No wonder these cars aren't very reliable!
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2014 ML350 Bluetec
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.
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From: Montreal/Cape Coral FL
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$$
Read up on this http://www.stephensservice.com/bluet...ssuesproblems/ and make your own judgement call. If nothing else, do your oil changes religiously and often, check your air filters.
There are tens of thousands of Bluetecs out there, they aren't all taking a dump. And, I'm hoping that my 5k mile oil/filter changes with high(er) zinc level oil will save my a$$
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MB’s of all kinds.
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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From: FLORIDA, ITALIA, ARGENTINA
2016 E63 AMG-S, 2007 FERRARI 430, 2001 JEEP WRANGLER 60TH ANNI. EDITION SOLD 2011 E550 4matic
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.
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2016 E350 2015 ML250 2002 Z06 CORVETTE
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MB’s of all kinds.
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Joined: Feb 2018
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From: FLORIDA, ITALIA, ARGENTINA
2016 E63 AMG-S, 2007 FERRARI 430, 2001 JEEP WRANGLER 60TH ANNI. EDITION SOLD 2011 E550 4matic
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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MB’s of all kinds.
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.
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2016 E350 2015 ML250 2002 Z06 CORVETTE
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.
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Joined: Feb 2018
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From: FLORIDA, ITALIA, ARGENTINA
2016 E63 AMG-S, 2007 FERRARI 430, 2001 JEEP WRANGLER 60TH ANNI. EDITION SOLD 2011 E550 4matic
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2018
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2014 ML350 Bluetec
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$$
Read up on this http://www.stephensservice.com/bluet...ssuesproblems/ and make your own judgement call. If nothing else, do your oil changes religiously and often, check your air filters.
There are tens of thousands of Bluetecs out there, they aren't all taking a dump. And, I'm hoping that my 5k mile oil/filter changes with high(er) zinc level oil will save my a$$
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Joined: Apr 2016
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From: NW
2018 GLC 4MATIC
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!
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2018
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2014 ML350 Bluetec
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.
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2023 E450 Cabriolet, 2019 F150 Platinum, 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T
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.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 16
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2014 ML350 Bluetec
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; May 11, 2018 at 03:45 PM.
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From: Sarasota, Florida
2023 E450 Cabriolet, 2019 F150 Platinum, 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T
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
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 16
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2014 ML350 Bluetec
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
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2018 GLC 4MATIC
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.
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From: Montreal/Cape Coral FL
2012 X6 35i Sport, 2013 ML 350 BT, 2019 4Runner TRD Pro, 2020 CRV-AWD
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!!!!
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,234
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From: Montreal/Cape Coral FL
2012 X6 35i Sport, 2013 ML 350 BT, 2019 4Runner TRD Pro, 2020 CRV-AWD
