Question for oil experts here...

[SnogardE55AMG]

Hello guys! I am newbie here (i passive followed this site for long time before i registered yesterday)and i admire your knoledge about engine oils A LOT!
So because of that i am asking you guys for advice about what engine oil should i put into my Mercedes E55 AMG W211 (with VERY low milage)? Here is the story; Mercedes want from us AMG owners that we strictly put Mobil1 0W-40 into that engine or any other MB 229.50 oil.
Since i have always used GC (Castrol SLX Longtec Professinal 0W-30) in all of my ex cars with GREAT succes (btw.i am from Europe), i decided to put it also in my new E55 AMG. BUT, since AMG engines are noisy from the start (even brand new ones), i was afraid that with German Castrol my engine will be even more noisy. And that prooves to be true. So for that reason i will take out GC, and put in some thicker oil. And since we all new that viscosity of Mobil1 0W-40 is not much better then GC (so i doubt it will quiet down my engine), i am thinking some other possibilities;

-Mobil 1 5W-50 Peak life (old name was Mobil1 rally formula 5w-50)But it does not have Mercedes MB 229.5 approval, which AMG need according to Mercedes
-Castrol TWS 10W-60 (which i also used succesfuly in my previous cars and i discovered that it was not too thick for winter so it could be good choice for AMG 55 also, but also it does not have MB 229.5 aproval (which does not bodore me)

-some other thicker oil which is no problem to get here in Europe (price is not question here)

So which oil from that 4 (or some other one) do you guys advice me to quiet down my engine?

Thanks a lot guys !!

 

[Thax]

I think you should just stick with Mobil 1 0w-40 , it is a very good oil and is also the oil recommended for your vehicle. I dont think there could be a huge benefit to using another type of oil than the recommended oil, GC 0w-30 would be my second choice as it is a thicker 30 weight and those AMG motors need a thicker 30 weight or a 40 weight oil.

 

[Gearhead113]

These two oils are the only oils that meet the 229.50 spec, which are of 0W-40 viscosity.

Mobil 1 SuperSyn European Car Formula 0W-40 (USA)
Mobil 1 Turbodiesel 0W-40

 

[SnogardE55AMG]

Thax@ O.K. i respect your advice, but anyway could you tell me why should i not use Mobil 1 5W-50? It is OEM oil for SLR (which have almost the same engine as my E55)and i run my cars hard. I also avoid shiort trips and on top of that temperatures here are not that low not even in the winter. Plus, Mercedes did recomend 15W-50 oils few years ago for AMG engines, but after "ECOmania" comes out, it went down to 0W-40 obvios for eco reasons (not because it is better for engine itself). So can you give me your opinion about that please?

 

[SnogardE55AMG]

Originally Posted By: Gearhead113
These two oils are the only oils that meet the 229.50 spec, which are of 0W-40 viscosity.

Mobil 1 SuperSyn European Car Formula 0W-40 (USA)
Mobil 1 Turbodiesel 0W-40




Yeah, but i dont care for 229.5 since it is based on ECO norms more than on engine protection itself. On top of that as far as i know 229.5 norm came out in 2004 and my car is MY 2003, so if 229.3 was good enough in 2003, i think it will be good enough today?

 

[Gearhead113]

Well, both 229.3 and 229.50 meet the ACEA A3/B3 spec. 229.3 is specified for up to 20,000km based oil change intervals with a minimum of 1.0% fuel savings. 229.50 is considered by Mercedes to be a "long life service oil", when drain intervals of up to 30,000km are used, with a minimum of 1.8% fuel savings.

Now whether the improved fuel economy minimums come from a lower High Temperature/High Shear rating, the addition of more friction modifiers, higher quality base stock etc. or a combination I don't know. Furthermore, how this affects engine life is subjective and I don't want to lead you either way.

The following oils meet the 229.3 spec, and are of 0W-40 viscosity:

AGIP Synthetic PC 0W-40
AGIP Eurosport 0W-40
Aral SuperSynth 0W-40
Aral Super Tronic 0W-40
Aviasynth 0W-40
Mobil 1 SuperSyn European Car Formula 0W-40
Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel 0W-40
Motul 8100 E-Tech 0W-40
Shell Helix Ultra 5W-30, 0W-40, 5W-40
Valvoline SynPower, 0W-40

There are many 5w-40’s to choose from and Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-50, also meets the spec.

