looking to purchase diesel
#1
looking to purchase diesel
a few years back I visited here for advice on purchasing an ML. The car is still going strong and my only regret is not holding out for a diesel.
I have found an '08 320CDI with 72k and it looks clean with decent records.
I have had my eye on this car for a couple years and the timing is right. Please point me to any advice the forum has about this model so I can do some current owner offered research. All help or advice is GREATLY appreciated.
Consumer reviews online are all over the place. Seems like 50-50 from greatest machine on the planet to lemon that deserves nothing short of a class action suit against MB.
concerns garnered from reading the owner reviews are the air suspension parts, turbo, and a random smattering of electrical issues.
carfax shows 2 owners, lots of dealer service, and two specific things that caught my interest:
camshaft position sensor replace at 24k and again at 25k
crankshaft pulley/balancer replaced at 30k--transmission pulled to complete
all three items performed at same dealer.. this problem reminds me of one I battled in searching for my ML, but I thought was limited to '06 and '07 engines.
after that it looks like oil cooler seals replaced along with various checks and alignments.
seems normal, just trying to avoid buying a problem. I understand maintenance, i've experienced my share and I get its costly with merc, but I am fishing for any feedback saying this looks normal or "stay away" from anyone here who has a working knowledge of the model.
thanks in advance again..
I have found an '08 320CDI with 72k and it looks clean with decent records.
I have had my eye on this car for a couple years and the timing is right. Please point me to any advice the forum has about this model so I can do some current owner offered research. All help or advice is GREATLY appreciated.
Consumer reviews online are all over the place. Seems like 50-50 from greatest machine on the planet to lemon that deserves nothing short of a class action suit against MB.
concerns garnered from reading the owner reviews are the air suspension parts, turbo, and a random smattering of electrical issues.
carfax shows 2 owners, lots of dealer service, and two specific things that caught my interest:
camshaft position sensor replace at 24k and again at 25k
crankshaft pulley/balancer replaced at 30k--transmission pulled to complete
all three items performed at same dealer.. this problem reminds me of one I battled in searching for my ML, but I thought was limited to '06 and '07 engines.
after that it looks like oil cooler seals replaced along with various checks and alignments.
seems normal, just trying to avoid buying a problem. I understand maintenance, i've experienced my share and I get its costly with merc, but I am fishing for any feedback saying this looks normal or "stay away" from anyone here who has a working knowledge of the model.
thanks in advance again..
#2
We got our 2008 used, 4 years ago. It had 61k miles on it. It was serviced at the dealer. By getting 2008 diesel you get a spare wheel and no DEF. This is huge for me. Pretty much all the troubles I had with it were posted on this board and in my signature.
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hargate (08-11-2016)
#3
thanks for input.
SO no DEF, had no idea. I guess there are pros and cons. The last diesel engine I owned was a mid 80's (cant believe I cannot remember actual year) 524TD so no DEF then either.
I just replaced both rear shocks on my ML for about $300 a side iirc. Would you say your repairs were pretty much standard maintenance for the model -seems like it other than 3 sets of rears in 150k.
Can you attest to the abnormal tire wear I keep reading? Most of these review are dated so I guess there are more options now and people can find a solution that doesn't expire every 25k miles.
What is the airmatic issue and what are you looking at $$ to get it right -or is it liveable for every day?
Last one-- do you have any knowledge of this model being associated with a balance shaft issue relative to the crank position items that i mentioned had been addressed. Like do you know if yours experienced similar issues early on before you purchased? That is a scary one to tackle out of warranty, and really its all that has me "concerned".
This wont be a long daily commuter but would end up being the go-to for anything long distance.
I really really appreciate all the feedback
SO no DEF, had no idea. I guess there are pros and cons. The last diesel engine I owned was a mid 80's (cant believe I cannot remember actual year) 524TD so no DEF then either.
I just replaced both rear shocks on my ML for about $300 a side iirc. Would you say your repairs were pretty much standard maintenance for the model -seems like it other than 3 sets of rears in 150k.
Can you attest to the abnormal tire wear I keep reading? Most of these review are dated so I guess there are more options now and people can find a solution that doesn't expire every 25k miles.
What is the airmatic issue and what are you looking at $$ to get it right -or is it liveable for every day?
Last one-- do you have any knowledge of this model being associated with a balance shaft issue relative to the crank position items that i mentioned had been addressed. Like do you know if yours experienced similar issues early on before you purchased? That is a scary one to tackle out of warranty, and really its all that has me "concerned".
This wont be a long daily commuter but would end up being the go-to for anything long distance.
I really really appreciate all the feedback
#4
Other than replacing rear shock absorbers twice, it was pretty standard maintenance. Haven't notice any abnormal tire wear while we were driving. Tires from a previous owner had some extra inner side wear. I only bought 2 new sets of tires (summer and winter set) so far. Both sets still have plenty of thread left. I haven't seen any other issues that you listed with crank position sensor and extra engine noise that is posted on this board. Engine always sounds perfect.
#5
You are overthinking it.
Get an 07-08 (no def) and drive it into the ground.
The problems with 07-08s are: (cost of parts)
Airmatic compressor - $350
Front shocks - $700 each from at Arnott
Rear bags - $350 for both from Arnott
Rear hatch motor - $500
Oil cooler seals - $2500 at dealer (including labor)
Front stabilization bar end links - $150
That's about it.
Good luck
Get an 07-08 (no def) and drive it into the ground.
The problems with 07-08s are: (cost of parts)
Airmatic compressor - $350
Front shocks - $700 each from at Arnott
Rear bags - $350 for both from Arnott
Rear hatch motor - $500
Oil cooler seals - $2500 at dealer (including labor)
Front stabilization bar end links - $150
That's about it.
Good luck
#6
You are overthinking it.
Get an 07-08 (no def) and drive it into the ground.
The problems with 07-08s are: (cost of parts)
Airmatic compressor - $350
Front shocks - $700 each from at Arnott
Rear bags - $350 for both from Arnott
Rear hatch motor - $500
Oil cooler seals - $2500 at dealer (including labor)
Front stabilization bar end links - $150
That's about it.
Good luck
Get an 07-08 (no def) and drive it into the ground.
The problems with 07-08s are: (cost of parts)
Airmatic compressor - $350
Front shocks - $700 each from at Arnott
Rear bags - $350 for both from Arnott
Rear hatch motor - $500
Oil cooler seals - $2500 at dealer (including labor)
Front stabilization bar end links - $150
That's about it.
Good luck
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#8
You are probably ok then since they upgraded the seal. I have a 2008 and the only diesel related problem I had was replacing the turbo seals. Besides that it was a lot of different issues akin to the GL's. Just find a good indy that won't overcharge you and you'll be fine.
#10