But "guaranteed" is not necessarily the correct term. Besides, that's not a diesel issue. Plus... if that's what you're paying for a couple air struts and two little air bags to be installed... I'd be glad to change them for you next time! And, just keeping things to "known" values, we have no idea what the engine possibly would need. Could be something, could be nothing - but that same premise can apply to any car, whether diesel or gas. But the oil cooler seals are recently done, so that's a big one - even though that would only be a fraction of that number. And, again, the ongoing maintenance isn't really all that different from a gasser.

That said, you guys may have achieved your goal and scared the OP away as I haven't seen a reply from him in quite a while. It's a shame, because the diesel can be a very nice car.

 

Let's look at some of the maintenance costs of the gas vs diesel.

Oil changes on diesel to avoid sludging - 5k miles. Gasser can go more than 10k miles.
Adblue fluid and adblue tank on diesel? Gas, none.
Timing chain and or tensioners on diesel - 50k to 70k miles? Gasser - over 250k miles and still on original chain and tensioners.
Oil cooler on diesel - 50k miles? Huge expense and or huge time commitment as a DIY. Gasser - over 100k miles and simple to change.
Spark plugs on gas - mine went 200k miles. DIY in the driveway at less than $100. Glow plugs on diesel?
Fuel injectors on gas - over 250k miles on originals. Injectors on diesel?
Diesel intake issues - 60k miles and needs to be repaired. Gasser intake issues - 150k miles and does not need to be repaired.

Let me know if I'm missing something in the comparison. I'd imagine there is more.

 

Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to say that the maintenance between the two is exactly the same - it's not. There is more maintenance with a diesel, but it's not a night and day difference. Especially if, as those couple of troublesome areas are fixed properly and/or improved when repaired. However, there are other benefits that come with a diesel engine and those are things that we either already know or can be found easily by searching.

BUT... this really all comes down to personal preference. And that's what I've been trying to stress. Our job is not to tell someone else what to think - that's a whole different storyline. However, we can present information (not exaggerated, though) for someone to make a choice for themselves. For me, the benefits of the diesel outweighs those other things and I have proactively worked to improve the reliability of those few "problem" areas to make it even better.

Blown, you didn't mention any of the positives of owning a diesel engine? To be a fair comparison, you have to do that, too.

But, to your points, of which some are valid...

-- More frequent oil changes, yes. However, this can be improved upon with other emission improvements. I still choose to do 5K since the cost is extremely minimal. I do the same with gas engines - sooner than later.
-- Ad Blue, yes (although not on mine). Minimal actual maintenance cost, more of a pain in the butt. Issues with the actual system, of course, leads to more money.
-- Incorrect on timing chain - can go longer. Although for some reason a gas chain still lasts longer... maybe it's the increased torque of the diesel that stretches it out sooner?
-- Oil cooler... all depends on how it was fixed. Bad design (and bad "stock fix") to start with. If I ever have to do this again, I may look at relocating the cooler to the radiator area.
-- Spark plugs vs glow plugs - too hard to say. Spark plugs "should" be changed much, much sooner than 200K, though. Generally, glow plugs last a long time, too.
-- Injectors are probably a wash. Diesel injectors should last a long time, too. Although I would imagine the diesel injectors are costlier.
-- Intake problems are a result of emissions - which can be a forever fix. Intake valves can be disabled pretty easily, too.

 

Keep reading maintenance cost is not much different than the gasser. That's absolutely not true. There is a huge difference in maintenance cost, maintenance time spend, and aggravation/downtime from the adblue equipped OM642. Not saying there are no positives to owning a diesel. In no way can think that the OP would feel, in his circumstances, there would be any advantage of the diesel over the gasser for a cheap vehicle to own.

 

But it's not far from being true. "True" maintenance is the one extra oil change a year and whatever goes along with adding the DEF fluid - which I'm not up to speed on since I don't have that. But if I understand correctly, that "issue" MB had (as noted above) seems to have corrected it and the problematic things in their design have been addressed and it's really just back to keeping the tank full? The oil cooler thing CAN be fixed in a better way than stock (adhesive sealant, for example) that should help to keep this from coming back (or relocating) - so I wouldn't consider that "maintenance", per se. However, even fixing it the normal way is probably a once every 60K+ miles thing - not a huge deal.

But still, it's not just about the maintenance costs - that's just one factor that comes into play when deciding if a diesel is the right choice, or not.

HOWEVER, we're still going back and forth with ourselves and haven't really heard much more from the OP. Maybe he made his decision that this isn't the right vehicle for him and has moved on. Good, fine - as I've said all along, it's about what's right for an individual, not us. All we can do is offer what we know as factual information.

One thing I'll add - directed at the OP... if you'll be using the vehicle primarily for short distance trips/errands, you'll probably be better off with a gasser. Diesels like to run - and they, over the long haul, are much better performers when used like that. Gas engines, because gasoline is a harsher solvent, do better with short trips (colder engines) since it keeps the sludge from building up. They'll have less sludge than diesel engines, regardless, but it also helps with engines that aren't run for longer periods of time.

 

I did not realize i would spark such a discussion on this topic.... Thank you to everyone who responded. After reading the posts and doing some research i decided to steer clear of the 350 and spend a little more money and get a 2012 GL450. I am very happy with the purchase and love the ride of the GL.

 

Right call on that one, OP.
There’s another thread on a GL350 active right now and that fellow got it for free - the right price.

 

As I've said all along, it's all about what's right FOR YOU - not for me or anyone else. As I also said, I love the diesel and no one can tell me different. But it's not my opinion that matters - if you know the facts (no opinions), then you can make an informed decision. Good luck with the new vehicle - I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

But, no, "for free" is not "the right price". C'mon, Max, you I can't let overstatements like that go!