Mercedes R129 M119 Fluids

[mkiv808]

I will be picking up a M119 SL500 soon. This is from the 96-98 era with the M119 V8, but the newer transmission. It has under 60k miles and has had a lot a decent amount of oil and fluid changes in its history, but wasn’t driven a ton in the last few years.

I’d like to source as much from FCP as possible as they’re in my backyard. I originally intended to do all FCP derived fluids on my Ferrari 430 but have spoiled that car with HPL fluids.

Here’s what I’m thinking:

Oil: Redline 0w40 + Mann Filter. They don’t carry the 5w40, but I think the 0w40 could be interesting for this engine as they sometimes do have top end oiling startup issues (something I’d look to prevent with new metal camshaft oiler tubes) and I wonder if this will help things circulate faster. It has a high HTHS too. I considered 5w50 but not sure it’s worth the extra heat, and loss of power/efficiency even if marginal.

Will do a UOA.

Plan to run HPL Engine Cleaner for a few OCI’s just to give it a bit of a reset. Along with some BG 44k in the tank right before an oil change.

Coolant: Zerex G48
Brake Fluid: Motul 5.1
Differential: Unsure, need to research. Maybe Motul 300 75-90?
Transmission: Unsure, believe it calls for 236.14 spec
Power Steering: Febi Bilstein 08927

If anyone has diff or transmission suggestions, preferably from FCP, let me know.

Hopefully this thread is helpful for other R129/M119 owners.

 

[mkiv808]

I guess for ATF could either go Fuchs or Redline D4.

Liqui Moly doesn’t seem worth it at almost double the cost of these.

 

[mkiv808]

Suppose Driven DT40 5w40 could be another option?

Isn’t even suggested for MB certification, but I can’t imagine that 30 year old requirement is terribly finicky or sophisticated.

 

[Egg_Head]

I've always run Redline 75W90 in my euro rear diffs with no issues. Your transmission is not picky, if you want to keep the spec consider Shell ATF 134 from a local jobber or online. Nice car, BTW. Posts pics when you can.

 

[JHZR2]

I went with Fuchs from FCP for my AFF in my 08.

Make sure you have the right stuff to do the AT service.

Amsoil SVG in the bags for the diffs.

 

[Astro14]

Actually, for that vintage of Mercedes, 239.3 or 229.5 oil would be appropriate. I would stick with a 0W- 40. No need to go heavier.

Redline isn’t approved, but several dozen others are approved.

https://operatingfluids.mercedes-benz.com/sheet/229.3/en

https://operatingfluids.mercedes-benz.com/sheet/229.5

You might find this thread to be of value if you don’t have access to WIS.

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class...-pdf-reference-material-i-have-collected.html

 

[rollins.]

I'd stay with 75w-90 in the differential, API GL-5 , plenty of great synthetic options (and zero need to stick with today's formal MB approval,235.7 . It includes fluids for both LS and normal diffs,however today only 75w-85 oils are being certified. FF was probably 85w-90,mineral GL-5 of 235.0 ).

Coolant- I'd check what is in there and stay with it (if it were G05 or G48. I believe G05 was the factory fill at the time. Both used to be simultaneously in the 325.0 approved coolants lsit at one point,then G05 got phased out. And Zerex G48 has 2-eha btw.)

Same for the power steering fluid- use whatever the previous owner used, if it were either of these - any 236.3 certified fluid ... or 345.0/345.1 Pentosin CHF 11s .


Brake fluid-not sure whether it would see any benefit from the current Low Viscosity ones... here is what MB sells as 331.0 fuid today:
https://gms.aftersales.mercedes-ben...&Origin=General&CLPKennz=1&Archiv=0&ShowCLP=1
"A 000 989 60 11 09 BRAKE FLUID DOT5.1, CLASS 7, DOT4 PLUS, MB 331.0"
I guess the car would be more than fine with TYP 200 (DOT 4 is what the Owner's manual suggests).


722.6 came with 236.10 as FF, later MB introduced the backwards-compatible 236.12 and 236.14. Fluids approved against these three specifcations are available :
https://operatingfluids.mercedes-benz.com/category/gear-oil
https://operatingfluids.mercedes-benz.com/sheet/231.1


And for comparison this is sheet 231.1 from the year 2008 :
https://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/other/spec_sheet_231.1_2008.pdf
You may need to obtain the proper AT dipstick too.

