NEWBY

That is the question
Whether ‘tis safe or stupid to buy an E250 bluetec with 60k miles?
$25k asking price. Black on black

https://www.autotrader.ca/a/mercedes...%200A3&sprx=-1

DFWdude

To the good, it looks nicely appointed on paper, if all the options work.

But with 60,000 miles, I think it is overpriced. My 2016 V6 E350 has less than half the mileage and is valued the same as this one.

You have to ask yourself if you really want a diesel, too. I wouldn't buy a diesel, in general, and a MB in particular, given the very high costs of diesel maintenance noted throughout this forum. And I haven't owned a car with a 2.1L engine since the middle 80s, turbo-charged or not. Can't imagine how an engine so small can motivate a 2-ton car.

Seller may not want to put the car through the OVIC cert. process if you offer $20K, but in Canada, I guess you shouldn't buy any car without it.

NEWBY

THX. Appreciate any and all responses.

LILBENZ230

Hard pass. MB diesels have exceptionally high repair costs and I agree with Bob that this one is overpriced.

NEWBY

Okey dokey thx. I guess i should steer clear. I have considered A6 TDI and 535d as well, but maybe diesel passe?

davidjohnbamber

I owned a 2014 GLK250 BLU-TEC for 2 years. It was a great vehicle, but the future maintenance costs became a concern to me. Personally, I would not buy a diesel powered vehicle, unless it was a HD commercial truck.

LILBENZ230

Agreed with the above poster. All the German brand diesels are problematic, and that's why they're disappearing from these shores. You don't see the asian makes even bothering - there's a reason for that.

Get a gas powered W212 and enjoy.

NEWBY

will do, thanks again!

pierrejoliat

I agree with all the other posts, I would also add a diesel might be extremely hard to live with in your climate .

ghlkal

The car looks good, and I have no opinion on the diesel.

But, I would consider something like this first https://www.autotrader.ca/a/mercedes...=100&modalXS=1

Good luck on the search.

NEWBY

OK, the reasoning being (a) the low price and (b) a 6cyl engine (stronger, likely to last longer)?

ghlkal

Yeah, I'm probably old school, but I would rather have the V6 than the turbo 4. From the little I know, the 3.5L V6 is a good, reliable engine. It's faster too

DubVBenz

They're disappearing because our draconian emissions requirements mean that the emissions control systems are more complex than the actual engine. VW cheated a bit because they knew the rules were impossible to follow and still have good fuel mileage and performance, and because they were hit so hard with fines, the other german car companies decided it wasn't worth it. If you get one of these and (illegally) remove all that crap, they're great. I no longer have the DPF on my OM642 and it's awesome! I intend to pick up one of the final year ML350 Bluetecs as a utility car in the near future.

LILBENZ230

I wasn't debating why.. I was just saying to buy one of these US market diesels and maintain it legally can be prohibitively expensive.

DeutscheBenz726

I wouldn’t drive a Mercedes with the 642 BlueTec engine if you gave it to me. I traded mine in after it ran out of warranty and I spent about $9,000 in one year to keep it running. The 642 is notorious for being a terrible engine. They had terrible problems with engine sludge (due to extended maintenance periods and the noise encapsulation panels) causing a large percentage to lock up. Pollution control systems, etc. I don’t know about the 4 cylinder engine but there’s a reason MB doesn’t sell them in the USA anymore. Get a gas powered instead. You’ll be much happier and so will your wallet!

DeutscheBenz726

the euro emission standards are FAR more draconian than in the USA

SEC1939

I have a E250 with 80k mikes. This 2.1 is used in the Spinter and all over Europe in the E and others. It is a rock solid engine. Plenty of power off the kine at at 100 mph. The previous V6 was not a good diesel. The I6 prior was awesome.
I will get 50mpg in the summer on the highway. The car noted does not have leather. Mine has leather you can tell by the direction of the seating area cushions.

NEWBY

Appreciate all the pros and cons. Sounds like ‘get rid of the exhaust treatment system and it should run fine.’ Is it easy enough to find a mechanic willing to do this dirty deed for you?

NEWBY

While I have a few of you, am I setting myself up for years of maintenance and repair $$pain with an E250 (or any just about any German car)? I suppose potentially yes? And things like brake jobs are going to cost triple or quadruple vs a toyota or honda?

LILBENZ230

You're setting yourself up for trouble if you buy a diesel. You'd be much better off with an M276 V6 E350 in terms of longevity and reliability. Depending on where you live the deletion of all the emissions stuff could be impossible if you have emissions testing. And even then, getting rid of it is not necessarily cheap. Too many compromises, even considering the gas savings.

Maintenance is more expensive on a Mercedes than a Toyota. It's not quadruple unless you're taking it to a dealer, but it's going to be double regardless in my experience. If this is a concern perhaps this is not the brand for you?

NEWBY

perhaps not. Appreciate the comments as always. Thanks.

pierrejoliat

Well, they are awesome cars, perceived value is a factor, if you drive a Camry then an E class and find little difference, then spare yourself the extra expense, If, like I do see the night and day difference, that to me is valuable. If you find a good independent you can trust and are capable of some repairs yourself, getting a Icarsoft MB2 scanner to help you replace what you can and keep your mechanic honest, you will do well. These cars are not as trouble free as Toyota's, but for me the ride, safety and comfort level are well worth the increase in Maintenance costs. The local auto parts store will have most Camry parts on the shelf, there will be no Benz parts, we do have many online retailers that can supply you almost as quickly. IMHO.

NEWBY

Ha. I’m being pulled both ways. I have (briefly) owned and occasionally driven bmws and audis but never a merc. I’ve ridden in a merc or 2 though
Perhaps the most indelible (positive) memory i have is of being picked up hitch-hiking by a 190D about 45yrs ago. LOL. That thing just hummed and floated along at ultra low revs. SMOOOOOOTH.

NEWBY

I guess ‘a car is a car’ and my local mech (a master) should be able to figure most things out, eh?

Max_1

I was looking at MB diesel also but went with E350 gasser due to my current driving needs.
Besides a relaiability/repair cost, there is a lot of negative stigma over diesels that VW did not help at all with the Dieselgate scandal which can affect opinions.
Repair cost was not a huge factor for me, because so far I was able to do 99% of that I needed by myself on any car that I have owned.
My current commute (once COVID mess is over anyways) is only ~ 7 miles to work and 7 miles back. So DPF would not be properly cycled during day-to-day driving. As a result I would expect to deal with DPF cleaning or a replacement guaranteed. So cost of parts would outweigh the fuel cost savings in my case. As far as you driving situation it could be better, but it your call.

You can touch base with kajtek1 on this board for the reference on om651 engines:
https://mbworld.org/forums/members/102939-kajtek1.html

I do not think he has chimed in yet. I think he has two E250s and a Sprinter van with this engine and seems to be very happy with them.

Max