229.31 or 229.51

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Originally Posted By: weasley
With a DPF? From 2005?

Not sure does it have DPF in 2005, but MB always had diesel specific approval due to other emission control equipment.
 
A comprehensive explanation from the horse's mouth; in short it appears you can use 229.5 or 229.51 for your needs. If you don't have a DPF 229.5 will be a full SAPS and provide better cleaning and anti wear power over a 229.51 with a less robust additive package. All will be high HTHS:

Vehicles with the Mercedes Maintenance System starting with MY2005 can use 229.5 or 229.51 oils.

Vehicles with the Flexible Service System FSS from MY1998-2004 can use 229.5, 229.51 or 229.3 oils.

229.5 and 229.51 engine oils must be used with fleece oil filter when used with the Mercedes Maintenance System (MY2005+) in M112, M113, M272 and M273 engines. With FSS paper filters are fine.

MB sheet 229.1 approved oils
for passenger cars with gas and diesel engines, used to be minimum spec for latest (98+) engines, high detergent, dispersant spec suitable for normal drain intervals. Based on ACEA A3, B3. Note 229.1 oils are not recommended for MB's latest (2002+) 4 valve gas M271, M275, M285 and diesel OM646, OM647, OM648 engines.

MB sheet 229.3 approved oils
for passenger cars with gas and diesel engines with extended drain interval indicator FSS up to 20,000 km, or 40,000 km - 25,000 mi, current minimum spec for 1998+ MB engines, min. 1.0% fuel saving compared to 229.1, based on ACEA A3 B4. For gas engine of the M100 series, gas engines of the M200 series and diesel engines of the OM600 series (not models with Euro 4 diesel particle filters).

MB sheet 229.31 approved oils; LA "low ash" Oils
Mercedes pioneered this new spec for passenger cars with diesel engines with EURO 4 or Bluetec exhaust particle filters, e.g. W211 E200 CDI, E220 CDI. The spec was introduced 7/2003. They are called LA "low ash" or "low SAPS" oils, low on sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulphur to limit exhaust particle filter pollution. In 2004 the ACEA introduced the new C3 spec (mid SAPS, normal viscosity) based on it. Change intervals extend to 15,000 km.

MB sheet 229.5 approved oils; "MB Longlife Service Oils"
for passenger cars with gas and diesel engines with extended drain intervals beyond 229.3 oils, to 30,000 km, min 1.8% fuel saving, first oils introduced summer 2002. ACEA A3 B4. For gas engines of the M100 series, gas engines of the M200 series and diesel engines of the OM600 series (not models with Euro 4 diesel particle filters).
229.5 engine oils must be used with fleece oil filter designed for use with 229.5 engine oils.

MB sheet 229.51 approved oils; low ash long life
Mercedes pioneered this new spec for passenger cars with diesel engines with EURO 4 or Bluetec exhaust particle filters and longer service life than the 229.31 oils. The spec was introduced in 2005. Change intervals increased to 20,000 kilometers. Based on ACEA A3 B4 and C3."
 
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Originally Posted By: Flying_A
A comprehensive explanation from the horse's mouth; in short it appears you can use 229.5 or 229.51 for your needs. If you don't have a DPF 229.5 will be a full SAPS and provide better cleaning and anti wear power over a 229.51 with a less robust additive package. All will be high HTHS:

Vehicles with the Mercedes Maintenance System starting with MY2005 can use 229.5 or 229.51 oils.

Vehicles with the Flexible Service System FSS from MY1998-2004 can use 229.5, 229.51 or 229.3 oils.

229.5 and 229.51 engine oils must be used with fleece oil filter when used with the Mercedes Maintenance System (MY2005+) in M112, M113, M272 and M273 engines. With FSS paper filters are fine.

MB sheet 229.1 approved oils
for passenger cars with gas and diesel engines, used to be minimum spec for latest (98+) engines, high detergent, dispersant spec suitable for normal drain intervals. Based on ACEA A3, B3. Note 229.1 oils are not recommended for MB's latest (2002+) 4 valve gas M271, M275, M285 and diesel OM646, OM647, OM648 engines.

