Oil Recommendation: Mercedes-Benz M119 DOHC V8

[BenzFan]

Originally Posted By: metalone

Another anal cheapskate that has no experience with any good oil and only one car made in the 21'st. century. Lmao. If Royal Purple gave him a case he'd be singing their praises. Another certification freak.

Heh, yep. And he seems to be missing the point entirely, which is this: could one oil be more suited to my use that another? Perhaps some oils might have better anti-corrosion capabilities than others given that my car does tend to sit for days and weeks between uses. Or perhaps some oils are designed with high mileage engines in mind? I'm still hoping for some useful input from a real live oil guru: are you one?

 

[BenzFan]

Originally Posted By: NateDN10

Oh, we have heard of it. We have of it. Run far, far away.

Heh, thanks!! That was exactly what I needed to know!

 

[tig1]

M1 0-40.

 

[fdcg27]

There are no magic oils and this isn't a temperamental or fragile engine anyway. Also, unless you routinely run at speeds over 140 mph or so, you really aren't pushing this car hard. That said, I doubt that you'll find any oil that'll be better for your engine than either Castrol 0W-40 or the same grade in M1. Both of these oils meet the required MB cert and both are readily available at reasonable prices. If it were my car, I'd use either without a second thought. No reason to spend more than needed for an oil.

 

[WhoKnows]

You'd better choose 10-40 or 15-40. These oils are more relevant to your climate than 0-40 or 5-40. 10(15)-40 are more stable under high temperature conditions.

 

[RedOakRanch]

With money out of the way this is much more fun! I've had great UOA with Amsoil try it without hesitation. Redline is next on my list, probably no better than Amsoil but want to try a high ester oil for my lazy V-8 anyway. If you can spend the extra $, do a UOA on a few and report back. The fact is all the usual suspects will work fine bit it would be fun to throw a few odd ones in just to analyze.

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: RedOakRanch

With money out of the way this is much more fun! I've had great UOA with Amsoil try it without hesitation. Redline is next on my list, probably no better than Amsoil but want to try a high ester oil for my lazy V-8 anyway. If you can spend the extra $, do a UOA on a few and report back. The fact is all the usual suspects will work fine bit it would be fun to throw a few odd ones in just to analyze.

So a UOA is an equivalent substitute for the MB specifications? What exactly should be looked at on the UOA?

 

[BenzFan]

I guess that the next question is that of viscosity - what say y'all given my location? 0w30? 0w40? 5w30? 5w40? or higher 10w40? 15w50? From my reading of the Motor Oil Uni post it seems that the primary issue is that of lubrication during cold starting, at least more so than lubrication at operating temperatures. Also what about oils with components that suit higher mileage engines, such as higher zinc and so on?

 

[crazyoildude]

That engine for the most part is a good engine but very expensive to rebuild..We did a fair amount of them but mostly because they were abused.

 

[IllinoisSparky]

Originally Posted By: BenzFan

Hello fellow oil enthusiasts! First time poster here so please be gentle. I would love to hear recommendations for my next oil change. Vehicle: 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 Sport with the M119 engine – DOHC V8, 303 cubic inches – with 105,000 miles on it. It uses no oil between changes and a recent BlackStone Labs UOA indicates minimal wear levels so things are in good condition. I have been running Liqui-Moly 5w40 and it currently has Mobil 1 5w30 (both full synthetics). Owner’s manual: Mercedes-Benz oil specification sheet 229.3 / 229.5. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the use of synthetic motor oil for all vehicles equipped with the Flexible Service System (1998 & newer, which applies to my car). What particularly intrigues me (in addition to the ‘approved oils’ list) are some of the newer “small company” synthetics such as Amsoil and Royal Purple as well as the really rare ones like SynLube Lube-4-Life (anybody ever heard of it?). Recommendations would be appreciated, thanks in advance!

I have used the LiquiMoly Leichtlauf High Tech 5W-40, Amsoil "Classic" Euro 5W-40, and Mobil in my 90's MB cars. I personally have had the best luck with Amsoil and LM. Nothing against M1. Have it in my newer diesel(229.51 spec). WMs in my area still don't have the M1 FS version. And if I go to Auto Parts store, it is just as high as ordering AMZ or LM online, and I don't have to go to Walmart! Just be SURE that the oil you pick meets the MB spec, and check it EVERY TIME before you buy, because it changes. I would select a 229.5 oil if it were me. Higher SAPS rating. Which is what was used back when these cars were new. Mobil, Amsoil, LM, have excellent oil selector sites that will tell you exactly what is recommended for your vehicle. Good luck, and enjoy that SL! MB Oil standards site: http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten...chbegriff=229.5

 

[BenzFan]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude

That engine for the most part is a good engine but very expensive to rebuild..We did a fair amount of them but mostly because they were abused.

