C43 oil consumption?

[gaz_l]

Hello all, first post in the technical section..

After filling up today (101.9 for Optimax.. bl**dy hell), I thought it was time to check the dipstick. Turned out it was low, so bought me a litre of Mobil 1 to top up with. That went in, and it is on the happy end of the dipstick now.

Now, I've had the car a month or so and put about 1500 miles on the clock.. but didn't check it when I bought it. Does the C43 engine use much oil? I'm new to MB ownership.. having come from a line of Jap cars which have all used none whatsoever between changes. Having said that, I know a couple of Porsche owners who just accept that their engines need regular top ups.. and their cars are much newer than mine.

Hopefully I don't have a problem (it certainly doesn't leak any, and I've never seen any smoke from the exhaust), but I'd like to hear of other owner's views...

Thanks,

Gaz

 

[Mambo]

No need to worry mate - mine used to drink oil to, scared me also to start with but it is perfectly normal

 

[Birdman]

I think I have the same basic V8 engine as you, the M113 with 3 valves per cylinder (the E55 has a longer stroke version of the 5-litre engine). I've never been able to put in more than a litre between services - normally it won't take even that much. Typically mine goes 13,500 between services.

Could there be a systematic difference between the oil consumption of the two engine varients? Shouldn't have thought so but there you go.

 

[996jimbo]

I get through quite a bit of oil also. My Range Rover (V8) before it did and my Alfa (V6) before that did. So long as there is no sign of the oil heading off in to the cooling system or smoke in the exhaust I wouldn't worry.