E-Class (W212) 2010 - 2016: E 350, E 550

Whats wrong with the Bluetec?

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Old 07-10-2013, 09:43 PM
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Whats wrong with the Bluetec?

Boy, people over in the diesel forum sure are badmouthing the Bluetec 3.0 Turbo diesel. Whats so wrong with it? I sure love mine.
Old 07-11-2013, 09:13 AM
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It is only one person badmouthing the Bluetec. He is a troll and goes by several different names until he gets banned then he reappears with another name. Get your facts straight. There is always a debate on whether or not the old inline engines are better and more durable than the V6 diesels. Consider that the V6 diesel is used in the Sprinter vans for FedEx, UPS, etc. There is NOTHING wrong with the V6 diesels.
Old 07-11-2013, 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by ImInPA
It is only one person badmouthing the Bluetec. He is a troll and goes by several different names until he gets banned then he reappears with another name. Get your facts straight. There is always a debate on whether or not the old inline engines are better and more durable than the V6 diesels. Consider that the V6 diesel is used in the Sprinter vans for FedEx, UPS, etc. There is NOTHING wrong with the V6 diesels.
Oh, ok. Well he sure seems to get things stirred up. I was beginning to think that there was something wrong with the V6 diesels.
Old 07-11-2013, 11:43 AM
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I own my Bluetec 1,5 year with zero issues. One of the best cars I've ever had.
Old 07-11-2013, 01:15 PM
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I keep saying, mine is an 11 with 45,000 miles on it, it has been absolutely flawless.

I don't even mind, dare I say, like, the runflats;
Old 07-11-2013, 01:29 PM
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I drive the crap out of my Bluetec. Hitting that 4000rpm redline everyday and ZERO issues
Old 07-11-2013, 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by mikemargolis
I keep saying, mine is an 11 with 45,000 miles on it, it has been absolutely flawless.

I don't even mind, dare I say, like, the runflats;

Mine is an 11 with 17,000 miles on it and I've only had it for 5 days but I do love it so far. Hoping to get many many miles out of it.

Some people are fine with the runflats. I find that they worsen the ride. As soon as I drove off with the car I said to myself "these tires have got to go ASAP". Just a personal preference.
Old 07-11-2013, 02:24 PM
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Last edited by E Classy; 03-18-2014 at 12:15 AM.
Old 07-11-2013, 04:11 PM
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I have no regret that I purchase it. I love it. Of course, I love fuel mileage and how it handles.
Old 07-11-2013, 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Raymond Lee
I have no regret that I purchase it. I love it. Of course, I love fuel mileage and how it handles.

I'm in a C250 loaner while they are working on my E350 Bluetec and the Bluetec gets better gas mileage than the C250......lol.
Old 07-11-2013, 09:42 PM
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You diesel drivers cannot wear the engine out. Diesels have been the majority engine in Europe for decades now. They are so developed they basically are the last part to fail in the car. My next one will probably be a diesel too.

Hope one day they would make a V8 diesel...
Old 07-12-2013, 07:32 AM
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I find it interesting that on MBUSA they no longer list the bluetec diesel as an E-class option.
Old 07-12-2013, 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by boltonblue
I find it interesting that on MBUSA they no longer list the bluetec diesel as an E-class option.
I also find that interesting
Old 07-13-2013, 03:32 PM
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Ok...first, straight sixes are better balanced than 90°, 72°, and even 60° sixes, irrespective of whether they are diesel or not. However, balance shafts mitigate most of that and packaging is much easier with a V6. In the 1930s 8 cylinder motors were also inline; we have a 1938 Buick with one in the garage.

Diesel technology continues to advance. The E350 CDI was more advanced than the E320 CDI in ways that engine configuration couldn't match. The E350CDI is fine.

However, the E350CDI was built to meet Euro6 and US emissions specs. Euro6 doesn't come into effect until late 2014, and overwhelmingly European engines have been the less stringent Euro 5 models. New technology has gone that way and it didn't come to the US.

Now with Euro6 around the corner that has changed. The E250CDI, in the (downloadable) brochure and orderable has the current engine in US/Euro 6 trim. It is more advanced than the E350CDI although less powerful. First, I think the US E350CDI is really the E300 CDI, the more powerful 350CDI being in the S-class. BMW is also doing that with the 530d being marketed as the 535d in the US. The E300CDI gets 5.5L/100km and 0-100km in 7.1. The E250CDI gets better mileage, 4.8L/100km, but is 7.5sec 0-100km.

