No wonder these cars aren't very reliable!
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
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.
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.
#2
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2012 X6 35i Sport, 2013 ML 350 BT, 2019 4Runner TRD Pro, 2020 CRV-AWD
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$$
Read up on this http://www.stephensservice.com/bluet...ssuesproblems/ and make your own judgement call. If nothing else, do your oil changes religiously and often, check your air filters.
There are tens of thousands of Bluetecs out there, they aren't all taking a dump. And, I'm hoping that my 5k mile oil/filter changes with high(er) zinc level oil will save my a$$
#3
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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.
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.
#4
Super Member
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.
#5
Senior Member
#7
Super Member
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.
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#8
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#9
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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.
#10
Senior Member
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.
#11
Super Member
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
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$$
Read up on this http://www.stephensservice.com/bluet...ssuesproblems/ and make your own judgement call. If nothing else, do your oil changes religiously and often, check your air filters.
There are tens of thousands of Bluetecs out there, they aren't all taking a dump. And, I'm hoping that my 5k mile oil/filter changes with high(er) zinc level oil will save my a$$
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
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!
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!
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
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.
#16
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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.
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.
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#18
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Thread Starter
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?
Last edited by cueball1; 05-11-2018 at 03:45 PM.
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#19
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16 E550 Cab, 2003 Ram bright red crewcab 4x4 we call Clifford :)
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
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
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
#21
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally Posted by cueball1
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.
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.
For cabin filters, change them from outside 10 minutes and you need to get there anyway to change dust filter.
#22
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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!!!!