with simple regular oil changes with good oil!
martin

You need a low SAPS oil to protect your cat converters/traps, etc.

I'd suggest amsoil 5w-40, which meets 229.51 and has been shown to produce great UOAs in many, many different applications:

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/afl.aspx?zo=1556971


JMH

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

Things have come a long way since 85 technology as you well know everytime you turn yours on and step on the fun pedal.

Rather than change oil every 3k, with the fleece filters and extended oils you'll go 15K or better easily; my 99 with a lessor spec oil and filter lets me go 16K based on my exclusive highway driving style. If your miles are strictly around town the computer may shorten your interval.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Now it just once a year or 13k miles, whatever comes first, no more FSS. My uncles E350 just went in for its first change.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

That's interesting...

My 2008 ML says on the engine cover- MB229.51 and MB229.31. Reading the dealership paper on oil filters, the long drain intervals (greater than 16km) are only good with fleece filters. Diesel filters are paper.....

So, the filter is only good for 9,000 miles according to MB yet they want long-change oil in the car? Sounds like 299.31 might be the ticket with slightly shorter intervals.