Net, all the MB diesels offered in the US W211 and W212 have been very good.

Weaknesses aren't under the hood. To make the E300 meet US regs, and across the board in Europe in 2014, the cars require urea injection in the exhaust to control NOx emissions. MB decided to put the tank in the spare tire well, and sells the E250CDI (and I believe the E350 CDI before it) on runflat tires.

A quick trip to the BMW forums will reveal the issues with those tires. The newest designs are modifications of non-run flat tires that most would consider antiques. The ride is rougher. They are more prone to pothole damage (although not in the 245/45 sidewall size on the E350CDI/E250CDI); this is probably the reason MB only sells the diesel and hybrid models that have runflats with 17" rims. Many people have changed their BMWs to a regular tires with inflation kits; Porsches come with regular tires and inflation kits. They report improved handling overall and a much better ride; some report the firm sidewall of the runflats made them seem more response initially. The runflats are also 50% to 100% more expensive than their non-runflat alternatives and generally cannot be repaired after a puncture further increasing costs (2/3rds of all flats are slow leaks, most discovered while the car is stationary).

I have never met an MB diesel owner unhappy with their car. My wife and I are in that group.
Old 07-13-2013, 10:20 PM
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Originally Posted by DavidNJ
Ok...first, straight sixes are better balanced than 90°, 72°, and even 60° sixes, irrespective of whether they are diesel or not. However, balance shafts mitigate most of that and packaging is much easier with a V6. In the 1930s 8 cylinder motors were also inline; we have a 1938 Buick with one in the garage.

Diesel technology continues to advance. The E350 CDI was more advanced than the E320 CDI in ways that engine configuration couldn't match. The E350CDI is fine.

However, the E350CDI was built to meet Euro6 and US emissions specs. Euro6 doesn't come into effect until late 2014, and overwhelmingly European engines have been the less stringent Euro 5 models. New technology has gone that way and it didn't come to the US.

Now with Euro6 around the corner that has changed. The E250CDI, in the (downloadable) brochure and orderable has the current engine in US/Euro 6 trim. It is more advanced than the E350CDI although less powerful. First, I think the US E350CDI is really the E300 CDI, the more powerful 350CDI being in the S-class. BMW is also doing that with the 530d being marketed as the 535d in the US. The E300CDI gets 5.5L/100km and 0-100km in 7.1. The E250CDI gets better mileage, 4.8L/100km, but is 7.5sec 0-100km.

Net, all the MB diesels offered in the US W211 and W212 have been very good.

Weaknesses aren't under the hood. To make the E300 meet US regs, and across the board in Europe in 2014, the cars require urea injection in the exhaust to control NOx emissions. MB decided to put the tank in the spare tire well, and sells the E250CDI (and I believe the E350 CDI before it) on runflat tires.

A quick trip to the BMW forums will reveal the issues with those tires. The newest designs are modifications of non-run flat tires that most would consider antiques. The ride is rougher. They are more prone to pothole damage (although not in the 245/45 sidewall size on the E350CDI/E250CDI); this is probably the reason MB only sells the diesel and hybrid models that have runflats with 17" rims. Many people have changed their BMWs to a regular tires with inflation kits; Porsches come with regular tires and inflation kits. They report improved handling overall and a much better ride; some report the firm sidewall of the runflats made them seem more response initially. The runflats are also 50% to 100% more expensive than their non-runflat alternatives and generally cannot be repaired after a puncture further increasing costs (2/3rds of all flats are slow leaks, most discovered while the car is stationary).

I have never met an MB diesel owner unhappy with their car. My wife and I are in that group.

I'm not sure if I understand what you are saying. Are you serious with the "to make the E300 meet the US regs" ?

To my knowledge ANY regulation pertaining to car exhaust emissions has been way advanced in Europe compared to the U.S. for a long time.
Old 07-14-2013, 07:59 AM
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Old 07-14-2013, 04:47 PM
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2021 S580 Prior: 2012 E350 Bluetec, 2013 GL350 Bluetec, 2009 ML320 Bluetec, 2006 E320 CDI, 1987 260E
We are on our 3rd and love them all. I know what your talking about in the diesel forum take it with a grain of salt. I really can't imagine going for a 1985 300D compared to the W212 as a daily driver even if the W123 and do like 500k without issue lol.

Also I assume the E250BTC isn't on MBUSA right now yet as its a later release compared to the gassers?

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