Comments and Questions about 2012 Bluetec (other Bluetec owners please read)
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W212 E350
Comments and Questions about 2012 Bluetec (other Bluetec owners please read)
I just got my 2012 Bluetec. I had a 2010 Bluetec, so this is what I am doing my comparisons to. I have an appointment at the dealer for next week, but I would like to get some input here from other owners if possible. When I start the car and drive off, and the engine is cold, the engine has a terrible hesitation and pulses and shakes and has little ability to accelerate. My 2010 did not do this. It gets better rather quickly, but still totally different than my 2010. Also, where does your engine temp gage read? Mine is way above the middle (80) almost to the next line. Every other car I have had, the normal temp falls right in the middle of the gage.
Only other thing I have noticed, is that the seat heaters take forever to heat up. My 2010 was blazing hot after almost no time at all.
The car otherwise is fantastic. I just switched cars with someone today who has a 2011 ML and it is really night at day. The old one feels dated and cheap. The ride, road noise, steering is top notch in the 12. I really like the lighter steering at low speeds and it does tighten up nicely as your speed increases.
I special ordered the Auburn Brown leather which I must say was way darker than I was expecting and much darker than the photo in the dealer guide.
The H/K sound system is fantastic, and I feel that it will get even better as time goes on. I just listened to the same CD in the 2011 that I swapped with for the day and the depth and clarity are far better in the redesigned 2012 system.
The Satin ash wood is gorgeous.
The illuminated door sills look great and are a nice touch.
I love the 3 color ambient lighting.
The COMMAND system is great. The navigation with traffic is a nice feature. I have been using mbrace and the "Send2Benz" feature and I really love it. I am not sure that I would pay for the subscription, but I have used it frequently. If you are not familiar, you can quickly search a location on your iphone app and the app sends the address to your car and the when you get in, just hit the “i” button and the navigation to that location begins. Sirius weather is a great feature.
The real leather really gives the car a better feel and a much more luxurious look. Maybe it is only because I was just in one that had the tex and was able to compare side by side.
Love the 2012 overall, just hope to get some of these quirks worked out.
Only other thing I have noticed, is that the seat heaters take forever to heat up. My 2010 was blazing hot after almost no time at all.
The car otherwise is fantastic. I just switched cars with someone today who has a 2011 ML and it is really night at day. The old one feels dated and cheap. The ride, road noise, steering is top notch in the 12. I really like the lighter steering at low speeds and it does tighten up nicely as your speed increases.
I special ordered the Auburn Brown leather which I must say was way darker than I was expecting and much darker than the photo in the dealer guide.
The H/K sound system is fantastic, and I feel that it will get even better as time goes on. I just listened to the same CD in the 2011 that I swapped with for the day and the depth and clarity are far better in the redesigned 2012 system.
The Satin ash wood is gorgeous.
The illuminated door sills look great and are a nice touch.
I love the 3 color ambient lighting.
The COMMAND system is great. The navigation with traffic is a nice feature. I have been using mbrace and the "Send2Benz" feature and I really love it. I am not sure that I would pay for the subscription, but I have used it frequently. If you are not familiar, you can quickly search a location on your iphone app and the app sends the address to your car and the when you get in, just hit the “i” button and the navigation to that location begins. Sirius weather is a great feature.
The real leather really gives the car a better feel and a much more luxurious look. Maybe it is only because I was just in one that had the tex and was able to compare side by side.
Love the 2012 overall, just hope to get some of these quirks worked out.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 52
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2017 Mercedes A250 Sport 4matic, 2014 Mercedes GL 350d, 73 450 SL. Coming GLC43 AMG and GT R
Just drove the 2012 ML Bluetec (250-4 cylinder) today.
I assume you are refering to the Bluetec 350 with regard to you tread.
The 250 Bluetec (with a way to noisy 4 cylinder diesel engine for such a upscale SUV) that I drove today had a quite high engine temperature (way past middle).
Except from the 4 cylinder engine the car was excellent!
It handled better, much more upscale than the W164 and fantastic looking.
I have a mega loaded ML350 Bluetec for order for delivery in March, 2012 with the ILS/Bi-Xenon/LED headlamps.
I can`t wait, but I sure will follow your strange engine behavior for you 350 Bluetec!
The 250 Bluetec (with a way to noisy 4 cylinder diesel engine for such a upscale SUV) that I drove today had a quite high engine temperature (way past middle).
Except from the 4 cylinder engine the car was excellent!
