Dad possibly getting a 1992 Benz 300CE. What oil ??

[GMguy84]

My dad has a "thing" for the older W124 Mercedes, You know the "Reliable" ones lol

He's looking at a 1992 300CE for STUPID cheap (rare "E-Class" 2 door) pretty good shape for almost 30 years. It has 155K original miles, Runs good but noticed Valve cover and intake gaskets need replaced and oil change, Some new plugs and wires wouldn't hurt either mainly basic maintenance

Have a few quarts 4-5 ?? of autozone clearance Pentosin 5W40 full syn or would my stash of free (Thank you Walmart) Pennzoil high mileage ultra platinum 5W30 be okay for this job ??

Car will be kept in Dallas area for when my dad makes visits here in Texas so warm climate is a factor in this

Dave

 

[FCD]

I don't think that engine would like 5W-30 specially at 155k miles and in Texas heat.
5W-40 would be the minimum.

 

[Graham Piccinini]

Use the Pentosin 5w40, and top off with Pennzoil 5w30 if needed. Change the oil once that fill gets dirty (if oil change history is unknown) and on all following oil changes switch to a 0W40/5W40/10W40/15W40 of your choice. Personally for a vintage motor like that I'd stick with Mobil1 15w50 and wouldn't look back. Below is some info straight from Mobil website about a couple of their oils I would strongly consider for that engine.

Mobil1 15W50
Flash Point : 232 C
Pour Point: -39 C
Hi-Temp Hi-Shear Viscosity @ 150 C: 4.5
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 C: 18
Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 C: 125
Total Base Number: 9.98
Viscosity Index: 160

Mobil1 0W40
Flash Point : 226 C
Pour Point: -54 C
Hi-Temp Hi-Shear Viscosity @ 150 C: 3.6
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 C: 12.9
Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 C: 70.8
Total Base Number: 12.6
Viscosity Index: 186

 

[Passport1]

I had an '89 300se with the straight six engine. I ran 10W-30 Valvoline Maxlife. Engine liked it and it also slowed down a front timing cover leak.

 

[Astro14]

I ran Rotella T6 5W40 in my 1992 300E. The M103 six cylinder is a reliable, durable engine. It’s a great car.

If I were to pick an oil for it now, I would get Mobil 1 0W40 Euro formula. It’s about the cheapest 229.5 spec oil on the market, and would be great for that car. You could get a 229.3 oil, since I think that’s what the car specified on that year, but the 229.5 is a better oil.

The Pentosin would be great, but it holds six quarts, right? So, top off with the Mobil 1.

Your dad is a man of excellent taste, clearly. That vintage of MB is built like a tank and will run forever. It’s a great car.

 

[bluesmokertdi]

any HDEO 15ww40, German engines prefer heavier weight oils

 

[GMguy84]

I don't think that engine would like 5W-30 specially at 155k miles and in Texas heat.
5W-40 would be the minimum.

Ya my bad on heat driving. Summer heat is almost over (thank G*D) weather people now talking lows in 50's this week... YES !!!


Dave

 

[GMguy84]

I ran Rotella T6 5W40 in my 1992 300E. The M103 six cylinder is a reliable, durable engine. It’s a great car.

If I were to pick an oil for it now, I would get Mobil 1 0W40 Euro formula. It’s about the cheapest 229.5 spec oil on the market, and would be great for that car. You could get a 229.3 oil, since I think that’s what the car specified on that year, but the 229.5 is a better oil.

The Pentosin would be great, but it holds six quarts, right? So, top off with the Mobil 1.

Your dad is a man of excellent taste, clearly. That vintage of MB is built like a tank and will run forever. It’s a great car.

Ya he's had like 4-5?? of those vintage Mercedes when I was growing up, My poor Mom got stuck with our what she called "Slow" Volvo 740 wagon LOL. I remember 10'ish years ago driving from Oklahoma City to Denver 700 miles in his '92 190E NOPE never again in that "sardine can" on wheels


I'm sure it'll LOVE that M1 0W40 but I have a stash of oil i'd like to use first I do have a BIG stash of 5 cents per 5qt jug Carquest 10W40 high mileage full syn.

Dave

 

[Graham Piccinini]

I have a stash of oil i'd like to use first I do have a BIG stash of 5 cents per 5qt jug Carquest 10W40 high mileage full syn.

Dave

There. Use that oil.

 

[Gene K]

Most of the guys locally run 15W-40 HDEO in those cars. Works fine for 10,000 mi drains but I live in one of those areas that only average 1 or 2 snows a year.

Edit: The 10W-40 Carquest Synthetic HM should be fine. All your Pentosin + Carquest Syn HM for the first change.

 

[BLND1]

Delo XLE 15w40 and I wouldn’t think about it again.

 

[GMguy84]

hmmm ya Im gonna go with all pentosin and Carquest 10W40 full syn


Thanks guys and I now regret selling my 2 5 gallon pails of 5W40 Shell T6 I got at autozone for $25 each . Should have kept it for a "rainy moment" like this lol ........Oh well

Dave