Oil & Filter for a C240
 

I just picked up a 2001 C240 for my lovely bride. What's the desired oil weight that everyone is using? Also, what's the hot tip in oil filters. I was busy and couldn't change it, so I got bent over for $21.95 plus tax. Never again.

For M-B approved oil look here:
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html
For oil filter, I would only use an OEM from the dealer ( not a bad price & the CORRECT filter ). ;)

Use Mobil One of the weight that the chart indicates for your climate.

You can get a filter at the dealer for much less than $22. You can also get the special wrench for the filter top at the dealer for about $10 or less. The wrench is a good investment.

Good luck,

was that 21.95 with synthetic motor oil? that car uses near 8 quarts of oil.

I use Mobil1 0-w-40 year round on my C240, live in the mid-atlantic region.

I use MB OEM filters, they have the four or five little rubber gaskets that you need. I use a Top-Sider and also drain from the sump - the sump plug needs a copper washer.

when I refill the oil on a car like that, first I add 6 quarts, tighten everything up and park it, Wait five minutes and use the dash computer to tell me how many more quarts to add.
Then a few hours later do an oil chk through the dash computer again.

Nothing but Synthetic?
 

Thanks guys for the info. However, did I read this right? Are synthetic oils the only option?

ONLY synthetic.
you should make sure you have the Mercedes owners manual for your car and the list of approved products booklet.

The only option, you should use Mobil 1 0-40 European formula and change it yourself http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/OilFilter2

If someone were to use, say Castrol 10W-30 GTX, would they destroy the engine?

Why "ONLY" synthetic?

Look for the MB 229.3 approval
 

Your car is probably FSS and needs MB 229.3 spec synthetic (group III and IV oils) for that feature. If you want to go with the traditional 5,000 mile changes, conventional oil will be OK.

The widely available 229.3 oils that I know of are Mobil1 0w-40, and Valvoline SynPower 5w-40.

FYI, I posted a used oil analysis of M1 0w-40, the sample taken during a Service A as indicated by FSS:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=002477#000000

Prob'ly not, but you'll WISH it was........

Gilly

What's wrong with Mann filters??

I use Mann filters [purchased via Fastlane ] and Castrol 10-40 [winter] and Castrol 20-50 [summer] on my 97 C230. Northern VA. Change interval ~ every 3-4 K miles .

Did someone mention a problem with them?

Mann, Mahle-Knecht; Hengst have been described by pro techs at this site as being OEM quality. I have used all 3 brands over the 8 yrs. I've owned my MB.

No, but everyone keeps saying get the one from the dealer, for which I thought Mann was a direct substitute.

We are talking about a much newer version of car in this thread vs. mine.

Perhaps the participants in this thread know something.

I find it hard to believe that the 3 I mentioned are any less efficient than the dealer filter. One pro tech here who works at a dealership mentioned that the new dealer filters were made in France and were in his opinion....junk.

See what M.B.DOC had to say in this thread:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=48857&highlight=filter+france