We are considering a E250 bluetec to go along with our 2006 E320 CDI and have a couple questions from current or previous Bluetec owners.
how reliable is the car overall and especially on long road trips? When issues come up do they tend to be minor like the E320 CDI? How reliable is the emissions system on the E250 if you do around 90% highway driving and take care of the system? Finally how good of fuel economy are you getting with highway driving and how’s the overall feel & comfort of the car?
Thanks for your thoughts & opinions

 

You should probably also ask this question in the Diesel subform, but if you are in the USA the emission system is in the process of being recalled and modified with a new extended warranty that adds four years from the time of modification.

 

Thanks I did that.
and yes we’re USA.

 

Check the threads about AEM who come to the play after settlement this year.
So when you buy 1 of those Bluetec, you will have 4 years extended warranty on all emission and most of engine parts.
Not a bad deal on car who can deliver 60 mpg.

 

my issues so far besides the huge recall:

- turbo housing/boot cracked - replaced the whole thing
- engine mount went south - replaced
- rear sunshade broke by itself taking down the side tracks and rear side headliner together - replaced everything
- coolant temp sensor broke - replaced
- driver seat mb tex tore by itself - replaced
- front front speaker seems broken - not fixed
- bluetooth skips - not fixed
- cracked wheel - repaired
- soot sensor malfunctioned - replaced
- rear headliner loose - fixed
- panoroof made creaking sounds all the time - fixed
- parking brake wouldn't release - fixed twice
- wheel alignment goes off about once every year - fixed
- extreme rear tire wear due to peaky torque delivery
- non linear acceleration - nothing I can do to fix this
very fragile cars these.....

 

Non linear acceleration is software program to my observation.
With smaller engine MB wants to make impression of big power and revs engine high with low pedal push.
That is even more visible on GLE. I barely touch gas pedal and on 1st gear the car revs above 3000 rpm. Than it follows more according to pedal movement on following gears.

 

How many miles on your car?
the turbo is a big concern. The speaker failing is a mild concern because our family likes the stereo system in Mercedes.
Other issues listed are normal car things.

 

Mellonc had bad luck.
I just sold 1 of E250 with 186,000 miles on it and the other that I keep is about 130k. When factory AMG wheels were weak point, I drove those cars for last 4 years only with NOx sensor failing.
That now would fall under new warranty

 

Get a dpf, nox and egr delete and it'll be a great car. The engine itself is reliable, all the emissions crap isn't. I have a OM642 bluetec and I removed all the DPF crap when it ultimately clogged up at around 140K. I may pick up a final year ML250/GLK250/E250 at some point, because **** the government,

 

Several of those things are just common with W212s and not related to the diesel at all. Although, I have never heard of a MB that's less than 15 years old having headliner issue...

And non linear acceleration, it's a twin turbo diesel with a crazy torque curve. That's half the fun!

 

Headliners aren’t usually an issue unless the car stays in Florida or a state with a similar hot and humid climate.
my CDI needed a new one and I have a good local company I can turn too if I needed it again

 

Update: So we’re looking at E250’s with around 30,000 miles on them. They are still a reasonable price in this car market (shhhhhhhhhhh).
We plan to drive the car to 120,000ish miles and would like to hear from current & previous E250 bluetec owners on the comfort, reliability, and overall ownership experience of the car as we plan to drive cross country in it.
outside of routine maintenance and emissions equipment that’s covered under the AEM is there any issues we should be aware of about the car?

 

I think you are drastically narrowing your search criteria.
Car with less than 30,000 miles is very rare, while OM651 engines are good for a milion miles.
I just sold one with >180k miles (buyer took it for round trip from my place, so over 3000 miles before he happily made it home) and the one I still drive has 130k .
Still taken for a new car and 4 years extended warranty, is icing on the cake.

 

the AEM warranty only covers 4 years OR 48,000 miles. Or 10 years/120,000 miles for lower mileage vehicles.
so that’s why we’re looking at 30k ish mile vehicles. They are still around and I’ve seen several on Carvana.

 

How much Carvana wants for them?
The one with 180k miles I sold for 7 grands and it went back to limo service. The buyer is very happy.

 

25,000ish
some as high as 28k and some at 20k.
I have a Chevy Cruze I’m selling for 10k so I just have to pay the difference.

 

So not planning to keep the vehicle for long, you are willing to pay $18,000 more just for lower number on odometer?
It is your money.

 

$18,000 more? Lolol not even close.
I see E250s with nearly 100k miles go for $20,000 in the current car market.

 

As I said, I sold mine for $7,201
Just to make it clear, here are the listing pictures.
That was 6 months ago, before last price spike, but per my observation Bluetecs did not gain any value lately.
https://imgur.com/a/d4FpqkM

 

I’m not interested in a car with 150,000+ miles regardless of the price or condition. Sorry.

 

As I said, it is your money.
Funny, I have close friend, who not being too mechanically inclined, has your mentality.
Just few months ago he paid $30k for low mileage 2014 GLK that is designated wife car.
Later on I bought 2016 GLE with 120k miles on it for $25k.Both cars look brand new.
Now she is jealous about my car.

 

So your friend is wise with his money.
regardless of how well you take care of your car getting 100,000 less miles on a vehicle for $5,000 is a great deal financially. Even if the 120k miles are highway miles. The west and rear just means less miles you can drive before it becomes a huge money pit.

 

None of my high-mileage diesel become money pit.
Obviously W212 where SCN coding applies makes stupid Nox sensors replacement a 4-digit job, but on older Bluetec O2 sensor was $120.
Talking about wise spend money. My friend paid $5000 more for his lower mileage GLK.
Now think 4 years/100k miles down the road.
You think 11 years old GLK with 130k miles will sell $5 k more than 9 years old GLE with 220k miles?
Don't think so.

 

Whatever.

 

new problem. The steering wheel, when turning more than 90 degrees from center position, clicks on left and right revolution. Ever so slowly the "click" is getting louder over time. Out of warranty now. I'll have it diagnosed and report back. Doesn't seem like a big deal. No change in steering feel or effort.