lws1

Need your opinion. I currently own an '06 E320 CDI that has 130,000 miles. The pano roof does not work, but I have never used the roof anyway. Otherwise, the car is in good condition and has been maintained.

There's an '07 E320 Bluetec for sale close to me that is for sale that has 38000 miles on it, and it is in MINT condition, BUT I have no idea about Bluetec and if they are just a headache waiting to happen. I believe in maintenance, but I cannot DIY. I do like the idea that this car is absolutely mint. Just scares me about the Bluetec garbage. Is it as bad as everyone says if I always service it every 5,000 miles? I hear that that is really the key to avoid a lot of the issues, even tho MB recommends 10,000 oil changes.

This is a weekend car for me because I have a Lexus as my daily driver.

Those of you who have had both, what do you think? Keep the not so mint CDI or get the Bluetec?

Thanks for you input.

Joseph~

Does the "Bluetec" have the SCR{that is the urea system] just because it has Bluetec it may not. As 2007 to mid 2008 it was not a requirement {emissions] Is the Bluetec engine a OM642 - the V6 diesel?

Run the VIN number get the build.

Regards

Joseph~

lws1

Joseph: It is a V6 Diesel Engine OM642

lws1

V6 Diesel OM642, Production Date 4/13/07

Joseph~

If you have not yet done do, run the VIN see the original factory build.

You can run it at;

www.mbepc.net

Regards

Joseph~

lws1

That took me to an engineering site.

Joseph~

I corrected

It is

www.mbepc.net

ptkacik

I have a 2005 CDI with 220,000 miles and runs and drives like new. Today, a guy stopped me and said "is that a diesel?". Yes. Apparently he had an '06 and said he loved it but it was totaled by someone else and he missed it. He said the newer Bluetec engines weren't as good and that the inline six was the way to go.

I don't know about the newer ones but I love mine. FWIW, I also don't have a problem with any MB low mileage car.

Good luck. I don't think you have a bad choice either way,
Peter

lws1

So the for sale car is the V6 diesel, and it has the particle filter and the diesel particulate filter and the turbocharge with intercooler. Don't know if any of those are problematic.

The current 2006 I have does not have any of that stuff on it.

Joseph~

If there is no SCR{the factory installed urea system] I would purchase ....if the price is right.

As I would remove the EGR, swirl valves and DPF and do other modifications.

Regards

Joseph~

PSDCampervan

Replacement of DPF & oil cooler seals are eventually inevitable on 07. I'd keep 06 if it were me.... it is last of MB inline iron block diesels & best engine MB ever made imho, much more fuel efficient & reliable than V6 which uses extra fuel to regen DPF. The V6 also requires constant monitoring for oil leaks that cascade from turbo seal where CCV plumbs into filtered air intake. This oil will drip onto swirl flap motor for intake manifolds & then drip into valley where it will splash onto turbo pedestal & oil cooler. Next thing you know, some 'mechanic' will tell you your oil cooler seals are leaking. The oil filter housing seals will leak as well. It's just a leaky engine in general. I fretted over mine to unreasonable levels & was so happy to find another 2005 E320 CDI to finally trade it in on. Only way I'd own another om642 V6 is if it's in a Sprinter as their oil pan & air filters are much larger. The V6 is shoe-horned into E-class & corners cut on air filter & oil pan size. Put extra into 06, it will be much more reliable in long run.

kajtek1

When OM642 is desirable performer and 2007 modes don't have DEF with pretty reliable DPFs, it is not easy engine to work on.
Due to V configuration and TONS of sensors on it, any acces makes whole adventure.
Typical sample - oil cooler seals, who like to fail every few years, where with parts worth $10, you will leave about $2000 for shop labor.
Read more about those engines. Inline 6 is way easier to work on.
Since Sprinters come to topic. I search for Sprinter with I4 engine very long and very far. Between 2014 and 2018 Sprinters were available with OM642 and OM651 engines.
The 4-cylinders resale value is average $4000 higher than for models with V6
Bottom line, if you want to upgrade your diesel, go for 4-banger and bypass V6.
The black car you might see in my footnote is for sale BTW.