Option 929 ENGINE FOR ETHANOL FUEL E85
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 205
From: NW
2018 GLC 4MATIC
Option 929 ENGINE FOR ETHANOL FUEL E85
Hello GLE owner,
Im really looking to switch from ML BT to GLE,
But all cars what I have found have
Option 929 ENGINE FOR ETHANOL FUEL E85
Installed. 2016 and 2017 models.
GLE 350 is reliable car. How this option will affect reliability?
Not planning to use ethanol but having extra components worries me. Extra BT components
Pushing me to switch from diesel to gas.
I would like to keep the car for a long time if possible. up to 200K miles.
Thank you all.
Im really looking to switch from ML BT to GLE,
But all cars what I have found have
Option 929 ENGINE FOR ETHANOL FUEL E85
Installed. 2016 and 2017 models.
GLE 350 is reliable car. How this option will affect reliability?
Not planning to use ethanol but having extra components worries me. Extra BT components
Pushing me to switch from diesel to gas.
I would like to keep the car for a long time if possible. up to 200K miles.
Thank you all.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 262
Likes: 69
From: Wisconsin
2016 GLE 350 4Matic, 2019 GLS 450 4Matic
I have been trying E85 on my vehicle which anyone can confirm the option by checking for the yellow marked fuel cap and the placard on the inside of the fuel door. My dealership specifically confirmed what the manual states which is ANY combination of E85 and premium is acceptable and supported by MB. All E85, all premium, or any combination is good and does NOT affect the maintenance schedule either. I have noticed only a 2-3 mpg drop for an approximately 50-50 E85 and premium combination. Locally, E85 averages sometime over $1.00 per gallon less than premium.
I have found online that there is a dual-fuel recommended Bosch spark plug that I will go with which is just a heat range difference (I have not confirmed the exact difference between plug options though). The performance is still there as well since the octane of E85 is over 100.
Mis-information drives the negative comments on E85 more than facts do.
By the way, I am towing a 5200 pound travel trailer (with a 50-50 fuel mix) with no issues either since towing drops mileage on all tow vehicles anyway and there's no surprise there.
I have found online that there is a dual-fuel recommended Bosch spark plug that I will go with which is just a heat range difference (I have not confirmed the exact difference between plug options though). The performance is still there as well since the octane of E85 is over 100.
Mis-information drives the negative comments on E85 more than facts do.
By the way, I am towing a 5200 pound travel trailer (with a 50-50 fuel mix) with no issues either since towing drops mileage on all tow vehicles anyway and there's no surprise there.
Last edited by SUV John; Oct 25, 2019 at 10:51 AM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 205
From: NW
2018 GLC 4MATIC
Originally Posted by GLE John
I have been trying E85 on my vehicle which anyone can confirm the option by checking for the yellow marked fuel cap and the placard on the inside of the fuel door. My dealership specifically confirmed what the manual states which is ANY combination of E85 and premium is acceptable and supported by MB. All E85, all premium, or any combination is good and does NOT affect the maintenance schedule either. I have noticed only a 2-3 mpg drop for an approximately 50-50 E85 and premium combination. Locally, E85 averages sometime over $1.00 per gallon less than premium.
I have found online that there is a dual-fuel recommended Bosch spark plug that I will go with which is just a heat range difference (I have not confirmed the exact difference between plug options though). The performance is still there as well since the octane of E85 is over 100.
Mis-information drives the negative comments on E85 more than facts do.
By the way, I am towing a 5200 pound travel trailer (with a 50-50 fuel mix) with no issues either since towing drops mileage on all tow vehicles anyway and there's no surprise there.
I have found online that there is a dual-fuel recommended Bosch spark plug that I will go with which is just a heat range difference (I have not confirmed the exact difference between plug options though). The performance is still there as well since the octane of E85 is over 100.
Mis-information drives the negative comments on E85 more than facts do.
By the way, I am towing a 5200 pound travel trailer (with a 50-50 fuel mix) with no issues either since towing drops mileage on all tow vehicles anyway and there's no surprise there.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,679
Likes: 4,578
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
GLE_John, what is the difference in hardware for an E85 compatible fuel system?
To my knowledge, there are no, or not many, additional parts, rather the parts in the fuel-contact system are compatible with the more corrosive E85.
