I'm curious to know what others have experienced in terms of gas mileage savings and repair costs on ML 350 Diesels. We bought a 2010 ML350 Bluetec new. Over the past 5 years and 120,000kms what ever we've saved in mileage by going with diesel, we've easily paid back out for three major diesel related repairs - glow plugs and gp module, AdBlue system, oil coolers. Great vehicle, but maybe stick with gas engine next time.
Junior Member
I just picked up an 08 ML550 with 47k on it and came to a similar conclusion. With gas prices low it wasn't worth paying a premium for a used ML diesel.
Not sure if it's the diesel engine or it being a benz but I would guess any benz would be more expensive to maintain than a Japanese equivalent.
Not sure if it's the diesel engine or it being a benz but I would guess any benz would be more expensive to maintain than a Japanese equivalent.
hope the ML550 works out well for you. i personally don't like any of the Japanese SUV's (or cars for that matter)...it's nice see 7-8L/100km fuel consumption on the display as we roll down highway on long trips, but the $4000+ diesel related repairs was definitely unexpected. i hope the overall difference has been a wash, but I'm afraid to actually do all the math in case the diesel tco actually turned out to be higher.
Junior Member
I agree, not a big fan of the Japanese SUVs but I do admire their reliability and cost of maintenance. Hoping that my ML serves me will with just routine maintenance.
Newbie
Had a ML 350 Bluetec for 3 yrs and 68K miles. Just switched back to gas....bad Diesel quality, expensive service and AdBlue heater replacement made it too expensive. I liked the torque though.
i did the math.....assuming average 11L/100kms with diesel and 15L/100kms for gas over 130,000kms at $1.20/L (gas or diesel) over 5 years. difference is $6240 savings using diesel. repairs for diesel related was roughly $4500, leaving around $1700 net gain. so we're ahead - slightly, and assuming everything continues to hold together and no diesel related repairs come along. need to check reliability of all these twin turbo gas engines before deciding gas/diesel for next vehicle. my service guy at MB says - never buy, lease for 3 yrs.