 

[jmanbball]

Those engines are that hard on oil, so any Euro 0W40 would be fine. I ran an M104(same generation of engine development for Mercedes) on it for years with no issues. I wouldn't pay more for Redline or Motul when you could run Mobil 1 ESP or even just Castrol 0W40. Zerex G05 or G48 is fine for coolant. For brake fluid, the best value is Bosch ESI6. Cost-wise, it's really hard to beat RockAuto on price, unless you do the fluid exchange deal with FCP Euro.

 

[M104]

Congrats, I absolutely love these cars. Don't hesitate to share a picture if you have one. Any MB 229.5 oil will be perfect for this car. I'd look for one that is actually approved my MB and that's about it. I was about to tell you about the oiler tube issue but you seem to know this engine quite well.

You are right, MB 236.14 is the correct spec for the 722.6 transmission. G48 is the blue coolant that replaced the old orange (ish) coolant, all good, they are similar to the MB 325.0 coolant that the dealer used to sell. Power steering fluid spec is MB 236.3.

Correct rear diff oil is either MB 235.0 for thicker oils or MB 235.7 for thinner fuel economy 75W-85 GL-5 oil. In my experience the 235.0 is pretty basic and any quality 75/80/85W-90 will work just fine if it's not a limited slip differential.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I will be picking up a M119 SL500 soon. This is from the 96-98 era with the M119 V8, but the newer transmission. It has under 60k miles and has had a lot a decent amount of oil and fluid changes in its history, but wasn’t driven a ton in the last few years.

I’d like to source as much from FCP as possible as they’re in my backyard. I originally intended to do all FCP derived fluids on my Ferrari 430 but have spoiled that car with HPL fluids.

Here’s what I’m thinking:

Oil: Redline 0w40 + Mann Filter. They don’t carry the 5w40, but I think the 0w40 could be interesting for this engine as they sometimes do have top end oiling startup issues (something I’d look to prevent with new metal camshaft oiler tubes) and I wonder if this will help things circulate faster. It has a high HTHS too. I considered 5w50 but not sure it’s worth the extra heat, and loss of power/efficiency even if marginal.

Will do a UOA.

Plan to run HPL Engine Cleaner for a few OCI’s just to give it a bit of a reset. Along with some BG 44k in the tank right before an oil change.

Coolant: Zerex G48
Brake Fluid: Motul 5.1
Differential: Unsure, need to research. Maybe Motul 300 75-90?
Transmission: Unsure, believe it calls for 236.14 spec
Power Steering: Febi Bilstein 08927

If anyone has diff or transmission suggestions, preferably from FCP, let me know.

Hopefully this thread is helpful for other R129/M119 owners.

RL is fine. My father had one of these for decades. He just ran Mobil 1 0w-40 or 5w-40.

The "0w" is just easier for the engine to pump and flow to the pickup tube in 0C temps.

I would probably go with RL is FCP Euro was the requirement.

 

[mkiv808]

Those engines are that hard on oil, so any Euro 0W40 would be fine. I ran an M104(same generation of engine development for Mercedes) on it for years with no issues. I wouldn't pay more for Redline or Motul when you could run Mobil 1 ESP or even just Castrol 0W40. Zerex G05 or G48 is fine for coolant. For brake fluid, the best value is Bosch ESI6. Cost-wise, it's really hard to beat RockAuto on price, unless you do the fluid exchange deal with FCP Euro.

FCP is 2 miles from my house so the fluid exchange is a no brainer

 

[mkiv808]

I went with Fuchs from FCP for my AFF in my 08.

Make sure you have the right stuff to do the AT service.

Amsoil SVG in the bags for the diffs.

I have SVG in my Land Rover. Yeah, might do that. Not really worth the time and effort to do fluid exchange with FCP for that fluid.

 

[benz_enthusiast]

@mkiv808 great car and engine, and low mileage. How did you find it? Is the soft top working?

Note that the soft top and power steering use different fluids. Don't use hydraulic fluid for the top in the power steering.

The benzworld R129 forum is super active. I encourage you to join, there's so much information there, it's a pure gold mine.

Enjoy the car!

P.s. don't overthink it. Use MB approved oils and you are good to go as long as you keep up with the maintennace. You'll want to also inspect all hoses, bushings, checl wheel alignment and a few more once you get the car.