 

[opposite_locker]

If price is no object, and you're not concerned with meeting spec for warranty, I would use Redline 5w40 or Motul 300v 5w40. Might even try Redline 5w30 because of it's extraordinarily-high HT/HS (higher than M1 0w40, but doesn't shear and has no VII's)

You would probably be fine on either Mobil 1 5w50 or the TWS, but I believe both oils are known to shear down to a 40wt (as they are intended to, from what I've read).

Mobil 1 0w40 will still work great in your car and it's my favorite OTC oil, but Redline is best for the "special" vehicle(s)/canyon carvers/track cars based on my experiences with it. Haven't tried Motul yet, but have only read good things...

 

[Gearhead113]

Originally Posted By: SnogardE55AMG
Thax@ O.K. i respect your advice, but anyway could you tell me why should i not use Mobil 1 5W-50? It is OEM oil for SLR (which have almost the same engine as my E55)and i run my cars hard. I also avoid shiort trips and on top of that temperatures here are not that low not even in the winter. Plus, Mercedes did recomend 15W-50 oils few years ago for AMG engines, but after "ECOmania" comes out, it went down to 0W-40 obvios for eco reasons (not because it is better for engine itself). So can you give me your opinion about that please?


Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-50 is approved and should work well. MB chooses oils off direct consideration of many factors, including long drain intervals, cold starts, and meeting fuel economy improvement requirements. Based solely on wear protection 15w-50 should be fine, and on that basis I would recommend it.

 

[Gearhead113]

Oils have a particular balance. Fuel economy, drain intervals, engine cleanliness, wear protection, etc. In order to acheive greater performance from any one of these characteristics, we must sacrafice another. If your ok with spending a little more money and changing your oil more often, and wear protection is your highest priority, by all means you can choose an oil thats not on MB's list.

 

[SnogardE55AMG]

Originally Posted By: Gearhead113
Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-50 is approved and should work well. MB chooses oils off direct consideration of many factors, including long drain intervals, cold starts, and meeting fuel economy improvement requirements. Based solely on wear protection 15w-50 should be fine, and on that basis I would recommend it.


Now THAT is info that i was looking for!! Thank you a lot for that!
My main oil qualityes i am looking for are wear protection at hot engine and quiet running engine. I dont care for high oil price, i dont care for lower milage, i even dont care if i loose 10 hp (comparing to GC oil), i dont care for greater working oil temps, and i dont care for cold starts. So from that stand point and from the info you gave me, i am save to say that Mobil 1 5W-50 will work O.K. for me? Or even 10W-60 Castrol TWS?

 

[SnogardE55AMG]

Originally Posted By: opposite_locker
You would probably be fine on either Mobil 1 5w50 or the TWS, but I believe both oils are known to shear down to a 40wt...


So if i am not concern about quick shearing of TWS (i do oil cghanges very often), then TWS will work fine for me?

 

[SnogardE55AMG]

Originally Posted By: Gearhead113
Now whether the improved fuel economy minimums come from a lower High Temperature/High Shear rating, the addition of more friction modifiers, higher quality base stock etc. or a combination I don't know...


I thought that fuel economy minimums comes only and specificyly from lower viscosity?? Was i misleaded?

 

[Spyder7]

Originally Posted By: SnogardE55AMG
Originally Posted By: Gearhead113
Now whether the improved fuel economy minimums come from a lower High Temperature/High Shear rating, the addition of more friction modifiers, higher quality base stock etc. or a combination I don't know...


I thought that fuel economy minimums comes only and specificyly from lower viscosity?? Was i misleaded?


The oil's HTHS isn't going to affect fuel economy. Its viscosity at operating temp is the largest factor, though better base stocks (I'm thinking esters specifically) and friction modifiers (moly, etc) may play a role as well. That doesn't mean the thinnest oil is the best choice, just that the oil should be no thicker than it needs to be.

