Personally I would stick with the OEM*Mercedes filter kits, particularly for the fleece variety for extended interval and synthetic use.
If you're just talking generically and not for MBZ, I can't imagine STP oil*filters being any worse than any of the other aftermarket. STP has a reputation to maintain so I can't imagine they would market junk with their name on it.
I most often order from www.autohausaz.com. Hit $50 and you get free shipping, same deal as www.autopartswarehouse.com. Both have all sorts of stuff, good market prices, good folks. If you're going in from the top you'll also need a topsider/equivalent, if not pick up a couple of drain plug gaskets. I did an oil*change DIY that's in the sticky for this forum, it's got some useful tips. Whereever you buy, be sure to get the filter kit, which includes all of the o-rings.
The best deal I found on the net for a liquid extractor is at JC Whitney. It is a MityVac, the 8.8L model goes for $79.99. I am still contemplating whether to do it myself, or just pay the dealer $100 and be done with it. I tallied up my costs to do the initial oil/filter change myself, and it will run $80 for the extractor, $50 for oil, and roughly $12 for the filter. I am still thinking about it.
i didn't bother paying for the pump. i was surprised but i can actually remove the
'skid [sic] plate' and drain plug w/o jacking up the car. using a floor jack makes it
easier though. still, getting the drain plug out take no more than 5 mins so i drain
and go make a cappicino or something.
obviously, even after you purchase the pump, by oil change #2, you immediately
save the $80 so that change only comes down to $65...thereafter. of course, you
will need to find a oil reclaimer, but that's easy for me since it's at the local auto
parts store....at no charge.
i didn't bother paying for the pump. i was surprised but i can actually remove the
'skid [sic] plate' and drain plug w/o jacking up the car. using a floor jack makes it
easier though. still, getting the drain plug out take no more than 5 mins so i drain
and go make a cappicino or something.
obviously, even after you purchase the pump, by oil change #2, you immediately
save the $80 so that change only comes down to $65...thereafter. of course, you
will need to find a oil reclaimer, but that's easy for me since it's at the local auto
parts store....at no charge.
Hi, Raymond.
Just a quick note...if you use a jack you have to lift both front and rear. If you lift only one or the other the oil pan design will trap oil in the pan; some place I read it could be about 3/4 of a liter. To avoid this I drive the thing up on a curb on the driver's side, see the DIY post I did on it. That way it's level in the front-to-rear plane and leans towards the drain plug, with enough clearance I can get under easily. FWIW the cover is not a skid plate (sic or otherwise ), it has two purposes, one to keep junk from getting up into the engine bay and two to clean up airflow under the car to decrease drag.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
__________________ If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice. Meister Eckhart
When you learn from your own mistakes, that's experience.
When you learn from the mistakes of others, that's wisdom.
When you fail to learn from any mistakes, that's government.
), it has two purposes, one to keep junk from getting up into the engine bay and two to clean up airflow under the car to decrease drag.
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