JenMLblu2010

Hello everyone! I have spent countless hours lurking here and really appreciate everything I've learned...
I drive a 2010 ML350 Blutec 39,200 miles on it.

I LOVE my MB! Want to keep it, husband wants to buy me new car.

Cons-
I live in IL and filling the tank has become difficult.
I recently found out that my favorite station switched to B11, I believe there is only ONE station somewhat locally with B5 or less.
I ask % of bio before I fill my tank, most employees have no idea. One station had 3 different guys tell me it was B5, then a different employee pulled out the gas invoices and it showed they had been getting B11 for the past year!

(In the summer I fill my tank in MI or IN, no biodiesel.)

Major service and brakes soon will add up to $2000 - $3000. Tires coming up too?
Husband would rather use that cash for buying me a new car.
I test drove 2013 ML 350 gas engine. It was great but can't get over the gas mileage.


LOVE my car. I do love a new car but gas mileage in MB and other luxury brands sucks. This Diesel ruined me!

I asked dealer for a printout of maintenance schedule/costs up to 60k miles, he wouldn't do it.
I keep my 2010 for a couple years, what can I expect?

EdzBenz

It really depends upon whether or not your likeness of the car outweighs future maintenance costs and limited supply of fuel. If you keep it, try to get an extended warranty on the car to help with maintenance costs if it isn't out of regular warranty yet. I would also get some insight from other diesel experts as to the problems you could experience with B11 as opposed to B5. Ask your question at this forum: www.peachparts.com. There are a lot of diesel members there and they can provide insight.
I'm not familiar with the bluetec engine, so what I'm suggesting below is a guess. B11 may just mess with the AdBlue/exhaust system and not have an affect on the engine. However, I have heard that higher concentrations, like 50/50 of biodiesel can have an affect on the fuel delivery system. If it turns out that it is only the exhuast system that is affected then you do have some remedies. Call a tuning company like www.speedtuning.com and ask if they have a DPF delete program for your car. The idea is to eliminate the use of the AdBlue system all together if the B11 will ruin it. A tuning program will eliminate the cost of having to buy the AdBlue and allow you to fill up at most diesel pumps. You live in Illinois, so your car is not subject to annual inspection by the DMV. The only thing you need to keep in mind is to reverse the tuning program back to normal operation of the DPF if you ever sell the car and that's easy to do.

Plutoe

I think that your husband is very smart to offer you another NEW MB. I would jump on him, literally.

The down side, if he can't write the loss off, is when you go to trade the smoker in. That paper loss, obviously would not be realized if you keep the car and those opportunity costs could be used to offset future repair costs.

Additionally,if you can you may want to purchase an extended warranty policy, but read the fine print.

What I would not do is to try and eliminate the DPF system. If you live in an emissions testing state or try to sell to a user, and not tell him you eliminated a part of the emissions system there are legal ramifications that will far out weigh the price of the car. Simply don't do anything stupid!!

Good luck with you decision

JenMLblu2010

Thanks so much for the responses
I really have no idea what I am going to do. I am head over heals in love w this car and the gas mileage. Unfortunately, I'm a girl and like shiny new things. Will let you know what I find out about effects of B11.
Thanks,
Jen

theunderlord

What newer diesels with DPF or UREA can tolerate more than 5% Biodiesel?

read: why would a gas station carry 11% ?

JenMLblu2010

Only in Illinois! Huge tax break for stations once they hit 10% Biodiesel. Most new diesel owners fill their car with anything labeled "diesel", they do not know what biodiesel is and they don't care.
Car shopping this week, MB is only dealer that warned me of the IL biosiesel situation. They do not stock ANY ML diesels in IL.
Bmw & Audi sales had no clue as to what I was talking about. They argued w me that ANY diesel gas was fine. They fill up at 20% bio across street. Owners manual requires 5% or less.

MinnBobber

Hi,
are you stuck on ML or open to options, MB options?

I had two V8 MLs and went for .....E350 Wagon.... and love it.
MPG within 1 hwy mpg of BlueTec ML.
About 80% of ML cargo volume.
Superb handling and I love the look.
Very unique--see hundreds of MLs for every EWagon.
Classy interior.
Seats 7, 5 + 2 minis in back

Looks are personal but I find the E Wagon to be the hottest vehicle out there.

JenMLblu2010

Nice recommendation, didn't even think of looking at wagon. I will look at it this weekend at dealer

MinnBobber

Here in MN, the 3 dealers rarely have an EWagon in stock. You may want to call your dealer(s) first to see if they have any to look at/ test drive.

I've only had mine a short time but the more I drive it, the more I like it.

ImInPA

Most. The issue isn't that Bio is harmful, the issue is that the US has no standards and quality can vary dramatically. In Europe I believe B100 and B20 are quite common.

theunderlord

Agreed,

There have been tons of threads on the TDi forums where people specifically in Illinois are using the B11 with zero problems at all.

On my Duramax, I took all of the stupid emissions crap off, and then I could run whatever blend I wanted.

The only thing you need to make sure of is oil dilution.


It seems insane to me that due to all of the new-fangled DPF/Urea nonsense, you can't run pure biodiesel in a newer diesel vehicle.

Carsy

In the land of the free it is incredible that you cannot refuel your car on B5 or less. We have a choice here in Aust.

You should talk to your politicians to get real on this & your fuel quality. !! The rest of the world is well ahead of you.

In my opinion your countries grain would be better used to feed people & stock.

JenMLblu2010

I traded in the blutec yesterday. Cried like a baby. Feeling much better now as I am driving a 2013 ML350 Palladium/black w chrome package. Ahhhh, that new car smell!
Thanks everyone for the input!

Carsy

Congratulations . Have a long & happy ownership.