It handled better, much more upscale than the W164 and fantastic looking.
I have a mega loaded ML350 Bluetec for order for delivery in March, 2012 with the ILS/Bi-Xenon/LED headlamps.
I can`t wait, but I sure will follow your strange engine behavior for you 350 Bluetec!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
I just got my 2012 Bluetec. I had a 2010 Bluetec, so this is what I am doing my comparisons to. I have an appointment at the dealer for next week, but I would like to get some input here from other owners if possible. When I start the car and drive off, and the engine is cold, the engine has a terrible hesitation and pulses and shakes and has little ability to accelerate. My 2010 did not do this. It gets better rather quickly, but still totally different than my 2010. Also, where does your engine temp gage read? Mine is way above the middle (80) almost to the next line. Every other car I have had, the normal temp falls right in the middle of the gage.
I'm resigned to living with this issue and am willing (for the time being,at least) to do so largely because I see no actual harm being done to the vehicle and because,as you've noted,it *does* resolve itself soon after starting.
As for the temp guage,mine rests (once warmed up) just above 80.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,309
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From: Cave Creek, AZ and Newport Beach
'22 G 63 AMG, '21 GLE 53 AMG, '20 NSX
I just got my 2012 Bluetec. I had a 2010 Bluetec, so this is what I am doing my comparisons to. I have an appointment at the dealer for next week, but I would like to get some input here from other owners if possible. When I start the car and drive off, and the engine is cold, the engine has a terrible hesitation and pulses and shakes and has little ability to accelerate. My 2010 did not do this. It gets better rather quickly, but still totally different than my 2010. Also, where does your engine temp gage read? Mine is way above the middle (80) almost to the next line. Every other car I have had, the normal temp falls right in the middle of the gage.
Only other thing I have noticed, is that the seat heaters take forever to heat up. My 2010 was blazing hot after almost no time at all.
The car otherwise is fantastic. I just switched cars with someone today who has a 2011 ML and it is really night at day. The old one feels dated and cheap. The ride, road noise, steering is top notch in the 12. I really like the lighter steering at low speeds and it does tighten up nicely as your speed increases.
I special ordered the Auburn Brown leather which I must say was way darker than I was expecting and much darker than the photo in the dealer guide.
The H/K sound system is fantastic, and I feel that it will get even better as time goes on. I just listened to the same CD in the 2011 that I swapped with for the day and the depth and clarity are far better in the redesigned 2012 system.
The Satin ash wood is gorgeous.
The illuminated door sills look great and are a nice touch.
I love the 3 color ambient lighting.
The COMMAND system is great. The navigation with traffic is a nice feature. I have been using mbrace and the "Send2Benz" feature and I really love it. I am not sure that I would pay for the subscription, but I have used it frequently. If you are not familiar, you can quickly search a location on your iphone app and the app sends the address to your car and the when you get in, just hit the “i” button and the navigation to that location begins. Sirius weather is a great feature.
The real leather really gives the car a better feel and a much more luxurious look. Maybe it is only because I was just in one that had the tex and was able to compare side by side.
Love the 2012 overall, just hope to get some of these quirks worked out.
Only other thing I have noticed, is that the seat heaters take forever to heat up. My 2010 was blazing hot after almost no time at all.
The car otherwise is fantastic. I just switched cars with someone today who has a 2011 ML and it is really night at day. The old one feels dated and cheap. The ride, road noise, steering is top notch in the 12. I really like the lighter steering at low speeds and it does tighten up nicely as your speed increases.
I special ordered the Auburn Brown leather which I must say was way darker than I was expecting and much darker than the photo in the dealer guide.
The H/K sound system is fantastic, and I feel that it will get even better as time goes on. I just listened to the same CD in the 2011 that I swapped with for the day and the depth and clarity are far better in the redesigned 2012 system.
The Satin ash wood is gorgeous.
The illuminated door sills look great and are a nice touch.
I love the 3 color ambient lighting.
The COMMAND system is great. The navigation with traffic is a nice feature. I have been using mbrace and the "Send2Benz" feature and I really love it. I am not sure that I would pay for the subscription, but I have used it frequently. If you are not familiar, you can quickly search a location on your iphone app and the app sends the address to your car and the when you get in, just hit the “i” button and the navigation to that location begins. Sirius weather is a great feature.
The real leather really gives the car a better feel and a much more luxurious look. Maybe it is only because I was just in one that had the tex and was able to compare side by side.
