Help please 2012 ML 350 BlueTec
 

Hi,
I don't know if I should keep this car or sell it. Not sure how much I can get for it. Here is the history

***has never ever had bio-diesel only pure diesel


1- one owner, bought new
2- Silver 151,000 miles. Very good condition, a couple of dings and scratches but looks great
3- Has had all needed and recommended service done at MB
4- recently Had an oil leak due to bad seal of oil filter and a small hose, was just fixed $1300
5- recently heating element for blue was faulty and they fixed it $1200
6- new tires
7- set of new snow tires and extra rims $1300

I love the car but am afraid it's going to cost more and more to maintain with the high mileage. What do you think I can get for it?

TIA

Ummm mm


What do you want to do with it?

You can tune out the emissions stuff for 1000 and it will continue to run without issue for years.

Or if you don't it will continie to have issues.

I'm not very mechanical when it comes to cars. What do you mean tune out emission stuff? Here in Illinois we do have emission tests once every two years I think. Would it still pass the test?

TIA

it would not pass emissions unfortunately.

therr are kits to delete dpf egr def etc.

So that's a no go. What do you think I can get for this car? Set of extra wheels and snow tires and no mechanical or major cosmetic problems. 151k miles.

According to gde. Yes.

http://www.greendieselengineering.co.../list/204.page

It's kind of the point of these tunes. If you're interested in, its best to contact gde directly and ask what they can offer you.


I wouldn't pay more than 10k knowing the issues.
Would expect around 14-16k maybe less with your mileage. Its worth a fraction of what you paid new. Best to keep a paid off car and do a tune in my opinion that gets rid of all the expensive headaches.

The car has no issues and runs great. But hate to pay the insurance for it. What I'm really asking is am I going to run into multiple expensive problems? I originally bought the diesel for longevity and fuel economy. But m afraid the repairs will send me to the poor house.

This gde modification is supposed to get rid of the blue all together?

Looks to me you already did.
I understand that 3 or 4 of us on this forum - disputing problems with emission systems on Bluetec might create a paranoia between other owners, but that is not how life works.
Don't know how many Bluetecs were sold in America, but must be big thousands, so less than handful guys cutting the corners on dealers's bills are not making big statistics.
So let's focus what we know about your OM642 engine
- it has weak oil cooler seals - not sure if I read it right, but sound like already fixed under #4
- has not reliable DEF heaters - fixed alread
-has DPF who clogs on short and cold drives.
The last issue still has potential to bite you, but just months ago, ScanGauge made gauges for our Bluetecs, where you can monitor DPF and soot level.
Did not check lately gauges for OM642 engine, but I drive with gauges on my "other" OM651 engine and it works perfect. Takes about 600 miles (tankful) between regenerations, but when I see soot coming close to 100% , I make sure I have plenty of fuel (1/4 tank required per MBII) and when regeneration starts, I make sure I drive till soot comes to 0.
One time I aborted regeneration at 26% soot level and next cycle was showing crazy numbers.
To date I am less than 2000 miles monitoring the system, but sounds like with just a bit of care, I can avoid future DPF problems.
So what was the question?

I'm very confused.

You have to pay insurance regardless. Are you trying to convince yourself to get rid of the car?
If insurance is so expensive change companies. I pay around 1000 per annum for the 10 gl with 300/300/100 limits. 500 deductible and 0 comprehensive with 1 teenager and 2 college kids. It shouldn't be that expensive for you.

Yes. Youll continue to have issues if you don't tune it out with a reliable and dependable company.

But yiuve already paid so much into it. Heater. Oil cooler leak. Tires. Wjnter tires. Oil done at mb. You might as well do the tune and keep the car around.


The tune makes the engine the reliable dependable fuel efficient workhorse it really is. Usa emissions suck. European mb diesels do not come close to the myriad of issues us mb diesels have.

Learn to diy the oil change and it will make you feel for the engine a little more. The engine likes fresh oil and 5k oil changes, all mbs do.

My extended warranty paid out so much already on my gas gl, why wouldn't I keep it after it expires. The car is worth close to nothing and everything that could break has been replaced.
Sams with yours. If you get a tune you can get rid of the expensive Headaches. Or you can watch the dpf maintain it like mentioned.

You'll probably have to replace the egr valve or the oil cooler seperate cover. But those are tiny worries.

You've gotten to 150k. Most owners have a host of issues yoi haven't had so you must be doing it right. Look at the thread below this. The guy has a 10 gl350 and has gone through 2 engines looking for a third.

You don't have to go for a tune. You've repaired some of the problems already. You obviously drive high mileage which this car loves. But you can do the tune, you'll get more hp better fuel economy and no headaches.


Really up to you.

Wow, that's ya lot of info over my head lol. Thanks though. I may look into it if I keep the car.

