Gas vs. Diesel
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
2013 E350
Gas vs. Diesel
I'm starting to look at replacing my 2003 E320 with a 2013 E350. The question is: gas or diesel? I've seen a thread in the ML forum about surging and hesitation with the diesel in cold weather, but nothing in regards to the E class. Are there still open drivability issues with the diesel?
As I see it, the PROs of a diesel are:
fuel economy
depreciation
and the CONs are:
initial cost
maintenance costs
As far as I can tell, the maintenance cost comes down to the ad-blue additive which can be done more cheaply by purchasing the additive from VW and doing it yourself.
Am I missing something? I'm mostly concerned about drivability. I drive about 20000 miles per year of a mix of some city and mostly highway.
As I see it, the PROs of a diesel are:
fuel economy
depreciation
and the CONs are:
initial cost
maintenance costs
As far as I can tell, the maintenance cost comes down to the ad-blue additive which can be done more cheaply by purchasing the additive from VW and doing it yourself.
Am I missing something? I'm mostly concerned about drivability. I drive about 20000 miles per year of a mix of some city and mostly highway.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 561
Likes: 2
From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
The lower depreciation of the diesel makes up for the higher acquisition cost.
In fact if you lease a diesel, the payments are lower than the gasser due to the higher residual.
20,000 miles/year makes the efficiency savings of the diesel significant.
Have not heard of any driveability issues with the diesel. Quite the contrary, the massive torque of that engine seems to have all the Bluetec owners here driving with smiles on their faces!
Regards,
Don
In fact if you lease a diesel, the payments are lower than the gasser due to the higher residual.
20,000 miles/year makes the efficiency savings of the diesel significant.
Have not heard of any driveability issues with the diesel. Quite the contrary, the massive torque of that engine seems to have all the Bluetec owners here driving with smiles on their faces!
Regards,
Don
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 600
Likes: 7
From: Maryland
2022 E450 Prior:2021 S580 2012 E350BT, 2013 GL350BT, 2009 ML320BT, 2006 E320CDI, 1987 260E
No issues with driving and surges with either of my diesels though I read what you are concerned about with the new MLs.
I think at 20k/year diesel is definitely the way to go for you.
As far as maintenance you also need to figure in the new fuel filters every 20k. But even with that I think you will still end up ahead...
I think at 20k/year diesel is definitely the way to go for you.
As far as maintenance you also need to figure in the new fuel filters every 20k. But even with that I think you will still end up ahead...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 20
From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
Depending on the type of driving you do, the fuel savings can be significant. I fill my Volvo S80 T6 up twice a week. I fill my E350 Bluetec up once every week and a half. That is very significant. One downside to the diesel is that 4Matic is not available, should that be important to you. I have found that My Bluetec does just fine with a set of Micelin X-Ice winter tires on. I think you should drive both gas and diesel and go with the one that makes you smile more. There are few vehicles on the road that are more iconic than a mercedes diesel.
Super Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 655
Likes: 2
Mercedes e350 BlueTec
initial cost is about $1500 more.....the car will always be worth $1500 more, probably more than a comparable gas car. You have to drive the diesel car a bit and decide how much you really need/want the acceleration of the gas cars. In my case, I love the diesel and I've never floored it. Just got back doing a RT drive from Tampa to Atlanta and averaged just under 36 mpg in my 2011 e350 BT doing 75/80 on the interstates.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 600
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco, CA
16 GLE400, 16 eGolf, 15 M3, 13 328i, 06 S430, 98 E320
The highest mpg I've attained so far with my diesel is 43.2 mpg and the car only got 6k miles...it should get a little bit better after further break-in and the bragging right of driving a luxury sedan with that kind of mpg is priceless especially in front of my tree hugger prius buddies...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,121
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From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
For me the surging is,at worst,a very minor annoyance and maintenence is,at worst,a little more expensive *if* you do certain simple things yourself (e.g.,DEF).
I've loved both my diesels but,I must admit,the EPA stats on the '12 models are only 1 mpg apart.And BTW,being on my second diesel one thing I can guarantee you is that they're *meant* for the Interstate.....70-75 mph is where they shine.
I've loved both my diesels but,I must admit,the EPA stats on the '12 models are only 1 mpg apart.And BTW,being on my second diesel one thing I can guarantee you is that they're *meant* for the Interstate.....70-75 mph is where they shine.
Last edited by listerone; Aug 6, 2012 at 10:15 PM.
