Dave T

I have an 2011 ML Bluetec. At 20,000 miles it started leaking oil. Dealer replaced leaking rear main seal. At 49,000 miles I bought the extended warranty. At 52,000 miles it started leaking again. Dealer first replaced the turbo seal. It still leaked (now from the oil cooler) so they changed the oil cooler seals. They took it for a test drive. Oil cooler was still leaking, so they replaced the cooler itself. That stopped the leak. Sure glad I extended the warranty to 100,000 miles, but is this something others have experienced?

dgiturbo

Your actual issue was the oil cooler and the turbo inlet seal. Everything else was just easy cash for the dealer. Now that those are done, your good for probably as long as you would own the car. Common issues, and the replacement seals are much better quality.
Other 2 known issues are transmission IF you don't flush the fluid every 39000 miles, and the front diff If you don't flush the fluid every 30000 miles (I think?)

Dave T

Thanks, good to know the oil cooler and turbo seal are common issues and not likely to recur. I did have the tranny flushed, but they recommended 49,000 miles that I did. They never said a thing about the front diff.

sheepdog8

I've got an 08 320cdi pre Bluetec update, with 79k. I've never had any leaks. (knock on wood) It does use 1+ qts of oil between 10k changes, which I guess is common?

drgeeforce

My 2010 GL350 BTC left a puddle of black engine oil on my garage two weeks ago, thank goodness it was still under warranty. The oil cooler was replaced along with all of the fittings and whatnot. Advisor(ahem) recommended replacing trans fluids(because the color didn't look good, sic), alignment, brakes, and suspension parts(because the tires are wearing uneven, sic), all of these NOT under warranty.

06e320cdi

If you dont mind me asking, what suspension parts?? Everything for suspension should be covered except shocks/struts..

N4HHE

Replaced the transmission fluid "because the color didn't look good?" Transmission doesn't have a dipstick. I don't think you can check the fluid color or level without great effort.

Perhaps when the engine oil cooler and radiator and stuff is off they had the transmission cooler disconnected. But there are many things this "advisor" said which sounds untrustworthy.

However, the transmission fluid should be replaced at 40,000. Perhaps every 40,000, but at the very least it should be replaced at the first 40,000.

Dave T

71,000 miles and another leak! This time from the power steering. Fixed under warranty. So far I've had leaking main seal, leaking turbo, leaking oil cooler seal, leaking oil cooler and now this. Wow! I love the extended warranty but will definitely sell this SUV when I hit the 100,000 mile warranty limit.

drgeeforce

Sorry, I went too general. The adviser said he recommended complete replacement because "he wanted to give me peace of mind." Yes the shocks and struts are not warranty but wear and tear, but the labor to do a complete repair, alignment and brakes was estimated @8-9 hrs.

N_Jay

Does he give as much consideration to your wallet as you peace of mind?

49coupe

Yup. I have a late build 2008 ML with 50K miles and at about 40K miles, with less than 2 months out of warranty, my truck started leaking oil from the turbo and inter-cooler lines. This a common problem and MB refused to help in any way even though it was serviced at the dealer. My independent mechanic warned me about this problem, in his words "put $2000 in an envelope for when the oil seals go if you by a 3.0L MB diesel". But it was a better alternative though than playing Russian roulette with the ML350 gas engine balance shafts.

So, "Engineered like no other car in the World" has more than one interpretation. I have not had oil leaks on a 4 year old car with 40K miles since the early 1980s and I've never had a vehicle where the taillights leaked so bad the trunk filled with water and fried my lift gate motor either.

proplayer jones

My 2010 350 Bluetec only has 61,000 kms (36,000 mi.) and just had to replace the oil cooler seals $3000.00 just out of warranty.
I would strongly recommend everyone buy the extended warranty to avoid this high cost, of what I believe should be a dealer issue and not even a warranty issue.

Dave in Vancouver

SmokinReefer

Been there and and replaced that. Has anyone also replaced the AdBlue heater too? Had to do that and the oil cooler about a month apart. And then I bought a new gas ML.... but I did keep the diesel as a beater since it has 108K miles.

