brusk

I'm looking at getting rid of my Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi that hauls my toys and boat for something smaller and diesel. Looking at either 08 Jeep Grand Cherokee with MB 3.0 diesel, ML320/350 diesel or BMW X5 35d.

How is the reliability of the MB 3.0? I know the BMW has had EGR and carbon issues. One complaint I've heard is the sluggishness/slowness of the 7 speed trans in the MB's where the Jeep uses the older 5 speed auto that isn't as noticeable. Both seem to get the same fuel mileage, I would think the extra gears might help with towing though. I like to tow my bass boat or ATV's and normal speeds on the highway 5-10 over the speed limit

Any other wisdom that can be shared would be great.

kajtek1

You did not specify, but 3l are V6 engines marketed as Bluetec.
Our 2008 E320Bluetec is well past 170k performing flawlessly. The only know issue on those engines are oil cooler seals that need to be replaced at some time.
Very cheap part, but comes with massive labor as the cooler is buried in engine valley.
I love the 7 sp as well. It delivers great economy and what even more important to me - the response is much quicker.
When diesel pull on top gear just fine for conservative passing, when I really punch it, it will take less than a second to drop 2 gears and the "econobox" car become bad-*** vehicle. Far cry to 5-sp where you push the pedal to the floor and "let's see what will happen?"
You will find reports about 350 Bluetec seizing at low mileage. Something with not determinated roots IMHO, but worth checking.

brusk

I'm open to either the 320 or 350 Bluetec. I thought they were basically the same just with a name change. Although testing shows the ML350 to be quicker but assumed it was just a little tuning difference to take off or shift quicker.

kajtek1

From top of my head 3.5 has about 30% more HP than 3l.
I consider my 3l a beast to drive and would the reliability of 3.5 be confirmed, it would be on top of my search list for next year.
Still the car we have is good for next 20 years, so getting newer/more powerful is pure snobbery.

brusk

The ML350 Bluetec still has the same 210HP 3.0 Diesel. That's why I heard it really was just a name change. I like the power only cause I like to tow my two ATV's like they aren't even there and still do 75-80MPH on the highway. I can do that with my Hemi but its really noticeable on hills and gets like 11MPG tops when I do. that's with a programmer to help power and fuel.
We towed my ATV's and his once (5 Total) with 5 adults in his Ecodiesel Ram and still averaged 21MPG and did 75-80 like it was nothing.

kajtek1

350 Bluetec is advertised as 240HP ,but could not find official tech specs.
Technology those days change on daily bases.
I ordered new Ford Truck with diesel engine.
440 HP and still can make 25 mpg in 7000lb truck.
Will see in a month.

brusk

No kidding, just did more research. I didn't look past 2011. 2012 went to 240HP. I'll have to put that on the list to go drive.

arto_wa

I hope nobody is taking the 25 mpg seriously...

kajtek1

Why not?
My 2007 F350 dually makes honest 16 mpg with CC set at 70 mph.
When driven at 45 mph, the ScanGauge shows in the range of 40 mpg, but I never had patience to drive like that for long.

arto_wa

Coasting downhill in neutral would be even better...

oldsinner111

3.5 v6 gas is junk,and v6 diesel is aluminum block.A diesel needs to be cast iron block for it to last long.

kajtek1

That is "old school" thinking.
Fact is technology keeps surprising me on daily basis.
In my younger years I spend lot of time building models of airplanes.
At the time building a model, where miniature engine (running on ether) would have more pull than model weight was a success.
Electric engines were worthless in the hobby.
Today electric-powered models not only can hoover on the engine trust, but they can actually fly backwards (reversing propeller pitch).
Add to that that helicopter models can hoover 3" above the ground ON THEIR BACK
So if you tell me I can't walk on the ceiling, I will answer "give it some time"
.

sak335

I have a 2012 GL 350 Blutech. It's got 55k miles on it and has spent more time in the shop than on the road. I'm currently replacing the timing chain, which has stretched and is rattling. If you read the GL forums, this is quite normal, but that's probably because the people with the problems are all posting here looking for answers as to how "legendary Mercedes reliability" could be such a myth.

Just 5000 miles ago, the dealership replaced the turbo oil cooler seals under warranty, even though it was slightly out of warranty (about a week.) That's apparently a 20+ hour job as they sit in the V and there is an incredible number of things that have to be removed to get to them.

I'll not buy another one, wouldn't recommend that anybody does, and won't buy another Mercedes Benz product as long as I live. But maybe I'm just bitter that such an expensive vehicle has been such a disappointment, as well as the company that built it.

Trae

I guess it all depends on who you listen to.......

Just got back into diesels after driving a lackluster, gas-guzzling Escape Hybrid for eight years.

Was looking at approx. 5 year old BMW x5 or the ML350 Bluetech when I called my mechanic buddy who works in the north suburbs of Chicago & has probably worked on more BMWs and MBs than any mechanic outside of Germany

He said hands down get the Bluetech, over the BMW; he said after several years the BMWs spend a lot more time in the shop for pretty much everything that can ail a used SUV. Get the Benz you won't be sorry. So I did.

I've seen the threads about blown engines and such but I figure there are always horror stories. My buddy's seen everything that can go wrong with all makes of cars and operates by the law of large numbers. His family drives 5 MBs, 2 ML 350s. Good enough for me.

brusk

Well good or Bad I picked up an 08 ML320 CDI with 109K miles on it. Overall in really good condition. I drove the BMW and really liked in but I got a great deal on the ML. And insurance was like 400 a year more for the BMW somehow.

kajtek1

ML could be classify as off-roader and those always generate high premiums.
Anual insurance with AAA for our Bluetec sedan is about $260.
It went up when we moved from San Francisco East Bay to Vegas.

StradaRedlands

Question for the oil-burner crowd: Can oil cooler seal leaks be visually identified easily? I'm going to be looking at an '07 E320 this weekend, and am told it has an oil leak. Will it be obvious if coming from the cooler, or best if I arrange a PPI? I don't getting the inspection, just wondering if I could identify the oil cooler as the culprit. If it's obviously that, I don't mind getting it, just want to knock a couple grand off the asking price...

kajtek1

Oil cooler on 3l V6 is buried in the valley of the engine.
You can't see it even after taking cover off.
You will find some videos on youtube how owners figured out oil cooler leak seeing oil dripping from valley gutter.
You see oil running down the block on this engine, 99.99% it is oil cooler. .. maybe even more.

StradaRedlands

Thanks for clarifying. I kinda' figured that was the case, but wanted to confirm. Probably need to focus on getting the PPI done on it by the local indy.
Thanks!