Synthetic for 95 E420?

[john_nch]

I have searched all the posts and cannot find if it is ok to use synthetic oil for the M119. Also would it be ok to use synthetic transmission fluid?

[manny]

Of course you can use synthetic oil.
Here are M-B approved oils.
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html
For the transmission I would recommend M-B fluid from the dealer.

[yal]

You're either not searching properly or not reading through the results, people in the following threads have had success with synthetics on the M119....


http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=21878&highlight=m119+synthetic

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=21237&highlight=m119+synthetic

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=38551&highlight=m119+synthetic

[Ferdman]

John, I recommend Mobil 1 15W50 unless you're in a particularly cold region of the country ... Wisconsin, North Dakota, Montana, etc. Then you may want to use a lower viscosity oil for the winter months. Look at the pour temperature on the container of Mobil 1 15W50 ... you may be fine even in those states provided the temperature doesn't drop below 0.

[john_nch]

I seem to recall reading somewhere in the forum that synthetic may not agree with the hydraulic lifters or the special cylinder lining of the M119. I wonder why 15-50 is recommended for the M119. I would feel more comforatable using a synthetic 15-50 since that is a very thick oil on start-up.

[john_nch]

Here is the thread. Can anyone validate this?

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=359375#post359375

[anthonyb]

I don't understand why synthetic would pose a problem, unless there is something different about the way mercedes built the M119 verses just about every other contemporary engine it produced.

[Ferdman]

John, I live in southeastern PA and the local MB dealers used Quaker State 15W40 mineral oil in that vintage car for oil changes until MB recommended using Mobil 1 in cars with the FSS. Now our local MB dealers buy Mobil 1 0W40 in bulk for the newer cars ... not sure if they use that across the board for oil changes since I do my own.