No wonder these cars aren't very reliable!
 

I just sold a 2013 Lexus RX450h and bought a 2014 ML BT. Loved the MPG of the hybrid RX but didn't really love the lack of character and the lack of towing capacity. Replaced it with the Bluetec for the towing and decent MPG. Come here and find out the BT doesn't have a great reputation for reliability. As I'm getting ready to replace every fluid and filter in this 50k mile vehicle I've figured out why these are so much less reliable than the Toyota/Lexus I just sold. The Lexus cabin air filters require moving 2 panels inside the glovebox that are easily accessed. First time took me under 2 minutes. Engine air filter you remove the engine cover, open a panel door and replace the filter. Again under 2 minutes start to finish. The Mercedes Bluetec filters are horribly over-engineered and not made to be easily serviced. What possible reason is there for the engine filters not to simply be a filter?!? Looks like the first time doing engine and cabin filters might take 30 to 40 minutes if not more. If the whole car is this poorly thought out, not made to be serviced and every part is equally complex no wonder crap fails!

I thought Germans were great engineers. A great engineer realizes the simpler solution is usually best!

Rant over....

That said, what a nice car! Beyond ease of service it's nicer in every way. Solid, quiet, smooth and everything feels substantial.

Yeah, I hear you. In the same boat. You figure that by spending more for a German vehicle, you benefit from the over-engineering. Not necessarily the case though.

Read up on this http://www.stephensservice.com/bluet...ssuesproblems/ and make your own judgement call. If nothing else, do your oil changes religiously and often, check your air filters.
There are tens of thousands of Bluetecs out there, they aren't all taking a dump. And, I'm hoping that my 5k mile oil/filter changes with high(er) zinc level oil will save my a$$

lol. My 2015 ML 350 has been very reliable so far. I stayed away from the BT because of all the issues and went with the basic gas engine. Basic engine, transmission and no airmatic. The car is very well made and build tough. The airfilters are a pain to get to but that does not mean the car is unreliable. Unreliable is when you cannot drive the car because it will not start or something mechanically fails to the point where the car is unusable or not safe to be driven.

OP thank you for the amusement. Buying a bluetec is not really experiencing a MB. You should have bought\buy a prius you seem the type.

What a stupidly demeaning response! Perhaps you should buy anything other than a Mercedes.

Mercedes is famous for their Diesel engines. 1936 they produced the first Diesel car for production.

no sh_t. So go experience a 1936 diesel I'll stick with the newer models non diesel we'll see which performs better. Also you liking viewing my profile so much you should just screenshot it.

i do own other cars than just MB, thank you

What on earth are you even talking about? No kidding a newer diesel performs better then one of old so great on that observation. My point was Mercedes has been producing Diesel engines for many years so to say a Bluetch MB is not really a MB experience is a sill comment.

Don't give him the satisfaction. This is simply a little man trying to be a troll who most likely drives a twenty year old Rabbit! A self proclaimed "Gangsta" Ha!

You are hopeful.

Thanks for the laughs guys!

I planned on dropping to the 5k oil changes too. Do you still use synthetic or with the shorter schedule do you use a high quality dino oil?

To OP.
Lets talk when you change fuel filter :) how deep in the engine it is.

Im getting 24 mpg on average 60/40 city/highway drivings. Not to far from gas, and with cost of diesel + higher maintenance cost there are no cost savings.

Speaking of reliability, I din't have statistics but logically MB sales are rising meaning people do trust MB. As any other car manufacturer they have issues question is how oftener it happens?

My personal experience: so far I have over 75K miles on my ML. I haven't had any issues as many people reported. Again people reporting only issues, not many people saying Im happy owner.

Good luck to you and enjoy your ride!

Dan, I live pretty rural. Lot's of 50mph with a couple miles between stops. So far I'm getting around 26 mpg. Diesel here is cheaper than premium gas so there is maybe a slight savings. Maybe.

I have a fuel filter coming too so I have that adventure to look forward to! Just swapped the engine air filters. Seriously, there had to be a better way. Disheartened by how much oil was built up around those Viton seals. I'm thinking catch can or ? Do people vent to air? I hate having the EGR system dumping that sludge back into the engine.

These 2 children are not representative of most of us, id suggest just start another thread.... or maybe the admin can toss them....

Thread cleaned up. Lets keep it this way.

What's the internet for if not childish trolls! I'm new here but not new to forums. I know to ignore stuff like that. Nice job ADMIN on cleaning this thread up. Thanks!!!

Still curious if those who have moved to a 5k oil change schedule if you use synth or dino. The Steves Garage guy says 20-60 oil. I think that's extreme. I am thinking running 10-40 though. Opinions on oil weight?

I hear ya MB is still a good quality automobile.... where they even more rock solid in the 80/90's ? perhaps... we had a lexus gs430 before the E550 and it was the most reliable car ever... 10 yrs and 150k miles... no issues.... at 100k miles we did put $3,500 into a total new suspension, Arms, bushings, struts.... granted we had a horrible road in NH... so don't blame the car.... But it drove like an appliance.. no road feel, just numb, but it served its purpose.. reliable, comfortable family car with some oomph... kids are out of college... time for US time :)

Pretty much my experience. Had a Lexus GX470 I purchased with 85k miles on it. Drove to 190k and replaced a leaky radiator and put on new shocks. Really good truck. (I say truck as it's body on frame and true 4wd.) Wanted better mileage and went Hybrid RX. Big mistake. Numb, boring, but easy to service and dead reliable.

I use synthetic MB approved oil buying it from online MB dealer. And changing it every 3.5K miles.
For cabin filters, change them from outside 10 minutes and you need to get there anyway to change dust filter.

Synthetic motorcycle oil, only for the reasons cited in the article. Only just started as I had to go to NY to even find any motorcycle oil back in March. Oil and filter every 3k miles after running engine flush for 10 minutes as recommended. Mr. Stephen emailed me earlier this week to tell me about Amsoil's new "Competition" synthetic oil with higher zinc levels. That'll be my next oil after I get thru the 8 quarts of 20W50 motorcycle oil I still have.

As well, I'll be popping the engine cover & belly pan for the summer, even though my wife sees very little stop'n go traffic. That'll hopefully save my oil cooler seals

Re-read the article carefully. The NOACK rating is what will decide at what temp oil boils off. When it boils, where do the vapours go? Back into the intake system, to be gobbled up and to crud up the swirl valve etc. I've read the article over 6 times, and I still come away understanding more every time I re-read it.

Re-read the article!!!!

Jesus, this is cleaned up? What did I miss? This is child's stuff next to Diabolis and his crap......which reminds me. Life is good now. God bless the "Ignore" feature LOL