Synthetic or Conventional?

[pd171]

Just ordered a 300C (Black with smokers group and HIDs).
I have heard that synthetic should not be used until the engine has been broken in. Is this true? If so how many miles should I wait?
I know I have a long time to think about it since I just ordered it yesterday.

[RobertR]

I own a Prowler and frequent the Prowleronline.com board. There has been much discussion there about synthetic oil, it has been pointed out that Viper's come from factory with Mobile 1 in the engine, so why the waiting period? The general opinion is to wait the normal 3000 miles and then put the synthetic in if you want.
I do run my Prowler with Mobile 1, put very few miles on my car only change the oil once a year.

Bob

[II kings 9:20]

There are some great discussions in previous threads on oil changing and which oils to use. Just scroll through for some excellent info.

[E55 KEV]

All Mercedes and especially AMG's come from the factory with Mobil-1. Mercedes does not allow conventional oil in the current 3 valve/2 plug engines since 1998. The Dino oil was gumming up the engine with sludge buildup.

[james jefferson]

castrol told me that i can install synthetic oil anytime (naturally they prefer you use castrol syntec) and would not void waranty. and i changed to syntec at 300 miles.

[E55 KEV]

I too will be using 7 quarts of Castrol Syntec on the first change. We won a free 6 pack when we attended SEMA International Auto Salon in Atlantic City in May. www.semaias.com

[II kings 9:20]

Mobil 1 for me, I will probably not wait any longer than it takes me to get it in the garage. My X5, all Vettes, Porsche et. al. come from the factory with synthetics.

[joey]

I have never used synthetic oil.
Is it really better than regular oil?
Any website links to an unbiased comparison between synthetic vs. regular oil?

[II kings 9:20]

Originally Posted by joey

I have never used synthetic oil.
Is it really better than regular oil?
Any website links to an unbiased comparison between synthetic vs. regular oil?

try www.thebestoil.com which is biased however the info on oil is supposed to be independent I think done by SAE looking at shear strenght, cold pour point, 4 ball wear test etc. I know many people who have over 200K on thier cars with regular oil. I prefer synthetics for many reasons listed in other oil threads in the forum. The best test for synthetic oil is to leave a qt outside at 15 below with regular oil and witness for yourself the unbiased info you get when you pour a little of each out synthetic=normal flow, regular=molasses. Which will protect best at cold (even summer) start up where 80% of wear occurs?

[BrilliantBlackHemi]

For an Ad-Nausium discussion about the subject of oil, go here Bob Is the Oil Guy