So I'm really, really contemplating a diesel
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Mercedes e350 BlueTec
A question for those who have refilled their bluetec tank. Do just watch the level as you fill it with a flexible spout and stop pouring when it gets near the top.....or is there some trick to avoid spilling the fluid which apparently can cause a mess.
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From: Mason, OH
1985 380SL and 2011 E350 Diesel
I understand the fluid is very corrosive. I put a rag around the filler neck. I put a rag on the outside of the tank over where I held the 2.5 gallon container. One thing I didn't do but I will next time is put a dip stick in the tank before I fill it to see the fluid level. I definately don't want to overfill the tank. I also listened for the fluid level rising. I was in dead silence in my garage.
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From: Washington D.C.
11' E-350 BlueTec
My regular commute is about 30 miles in the greater DC area. In the morning it takes about 45minutes and the evening commute is about an hour and a half. About twice a week I go to a remote office about 70 miles away during non rush hours on a divided highway.
Because I have MD plates on my car I generally need to set the cruise to 4mph over when driving that particular route, so about 59mph.
The main reason I')d be looking at the diesel is the gas mileage. It would be a no brainer in Europe but here in the US the diesel prices make you think twice.
Because I have MD plates on my car I generally need to set the cruise to 4mph over when driving that particular route, so about 59mph.
The main reason I')d be looking at the diesel is the gas mileage. It would be a no brainer in Europe but here in the US the diesel prices make you think twice.
As a side note, I got the car from Euro Motor Cars and the process was extremely easy and they still have 2 left in stock (1 with the old COMAND/dash and 1 with the new one). Let me know if you have any questions and take advantage of the crazy residual values for leases (24 months) and incentives. Go for it!
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From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
You can actually hear it once it reaches the neck of the fill spout. Very simple. You can also visibly see the level once you are getting close to full. If you are worried about using the big jugs with the filler spout, you can get the .5 gallon jugs that have the AdBlue screw-on spout. Very nice. I keep a couple of them in my trunk near the tank. Just in case.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
CEB: I live in Springfield and drive to DC (Chinatown) every day. Yesterday I leased a 2011 E350 Bluetec and I'm extremely happy so far. My commutes is about 18 miles each way every day mostly on 395's HOV. This morning I checked the trip computer and it showed 29 MPG which I think is great!
As a side note, I got the car from Euro Motor Cars and the process was extremely easy and they still have 2 left in stock (1 with the old COMAND/dash and 1 with the new one). Let me know if you have any questions and take advantage of the crazy residual values for leases (24 months) and incentives. Go for it!
As a side note, I got the car from Euro Motor Cars and the process was extremely easy and they still have 2 left in stock (1 with the old COMAND/dash and 1 with the new one). Let me know if you have any questions and take advantage of the crazy residual values for leases (24 months) and incentives. Go for it!
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From: Washington D.C.
11' E-350 BlueTec
Good luck!
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From: KCMO
2017 S550 cabrio
You can actually hear it once it reaches the neck of the fill spout. Very simple. You can also visibly see the level once you are getting close to full. If you are worried about using the big jugs with the filler spout, you can get the .5 gallon jugs that have the AdBlue screw-on spout. Very nice. I keep a couple of them in my trunk near the tank. Just in case.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Call John Johnston. Do you qualify for the conquest cash? I did (X5) and got almost 10K off MSRP. I also did the MSD's and autopay to reduce the money factor. The one in Bethesda have 2 left. One has the old (59.7k) and one has the new (56.2k) COMAND and dashboard. Let me know if you need more info.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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Mercedes e350 BlueTec
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E350 BlueTEC
What are the opinions for that as a daily driver? Enough power for a quick merge on a freeway? Decent in snow with the correct tires?
Any downsides? I'm figuring that the torque makes up for lack of horsepower in normal driving.
I haven't owned a diesel in about 30 years and I figure they've probably changed a bit.
Any downsides? I'm figuring that the torque makes up for lack of horsepower in normal driving.
