patrick_y

What are the common problems of a US-based 2014/15/16 E250 Bluetec?

After an exhaustive search on the internet and on this forum it seems like some people in other parts of the world have:
1. Timing chain stretch issues; chain rattles, causes excess wear of other components within engine, engine exhibits a strange metallic clanging sounds. Does this apply to all OM651 engines including engines of these years and for USA-market vehicles?
2. Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank fails? How does it fail? Does the tank crack or leak? Is there a heater in the tank (to prevent freezing) that fails?
3. Engine may be particular to specific oils? I live in Northern California in the San Francisco area where the weather is relatively mild. I presume the standard Mercedes-Benz recommended oil will work just fine?
4. Any problems in higher mileage applications?
5. Anything else I should know about USA-market E250s? Weak spots? Things to look out for?

E250_92101

I used to drive a 2014 E250 and now have a 2016 E250 in SoCal. I don't have enough miles under the belt to tell you about any long term issues, but I spoke with a cab driver in Finland about the E250 reliability last summer. I'm not sure how the euro spec is different from US spec, but he said these cars are extremely reliable and that the cab companies drive them to 300 to 500K km's before trading them in and see no problems with them outside routine maintenance. In fact, he had just asked his mechanic if one would be a fool to buy one of these high mileage ex-cab cars for personal use and the mechanic said nope! The thousands of people who drive the E250's without any significant problems won't come to these forums to tell how reliable these cars are.... they are busy enjoying these incredible cars. I know I didn't address any of the specific questions you asked! Sorry!

drdantheman1

I've had mine for almost 3 months, and about 4k miles (total at 38k right now). Absolutely LOVE the car. I think the timing chain stretch doesn't apply to US '14-'16 models. From what I've researched, the DEF tanks don't typically fail until >150k miles. For fluids, just run OEM Mercedes oil, you'll be fine.

The only diesel specific things for maintenance besides DEF fluid is the diesel fuel filter replacement every 40k miles (which is kind of expensive, but at least no spark plug changes!).

The issues that I've brought mine to the dealer for have all been common W212 issues, not specific to the E250. That includes engine/tranny mounts, some faded wood trim, transmission software update, rear sliding sunshade replacement, and failing brake booster.

I bought an extended warranty on mine but I really don't think it'll get much use. I plan on keeping mine for a very long time as it's an SPC order car with some neat options. These things are HARD to find with anything other than a black or beige MBTEX interior.

nikobimmer

patrick_y

Thanks for your response! Every data point helps! My biggest difficulty is finding an E250 in the color I want with the options I want. They're rare, people who buy them don't normally turn them in. And in California, diesel is not very popular compared to the East Coast.

patrick_y

Indeed, very hard to find. All the highly spec'ed cars are probably kept. Since the typical diesel buyer probably keeps the car for a while. Thanks for sharing your feedback.

patrick_y

Been reading your 10,000 mile reports with gusto! And thank you for your regular updates! Any thoughts about Crankcase ventilator oil residue issues? It seems that this happens to engines that are enduring more dynamic driving (more stop and go rather than consistent cruising); the CCV gets gummed up as the oil isn't able to handle the varying heat of the turbocharger. I'm imagining your route is mostly flat highway so this may apply to you less than say a city driver.

LSkrabut

My 2014 E250 RWD I brought new 4 years ago Saturday, now has 96000k, Knock on wood. Not a single issue yet, even still on its original brakes. We like it so much I brought a used 2015 GLK250 for the wife and towing duties (T@B400.

So far on the E, averaging 40.7mpg since own via a math spreadsheet. Seen low 52mpg on a tank or three. Rare to be under 36mpg per tank.
About the same for the GLK, averaging around 29mpg per spreadsheet, but it only has around 40k on it.

I do feel my mileage is mostly due to the elevation I tend to run in, over 4500' up to around 10K'. Mileage does tend to be a bit lower at lower elevation and in colder weather.

We luv both of our 250's

patrick_y

That's a good sentiment! And phenomenal fuel economy! Are you driving longer distances on flatter roads or hilly roads?

LSkrabut

Healthy mix of both, rather level around SLC, UT and again hitting mountain passes over 7k to 10k all the time. I just did a trip from SLC to Daytona with a figured 42mpg average without air till FL, running 4-8mph over the speed limit with in March. Again another trip to PA last week with a bit lower average (40mpg) but attempted to stay off the interstates (US 36/34 from Indy to Greeley) as much as possible but had air on most of the way also. This trip the car was fully loaded where in the March trip it was not.

aniraj

I have a 2014 E250 BT. Bought it as CPO from dealer with about 7k miles on it. I have put on about 64 k till now.
Unfortunately last week the engine gave up while I was on a freeway. It was running alright until about 5-10 min before complete shutdown. During that time I started hearing some strange sound similar to one like when a small nylon tie rope is lose and is banging on a metal or like a flapping noise. In fact my wife thought it was the car next to us with actually a loose tie making a noise and then without any indication the engine went dead. The temperature was normal, no other indications at all... we were lucky that it did not cease on a free way and I was able to pull it aside...
Dealer is still trying to diagnose what is wrong but says that the engine is completely in a lock down condition and may have to be replaced...hopefully will be covered under warranty..but I am not at all happy about the situation...Vehicle is serviced always at the dealer for all standard A and B service.
I have some serious doubts about the quality of MB....similar issue actually happened with my brother in law with his ML 350 about a year ago and his was worst since in his case everything ceased!

