Six Month Review: MB E350 BlueTec
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
E350 BlueTEC
Six Month Review: MB E350 BlueTec
Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec Six-Month Review and Report
By Jonathan Spira
Read the full story »
By Jonathan Spira
The Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec has been in our long-term test fleet for a over six months at this point and, now that the car has passed 4396 miles (7075 km), it is fitting to look back.
It’s noteworthy to mention that everyone at The Diesel Driver wants to drive the E350. …
It’s noteworthy to mention that everyone at The Diesel Driver wants to drive the E350. …
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 437
Likes: 4
Lexus LS 400, 2008 BMW 528i, 2014 e250 BlueTec
Just another confirmation how Bluetec does in terms of fuel mileage. I've had mine for 5 months and it gives around 40 miles per gallon on highway. Of course, I've had no problems so far. I just love it. I am glad I went for BlueTec instead of BMW 5 series.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 56
From: New York
2025 Range Rover, 2022 BMW M850 , 2017 MB E400 Coupe
Today is 1 month since I leased my Bluetec and it's the best E class I've ever had. Huge power (torque), very solid and sporty. I doubt I will ever go back to gasoline version. The biggest surprise is Run Flat tires on this model. They are actually not bad at all. I just keep air pressure lower to make them softer and the car drives perfectly fine. I've changed Run flats on our GL, but it was Bridgestone. E class has Goodyear and they're much better
.
.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 20
From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
Today is 1 month since I leased my Bluetec and it's the best E class I've ever had. Huge power (torque), very solid and sporty. I doubt I will ever go back to gasoline version. The biggest surprise is Run Flat tires on this model. They are actually not bad at all. I just keep air pressure lower to make them softer and the car drives perfectly fine. I've changed Run flats on our GL, but it was Bridgestone. E class has Goodyear and they're much better
.
.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 56
From: New York
2025 Range Rover, 2022 BMW M850 , 2017 MB E400 Coupe
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 206
Likes: 2
From: Maryland
2012 E350W4
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 437
Likes: 4
Lexus LS 400, 2008 BMW 528i, 2014 e250 BlueTec
I've had my BlueTec for 6 months. No problems at all and I love it more and more. Fuel mileage is combined around 30 miles per gallon and 40 miles on highway driving.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: obviousville
2012 E350 BlueTEC
My overall average is about 28 MPG with about 40% city driving, almost always using A/C, and close to 5K miles on my car. I'm curious what others are truly getting from their E350 BlueTec. I was honestly expecting to get much better mileage than this.
The trip meter is always about 10% higher than the actual mpg so I wonder if the people that report very high mpg are reporting computer or actual mpg.
The trip meter is always about 10% higher than the actual mpg so I wonder if the people that report very high mpg are reporting computer or actual mpg.
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 231
Likes: 3
2017 E300 • 2016 Tesla Model S 75D
My overall average is about 28 MPG with about 40% city driving, almost always using A/C, and close to 5K miles on my car. I'm curious what others are truly getting from their E350 BlueTec. I was honestly expecting to get much better mileage than this.
The trip meter is always about 10% higher than the actual mpg so I wonder if the people that report very high mpg are reporting computer or actual mpg.
The trip meter is always about 10% higher than the actual mpg so I wonder if the people that report very high mpg are reporting computer or actual mpg.
So far, 1,793 miles on the car and my tracked MPG (on Fuelly.com) is 24.3 MPG. I do about 70% city and 30% highway driving but that city driving is usually parking lot to parking lot (work in sales) so that isn't helping me.
The trip computer is showing that I've averaged 25.9 MPG with an average speed of 33 MPH.
I, like you, was expecting much better going off of what others have reported on here. I'm doing a 554 mile roundtrip drive starting tomorrow so I'm real curious to see how it does with mostly highway driving.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 507
Likes: 16
'11 E350BTC P2 Leather
My overall average is about 28 MPG with about 40% city driving, almost always using A/C, and close to 5K miles on my car. I'm curious what others are truly getting from their E350 BlueTec. I was honestly expecting to get much better mileage than this.
The trip meter is always about 10% higher than the actual mpg so I wonder if the people that report very high mpg are reporting computer or actual mpg.
The trip meter is always about 10% higher than the actual mpg so I wonder if the people that report very high mpg are reporting computer or actual mpg.
