Oil question

[Manc Rick]

Hi, I am looking to do interim oil changes and am quite particular about using the best quality oil available.

The actual genuine Mercedes dealers on eBay sell the genuine Mercedes oil for OM651 (E220 2016) but the oil is spec 229.51

Bevo Mercedes state that 229.51 and 229.52 can be used and I understand (from various searches) that 229.52 is superior quality to 229.51.

can anybody confirm? Should I find a 229.52 oil? I would like the best possible protection for the engine.

Also, I see that the online dealers are selling Genuine Mercedes oil. Now Mercedes obviously don’t make their own oil so is the general consensus to use this Mercedes labelled oil or buy a more expensive oil (Castrol / Shell / Total) to the 229.51/2 spec.

The genuine Mercedes 229.51 oil is £49 for 7 litres which seems very cheap.

so in essence: am I correct that 229.52 offers better protection over 229.51 and do fellow Mercedes owners go for Merc branded oil (because it says Mercedes on the can) or is it worth buying more expensive Castrol or Total?

Thanks

 

[Wighty]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20L-Genu...208925&hash=item467b85d3ad:g:AggAAOSw1Tdb0Dyh
for the price what about this .
I’m not sure about how much better 229.52 is

 

[LostKiwi]

A later spec doesn't necessarily mean improved anti-wear performance

The 229.52 spec requires 1% improvement in mpg over 229.31 and 229.51, improved anti-oxidation when used with bio fuels and a lower pour point and is a long life oil.
Since you're doing interim changes it will make sod all difference which you use.

229.5 has a better anti-wear additive package than 229.51 due to the requirement to remove SAPs (which gave 229.5 it's anti-wear).

 

[Manc Rick]

Wow that is unbelievably cheap!

With that particularly, it makes me think that MB have done a deal with the ‘cheapest’ oil refinery / producer whilst just about meeting the required spec.

I want to put the best possible quality oil in the car. I used to pay £50 for Total Quartz Ineo 0/30 for my previous car as that was what was fitted at the factory and was recommended.

I felt like it was a high quality oil.

tempted to put the same in the merc as I think it is 229.52 spec.

Forgetting money, does anybody know what would be the best in terms of protection?

 

[Manc Rick]

A later spec doesn't necessarily mean improved anti-wear performance

The 229.52 spec requires 1% improvement in mpg over 229.31 and 229.51, improved anti-oxidation when used with bio fuels and a lower pour point and is a long life oil.
Since you're doing interim changes it will make sod all difference which you use.

229.5 has a better anti-wear additive package than 229.51 due to the requirement to remove SAPs (which gave 229.5 it's anti-wear).

Right, that makes sense. Thanks. I had read about the increased anti-oxidisation improvement.

So that clears that up. Any idea whether Merc branded oil is as good as / better than something like Total Ineo Quartz / Castrol Magnum, which are much more expensive?

Thanks to both. Much appreciated. I do realise I’m OCD ;-)

 

[LostKiwi]

Many of us use MB brand oils with no issues.
That said I've never been able to detect any difference between oils and unless you can run blind tests under laboratory conditions you will never know.

I just put MB branded 229.5 oil in our 160k mile E240 and it's quietened the noisy lifter that had been there through the previous two oil changes.
I'll be using it again for the 129, 230 and 210 (and Smart when I get round to putting it back on the road).

 

[Gazwould]

229.52 is just a better economy version of 229.51 probably through extra friction modifiers or by being the thinner end of a 30 grade .

Where less antiwear additives are used this can be offset by higher quality group oil basestocks so don't be concerned with low saps .

There is one low saps manufacturer spec oil that stands out as the more complete oil that does VAG petrol and diesel and RS models , VW 504.00 507.00 .

 

[Manc Rick]

Ok thanks. I’m going to go for 229.52 as it is a reformulation of 229.51 offering marginally better fuel economy.

As for brands, I will opt for the cheap Mercedes Brand, as although I question why it is available so cheaply compared to Total / Castrol et al, it seems most likely that MB oil is being produced by Mobil once again (probably not Petronas which is reputed to be of an inferior quality).

I do wonder why the various MB service departments don’t seem to use MB branded oil, but I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt.

 

[JBell]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20L-Genu...208925&hash=item467b85d3ad:g:AggAAOSw1Tdb0Dyh
for the price what about this .
I’m not sure about how much better 229.52 is

I have been using it for years and my mother uses the 229.5 version in her C250CGi, if you are changing the oil regularly then use it, nothing wrong with it, probably comes from Petronas but rebranded.

