New old(ish) diesel
- Thread starter JHZR2
- Start date
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
Nice!
I have a 2008 E320 w/163k miles. Same V6. I'm running Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 with 5k oil changes. It's spotless inside. Factory was Fuchs, that and I also used Pentosin until the Mobil 1 ESP became easy to get. Still only $28/5qt at Walmart. The MLs run hotter from what I read, so if you're not comfortable with the 30, there are several xW-40 that are 229.51 and 229.52 approved, including some Mobil. Mobil 1 ESP is now the best bang for the buck purchased at Walmart. You won't find anything better except perhaps HPL xW-30 Euro.
Don't go to an HDEO. There is no better protection for the engine than the approved 229.52 oils. Heed MB. Ignore Bubba and his cousin who knew a guy.
Afternote, check your motor mounts. They tend to get leaky with age and collapse. The SUV will feel much smoother with good ones.
I have a 2008 E320 w/163k miles. Same V6. I'm running Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 with 5k oil changes. It's spotless inside. Factory was Fuchs, that and I also used Pentosin until the Mobil 1 ESP became easy to get. Still only $28/5qt at Walmart. The MLs run hotter from what I read, so if you're not comfortable with the 30, there are several xW-40 that are 229.51 and 229.52 approved, including some Mobil. Mobil 1 ESP is now the best bang for the buck purchased at Walmart. You won't find anything better except perhaps HPL xW-30 Euro.
Don't go to an HDEO. There is no better protection for the engine than the approved 229.52 oils. Heed MB. Ignore Bubba and his cousin who knew a guy.
Afternote, check your motor mounts. They tend to get leaky with age and collapse. The SUV will feel much smoother with good ones.
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JHZR2
Staff member
I’m running ESP 5w-30.
Is there an oil temperature readout to verify it is really running hotter? Running hot isn’t a bad thing for a diesel. Not opposed to running esp 5w-40, but that’s what was in when I bought the vehicle, and I feel like the 30wt is good for about 1 MPG.
Good point on the motor mounts. The vehicle is very smooth and comfortable at all times. But I do get a slight clunk when going form stopping to moving, likevbetween stop signs. Suspension seems fine and much of it is refreshed. So I’m thinking it may be motor mounts……
JHZR2
Staff member
lol. Was remediated within a week or three with a Tunai firefly Bluetooth dongle. Those things really are excellent!
I thought about getting some Walker Bluetooth head phones......really shooting hearing protection equipment, with Bluetooth and sound amplification.....
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101712898?pid=174248
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
Sorry, I wasn't clear. It's not the coolant/internal temp that is hotter really, it's the engine compartment on MLs are tighter and get hotter than sedans or Sprinters because of lower air flow. That's why the silicone oil filled engine mounts fail faster in MLs. I don't really know if it makes a difference for the oil. But some owners want a 40 and that's OK.
You can get the official lists of approved fluids here at the MB website.
https://operatingfluids.mercedes-benz.com/
The Mobil 5W-30 and 0W-30 are at the thick end of 30 and almost a 40 according to the product sheets. I run 0W-30 ESP in my sedan. Didn't have the ML long enough to have problems as it was destroyed by a teenage girl rear ending it and pushing it into another SUV. Insurance Co totalled it.
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