I am picking up my new 2000 E430 this Friday. I know one should drive it nicely during the breakin period and that the next scheduled maintenance is at 10,000 miles.

My question is, when is the best time to switch to a synthetic oil? 10,000 miles or around 2000 miles which corresponds to the end of the breakin period?

Thanks in advance.

You definitely do not want to break it in on synthetic; if it were my car I'd do a regular dino oil change at 2k, then I'd do the changeover at 5k and then stick to the OE change intervals.

Enjoy your new car, and congratulations !

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Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

There won't be any problems at all changing your oil and oil filter at 2000 miles to synthetic, if you wish. In fact, that would be an ideal period in which to do your first change.

Modern engine manufacturing tolerances are so good nowadays, that whatever break in wear you have will be 99% complete by then.

Enjoy your new MB!

Mercedes uses Mobil 1 from the beginning on the AMG powered cars, so why wait to change the oil. These newer cars have short "wear-in" periods. Very low piston ring drag & roller rocker arms. Also all engines are run at the factory for at least 5min. Plus I'm sure that the technician doing the new car prep work will help by flogging it.

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MERCEDES BENZ MASTER GUILD TECHNICIAN
ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN
27 YEARS DEALER M.B. TECH
190E 2.3 ITS RACECAR

So what about us "veteran" owners? Is it safe to switch a 23 year old diesel engine with 124,000 miles to synthetic? I've heard it will loosen up all kinds of crap and leave it places you don't want it. Others have said it's a great way to clean up the innards of a diesel. Comments?

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Larry D
'76 240D @120k

Both MB and Mobil assured me that there was no need to wait to change over to Mobil 1.

Larry D,

Regarding your comments about "cleaning up' and "leaving crap place you don't want it". Some of that may have come from some true stories about gents who where converting over to synthetic oil and were to use a crankcase cleaner designed to "clean" things up. I do recall the brand, but won't mention it here becuase they have since got it figured out. Needless to say, the cleaning did such a good job it gummed up the works.

I my case, when my 1980 450 SEL was 45k young 10 years ago I went to synthetic and have had no problems. In fact, everytime the valve covers are off for PM, it's as clean as a whistle under there.

I converted my G-wagen to synthetic last year and no problems there either.

Probably the single important thing, regardless of syn vs non-syn oil, is a regular PM that includes oil and filter (high quality)changes. Beyond that the debates begin. Actually, I think the oil companies like it because it gets us all talking about oil changes and that means buying their product. Gotta love capitalism.

As an aside, we could all take a lesson from the aviation industry. Came across an article that describes the process of pulling oil filters apart and inspecting for metal. Race mechanics do this all of the time. Interesting idea. I do know that most fleet deisels are on oil analysis programs, but I wonder if it includes filters?

Good luck. J.R.

I changed from mineral to synthetic in my 1977 240D at 100k miles. Nary a problem with leaks or anythings since then. Nothing dislodged. Change it at 3000 miles religiously. My car still runs like a top at 170k miles. Only a new chain and tensioner and injectors. Keep valves adjusted.

Do it now, it's the wave of the future..

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Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

I do not doubt the success stories I've read here and elsewhere regarding synthetic oil. I ALSO believe the "motor now leaking like hell" stories.

I have 2 VERY high mileage Japanese cars that have done well on "classic" Castrol for lack of a better word. I have 2 LOW mileage cars, one MB; the other Isuzu that went down the tubes when I swicthed to synthetic. Oil consumption went way up in the latter case.

My 2 cents.

Mike Murrell

FWIW, The service manager at my dealership said that most of the break in occurs within the first 500 miles on the newer engines. He went so far as to say that it's during this period that the longevity of the engine is largely determined. Providing for regular maintenance, of course. I did the first oil change, to Mobil 1 on my y2k ML at 400 miles, and the second one at 4,000 miles.

...tracy

I'm not positive I will actually receive my new C Class because it has gotten hung up at the port and not released to the trucker. I am worried that it has been damaged and is awaiting repair. If this is the case, I will not accept the car.

In the case that I actually do get the car, the mileage at which the first oil change will be made, and the Mobil One used will be determined by: A) The mileage on the car at delivery plus B) the number of miles to get it home which will add about 125 to the mileage determined in step A). I will drain the oil hot, replace the filter and fill it up with Mobil One. After that point, I plan to change every 5K or so, maybe longer. I don't expect to ever see the FSS light come on because of it determining that it is oil change time.

Yes I am still the same old oil change FANATIC!

Good luck,
Change oil hot and change oil often,

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Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Mobil 1 religiously since she was brand new, now 525000 km on the odometer on my 200 and still very good compression figures. everything original except the filters, chain and the plugs

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'76 450 SLC
'87 200
'89 190E 2.3-16
'01 C200 Komp.

I saw a few '01 C200's while in Europe, but did not know that they still used the Kompressor engine in these new cars. How do you like it? Is it a manual transmission or automatic?

Larry