I seriously doubt MB would use crap oil as OEM stuff

If you want to go really mad for 229.52 then

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20L-MANN...608519&hash=item2f41375e46:g:bWwAAOSwk9xeixvt

Or Genuine MB

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-...957730?hash=item1f12d557e2:g:W0sAAOSwD5NfDyF4

 

[Wighty]

Ok thanks. I’m going to go for 229.52 as it is a reformulation of 229.51 offering marginally better fuel economy.

As for brands, I will opt for the cheap Mercedes Brand, as although I question why it is available so cheaply compared to Total / Castrol et al, it seems most likely that MB oil is being produced by Mobil once again (probably not Petronas which is reputed to be of an inferior quality).

I do wonder why the various MB service departments don’t seem to use MB branded oil, but I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt.

I admire your journey to find the best oil for your car buddy . I love an oil change as much as the next guy and do that every 5-6k miles using MB 229.51 in the 20L tubs because as you say it’s so cheap . I don’t question the oil’s quality because it is cheap , for the same reason I don’t question the quality of MB branded filters (even though they don’t make them either ) , I just reckon if they have MB on them they are up there with the best of them .
Are you planning on keeping the car for a very long time or a very high mileage ?

 

[Wighty]

I have been using it for years and my mother uses the 229.5 version in her C250CGi, if you are changing the oil regularly then use it, nothing wrong with it, probably comes from Petronas but rebranded.

I seriously doubt MB would use crap oil as OEM stuff

If you want to go really mad for 229.52 then

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20L-MANN...608519&hash=item2f41375e46:g:bWwAAOSwk9xeixvt

Or Genuine MB

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-...957730?hash=item1f12d557e2:g:W0sAAOSwD5NfDyF4

You and me both are 20L tub fans buddy

 

[JBell]

You and me both are 20L tub fans buddy

Can't go wrong for the price, my indy uses it but buys it in drums

 

[s5tuart]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303081767298

Any good?

 

[Gazwould]

Very complete .

 

[Wighty]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303081767298
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303081767298
Any good?

I’ve got 2 in the garage

 

[JBell]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303081767298
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303081767298
Any good?

Cough #9 cough

 

[Manc Rick]

I admire your journey to find the best oil for your car buddy . I love an oil change as much as the next guy and do that every 5-6k miles using MB 229.51 in the 20L tubs because as you say it’s so cheap . I don’t question the oil’s quality because it is cheap , for the same reason I don’t question the quality of MB branded filters (even though they don’t make them either ) , I just reckon if they have MB on them they are up there with the best of them .
Are you planning on keeping the car for a very long time or a very high mileage ?

Thanks for your advice. I have gone for the MB branded, 229.51.

I also have a Pela 6000 Oil pump at the local sorting office waiting to be collected. I normally drop oil from the sump but the Merc has at least one (I believe two) covers to negotiate off and I don’t fancy that whilst on my back.

This will (I hope) be the only car I’ve been able to access the oil filter without great difficulty, as it is easily accessible as soon as you lift the bonnet, which is a bonus

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[s5tuart]

Cough #9 cough

Price

 

[Wighty]

Thanks for your advice. I have gone for the MB branded, 229.51.

I also have a Pela 6000 Oil pump at the local sorting office waiting to be collected. I normally drop oil from the sump but the Merc has at least one (I believe two) covers to negotiate off and I don’t fancy that whilst on my back.

This will (I hope) be the only car I’ve been able to access the oil filter without great difficulty, as it is easily accessible as soon as you lift the bonnet, which is a bonus

Thanks for the help guys!

We all love a Pela pump in action picture , ideally with tea and biscuits in the shot as well

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks for your advice. I have gone for the MB branded, 229.51.

I also have a Pela 6000 Oil pump at the local sorting office waiting to be collected. I normally drop oil from the sump but the Merc has at least one (I believe two) covers to negotiate off and I don’t fancy that whilst on my back.

This will (I hope) be the only car I’ve been able to access the oil filter without great difficulty, as it is easily accessible as soon as you lift the bonnet, which is a bonus

Thanks for the help guys!

I’ve switched from the Pela to a ~£14 12v Electric pump from Lidl - I’ve also seen some on eBay for <£10.