Love the 2012 overall, just hope to get some of these quirks worked out.
It had been raining and was cool for SoCal 53 deg when my sales rep gave me the keys and I started it up backup and drove out of the dealership. No hesitation that I could detect. This is the second '12 Bluetec I've driven and it was a major improvement over the '10 which I wanted to like but couldn't get over mediocre performance.
My order had The Auburn interior with the satin ash wood that looked better than I thought as it contrasts to the black dash. Nice change to the almost universal black that makes it look like a dark hole in the interior. I'm impressed as the quality of the interior is a step up compared to the last ML.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 47
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From: Kalifornia
2012 Blk/Blk ML350 4Matic
I just got my 2012 Bluetec. I had a 2010 Bluetec, so this is what I am doing my comparisons to. I have an appointment at the dealer for next week, but I would like to get some input here from other owners if possible. When I start the car and drive off, and the engine is cold, the engine has a terrible hesitation and pulses and shakes and has little ability to accelerate. My 2010 did not do this. It gets better rather quickly, but still totally different than my 2010. Also, where does your engine temp gage read? Mine is way above the middle (80) almost to the next line. Every other car I have had, the normal temp falls right in the middle of the gage.
Only other thing I have noticed, is that the seat heaters take forever to heat up. My 2010 was blazing hot after almost no time at all.
The car otherwise is fantastic. I just switched cars with someone today who has a 2011 ML and it is really night at day. The old one feels dated and cheap. The ride, road noise, steering is top notch in the 12. I really like the lighter steering at low speeds and it does tighten up nicely as your speed increases.
I special ordered the Auburn Brown leather which I must say was way darker than I was expecting and much darker than the photo in the dealer guide.
The H/K sound system is fantastic, and I feel that it will get even better as time goes on. I just listened to the same CD in the 2011 that I swapped with for the day and the depth and clarity are far better in the redesigned 2012 system.
The Satin ash wood is gorgeous.
The illuminated door sills look great and are a nice touch.
I love the 3 color ambient lighting.
The COMMAND system is great. The navigation with traffic is a nice feature. I have been using mbrace and the "Send2Benz" feature and I really love it. I am not sure that I would pay for the subscription, but I have used it frequently. If you are not familiar, you can quickly search a location on your iphone app and the app sends the address to your car and the when you get in, just hit the “i” button and the navigation to that location begins. Sirius weather is a great feature.
The real leather really gives the car a better feel and a much more luxurious look. Maybe it is only because I was just in one that had the tex and was able to compare side by side.
Love the 2012 overall, just hope to get some of these quirks worked out.
Only other thing I have noticed, is that the seat heaters take forever to heat up. My 2010 was blazing hot after almost no time at all.
The car otherwise is fantastic. I just switched cars with someone today who has a 2011 ML and it is really night at day. The old one feels dated and cheap. The ride, road noise, steering is top notch in the 12. I really like the lighter steering at low speeds and it does tighten up nicely as your speed increases.
I special ordered the Auburn Brown leather which I must say was way darker than I was expecting and much darker than the photo in the dealer guide.
The H/K sound system is fantastic, and I feel that it will get even better as time goes on. I just listened to the same CD in the 2011 that I swapped with for the day and the depth and clarity are far better in the redesigned 2012 system.
The Satin ash wood is gorgeous.
The illuminated door sills look great and are a nice touch.
I love the 3 color ambient lighting.
The COMMAND system is great. The navigation with traffic is a nice feature. I have been using mbrace and the "Send2Benz" feature and I really love it. I am not sure that I would pay for the subscription, but I have used it frequently. If you are not familiar, you can quickly search a location on your iphone app and the app sends the address to your car and the when you get in, just hit the “i” button and the navigation to that location begins. Sirius weather is a great feature.
The real leather really gives the car a better feel and a much more luxurious look. Maybe it is only because I was just in one that had the tex and was able to compare side by side.
Love the 2012 overall, just hope to get some of these quirks worked out.
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 416
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From: NS, Canada
2023 E53 AMG, 2024 EQE AMG SUV
I had my SA's '12 ML350BT for the night a few weeks ago and the following morning I experienced the same hesitation and shake that the OP had. I currently have a '10 ML350BT and I have had it happen on a few occasions as well. What I've been doing lately is starting it and letting it run for a good minute (or more) before leaving. That seams to get rid of most of it. I agree, however, that it shouldn't be in-your-face obvious. I don't like the idea that my $75K ML will shake in the morning just because it's cold out :-)
Last edited by lboudreau; Nov 23, 2011 at 09:18 AM.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
W212 E350
Thanks for the feedback. I am not sure why this car shakes so much when it is cold. I never had the issue with my 2010 Bluetec.