For about the first 5000, I religiously tracked the mileage, and averaged a touch over 30mpg, using real tank fill gallons, not the guess o meter on the dash.
Now that I know what it will do, I stopped the spreadsheet foolishness.
It gets 30, that's awesome in my book.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
E350 BT, E320, 528i
City driving can vary all over depending on which city one lives but high driving is pretty consistant. I have no problem getting 40 miles per gallon on Freeway and in my city driving it is about 28 miles per gallon.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
Having now driven two diesels a total of about 50K miles I'm of the firm opinion that diesels are not best suited for city driving but are *beautifully* suited for cruising at 70mph.This is fine for me because 90% of my miles are exactly that...cruise control set at 70mph.I just took a trip out to Denver (5,000 feet above sea level) and drove a little bit west of the city where the mountains reach 11,000 ft (plus).To my surprise my Bluetec made the climb without breaking a sweat.What a beast!
So far I enjoy my Bluetec immensely.There are still things I miss about my "d" but we live in an imperfect world...or so I'm told.
So far I enjoy my Bluetec immensely.There are still things I miss about my "d" but we live in an imperfect world...or so I'm told.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento, CA
E350 BT
My overall average is about 28 MPG with about 40% city driving, almost always using A/C, and close to 5K miles on my car. I'm curious what others are truly getting from their E350 BlueTec. I was honestly expecting to get much better mileage than this.
The trip meter is always about 10% higher than the actual mpg so I wonder if the people that report very high mpg are reporting computer or actual mpg.
The trip meter is always about 10% higher than the actual mpg so I wonder if the people that report very high mpg are reporting computer or actual mpg.
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 231
Likes: 3
2017 E300 • 2016 Tesla Model S 75D
Made the trip to Vegas from Phoenix today, 277 miles, 4 adults in the car and a trunk full of luggage and the trip computer shows 32.6 MPG with an average og 65 MPH. There was quite a bit more elevation change than I remembered, ~1400 ft at home in Phoenix and up to 4000 along the route.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 599
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
2022 E450 Prior:2021 S580 2012 E350BT, 2013 GL350BT, 2009 ML320BT, 2006 E320CDI, 1987 260E
Never had I tank below 30mpg I don't think on the E based on the fill up reset trip method. The ML though I have had a few below 20 which is a bit disappointing but some tanks that vehicle never sees the highway. I don't think I could ever switch back to gas unless things really change. I had the ML in for service last week and had the C300 loaner, really made me realize how used to the diesel power curve I am...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 20
From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
As noted above, the diesel power curve really fits American driving. Lots of torque down low, and, if you are the type of driver that is rarely revving above 4K rpms the E just feels about perfect. Highway passing simply has to be experienced compared to the V6 variants. MB does a great job with diesels.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
Fuel Economy and Performance
Based on all posting for the various models over the different model years on Fuelly, the
2005-2006s are the model years of choice when it comes to speed and fuel economy.
The year to stay clear of is the new 2012 because it is not only heavier but
much slower and EPA rated at barely better fuel economy than a V6 gasser.
That, when combines with having to use AdBlue, really makes it a no-brainer when it comes to saving money.
Does anyone know what the drag strip times are for the 2007-2011s and the new much heavier 2012s?
I'm curious to see IF any of those models are quicker than my 2005?
For fuel economy comparisons, view the various Fuelly entries including my own.
Derrel
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
You May Be Correct
According to the January 2012 Consumers Union Reports, the 2012 Bluetec sedan weighs 4215 pounds!
L/W/H are listed as 192/72/58 inches so whenever the W-212 came into being which was for MY 2010.
Anyhow, that's when they gained so much weight that the engineers decided to drop back from the 2.65 gears
to 3.07s. So even though there is a 7 speed now, they are turning almost the same revs as my 2005.
Also, run flats, so they could use the spare area for the Bluetec Fluid tank.
And beginning in MY 2007, the diesels all have those dreaded DPFs.
You know, the exhaust traps that cause back-pressure and loss of Fuel Economy and Performance?
Oh well, that's why I found a good well cared for 2005. Wish I knew its weight?
Derrel
Last edited by Green E-300 DT; Jul 14, 2012 at 12:42 AM.
