When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Even though the US is the biggest oil producer in the world, it turns out the base oil that’s refined into synthetic oil for car engines mostly comes from the Middle East. According to the Independent Lubricants Manufacturers Association, 44% of the synthetic engine oil that’s used in the US comes through the straits of Hormuz. And the biggest refinery for synthetic oil in Qatar, which is operated by Shell, was partly damaged by an Iranian ballistic missile attack.
A big spike in engine oil won’t only hurt motorists, it will hurt fleet operators and car dealers who offer pre-paid and lifetime maintenance programs. So while there’s been a lot of attention on the price of a barrel of oil, and the price of a gallon of gasoline and diesel, next on the list will be the price of an oil change.
Matt, I'm not sure you are going to enjoy this car.
Generally, they are pretty reliable but the routine service needs to be done. Some of it gets expensive. Engine air filters, cabin air filters, and so forth.
If you have the magic vision windshield wipers , I have some perhaps unwelcome news. The blades run about $150 a set.
But they are magnificent.
Brakes are gonna set you back a few sheckles. Quite a few.
I recommend you put on the blinders and focus on the spectacular handling and acceleration, and yes that smooth linear braking from a buck down to thirty or so coming into that ramp without any drama or concern. Just nicely modulated pedal all they way through.
One of my rants a few weeks back, we are oil producing nations but our citizens pay top dollar for gasoline and oil based products in this man-made oil crisis, so our pricing is based on market prices set around the world. That sucks and we are being raped by oil companies and those who manipulate the markets.
Matt, I'm not sure you are going to enjoy this car.
Generally, they are pretty reliable but the routine service needs to be done. Some of it gets expensive. Engine air filters, cabin air filters, and so forth.
If you have the magic vision windshield wipers , I have some perhaps unwelcome news. The blades run about $150 a set.
But they are magnificent.
Brakes are gonna set you back a few sheckles. Quite a few.
I recommend you put on the blinders and focus on the spectacular handling and acceleration, and yes that smooth linear braking from a buck down to thirty or so coming into that ramp without any drama or concern. Just nicely modulated pedal all they way through.
I ran across this informative video on YouTube that you may find helpful as well?
As you get into the higher end vehicles those rules change a bit. You aren't talking about a C300 they made 60,000 of. You're talking limited production numbers.
The rear brakes,
Brembo 2224232012, 09C12833 Disc Brake Rotor; Rear - Mercedes https://share.google/xo1JQdycQYs1KoyLw
$1,549.99. And yes that's each. It's about another 350 for pads.
These are a two piece rotor the top hat is stamped separately from the the rotor for thermal isolation.
Ironically the fronts are only $527.99. each probably because they don't have the parking brake mechanism.
But doing all fours corners is still a $5k job with no labor.
Luckily everything I've read about Costco full synthetic has been good. Might stock up. Unfortunately there is no 5-40 German spec Kirkland synthetic but their sale prices on Mobil 1 are good.
Have been running it in the S2000 and the wifey's RX350 to good effect thus far. I still drain from the pan on the RX and S2000. Not sure I completely trust the extractor and the Audi doesn't get much use.
When I do the changes on my MBs I use the extraction method but I tend to believe they developed the method and engines together.
I'll be able to validate that when I swap the oil pan on my GL550 (someday)
Of course the AMG GTS is dry sump which a whole other level of pain.
Ironically it only takes 7 quarts but you need to get it just right. Too little and it will bitch at you about low oil levels.
To much and it will bitch at you that you overfilled it.
And temperature matters. Oil swells as it gets hot.
So you have to set the level with the engine hot.
Even though the US is the biggest oil producer in the world, it turns out the base oil that’s refined into synthetic oil for car engines mostly comes from the Middle East. According to the Independent Lubricants Manufacturers Association, 44% of the synthetic engine oil that’s used in the US comes through the straits of Hormuz. And the biggest refinery for synthetic oil in Qatar, which is operated by Shell, was partly damaged by an Iranian ballistic missile attack.
A big spike in engine oil won’t only hurt motorists, it will hurt fleet operators and car dealers who offer pre-paid and lifetime maintenance programs. So while there’s been a lot of attention on the price of a barrel of oil, and the price of a gallon of gasoline and diesel, next on the list will be the price of an oil change.
The supply of base stock of engine oil Group 3 and 4 is much worse than gasoline and diesel. This also affects plastics used in retail for containers.
Oil changes could get expensive
