Can't decide between Gas or Diesel
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Joined: Nov 2018
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From: Yonkers, NY
99 M3
Can't decide between Gas or Diesel
Looking to get out of my little pocket rocket Fiesta ST and into something bigger that the wife can drive. Found 2 '12 MLs one a silver Bluetec, the other a black 3.5. Diesel one is actually about a grand cheaper. Both have almost the same exact mileage (+/-65k) and each a Carfax showing the relatively vague maintenance histories. It doesn't appear anything major was repaired on the diesel and I have been leaning towards that one since we do a few long distance road trips with the dogs and even though I have a truck to pull my M3 to track I wouldn't mind having the ML as an option. I know the gas would do the job just not as effortlessly as the diesel. I guess like a lot of people the more I try to research these things the more terrified I am of owning the Bluetec. I am not afraid to turn a wrench by any means but I don't even know if most of the maintenance/repairs are possible for a garage mechanic. Unfortunately living in NY I don't believe the DPF delete is feasible. Ironic, that this is one of the first vehicles I just want to drive and not modify and I find out about all these 6.0 Powerstrokesqe problems. I like the idea of buying a Bluetec and putting 300k on it as it seems to fit my bill as a roomy not too small not too big all-weather vehicle that I found super comfortable but I'm not sure that's practical.
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Joined: Nov 2017
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From: Bethesda, MD
2010 Mercedes GL450; 2000 Mercedes ML55 AMG; 2016 VW GLI SEL Stick!!!
Looking to get out of my little pocket rocket Fiesta ST and into something bigger that the wife can drive. Found 2 '12 MLs one a silver Bluetec, the other a black 3.5. Diesel one is actually about a grand cheaper. Both have almost the same exact mileage (+/-65k) and each a Carfax showing the relatively vague maintenance histories. It doesn't appear anything major was repaired on the diesel and I have been leaning towards that one since we do a few long distance road trips with the dogs and even though I have a truck to pull my M3 to track I wouldn't mind having the ML as an option. I know the gas would do the job just not as effortlessly as the diesel. I guess like a lot of people the more I try to research these things the more terrified I am of owning the Bluetec. I am not afraid to turn a wrench by any means but I don't even know if most of the maintenance/repairs are possible for a garage mechanic. Unfortunately living in NY I don't believe the DPF delete is feasible. Ironic, that this is one of the first vehicles I just want to drive and not modify and I find out about all these 6.0 Powerstrokesqe problems. I like the idea of buying a Bluetec and putting 300k on it as it seems to fit my bill as a roomy not too small not too big all-weather vehicle that I found super comfortable but I'm not sure that's practical.
Air suspension is great for towing and you could get rid of your truck and tow with the gl at that point.
Go go for the gas version. Too many headaches, breakdowns etc with diesel.
Harman kardon, lighting package are a must have as well as trailer hitch.
Air suspension sis great if you can find an ml with it. Otherwise gl will be easier.
If you are set on a ml. Look for a 550 or 400. And be sure to buy CPo or get a reputable aftermarket warranty like car max.
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Joined: May 2017
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From: Montreal/Cape Coral FL
2012 X6 35i Sport, 2013 ML 350 BT, 2019 4Runner TRD Pro, 2020 CRV-AWD
I'm with kombifan. Whatever you save on fuel, you'll more than pay it back and more on repairs.
Our BT was purchased from a grey-haired old lady with 20k miles on the odo. In 5k miles, we've had the DEF tank replaced and the EGR repaired. All under warranty which just ran out, but would have totaled almost $5k CAN. We've just done the EGR/DEF/DPF delete and I run high-zinc content oil to protect the timing chain. I also change my oil & filter every 3k miles and pop my belly pan and engine cover in the summer.
The OM642's are rock-solid engines, it's the smog-control stuff that cause problems. If I was in a smog-checking area I would, as kombifan stated, definitely go with gas.
Our BT was purchased from a grey-haired old lady with 20k miles on the odo. In 5k miles, we've had the DEF tank replaced and the EGR repaired. All under warranty which just ran out, but would have totaled almost $5k CAN. We've just done the EGR/DEF/DPF delete and I run high-zinc content oil to protect the timing chain. I also change my oil & filter every 3k miles and pop my belly pan and engine cover in the summer.
The OM642's are rock-solid engines, it's the smog-control stuff that cause problems. If I was in a smog-checking area I would, as kombifan stated, definitely go with gas.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
While I am a proponent of the Diesel cycle, having just come from a 238,500 mile relationship with a diesel German SUV, I must agree with peter and kombifan.
Diesel delivers excellent fuel economy, there are no arguments about this.
Diesel reliability, in 21st century passenger cars in North America, is questionable. The DEF, DPF and EGR solutions are fraught with problems from all manufacturers. Separately, I also had a 6.0L Ford Powerstroke and endured a number of issues with that vehicle. Fuel economy and towing capability were not among them, however.
Gone are the days of 1980s-era diesel Mercedes reliability. It's not a Mercedes thing, it's an industry thing, at least where North American emissions regulations apply.
Diesel delivers excellent fuel economy, there are no arguments about this.
Diesel reliability, in 21st century passenger cars in North America, is questionable. The DEF, DPF and EGR solutions are fraught with problems from all manufacturers. Separately, I also had a 6.0L Ford Powerstroke and endured a number of issues with that vehicle. Fuel economy and towing capability were not among them, however.
Gone are the days of 1980s-era diesel Mercedes reliability. It's not a Mercedes thing, it's an industry thing, at least where North American emissions regulations apply.
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Joined: Dec 2016
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From: at the mercedes dealer next to you
2020 GLE350 2020 Toyota Rav4H AWD XLE
if you can stretch your budget look at a gl.
Air suspension is great for towing and you could get rid of your truck and tow with the gl at that point.
Go go for the gas version. Too many headaches, breakdowns etc with diesel.
Harman kardon, lighting package are a must have as well as trailer hitch.
Air suspension sis great if you can find an ml with it. Otherwise gl will be easier.
If you are set on a ml. Look for a 550 or 400. And be sure to buy CPo or get a reputable aftermarket warranty like car max.
