That is old and outdated opinion. It reflects the state of the technology about 15-20 years ago.

As has already been said, just make sure you use an appropriate synthetic oil.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

I've made the switch on two of your exact same car with no problems whatsoever (albeit at somewhat lower mileages). Especially since it's been well maintained, you should have no issues.

If you're a miser like I am....you can get the one-gallon jugs of Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W40 at Walmart for about $24. Not every Walmart has it all the time....so good to stock up.

Also, please note that there is a MISTAKE in the oil capacity given in the manual for the 91 300D. It says 7.9 qts., but it should say 7.5 qts....this was corrected in a TSB and later manuals.

Since I check my oil level regularly, what I do is add an even 7 qts. which puts the oil level about midway on the dipstick marking. Some people have found that, if they add the full 7.5 qts., a half qt. or so keeps burning away. Lots of threads on this issues.

Enjoy your new car and welcome to the forum!

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 159k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 179k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 145k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 77k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

Castrol Syntec 5W-50 is not diesel rated.

I am not a fan of it, I used to use that oil in my Toyota for the first 90,000 miles of it's life. Opened up the engine when timing belt, and the engine was full of varnish inside. Very disappointing. I then switch to Mobil 1. Timing belt is coming up soon again, well see what the results are.


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I just recently purchased M1 TDT 5w40 from Wallyworld. Price is over $26.
But still cheaper then O'Reilly's at $29.99.









.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

Yes, maybe even older. I trace it back to the addition of detergents in motor oil. Lots of folks claimed that an engine that used older non-detergent oil would get damaged by oils with detergents because it would break up deposits and send them circulating throughout the engine. While this has a little basis in fact, millions of cars switched over without a hitch. Somehow people have transplanted this argument over to synthetics which have detergents just like all other motor oils these days.

I changed the 80 240 to synthetic at 321K, and am at 327K w/o any issues.

I have made 2 trips to Portland, Or. (about 730mi one way) and one trip to Los Angeles (about 350mi one way). and 2 trips to northern Calif (about 275mi one way). so I have been pounding it on the freeway`s w/o any Ill effect. first qt I added was at 1400mi.

This synthetic is just another old wives tale that keeps getting circulated around through another generation of car owners.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I stumbled across the thread doing a search, posted the above on 10-25-11.
we are up to 367K miles and the 240 is still chugging right along. oil use is about the same, after the last change, I added a qt at 1700 miles. generally she is around 1200 - 1400 miles depending how she is driven. She is still staying dry, but do get a drip on the driveway every once in a while.

She isn`t a putz around town car, quite a few trips to Oregon and Nevada. since April 1 been to Carson City and back, 900 miles, Portland and back, 2100 miles, So Cal to a GTG and back 700+ miles. will probably put 300+ miles on Saturday to another GTG. Then back to Carson City on Monday for a one day run.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Well now you made me feel old.

I actually remember a mechanic going on about that very point to me, many moons ago, when I asked about oil for my first Volvo.

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22