I'm not sure if they fed me some bull, but I was told the seals in the oil cooler have been redesigned to handle higher temps

N_Jay

Yep, the seal was updated (I read about 2011)


It was a red (typically rubber) seal, and is now a purple Viton seal.

drgeeforce

Proplayer: there is a TSB regarding the oil cooler seals LI27.00-P-057717 2013-11-05. Take it to your dealer and see if they can work anything out, i.e. partial refund, a free service B, etc.

icerabbit

I just got stung with my second oil leak on my '08 ML 350 gas, off warranty. Steering rack now needs to be replaced (leaking)? I know the car isn't new any more, but boy these major components leaks are things that shouldn't be happening to new, young, well cared for premium vehicles.

My wife and I never had an engine leak at or a steering rack issue at any mileage. We've driven vehicles up to 200k miles and all they needed were hoses, belts, tune-ups, tires, brakes, shocks ... and some other stuff, not inexpensive considering the euro premium; none of this major components leaking oil stuff to the tune of $2k+ for a single item.

Anyway, I was thinking about a trade for a new-ish or new bluetec for the improved gas mileage, but reading about these issues really puts a damper on that idea. It gives me a sinking feeling to buy a newer car and have more of the same issues a few years down the road.

It has been a real eyeopener to read about the additional major issues (turbo seals, adblue heater, ...) the diesels are having, on top of the issues (cam caps, steering rack, compressor, suspension) I've had with the gas one. And water leaks around the tail lights on the new ones? Frying your electric system. Geez.

Is there any confirmation that MB is actually addressing all of these common issues from W164 to W166 or in the new W166 models versus the older W166?
Or is it just more of the same? And it is too early to tell as the vehicles don't have enough miles on them yet, and/or are still under warranty.

49coupe

Icerabbit, from my family's experience MB quality has come to the point it's almost impossible to own one without the extended warranty. Two of my customers and my father-in-law all own 2010 MLs. All three of them have had to replace the steering control modules on their cars before they hit 50,000 miles. Coincidence, I don't think so.

I would seriously look at an X5 BMW diesel if you want a diesel SUV. Based on people I know who own them and the opinion of my private mechanic, they have fewer problems and BMW is generally better at helping customers if they do. MB does not give a hoot because they can sell every one they make. The fact that Kias have a better warranty than MB should tell us something.

icerabbit

Thanks 49coupe.

The issue with going to another brand SUV is, that it doesn't satisfy the brand-loyal lifelong mb owning spouse.

But, with the repairs on our ML, which honestly gets babied and driven more carefully than many/most drivers & vehicles around (ML trip averages of 20.x - 21.x mpg tend to prove that, I think); she has come to the realizations that they don't build benzes any more like they used to and that owning a benz beyond 4 years gets to be an issue because they're seemingly built just well enough to make it through a lease or a basic warranty period.

It really poses a trust problem when you want your next benz to last 10-15 years, but repairs & maintenance at 5-6 yrs already add up to the cost of half of a basic car.

MB spec'ing their vehicles with better components and warrantying their vehicles similar to some other brands would go a long way in reestablishing some trust. You want to be happy when you buy your next benz, and not have to worry & think well I better set another $5k aside for engine, adblue, steering, etc issues when it is 4yrs old.

49coupe

icerabbit, loyalty means nothing to MB. Trust me. I fought with MB for 8 months to repaint my hood on my 2009 ML because I reported the rust issue 2 months outside of the 4 year warranty. It was bubbling up at the seams due to poor prep. They knew and I reminded them that we have 9 MBs in my immediate family. Instead of taking that into consideration, they actually asked me "what is that supposed to mean", (i.e. am I threatening them). I'm serious. Arrogance is bad generally, but really bad in business. It's not that I could not afford to have it painted, since I had to repaint every panel on my 2003 C320 except the roof due to rust issues, but I did not want to. It's a 5 year old "premium" product. That means something in other companies. When I had a problem with my 7 year old Rimowa suitcase (1 year warranty), they replaced it with a floor model since they knew my family is a good customer. When I had an issue with my 4 year old Rolex, they fixed it for free (1 year warranty). MB does not care. It's not just me. I have customers with 3-4 MBs and they get treated the same way.

