Is it worth spending more to go W166 over W164 (diesel)?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Canada
2009 ML320 Bluetec
Is it worth spending more to go W166 over W164 (diesel)?
Our 2009 ML320 Bluetec was just written off and I'm looking for a replacement. With the Bluetec field measures' extended warranty, I'm hoping to pick up another that's eligible but hasn't been done yet (so I can get the oil cooler seals, if needed, done at the same time).
So, for those who have had both, is the W166 a substantial improvement over the W164? Trying to decide if, assuming similar mileage and condition, it's worth spending more for a 2012+ instead of a 2010-11 (looks like about a $2-3 bump here in Canada to get a 2012 instead of 2011).
We were very happy with the ride, quiet cabin, and towing capacity of the '09... only complaint was that my wife found the seat uncomfortable on long trips (somehow, she preferred the Grand Caravan that we had before?). I know that later years have more features (blind spot monitoring, 360 camera) that could be nice, but in terms of comfort and reliability, will it make much of a difference?
I'm happy doing my own (frequent) oil changes and dealing with failed sensors or other repairs that are low/med difficulty (the aforementioned oil cooler seal replacement would be firmly out of my range).
Which way would you go?
So, for those who have had both, is the W166 a substantial improvement over the W164? Trying to decide if, assuming similar mileage and condition, it's worth spending more for a 2012+ instead of a 2010-11 (looks like about a $2-3 bump here in Canada to get a 2012 instead of 2011).
We were very happy with the ride, quiet cabin, and towing capacity of the '09... only complaint was that my wife found the seat uncomfortable on long trips (somehow, she preferred the Grand Caravan that we had before?). I know that later years have more features (blind spot monitoring, 360 camera) that could be nice, but in terms of comfort and reliability, will it make much of a difference?
I'm happy doing my own (frequent) oil changes and dealing with failed sensors or other repairs that are low/med difficulty (the aforementioned oil cooler seal replacement would be firmly out of my range).
Which way would you go?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 455
From: Scottsdale AZ
2015 CLS 550 2015 ML 400 Previous 2020 GLB 250 2019 A 220 2005 ML 350 1989 300 E 2001 SL 500
Our 2009 ML320 Bluetec was just written off and I'm looking for a replacement. With the Bluetec field measures' extended warranty, I'm hoping to pick up another that's eligible but hasn't been done yet (so I can get the oil cooler seals, if needed, done at the same time).
So, for those who have had both, is the W166 a substantial improvement over the W164? Trying to decide if, assuming similar mileage and condition, it's worth spending more for a 2012+ instead of a 2010-11 (looks like about a $2-3 bump here in Canada to get a 2012 instead of 2011).
We were very happy with the ride, quiet cabin, and towing capacity of the '09... only complaint was that my wife found the seat uncomfortable on long trips (somehow, she preferred the Grand Caravan that we had before?). I know that later years have more features (blind spot monitoring, 360 camera) that could be nice, but in terms of comfort and reliability, will it make much of a difference?
I'm happy doing my own (frequent) oil changes and dealing with failed sensors or other repairs that are low/med difficulty (the aforementioned oil cooler seal replacement would be firmly out of my range).
Which way would you go?
So, for those who have had both, is the W166 a substantial improvement over the W164? Trying to decide if, assuming similar mileage and condition, it's worth spending more for a 2012+ instead of a 2010-11 (looks like about a $2-3 bump here in Canada to get a 2012 instead of 2011).
We were very happy with the ride, quiet cabin, and towing capacity of the '09... only complaint was that my wife found the seat uncomfortable on long trips (somehow, she preferred the Grand Caravan that we had before?). I know that later years have more features (blind spot monitoring, 360 camera) that could be nice, but in terms of comfort and reliability, will it make much of a difference?
I'm happy doing my own (frequent) oil changes and dealing with failed sensors or other repairs that are low/med difficulty (the aforementioned oil cooler seal replacement would be firmly out of my range).
Which way would you go?
Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 117
Likes: 45
From: Buchanan, SK CANADA
2013 ML350 Bluetec
There's a new-to-me 2013 ML350 Bluetec in my shop. Its replacing a 2005 Towncar so I'm no stranger to older vehicles. There's a balance between letting someone else eat the early life depreciation expense and trying to keep a just plain old vehicle on the road. I find its actually fairly easy to keep the big stuff running - engines, transmissions, drive train in general, wheel ends - they're all responsive to regular maintenance. What eventually gets you with older vehicles is the creature comforts. The HVAC starts to give trouble. The plastic trim starts to get brittle so that when you need to remove something for service it breaks rather than popping off like it is supposed to do. The seats get sacked out; the carpet gets ragged. The paint starts to show its age. So I echo the advice to go as new as you can.