DanD, why are you interested in an E85 version? Is it for fuel cost savings? If not, I advise seeking out a non-E85 vehicle. GLE_John's comment is well taken, that there is not an exhaustive source of facts comparing M-B E85 systems to non-E85 systems. Ethanol's higher corrosivity is widely accepted. E85 is widely avoided in marine (outboard) engines.
One source. You are encouraged to do your own research:
https://www.in.gov/idem/tanks/files/...patibility.pdf
To my knowledge, there are no, or not many, additional parts, rather the parts in the fuel-contact system are compatible with the more corrosive E85.
DanD, why are you interested in an E85 version? Is it for fuel cost savings? If not, I advise seeking out a non-E85 vehicle. GLE_John's comment is well taken, that there is not an exhaustive source of facts comparing M-B E85 systems to non-E85 systems. Ethanol's higher corrosivity is widely accepted. E85 is widely avoided in marine (outboard) engines.
One source. You are encouraged to do your own research:
https://www.in.gov/idem/tanks/files/...patibility.pdf
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 205
From: NW
2018 GLC 4MATIC
Originally Posted by chassis
GLE_John, what is the difference in hardware for an E85 compatible fuel system?
To my knowledge, there are no, or not many, additional parts, rather the parts in the fuel-contact system are compatible with the more corrosive E85.
DanD, why are you interested in an E85 version? Is it for fuel cost savings? If not, I advise seeking out a non-E85 vehicle. GLE_John's comment is well taken, that there is not an exhaustive source of facts comparing M-B E85 systems to non-E85 systems. Ethanol's higher corrosivity is widely accepted. E85 is widely avoided in marine (outboard) engines.
One source. You are encouraged to do your own research:
https://www.in.gov/idem/tanks/files/...patibility.pdf
To my knowledge, there are no, or not many, additional parts, rather the parts in the fuel-contact system are compatible with the more corrosive E85.
DanD, why are you interested in an E85 version? Is it for fuel cost savings? If not, I advise seeking out a non-E85 vehicle. GLE_John's comment is well taken, that there is not an exhaustive source of facts comparing M-B E85 systems to non-E85 systems. Ethanol's higher corrosivity is widely accepted. E85 is widely avoided in marine (outboard) engines.
One source. You are encouraged to do your own research:
https://www.in.gov/idem/tanks/files/...patibility.pdf
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,679
Likes: 4,578
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Dan, I checked CarGurus and curiously it seems northern (Washington state, New York state) vehicles are more prevalent with 929 E85 engine. FL and TX vehicles I checked did not have option 929.
If no-929 is a must for you, buying a vehicle in another state and transporting it is an option.
If no-929 is a must for you, buying a vehicle in another state and transporting it is an option.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 205
From: NW
2018 GLC 4MATIC
Originally Posted by chassis
Dan, I checked CarGurus and curiously it seems northern (Washington state, New York state) vehicles are more prevalent with 929 E85 engine. FL and TX vehicles I checked did not have option 929.
If no-929 is a must for you, buying a vehicle in another state and transporting it is an option.
If no-929 is a must for you, buying a vehicle in another state and transporting it is an option.
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 262
Likes: 69
From: Wisconsin
2016 GLE 350 4Matic, 2019 GLS 450 4Matic
I have checked with 2 dealerships and they have stated, what the manual states, that any combination of fuel (E85 and premium) may be used at any given time.
People should note that E85 vehicles only means it offers the option to save money over premium and has zero effects as far as maintenance schedules or mechanical issues are concerned. If nothing else, E85 equipped vehicles have seals and o-rings meant to handle that fuel and is a non-issue if E85 isn't used.
I have been everyday driving AND travel trailer towing (see my topic on trailer towing) with between a 50-50 and 60-40 E85 fuel combination (just a mental thing to not see MPG's read too low). General information online has the fuel drop at 20-25%, but I have only seen a 2-3 mpg for everyday driving and find the cost of E85 versus premium saves me money filling up.
I have seen some information on poor sub-zero performance of E85 and have more research to do before running it in the winter in Wisconsin, but the information I've seen so far may presume a full tank of E85 and not a 50-50 mix so I haven't reached a conclusion there yet.
There are those who don't believe subsidies should drive the existence of E85, but since it isn't going away anytime soon, at least from what I'm seeing locally, then I'll use it as a way to use less premium while saving money doing driving my 2016 GLE350 4matic.
Last edited by SUV John; Oct 29, 2019 at 10:56 AM.