I pay about the same for insurance. Maybe a bit more. You're right. I should keep the car. I really like the car but I don't usually drive it. It's my wife's daily. I could garage my A7 in the winter and drive this car. Thanks again for all your help.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...f0da0cff02.jpg
Yeah, wife can make different situation.
Years ago on wife SUV I had custom wheels with $500 tires (each) so I installed add-on TPMS that plugs into cigarette lighter socket.
Took mine business trip when the alarm come on. So what DW did? She pulled the plug.
Fortunately the leak was very slow and she did not ruin the tire before my return.
So what kind of commute your wife does? Is she observant? Will she observe the gauges?
If not- you better drive it in the winter, or at least on days when soot is above 90%.
Here is a picture how ScanGauge fits my car.

Thats new information.

If it's your wife's daily and she wants a new car....she'll probably end up in a new car 😝

Your best bet is to call gde or any of the other reputable tune companies to see what they can offer, whether it allieves some of your fears and worries or doesn't.

This is a doom and gloom article. But do read it.
http://www.stephensservice.com/bluet...ssuesproblems/

The diesel has issues, but they can be fixed or made redundant.
Removing the heat pans under the car. Spin on enlarged oil filter. 5k oil changes. Maintainimg dpf levels. Getting a tune. Etc.

I find it best to make an informed decision. And then sleep on it. And then think some more.

You've paid so much already, depreciation and repairs for some issues. Might as well enjoy the car as a "beater"

Nah. She is getting a new car. I am the one who pushed for diesel and will be driving it myself from here on. I'm going to keep the car and do your recommendations and that tuning. Thanks. Is that monitor system hard to install?

Enlarged oil filter? Can you elaborate on that please?

if I were you I would keep the car.
Like everyone mentioned, the issues you have faced seem to be fixed. It looks like your oil filter housing gasket was damaged and replaced. Has your oil cooler seal ever gone out?

recommendations from me.
Oil changes every 5k.
Enlarged oil filter using kit (https://www.pktfilterinsert.ca/)
Monitoring soot levels.

Concerning the tune, contact GDE, I’m not sure how emissions will pass without the DPF as that is a law to have it but I am not caught up too much in it to know for sure.

do you have a link of which tool Scantool you have?

Bern linked it but it is also in the Stephens service article.

Essentially it is an adaptor that spins on to the original oil filter housing and allows a spin on larger oil filter to be used for better filtration.

P.s. Which winters are you running? I'm ruining michelin pilot alpin pa5 suv and I'm very pleasantly surprised. Running 255/55/19

These are some deferred maintenance kits from fcp euro. Keepin mind they also have a lifetime replacement guarantee so you'll get your money back on anything you return including oil.

I highly recommend the step 1 package.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/6-c...i-moly-lmk0009

Step 2
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/6-c...i-moly-lmk0010

Oil change
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...-6421800009-9l
Or
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...oly-6421800009

Differential service kit
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...01989330310kt1

Tranny kit
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...-moly-7229late

It plugs into OBD.
The only issue is finding good spot for it on dashboard.
Before you go to any extreme, do some research.
IMHO removing belly pans and adding bigger oil filter is extreme.
I think I put my cars to higher extremes than most owners as often I drive in 120F temperatures, yet my cars never overheat. Actually driving 1998 MB diesel in California - I removed engine fan blades and used it for 4 years depending on natural air flow and electric booster fans on front. Recorded 114F stuck in traffic on desert and no overheating.
Same with oil filters. I inspect the elements and filter housing at each oil change and I change oils at 13k intervals. Never have seen any deposits there, but than I am religious about using the best fluids I can get.

ScanGauge doesn't specifically list ML 350 BlueTec. Is it the same as The Sprinter model? What engine is in my car OM642?

TIA

Yup, OM642

Shoot ScanGauge email asking about support for your vehicle.
They send my 2 recorders for my Bluetecs and I send them records from 2008 Bluetec several months ago. When they did Xgauge for OM651 engine pretty fast, they were "working" on one for OM642.
Other member send them another recording from his car, so they have all they need to make proper X-gauge. Sprinters use the same block engine, but with different attachments, so when it might work, you want confirmation.
Just notice ScanGauge raised the price by $30 in last months.
Too many MB owners buying them? ;)

And get back to us with their response please. I want to pick one up as well.

Use a good 5w40 oil (amsoil one below is 229.51). Flush on every oil change the Orings on the power steering reso (i added a cardone inline filter). Change transmission fluid and filter (amsoil signature atf) - drain torque converter too - differential fluid (redline 75w90), transfer case (amsoil), ans to the blue benz coolant. Make sure it does not have a f*cked up chain before you buy.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...455addf8ee.jpg
No 5w30....229.51 spec amsoil 5w40 .. Wiah they made a bypass filter kit for this engine...
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...4e4a0a9a02.jpg
Oil flush, idle for 15mins before change