-Spyder

 

[chubbs1]

Use the 5w50 if you would like, you have to understand in the US we are always drilled with the thinner the better (in a lot of cases,not all) it is due in part to CAFE regulations mandated by the government also. Try the 5w50 and see what you think. I really don't know if they will help but why not give them a shot. Take care and WELCOME

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: SnogardE55AMG
Originally Posted By: Gearhead113
Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-50 is approved and should work well. MB chooses oils off direct consideration of many factors, including long drain intervals, cold starts, and meeting fuel economy improvement requirements. Based solely on wear protection 15w-50 should be fine, and on that basis I would recommend it.


Now THAT is info that i was looking for!! Thank you a lot for that!
My main oil qualityes i am looking for are wear protection at hot engine and quiet running engine. I dont care for high oil price, i dont care for lower milage, i even dont care if i loose 10 hp (comparing to GC oil), i dont care for greater working oil temps, and i dont care for cold starts. So from that stand point and from the info you gave me, i am save to say that Mobil 1 5W-50 will work O.K. for me? Or even 10W-60 Castrol TWS?


It concerns me that it appears that you like certain responses only because they tell you what you want to hear. That isn't really being objective and listening to reason.

Does MB/AMG provide a temperature/viscosity chart for that specific engine model? If so, learn it. I believe there is enough information out there to indicate that "lighter" oils are capable of standing up to extremely high power/use applications without issue. This is the case IFF the robustness specs are up to par. I dont see that as an issue with the 229.x range of oils. I'd want to select one that has an apparent robustness to it based upon known results, but I wouldn't be judging that on viscosity rating at 100C.

 

[SL8R]

I would seriously consider using Motul XMax 0w40

PROPERTIES

Viscosity grade SAE J 300 0W-40
Density at 20°C (68°F) ASTM D1298 0.842
Viscosity at 40°C (104°F) ASTM D445 74.9 mm²/s
Viscosity at 100°C (212°F) ASTM D445 13.3 mm²/s
HTHS viscosity at 150°C (302°F) ASTM D4741 3.58 mPa.s
Viscosity index ASTM D2270 182
Pour point ASTM D97 -45°C / -49°F
Flash point ASTM D92 222°C / 431.6°F
Sulfated ash ASTM D874 0.80% weight
TBN ASTM D2896 7.0 mg KOH/g

http://www.motul-oil.co.uk/pdfs/synthetic-engine-oil/8100_X-max_0W-40_(GB).pdf

 

[d00df00d]

Mercedes tests quite extensively with Mobil 1 0w-40 in a wide variety of conditions, including hard use in hot climates. They also put a lot of work into their oil specifications, which are quite tough (especially MB 229.50). Any oil that meets MB 229.50 will work for you. Mobil 1 0w-40 is an excellent example, but if you're going to stray from that, try to stick with MB 229.50 approval.

Noise is not a good guide to whether an oil is good for your car, nor is switching to a thicker oil a good solution for most problems. Thicker oil may deaden sound, but it will compromise heat transfer and reduce flow rates on cold starts. Not a good trade-off.

Mobil 1 5w-50 is used in the SLR because that car will generate higher oil temperatures than yours will. Castrol TWS 10w-60 was co-developed by Castrol and BMW specifically for the naturally aspirated BMW M cars, which see even higher temperatures. They are excellent oils, but since your engine isn't expected to get hot enough to need them, there is no indication that they will provide any real benefit for you; on the other hand, it is well known that increased viscosity can be a liability (especially on cold starts).

Mobil 1 0w-40 is the most extensively validated oil for your car and others like it. You're unlikely to find anything better.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Spyder7
The oil's HTHS isn't going to affect fuel economy.

AFAIK, it's much better correlated with fuel economy than kinematic viscosity @ 100º C...

 

[Trav]

Can you get Edge RS 10w-60 or is this just a German offering?
Maybe the same as the TWS 10w-60 you get there?
This is still a favourite among German users for MB V8 and V12 engines.

 

[hate2work]

Without a doubt, I would reccommend M1 0W-40 for you. It's an oil that works very well in most European cars. IIRC, it's the factory fill in Porsches.