Agree, in fact MB bought it back around 2007 and it is still in current Benzes today in the 550 badged cars. Mine seems to be in great shape and I want to keep it that way, hence this topic. Any suggestions regarding oils given your experience?

 

[Popsy]

Don't overthink it, just use a 229.5 oil. M1 or Castrol 0W40 come to mind, and if you want something more exotic, try Motul 300V (one of the 3 xW40 they offer). You are not tracking the car, you are not doing multiple cold start/short trips, and you may probably have a huge sump on this engine, so no problem. You may also simply buy oem MB 229.5 oil, I believe made by Petronas these days. I had good results with Petronas Syntium 7000 0W40 oil, but I don't think you have easy access to it.

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: BenzFan

I guess that the next question is that of viscosity - what say y'all given my location? 0w30? 0w40? 5w30? 5w40? or higher 10w40? 15w50? From my reading of the Motor Oil Uni post it seems that the primary issue is that of lubrication during cold starting, at least more so than lubrication at operating temperatures.

The grade is going to be irrelevant when meeting the required specification. Even more so in your location.

 

[artificialist]

I don't know if those Mobil 0w40 variants are the same as the other Mobil1 0w40 types sold in major auto parts stores. However, I am quite certain that the Castrol Euro 0w30 is the same one sold in Autozone. It is considered one of the best oils according to many BITOGers. I would choose that oil, and wait for Autozone to have a "Buy 5 quarts or more and get a filter" sale and use the Castrol Euro 0w30 oil. Some people may worry that because it is an 0w30 where Xw40 oils are used, it isn't going to be think enough to work. That isn't true because Castrol 0w30 Euro is as thick as an oil can be before it is considered a 0w40. Many auto manufacturers will specify a 5wXX or 0wXX even in places where temperatures never go below freezing, so I simply follow the manual. So my recommendation is simple. When Autozone has a sale on all Castrol synthetics, buy the amount you need, and you get one of those very expensive filters included in the price. I think they are having that sale this week or next week. If your local Autozone doesn't have Castrol 0w30 Euro on the shelf, they can get it from one of their major warehouses within 2 days.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: artificialist

I don't know if those Mobil 0w40 variants are the same as the other Mobil1 0w40 types sold in major auto parts stores. However, I am quite certain that the Castrol Euro 0w30 is the same one sold in Autozone. It is considered one of the best oils according to many BITOGers. I would choose that oil, and wait for Autozone to have a "Buy 5 quarts or more and get a filter" sale and use the Castrol Euro 0w30 oil. Some people may worry that because it is an 0w30 where Xw40 oils are used, it isn't going to be think enough to work. That isn't true because Castrol 0w30 Euro is as thick as an oil can be before it is considered a 0w40. Many auto manufacturers will specify a 5wXX or 0wXX even in places where temperatures never go below freezing, so I simply follow the manual. So my recommendation is simple. When Autozone has a sale on all Castrol synthetics, buy the amount you need, and you get one of those very expensive filters included in the price. I think they are having that sale this week or next week. If your local Autozone doesn't have Castrol 0w30 Euro on the shelf, they can get it from one of their major warehouses within 2 days.

According to Mobil tech, M1 only has one M1 0-40.

 

[Popsy]

I thought there was M1 0W40 and M1 0W40 AFE ? Also M1 0W40 Turbo diesel, but that's the same stuff as vanilla M1 0W40. Now there's M1 0W40 FS in the US, new formula.

 

[kschachn]

In the US there are two 0W-40 from ExxonMobil. The usual stuff is not "AFE" but "AFS" for advanced full synthetic (or just FS) and the other is an ESP product. The Turbo Diesel product sold here is 5W-40.

Originally Posted By: Popsy

I thought there was M1 0W40 and M1 0W40 AFE ? Also M1 0W40 Turbo diesel, but that's the same stuff as vanilla M1 0W40. Now there's M1 0W40 FS in the US, new formula.

 

[Popsy]

I stand corrected We still have "old" 0W40 formula with visom and LL01 approval here, finger crossed!

 

[Nyati]

I use Mobil 1 0W-40 in my M119. Works for me.

 

[BenzFan]

Originally Posted By: Nyati

I use Mobil 1 0W-40 in my M119. Works for me.

Whoa, nice car Nyati! What sort of mileage does it have?