E250_92101

I am very sorry to about your engine problem. Please keep us posted what the dealer discovers and how it gets resolved.

Has the car ever been in an accident?

aniraj

No never in an accident...all services A and B at dealership...just found out from dealer that engine bearings gave up!...quite interesting considering this is only at about 64K (+7K of orginal miles) when I bought it as CPO from dealer...and this was from the loaner fleet
Like I mentioned I do not expect this from a manufacturer who is known for quality!!

patrick_y

Aniraj, if you can give us an update about how your car is doing, please let us know!

aniraj

Dealership communicated that they found the bottom bearing on cylinder 3 was the problem. I was told that MB technician was at the dealership to inspect
They replaced the whole engine and gave me the car a week before. No problem there as far as service is concerned!
However I am still not very convinced about the quality since the engine bearing failed at 70 K miles just under 4 years with proper maintenance procedures followed!
Also MB USA never communicated with me in writing, they called me a couple of times.
Interestingly enough they refused to extend the warranty!
I will be very very skeptical in future while buying a Mercedes since this incident has put a big dent in their quality in my mind.
I was travelling at 60 miles an hour... the engine failure right in the middle of a freeway and with heavy traffic around and behind...imagine if the wheels would have locked and if there would have been a semi behind me!!
By the way my other car is a GLK 350 4 Matic and I hope it runs well!!

patrick_y

Thank you for your follow up post Aniraj!

We wish you many happy miles in your now fixed E250 and hopefully no more problems!

Remember, you can get the extended warranty for your E Class as long as it's still under the CPO warranty. Assuming your CPO coverage is until 5 years/unlimited mileage, you can extend it to 7 years. Expect to pay around $1900 for these two years (assuming it's the CPO unlimited mileage warranty you're extending).

Contact: Jeff Jackson at Tafel Motors in Kentucky or Cassandra Castro at International Auto WI
Both sell the extended warranty for around $1900.

kajtek1

Somehow I missed this topic, probably due the fact that 250 is diesel and I write about it in diesel section.
So my 2014 E250 BT with 183k miles needs another DPF. (records show 1 replacement 60k miles ago)
I tired cleaning service and they found my DPF too badly damaged, so 60 days ago I paid $3000 for new DPF. The rebuild unit is due to leave Germany in 9 days. I hope they keep the schedule.
Per local Service Adviser DPF is wearable with 90k miles intervals. Local dealer quoted me the part at $3,500 but they could not get it.
So far I have good looking brick with star in my garage.

mellonc

I have about 58K on mine. The turbo boot was cracked and it was replaced. Why a turbo boot cracks on a relatively newer car is a mystery.

Not sure other small issues apply to bluetech engine as they are common with W212 build.

kajtek1

MB for last 20 years suffers from "global economy".
They try to be more competitive with lowering the prices, meaning they seek cheaper suppliers.
That lead to famous window regulators on W210 and lot of other small (fortunately) stuff.
On my 2014 model the control arm bushing desitegrates. Not only unheard on previous models at such young age, but also MB made the bushing part of whole control arm, so small wear part will cost small fortune to replace.
But that applies basically to all newer vehicles from what I heard.

mellonc

Ditto for Lexus vehicles. The bushings go bad in about 90K miles. And, since it is a part of the control arm, you have no choice but to replace the whole arm.

mellonc

Does the DPF apply to the non-US models? I thought the US models had the urea based injection system where you don't have to deal with issues of clogged diesel particulate filters???

kajtek1

Can't tell the details about other countries, but seems that sooner or later whole World follows US environmental requirements, when in US all states follow California smog laws.
I know European models have DPF for quite few years, when DPF was introduced in US in 2007.
If you think urea will prevent DPF clog, think again.

drdantheman1

Ditto what's been said above, but DPF getting clogged comes down to quality of diesel fuel and length of commute/average drive. If you are making a lot of short trips on a daily basis and not really getting up to highway speeds for 20-30min at a time, you aren't really giving a chance for the emissions components to warm up and regulate the cleaning process. Adding some Archoil AR6200 at each fuel fillup also helps. My E250 is perfect for my 30 mile each way highway commute, and I use that diesel additive so I'm hoping I don't run into DPF issues for a while. My mother however has had DPF issues with her 2012 ML350 bluetec. Granted, that has the OM642 engine, but she had a clogged DPF at only 62k miles. A mercedes indie shop was able to clean out the DPF after "3 cycles" (whatever that means), but it wasn't cheap. She frequently makes trips around town <15min, maybe a few 20-30min drives per week, and never used a fuel additive.

kajtek1

Last year brought several new scanners, who at least advertise DPF scanning and regeneration.
It is over advertisement in most of the cases, but "we are getting there" .
I made topic about DPF scanners in diesel section.

DubVBenz

I've owned an OM642 powered E320 W2111 for almost 9 years and 100K miles (at 128K now). Two years ago I moved and my commute is now 3 miles and my car is in a constant state or regen. Despite much poorer fuel economy, I haven't had any DPF issues and I also run a really aggressive tuning box. As soon as I do run into a DPF issue I'll just be removing the entire system anyways.