ArmoE55

Hi all-
With a growing family (2 young boys) and thinking for more comfort on family hauls, I am selling my E55 for an ML - always been a fan of the CDI MLs and the Bluetec cars.

Once I sell the E55, I will be purchasing one. Timeframe is likely in the next 2-3 months. I simply can't justify keeping the E55 as it'll be 4 cars (wife's car and I have a weekend car, too).

I am posting to get feedback on particular years to avoid or models that typically have more problems than others.

I enjoyed driving my cousin's 2008 ML320CDI and that car seems to give him no issues whatsoever. The Bluetec cars are a bit more (newer, obviously) but have heard and read great things about those as well.

Some must haves: I would like a 4matic and diesel. I haven't really looked at available options, but I'm usually not picky as long as there's a CD player. Keyless Go would be great (I have that in my E55). Navigation is not a deal breaker. Black or a darker color preferred, but I'm open to just about anything.

Any other options you guys have and enjoy having or must have?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I'd like to educate myself a bit before hitting the market for one.


Thank you all for the help.

Shadow5501

Both the CDi and the Bluetec have the same basic OM642 V6 diesel motor. It picked up the Bluetec moniker with the addition of some newer emissions control technologies.

I like diesels for everyday transportation; lots of torque and lots of efficiency. I own a w211 E-class Bluetec. That said, I would steer you towards a petrol powered ML for two reasons. The first is there are two rather expensive and somewhat common repairs on the OM642. The oil cooler seals frequently begin leaking around 100K miles. The parts are only $150 to repair, but the labor is $2500 - the oil cooler is buried in the "V" of the engine. The second repair is the motor which controls the intake flaps. It sits under the turbo at the rear of the engine, and oil tends to drip on it from less than perfect sealing between the manifold and turbo intake. This shorts out the motor, which puts the engine in limp mode. About $1500 at dealer rates.

The second reason is simple economics. Gasoline is so much less expensive than diesel in the U.S. that is it cheaper to drive an ML350 than a Bluetec. Just avoid a car with the balance shaft problem on the M272 engine. It'll be less expensive to purchase, less expensive to operate, and less expensive to keep repaired.

My $.02.

ArmoE55

Thank you for the post, sir. That was very helpful. I will look at gasoline-powered MLs.

May I ask what vehicles had the balance shaft problem? M272?

Shadow5501

OK quick lesson in MB terminology. The M272 is an engine family. It's the DOHC V6 introduced in the US starting in 2006ish.

A V6 motor with a 90 degree angle between the cylinder banks requires a balance shaft to run smoothly. The balance shaft is driven by the camshaft timing chain. MB had a manufacturing problem where the drive teeth on the shaft wore down. This allows slack in the timing chain, which allows the cam shafts to flop around a little bit. The engine computer detects this lack of accurate cam timing and sets the CEL. The engine must be pulled to replace the balance shaft, hence the expense.

The problem occurred from 2006 into the 2008 model year. If you fire up your Google skills you should be able to find discussion of the affected engine numbers and timeframes. So either buy a newer vehicle outside the impacted range, or be sure the one you are looking at has been repaired.

beejAMG

good day! without any intentions of hijacking the thread from the op. im in the market for an ML as well. (posted my own thread too so hopefully a few would chime in)

concerned about the balance shaft issue, is this problem ONLY in the US or is it worldwide. Im from Sydney btw. cheers!

20swrt

Try to stay away from any ML with air suspension. In fact, as a general rule - the more "features" your car has - the more problems to fix in the long term.

Also one common issue with ML's - test drive it with the engine cold. Make sure it downshifts and upshifts smoothly. Stay away from one that shifts erratically especially downshifting from 2-to-1.

Whats your daily commute like ?

ArmoE55

Which MLs have air suspension? I am still on the fence if I want a diesel or gas.

My daily commute isn't bad at all, 14 miles each way, ~30/day.

Thank you for the posts..

20swrt

14 miles ok. yeah diesel is good if you drive more than 10-15 mi one way. Thats because newer diesels have DPF that makes it troublesome for short distance drivers. But hey - maybe later we can hack it so we can remove the DPF entirely (future plan).

ArmoE55

Looking at 4 different 2011 ML350 4matic. Do the 2011s have the airmatic? Major issues with the 2011s or are they fairly bulletproof?

20swrt

Just look under the front fenders and observe the struts of MLs with and without the air suspension. The struts look different.