MB sheet 229.3 approved oils
for passenger cars with gas and diesel engines with extended drain interval indicator FSS up to 20,000 km, or 40,000 km - 25,000 mi, current minimum spec for 1998+ MB engines, min. 1.0% fuel saving compared to 229.1, based on ACEA A3 B4. For gas engine of the M100 series, gas engines of the M200 series and diesel engines of the OM600 series (not models with Euro 4 diesel particle filters).

MB sheet 229.31 approved oils; LA "low ash" Oils
Mercedes pioneered this new spec for passenger cars with diesel engines with EURO 4 or Bluetec exhaust particle filters, e.g. W211 E200 CDI, E220 CDI. The spec was introduced 7/2003. They are called LA "low ash" or "low SAPS" oils, low on sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulphur to limit exhaust particle filter pollution. In 2004 the ACEA introduced the new C3 spec (mid SAPS, normal viscosity) based on it. Change intervals extend to 15,000 km.

MB sheet 229.5 approved oils; "MB Longlife Service Oils"
for passenger cars with gas and diesel engines with extended drain intervals beyond 229.3 oils, to 30,000 km, min 1.8% fuel saving, first oils introduced summer 2002. ACEA A3 B4. For gas engines of the M100 series, gas engines of the M200 series and diesel engines of the OM600 series (not models with Euro 4 diesel particle filters).
229.5 engine oils must be used with fleece oil filter designed for use with 229.5 engine oils.

MB sheet 229.51 approved oils; low ash long life
Mercedes pioneered this new spec for passenger cars with diesel engines with EURO 4 or Bluetec exhaust particle filters and longer service life than the 229.31 oils. The spec was introduced in 2005. Change intervals increased to 20,000 kilometers. Based on ACEA A3 B4 and C3."

Take also attention on new MB 229.52 spec.

MB 229.52 specification is for very high performance oil for engines with diesel particle filters and extended oil change intervals.
Specifically designed for the latest generation of “BlueTEC” Diesel engines with SCR (Selective
Catalyst Reduction) from DAIMLER group (Mercedes)
 
Differences between MB229.31 vs MB229.51 spec: (v2012.2)

NOACK: Oxidation (Fresh Oil): Oxidation (with fuel 5%): Fuel economy (with regard to 15W40): >1% --- >1.7%
Engine Sludge (merit): >8.8 --- >9.1
Cam wear inlet/outlet µm: Bore polishing: Piston cleanliness (merit): >12 --- >14
Engine slugge (merit): >8.8 --- >9.1
Piston ring wear (µm) (ring 1/2/3):
229.51 is a more restricted specification than 229.31. In other words, wherever you can use a 229.31 oil, you could also use a 229.51 (not on the contrary).

229.52 only adds better performance against oxidation (with regard to 229.51), lower pour point and lower content of chlorine. I suggest you could pick up an oil that accomplish both spec, 229.51/52 and VW 507.00. They're the strictest spec in oil industry. So, Aral Supertronic Long Life and Q8 Formula VX Long Life are, IMO, the best options. They're very similar oils, the second one a little bit thinner.
 
Aral are owned by BP and make some very expensive oils.

Once you have chosen which major brand oil company to use (Shell are probably cheapest in the EU and Mobil in the USA), USE THE OIL FINDER GUIDE PAGE OF THEIR WEB SITE, which will be car model or engine type specific. Then use your owners handbook as a cross check on oil spec's.
 
Originally Posted By: UltrafanUK
USE THE OIL FINDER GUIDE PAGE OF THEIR WEB SITE, which will be car model or engine type specific. Then use your owners handbook as a cross check on oil spec's.

My experience with the oil selector of one manufacturer begs to differ. Suggesting 20w60 and 15w60 oils for the lowest-output BMW inline 6 of the E36 series, that probably isn't driven ridiculously hard is not "good oil advice." The manual for the 1993 model year has a very encompassing viscosity chart, and I can say right now that no xW-60 oils are on it.

For a hot climate, 15w40 per the factory fill or maybe 15w50 if the vehicle was being used for racing or under heavy load.
 
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