Besides the money, it's the hassle. My brother-in-law's 2014 S550, which cost $120K+, has been towed twice since he got it in January 2014 due to electrical issues. I had been driving MBs for 16 years exclusively, but my current commuter vehicle is a Hyundai Genesis 3.8. It's been stone reliable and my last oil service was less than $100 with synthetic. There are other brands that make good products. I still love MB, but I will do my homework before I buy another one when my ML needs replacing, but I would not buy one as a commuter car. I've had more trouble with my C320 and ML350 than all my other cars combined.

icerabbit

I appreciate your insight.

I know it is an entirely separate division, but I coincidentally just learned MB FS has the attitude of a debt collector. I just got a call the on Monday from MB FS that they need this that and another completed by Thursday, regarding a lease end in three weeks. Never mind that a) we didn't know there was a 2 week deadline prior to lease end b) can't just stop by the dealer at the drop of a pin to have the car inspected and c) that this vehicle's tag & insurance are up for renewal in three weeks as well. So, good luck proving right this minute that you have registration & insurance 30days beyond lease end. Plus registration is 30% cheaper for a non-lease car. Anyhow. Not a single drop of consideration for the fact that they're calling 4 days prior to their day 0 ... and no courtesy 1 week or 1 month extension to satisfy their artificial deadline two weeks prior to lease end. All while you know for a fact that they'll do 1-2-3 month extensions at no cost to the customer when you get into another lease.

Anyway. I hear you when it comes to dealing with big nameless corporations and people who can hide behind the telephone or the internet. I'm happy to hear other premium non-car issues get better resolution.

Car wise I have personal experience with having to put a foot down to get my entire car (not MB) repainted for the same issue like your having (bubbling paint all over due to priming/baking/...) and another euro vehicle completely rewired (also not MB, would fail to start randomly at any point in time whether next day after parking overnight or when you left the supermarket) fortunately both still under warranty. But it took many months indeed.

It is sad that MB doesn't consider customer loyalty because in the end they're shooting themselves in the foot for repeat business and word of mouth. Their best advertising is from repeat customers who are happy with the product and the service.

Unfortunately, my wife and I are learning the hard way, that things aren't what they used to be, in terms of quality, service, ...

ralph85

Does anyone know when they upgraded the seals at the factory? I've got an early 2011 and I'm wondering if it already has the upgraded Viton seals or is it just a matter of time before I need to have it repaired?

Hoplatani

I had an oil leak from the oil cooler, the turbo, the throttle valve, the intakes were backed, and a month after, the Adblue tank overheated and exploded, causing several damages in the wring harnesses beside, the heater and tubes were changed! MB knows about all these problems and they still do nothing because we are not complaining enough!!!

scotthean

I also have a 2011 ML Blue Tec mine with 85,000 kms (50,000 miles). Mercedes, under extended warranty for which I paid handsomely, replaced the oil seals...some 2 days in the shop! The service manager was aware of a "few" other diesels with a similiar issue.

Seems to me this is a manufacture problem which ought to be covered "for life" and this car I will sell before the extended warranty runs out (another 2 years). I will not buy another Mercedes product.

Hoplatani

Yes it's an oil leaker! From the first running test back in 2005, the w166/w164 diesel motor was an oil leaker. Try a research in Wikipedia and you will see. I also have a mechanic friend from being Bulgaria who works for Mercedes and told me the same stories about ML230 CDi (Bleutech) the problem seems to be from the oil cooler, throttle alve and Turbo gaskets. The company is knowing about the problem and doing nothing because of their image. A recall will be a shame for a luxury brand, but they still charge 3000$ for the reparation if you're out of the plan!!!!!!

20swrt

+1 yes it is. In fact, all 4 of mercedes diesels I owned leaked oil somewhere. I also hear from my indi mechanic who works on BMWs too. Its a trait of german vehicles - but diesels in particular are the worst. The question you should ask is - how much oil does it leak. Since i had my oil cooler done last year it no longer drips in the garage. But i still see some seepage every 2-3 days after i wipe it down. Not strong enough to drip. Its not coming from the seep hole. So Ill not worry about it just yet. I just and until it gets worse.