I haven't owned a diesel in about 30 years and I figure they've probably changed a bit.
I helped launch The Diesel Driver magazine almost two years ago because I believe in the concept (compared to hybrids and petrol). We have three diesels here, a BMW 335d, a Volkswagen Jetta, and a MB E350 BlueTec.
I picked up the 335d at the BMW Welt in Dec. 2009 and was the primary driver for 18 months. It is (as listerone noted) a fun car to drive, very different in character from the E-Klasse. But just as I enjoyed driving my 335d around Lime Rock, I still plan to do the same with the E-Klasse.
I only have 1289 km on it as of today but most of the 1200 km were on well-built Autobahnen driving at speeds ranging from 130 to 200 km/h. The car was rock solid at high speed but it was also responsive in twisties.
I've driven almost every diesel auto on the market in the U.S. (with minor exceptions, I haven't driven the R-Klasse but I have driven everything else) and I would without hesitation pick any one of those over a gasoline-powered vehicle.
I hope this info is helpful as you contemplate your next (diesel) vehicle.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
You are correct that diesels have changed - and for the most part for the better (the downside of the changes is that the additional electronics may make the engines less reliable over the very long term compared to the 300.000 km life expectancy you might have seen then).
I helped launch The Diesel Driver magazine almost two years ago because I believe in the concept (compared to hybrids and petrol). We have three diesels here, a BMW 335d, a Volkswagen Jetta, and a MB E350 BlueTec.
I picked up the 335d at the BMW Welt in Dec. 2009 and was the primary driver for 18 months. It is (as listerone noted) a fun car to drive, very different in character from the E-Klasse. But just as I enjoyed driving my 335d around Lime Rock, I still plan to do the same with the E-Klasse.
I only have 1289 km on it as of today but most of the 1200 km were on well-built Autobahnen driving at speeds ranging from 130 to 200 km/h. The car was rock solid at high speed but it was also responsive in twisties.
I've driven almost every diesel auto on the market in the U.S. (with minor exceptions, I haven't driven the R-Klasse but I have driven everything else) and I would without hesitation pick any one of those over a gasoline-powered vehicle.
I hope this info is helpful as you contemplate your next (diesel) vehicle.
I helped launch The Diesel Driver magazine almost two years ago because I believe in the concept (compared to hybrids and petrol). We have three diesels here, a BMW 335d, a Volkswagen Jetta, and a MB E350 BlueTec.
I picked up the 335d at the BMW Welt in Dec. 2009 and was the primary driver for 18 months. It is (as listerone noted) a fun car to drive, very different in character from the E-Klasse. But just as I enjoyed driving my 335d around Lime Rock, I still plan to do the same with the E-Klasse.
I only have 1289 km on it as of today but most of the 1200 km were on well-built Autobahnen driving at speeds ranging from 130 to 200 km/h. The car was rock solid at high speed but it was also responsive in twisties.
I've driven almost every diesel auto on the market in the U.S. (with minor exceptions, I haven't driven the R-Klasse but I have driven everything else) and I would without hesitation pick any one of those over a gasoline-powered vehicle.
I hope this info is helpful as you contemplate your next (diesel) vehicle.
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From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
The crystals form when the tank is allowed to run down slowly. By keeping the tank topped off, crystal formation is virtually eliminated.
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E350 BlueTEC
Danke. I am still tossing around the idea of a 335d as well.While I'd like a slightly larger car for over-the-road trips, there is that advantage about the devil you know. A local dealer has a nicely optioned M-sport 335d in Space Gray for a good price. It seems that 335d's have stopped selling and I can't seem to find a MB with P2 and Parktronic.
The E-Klasse can be ordered - and you can do European Delivery if you want (for some European Delivery pictures see my article here).
Keep in mind that the 335d is essentially still a 2005 design (I picked up my first E90 3er in Nov. 2005 in Munich) - and some of the technology that is in newer BMWs is not available in it (blind spot detection, lane departure warning, newer digital display in center of dash) while the E-Klasse is a year or two old.
