M-Class high mileage
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M class diesel
M-Class high mileage
I live in michigan and was looking at getting a second generation m class diesel which i think is 2006 to 2011 or so. Either ml320 or ml350 bluetec. I am seeing them with around 100k miles for 10-13k cash. My wife drives 12k miles a year to and from work and I would like to use it for 150k miles or so. That means 250k +/- on the car then move up to another perhaps. Are these reliable and cost effective in your opinions with regular service per manufacturer locally? Any other models in an awd higher sitting vehicle bmw/vw/audi is welcome as well. Also, mercedes said that the ml320 (non blue fluid needing) was more reliable then then replacement in 2008. Any input?
Thx
Thx
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 205
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From: Florida & North Carolina
2008 ML320CDI 4Matic, 2006 C350
2008 was the last non-Adblue year. Also has spare tire.
Common issues with this year include transmission conductor plate/valve body, oil cooler seals, and intake manifolds. All expensive repairs.
You'll want to check to see if this work has been done. I would definitely invest in a Mercedes Pre-Purchase inspection done at an MB dealer.
That said, the OM642 diesel, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_OM642, is a finicky engine. I've learned the hard way to replace the air filters at 20,000 miles and the Mobil 1 0W-30 oil I run every 5,000 miles.
Honestly, if I had it to do over again I would have purchased an ML350. The supposed savings in fuel milage has long been erased by the maintenance costs.
Common issues with this year include transmission conductor plate/valve body, oil cooler seals, and intake manifolds. All expensive repairs.
You'll want to check to see if this work has been done. I would definitely invest in a Mercedes Pre-Purchase inspection done at an MB dealer.
That said, the OM642 diesel, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_OM642, is a finicky engine. I've learned the hard way to replace the air filters at 20,000 miles and the Mobil 1 0W-30 oil I run every 5,000 miles.
Honestly, if I had it to do over again I would have purchased an ML350. The supposed savings in fuel milage has long been erased by the maintenance costs.
Last edited by CLK Group; Jul 10, 2017 at 06:31 PM.
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 131
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From: Santa Monica, CA
2010 ML350 4MATIC
I live in michigan and was looking at getting a second generation m class diesel which i think is 2006 to 2011 or so. Either ml320 or ml350 bluetec. I am seeing them with around 100k miles for 10-13k cash. My wife drives 12k miles a year to and from work and I would like to use it for 150k miles or so. That means 250k +/- on the car then move up to another perhaps. Are these reliable and cost effective in your opinions with regular service per manufacturer locally? Any other models in an awd higher sitting vehicle bmw/vw/audi is welcome as well. Also, mercedes said that the ml320 (non blue fluid needing) was more reliable then then replacement in 2008. Any input?
Thx
Thx
And this even though I had a 300D 123 for 13 years and drove it over 200 000 miles.
But the new diesels are not the sturdy diesels of yesterday. They are repair intensive and what you save on fuel you spend five times on repairs.
I bought a 2010 ML350. Those non-diesels are now sturdier than the diesels. 250 000 miles shouldn't be a problem.
I bought mine at 154 000 and my mechanic, after the pre-purchase inspection, said "barely broken in"
Just make sure you get a well-maintained one. This is why I bought from a private, as the dealers never have any maintenance history. And the carfax is almost always spotty, as many even excellent indie shops do not report to carfax.
Key points: has the oil been changed regularly? Does the car seem to have been maintained well? Does the car look as if the previous owner had taken pride in it? And still, check carfax, even though it's no longer so good - even crooked car dealers now hand out carfaxes as they know the info on there is inconclusive.
