The inspected Mercedes W203/S203 manual lists 5.5 litres with the oil filter for its C180 and C200 Kompressor entries. Their oil-approval column lists MB 229.3, 229.31, 229.5 and 229.51. Match the applicable manual and engine before buying; this is not a figure for every C180 or C200.
Coverage: 1.8-litre C180 Kompressor M271.946 and C200 Kompressor M271.940 in W203 saloon and S203 estate applications. Earlier M111 engines, the C200 CGI, newer W204 cars and other engines need separate checks. Sport Coupé parts coverage is identified separately in the buying guide.
What the inspected manual actually lists
| Named manual entry | Replacement amount with filter | MB sheets listed |
|---|---|---|
| C180 Kompressor | 5.5 litres | 229.3 / 229.31 / 229.5 / 229.51 |
| C200 Kompressor | 5.5 litres | 229.3 / 229.31 / 229.5 / 229.51 |
The reference is the Mercedes German-language saloon/estate manual, edition RE 2007/03. MANN identifies the 1.8-litre applications covered here as C180 Kompressor M271.946 and C200 Kompressor M271.940. Check those details with the manual supplied with your car.
The quantity is labelled as a replacement amount for the engine with filter. It is not a top-up instruction. Other C-Class engines have separate rows, so a capacity found for a V6, diesel or newer W204 should not be substituted.
How many litres should you order?
Five litres is less than the listed service amount. A five-litre container plus one litre, or another combination totalling at least 5.5 litres, covers the nominal purchase quantity. Check the total supplied volume when comparing prices.
Buying six litres does not mean all six should go into the engine. The final amount must be established using the correct filling and level-check procedure. For a top-up between services, add only what the car requires under its instructions.
Approval first, then the appropriate viscosity
An MB sheet number and a viscosity grade describe different properties. “5W-30”, “0W-40” or “Mercedes compatible” alone does not establish that a product has the required approval. Read the exact formulation’s approval declaration and the applicable vehicle guidance.
The manual’s viscosity section relates the SAE grade to outside temperature. Its XW-40-only footnote in the approval table belongs to the C55 AMG column, rather than creating a universal C180/C200 instruction. Likewise, the adjacent V6 entries mentioning 229.1 should not be copied into the Kompressor column.
A named option: Mobil 1 FS 0W-40
Mobil’s current UK product information lists Mobil 1 FS 0W-40 with MB-Approval 229.3 and 229.5. Those approvals appear in the inspected Kompressor table. It is a specific buying option where the car’s applicable guidance permits the approval and viscosity.
Affiliate link: as an Amazon Associate, Unusual Cars earns from qualifying purchases.
Search Amazon for Mobil 1 FS 0W-40The link opens a search. Confirm the complete FS 0W-40 name, approval, pack size and seller on the actual listing. Other Mobil formulations and unrelated items may appear; the search itself does not verify every result.
Oil-level checking: use the equipment fitted to the car
The reviewed manual specifies level ground and an engine-off waiting period: at least five minutes when the engine is at operating temperature, or at least 30 minutes if it was only started briefly and is not warm.
It describes both an on-board measurement and a dipstick method, with equipment-dependent instructions. Follow the method for your car. The dipstick illustration is labelled C350; do not turn its illustrated minimum-to-maximum quantity into an exact Kompressor top-up amount.
A service countdown and an oil-level reading are separate information. Address a level message under the vehicle’s instructions and avoid overfilling; the manual warns that excess oil can damage the engine or catalytic converter.
Does this capacity also cover the Sport Coupé?
The parts catalogue explicitly includes Sport Coupé applications, but the manual used for this oil table covers saloon and estate models. This page therefore does not extend its quantity or display procedure automatically to the Sport Coupé. Use that car’s applicable manual for those details.
Confirm the oil filter independently
MANN lists HU 514 x for the covered M271 engines. Keep the complete suffix when ordering; oil approval does not establish filter fitment. Our 203-series filters and spark-plugs guide checks this alongside the engine air and cabin filters.
Ask the invoice to record the oil product, approval and filter reference. Return to the W203/S203 maintenance guide to plan the other operations from the reminder and dated history.
Explore the Mercedes maintenance hub. For separate warning lamps, running faults, ESP or gearbox diagnosis, see our W203 diagnostic scanner guide.
Sources and applicability
- Mercedes manual, printed pages 322–324 / viewer pages 324–326: model-specific approvals, replacement amount and viscosity guidance.
- Mercedes manual, printed pages 183–184 / viewer pages 185–186: level-check conditions and equipment.
- Mobil UK: Mobil 1 FS 0W-40: current approval information.
- MANN HU 514 x current catalogue: covered filter applications.
Checked 20 October 2026. The primary manual reference is a German-language Mercedes saloon/estate manual mirrored by ManualsLib, edition RE 2007/03 a de, part 003 584 33 81. Match your own manual, service documentation and market specification. Its quantities and display instructions are not automatically extended to the Sport Coupé.