Both are great cars. Get one of each.
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From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
I believe so. I just had my 20K service done. They noted that my AdBlue tank was full on my service ticket. They did not do that service. I have heard some MB dealers are doing them and that some are saying it is not important unless the tank is very low.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
The 335d is no longer in production so you can't order one.
The E-Klasse can be ordered - and you can do European Delivery if you want (for some European Delivery pictures see my article here).
Keep in mind that the 335d is essentially still a 2005 design (I picked up my first E90 3er in Nov. 2005 in Munich) - and some of the technology that is in newer BMWs is not available in it (blind spot detection, lane departure warning, newer digital display in center of dash) while the E-Klasse is a year or two old.
Both are great cars. Get one of each.
The E-Klasse can be ordered - and you can do European Delivery if you want (for some European Delivery pictures see my article here).
Keep in mind that the 335d is essentially still a 2005 design (I picked up my first E90 3er in Nov. 2005 in Munich) - and some of the technology that is in newer BMWs is not available in it (blind spot detection, lane departure warning, newer digital display in center of dash) while the E-Klasse is a year or two old.
Both are great cars. Get one of each.
I was trying to get a deal by buying an '11 off the lot. MD is one of those "pay sales tax only on the difference" states, so it generally makes sense to trade in a car (or sell it privately for significantly more.) That's not really feasible on ED.
You do make good points on the older technology and this morning I've found a 'small SD card' (ie newer COMAND) diesel E350 semi-locally that has both options I'm looking for, but it has MB-Taxi instead of leather. It likely makes little difference but after equating with MB-tex with taxis for a zillion years in Europe makes the mental transition difficult.
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From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
Like I said,pay no attention to any salesman who mentions a USB port in the glovebox...that's an entirely different feature.
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From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
Worries...worries...worries!
Last edited by listerone; Oct 7, 2011 at 11:01 AM.
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E350 BlueTEC
You do make good points on the older technology and this morning I've found a 'small SD card' (ie newer COMAND) diesel E350 semi-locally that has both options I'm looking for, but it has MB-Taxi instead of leather. It likely makes little difference but after equating with MB-tex with taxis for a zillion years in Europe makes the mental transition difficult.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
One quick point...if the SD card feature is at all important to you be aware that the BMW can play from SD cards as well if it has a particular option (can't recall the option name or code).Mine had the option and it was great being able to play my MP3's that way.To check if the option is on the vehicle check the center armrest compartment (not the glovebox...different feature) and if you see a USB port in addition to the 3.5mm jack port then you're good to go.Otherwise...no.
Like I said,pay no attention to any salesman who mentions a USB port in the glovebox...that's an entirely different feature.
Like I said,pay no attention to any salesman who mentions a USB port in the glovebox...that's an entirely different feature.
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E350 BlueTEC
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Mercedes e350 BlueTec
Comand 4.5 works well with the iphone 4 loading contacts, but I have problems with my verizon iphone 4 which sometimes rings and I can't answer the call with the car. I haven't isolated this yet to make it repeatable enough to report it to the dealer, but it's happened about 5 times now and it's getting annoying. It could be iphone code or could be bluetooth code in comand 4.5.
And yes, the connection cables/plugs are in the center console, but the iphone cable is too short to keep the iphone out of the center console, so I run mine on a thin 2' USB to iphone cord (ebay) which allows me to keep the phone in the cup holders (which I need to do since sometimes the phone rings and I can't pick it up, etc).
Last edited by ghstudio; Oct 7, 2011 at 10:54 PM.
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From: SE Pennsylvania, USA
2009 CLS550
Use an Extension Cable
I bought a 1 meter iPhone "Dock extension cable" on ebay for about $10USD that allows me to use a windshield suction mount for my iPhone4. Works great, and the cable is thin enough to permit the glove box door to close. Also allows me to check Email at rest stops while music is still playing. Very handy.
Last edited by NJSailRacer; Oct 8, 2011 at 09:04 AM.
