C36 Urgent Oil Change

[McGreggor]

Hi,

My C36 is at about 104,000 miles at the moment, got a big service to do at 108,000 but as I have to drive to south spain & back through france, I though an oil change now would be a good idea. Stealership wants £250 for the job! I'm hoping someone can tell me the BEST oil to use in a C36, fully synthetic etc? Also a part number of the oil filter and any other bits I may need to change?

Also, my mechanic housemate says I can use any make of filter really, as there's little difference to what mercedes might use... this true?

cheers in advance....

 

[sym]

£250 ? What sort of oil does the C36 use ?

Is there something that makes the job more difficult on a C36 than on any other car ?

If not, I think they are taking you for a ride !

S.

 

[Aletank]

I think when you've asked the Dealer for a "Oil Change" they've quoted for a A-Service which is basically a oil change and a A-Service for a C36 probably costs £250

 

[Alps]

buy a filter from mercedes, the dealers actually use shell or mobil "semi-synthetic". unless you know your car has been on fully synthetic, probably best to stick to semi.

then you can get any garage to do the oil change! supply your own oil and filter!

 

[R2D2]

Where abouts in the country are you Mcgreggor?

 

[GregE240]

£250? They're havin a laugh.

You could do it yourself for about £85 if you bought the oil and filter yourself.

 

[C240Sport97]

why is it not advisable and/or not worth the extra expense to from semi to full synthetic?

the dealers actually use shell or mobil "semi-synthetic". unless you know your car has been on fully synthetic, probably best to stick to semi.

 

[McGreggor]

Am in the Brighton area, and yes, they quoted for a "fuilds service" or something similar, even though I kept saying "just an oil change please!" Can anyone say for sure if I really need to do this, as I've rembered the guy I bought the car from had the headgasket fail at 100,000 just before I bought it! I'm pretty sure the work that was done to replace the head gasket included changing the oil, but not 100% certain. I've been told by my mechanic housemate that it may be worth changing the oil a few 1000miles after the gasket change....

 

[McGreggor]

... I'm still wondering if I might be wise to just leave it untill I get back from Spain for the big service at 108,000....

Does anyone know if the C36 oil filter is different to the stock c280 filter? part number perchance?

 

[R2D2]

I know several reputable ways of getting that done around medway for 50 to 100!

 

[Satch]

If you only have 4000 miles to run to a full blown service and a lot of that will be on a long trip on open roads you should be OK with a good quality semi-synthetic as long as it meets the spec for your car. The only caveat would be if you intend to push it and/or thrash up mountain passes, in which case I would choose full synthetic.

Full synthetics are less inclined to break down with heat and time and are required in newer MB's because of the extended service interval. Also less volatile than conventional oil where the higher fractions evaporate off when hot, so barring leaks, etc you do not have to top up as much.

If full synthetic then for 4k miles only I would not buy a "big brand name" synthetic, so something like the Halfords own brand stuff (which many think is not that much different from Mobil 1 anyway) or perhaps Synol 10w40 full synthetic Oil (sold via Difflock.com) at £19.99 for 5 litres. The latter meets MB229.1 and MB229.3.

 

[230K]

Hi

Why not get the car serviced in France (it is a lot cheaper apparently) if you are driving through anyway.

230K

 

[pluggers]

Had my oil changed last week at an indi' garage took him 45mins working on his own with me chatting most of the time with him not rushed and was only charged £29 not synthetic oil but what the hell,Im happy :bannana:

 

[McGreggor]

I think I will look at service costs in France, makes sense if its cheaper... I am going ahead though with the oil change before my trip, as I do want to thrash it through the mountain passes! It just leaves me wondering which oil is the best... as some say semi synth, and some say fully synth... I have no idea whats in there already... Does AMG use a different oil for the C36, if so what cause I'd rather use the recomended....

 

[DITTRICH]

...see the thread "MB dealers in calais" - just search on "FRANCE"...
Rgds
Les

 

[McGreggor]

Thanks, I'm checking on French servicing now... and I've checked my service booklet, it shows the oil used has mainly been GTX Magnatec, though more recently mobil super S and BP 10/40 Super...

Does GTX come in Semi Synth AND fully synth?

 

[McGreggor]

Just got off the phone with the stealership, they recommend mobil 1 Fully synthetic, and as I dont know what oil is in there now, a FULL oil change.... does that mean it needs to be left draining for hours??

 

[R2D2]

Really you want it flushed through get all the gunk out then refilled (not overfilled)

 

[McGreggor]

Had it done today, and chatted with the guys working on it, I'm glad it was done as they said the old oil was "a bit sh*tty" as they put it. Then the muppets managed to overfill it I rekon its only about 1/2 a litre over, the level reaches the little bump thing on the top red marker...

As I have a boat to catch first thing tomorrow morning, I hope to be able to find a french "le quick-fit" and get some sucked out.. or drain a bit if they can.

Is this worthwile? I was thinking perhaps any damage has already been done driving home from the garage...? Also any pointers about what to look out for with an overfill might be handy! Please pray I make it to Spain!

Cheers all for your help

 

[sym]

Who did you get to do it in the end?

Shouldn't really be any excuse for overfilling it .... the idea is to put in the same amount that comes out!

Oh well .... hope you make it to Spain OK !

S.