In regards to the interior, MB really did an awesome job. The interior looks and feel expensive. You can tell just by pressing the buttons how well everything is make and put together. This is a very big contrast to the 2010 that I owned.
In regards to the interior, MB really did an awesome job. The interior looks and feel expensive. You can tell just by pressing the buttons how well everything is make and put together. This is a very big contrast to the 2010 that I owned.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 552
Likes: 1
From: Near Niagara Falls, Canada
2013 ML BLUETEC JULY 31
Your pricing $$$
I assume you are refering to the Bluetec 350 with regard to you tread.
The 250 Bluetec (with a way to noisy 4 cylinder diesel engine for such a upscale SUV) that I drove today had a quite high engine temperature (way past middle).
Except from the 4 cylinder engine the car was excellent!
It handled better, much more upscale than the W164 and fantastic looking.
I have a mega loaded ML350 Bluetec for order for delivery in March, 2012 with the ILS/Bi-Xenon/LED headlamps.
I can`t wait, but I sure will follow your strange engine behavior for you 350 Bluetec!
The 250 Bluetec (with a way to noisy 4 cylinder diesel engine for such a upscale SUV) that I drove today had a quite high engine temperature (way past middle).
Except from the 4 cylinder engine the car was excellent!
It handled better, much more upscale than the W164 and fantastic looking.
I have a mega loaded ML350 Bluetec for order for delivery in March, 2012 with the ILS/Bi-Xenon/LED headlamps.
I can`t wait, but I sure will follow your strange engine behavior for you 350 Bluetec!
I saw $ sign so guessed you converted to dollars.
wow expensive there my friend
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: London ON
2012 ML350 BlueTec; used to drive 2009 R320 BlueTec
Miserable, cold, wet day here in London, Ontario where I test drove the ML350 BT I'll acquiring in 2 days. No issues with shuddering noted. But it's looking the temperature is going to drop a bit more on the night I take delivery. I'll let you know if it happens!
Regardless, way more civilized than my R320 BT. Smoother, quitter and more responsive.
Regardless, way more civilized than my R320 BT. Smoother, quitter and more responsive.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
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W212 E350
Thanks for all of the feedback. Every morning, I cannot make it down my street without the car jumping, vibrating, shaking, etc. They just picked it up to look at a few issues including the cold operation of the engine. I will let everyone know what they find. Thanks again.
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 119
Likes: 3
From: Indianapolis
car
I've had the shaking, stumbling issue a couple of times now. Most noticeably when I did a cold start outside at about 28 degrees F. Other times, at 30 degrees plus, I've not had any shaking.
I think this is fixable by MB with some ECU tuning; I don't know if they'll actually do it, of course. So far, I don't really find it that bothersome; it usually goes away after a 15 to 20 seconds of driving. It's something I'll be keeping an eye on as winter progresses and more cold start "opportunities" present themselves.
I think this is fixable by MB with some ECU tuning; I don't know if they'll actually do it, of course. So far, I don't really find it that bothersome; it usually goes away after a 15 to 20 seconds of driving. It's something I'll be keeping an eye on as winter progresses and more cold start "opportunities" present themselves.
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From: NH
2012 C63 BS & 2014 E63 Estate & 2008 CLK63 BS
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From: Bow, NH
2012 ML350 Bluetec, 2009 Audi A4 Cab,2003 Harley Road King
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300D Turbo 1984
60 seconds, I'm usually 300 to 600 seconds behind in the mornings. I can't afford 60 seconds! My 300D Turbo from 1984 doesn't require more than 5 seconds (glow plugs warming up). For a $60K 2012 This is simply Unacceptable! This is 
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Joined: Nov 2011
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iu
News from my service manager last week is that this is a known issue with the new diesel and they are working a software fix. I am expecting the update in the coming weeks.
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Joined: May 2007
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Known issue? Why are they selling diesels today, and not telling before purchase?? This soils the brand. When I bought my GL diesel in '07, there was a turbo hose blow off problem, and the dealership would not allow me to take delivery of my ordered vehicle until they were satisfied of a fix. Times have changed, and this thread alone has ended my interest in getting an ML right now. What problem will emerge next week? New model blues, which hurts after dropping so much money.
