Recommendations - Is a 2012-2015 ML350 Bluetec worth buying?
02-20-2019, 10:17 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Recommendations - Is a 2012-2015 ML350 Bluetec worth buying?
Hi there, looking at an ML350 Bluetec (used)? Is it worth looking at at all? I know there has been some problems with the Bluetec engine on these? Just wondering if anyone has had an actual good experience with one of these. I have an 08' ML320 CDI Sport that i keep well serviced and has been going pretty well, is a solid SUV. Any suggestions recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards from Clevedon, New Zealand.
02-20-2019, 11:06 PM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Hi there, looking at an ML350 Bluetec (used)? Is it worth looking at at all? I know there has been some problems with the Bluetec engine on these? Just wondering if anyone has had an actual good experience with one of these. I have an 08' ML320 CDI Sport that i keep well serviced and has been going pretty well, is a solid SUV. Any suggestions recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards from Clevedon, New Zealand.
You'll have some common issues like the adbkue tank heater....but being in nz you should be OK.
Go find one!
Best of luck
02-23-2019, 08:00 PM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
02-24-2019, 11:26 AM
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 3,684
Received 761 Likes
on
527 Posts
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars, EQE 4Matic+ on order
Adblue tank heater failures seem to be prevalent among cars that are often parked outdoors in sub-zero temperatures where the DEF fluid in the tank goes through a lot of freeze-thaw cycles, but they do happen. The (earlier) oil cooler seals are also known to fail, although you might luck out with a later model and end up getting one that has the Viton seals from the factory which are less prone to leaks.
The diesels are great cars for as long as (1) your diesel is not full of corn syrup, (2) you regularly change the oil and engine air filter, and (3) you don't have completely unrealistic zero-maintenance expectations... in other words, if you're not American.
There is a tendency among American consumers to expect to spend exactly zero dollars on R&M and an expectation that things ought to last forever with no maintenance, and when this doesn't happen (in particular when they buy used goods that are already worn out) there is lot of weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. Unlike American pickup trucks, modern cars - and in particular luxury cars with many creature comforts and high-tech features - are no longer simple mechanical pieces of equipment that have as many parts as a hammer. With any German or Japanese car, if you budget on spending ~5% of the new purchase price of the car annually in R&M after the warranty expires, it will go on forever. If you expect to buy a used ML for new Kia / Hyundai money and are not prepared to spend money on R&M, then you are going to be disappointed.
The diesels are great cars for as long as (1) your diesel is not full of corn syrup, (2) you regularly change the oil and engine air filter, and (3) you don't have completely unrealistic zero-maintenance expectations... in other words, if you're not American.
There is a tendency among American consumers to expect to spend exactly zero dollars on R&M and an expectation that things ought to last forever with no maintenance, and when this doesn't happen (in particular when they buy used goods that are already worn out) there is lot of weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. Unlike American pickup trucks, modern cars - and in particular luxury cars with many creature comforts and high-tech features - are no longer simple mechanical pieces of equipment that have as many parts as a hammer. With any German or Japanese car, if you budget on spending ~5% of the new purchase price of the car annually in R&M after the warranty expires, it will go on forever. If you expect to buy a used ML for new Kia / Hyundai money and are not prepared to spend money on R&M, then you are going to be disappointed.
