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  #1  
Old 12-06-2015, 10:48 PM
Mölyapina's Avatar
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How are the W211 Bluetecs?

Just curious if anyone has any thoughts on the Bluetecs. People here seem to really love the CDIs, and I just wonder why I never hear anything about these cars. I realize that they use AdBlue. Are there any major reliability issues with it, or is it just too expensive for the average forum member here ?

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

Last edited by Mölyapina; 12-06-2015 at 10:58 PM.
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  #2  
Old 12-06-2015, 11:19 PM
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EDIT: I didn't realize that the W211 Bluetec utilizes a DPF, but no AdBlue...
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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."
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  #3  
Old 12-06-2015, 11:49 PM
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the OM642 is much more complicated and much more needy.

The oil coolers will leak until the new purple Viton seals are installed.

The intake manifolds will need to be replaced due to the plastic flap linkage wearing out from excessive carbon build up.

EGR faults due to excessive carbon build up in piping to the intake.

Timing chains will stretch to the point where you get a nasty chain slap noise at cold start.

The DPF filter will become clogged.

All these issues seen usually before 100k miles or not to far after. This is all personal hands on experience with this engine not hear say.
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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

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  #4  
Old 12-07-2015, 12:20 AM
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Yep, the 642 is just more complex, harder to work on, repair intensive, and not as durable. The 648 seems to pack on the miles with very little besides regular maintenance.
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  #5  
Old 12-07-2015, 12:38 AM
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Well then.
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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."
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  #6  
Old 12-07-2015, 06:26 AM
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The mannerisms of the Bluetec are completely unlike a Diesel. Drive one of these, and you are positive it's a gasser V6 under the hood. The 7 speed transmission is so smooth. That engine never feels iike you are revving it up.

Well.... I guess it is a V6, but still...
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  #7  
Old 12-07-2015, 08:08 AM
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We have a 2008 E320 Bluetec

Bought new. We have had NO repairs on this car. Only by-the-book preventive maintenance by our unusually excellent and honest dealership (McGeorge in Richmond, VA). This is my wife's ride and I am forbidden to do anything to it even though I do all maintenance on my 1983 300CD.

The car is rocket ship fast and a great place to sit but I don't like it as much as I do my 1983. This is definitely not a DIY car. The systems are complex and when the plastic engine cover is removed the underhood looks like a jumble of spare parts thrown into a box. Moly, based on your posts, I don't think you would like it. It doesn't have the W123 soul and maintenance accessibility.
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  #8  
Old 12-07-2015, 08:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 79Mercy View Post
the OM642 is much more complicated and much more needy.

The oil coolers will leak until the new purple Viton seals are installed.

The intake manifolds will need to be replaced due to the plastic flap linkage wearing out from excessive carbon build up.

EGR faults due to excessive carbon build up in piping to the intake.

Timing chains will stretch to the point where you get a nasty chain slap noise at cold start.

The DPF filter will become clogged.

All these issues seen usually before 100k miles or not to far after. This is all personal hands on experience with this engine not hear say.
My '08 has 90k. I've had none of these problems. So the problems are not universal. Either that, or I am in for a really rough next 10k miles. ): That said, I am expecting to fix some of this stuff someday. On the plus side, there is no sbc to wear out.

My brother bought an '06 CDI new and is still driving it. It's needed 3 minor repairs in 10 years. Come to think of it, that's the same number of repairs the bluetec has needed so far.
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  #9  
Old 12-07-2015, 08:48 AM
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Just curious...what are the alleged advantages of the OM642 over the OM648?
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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
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19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
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  #10  
Old 12-07-2015, 10:22 AM
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I own a 2008 Bluetec. No exhaust fluid required but a special motor oil is required (A version of Mobil 1 that meets the MB spec.). I bought the car used with 93,000 miles 2-1/2 years ago. It now has a little over 160,000 miles. No engine maintenance except oil and filter changes. Did change the serpentine belt at 100,000 miles --- the old belt looked perfect and it is riding in the trunk, just in case. The local mechanic did a pre-purchase inspection and found oil weeping from the usual oil cooler gasket/o-ring and the dealer lowered the price $1,000 instead of fixing it. Now 67,000 miles later the oil is still weeping but not enough to add oil before the 10,000 mile oil change interval. The oil pools in the plastic belly pan so there is no dripping on the garage floor. There is a lot of labor involved in replacing the cheap part to stop oil leak --- I will not have it replaced unless the rate of leaking increases. I paid $17,000 for the car and I am very happy with it. I would make the same purchase if I had to do it all over again. There have been two repairs to the car since I bought it. One involved a loose electrical connector inside the driver's side B pillar that was causing a faulty "fasten seat belt" message. The other was a problem with the trunk latch which was replaced. The original owner replaced one lower ball joint and there were some sensors replaced very early in the cars life. This car is repaired by the book - no shortcuts. So, all other "repairs" have been recommended preventive maintenance items.
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  #11  
Old 12-07-2015, 10:28 AM
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It met tougher environmental standards.

It is shorter than a straight six so it could fit in a variety of chassis. ( I am pretty sure I could fit one into my SLK.)

Powerful, efficient, intimidating to look at to a DIY'er.
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2012 S350 BlueTEC 4Matic
2007 ML 320 CDI
2007 Leisure Travel Serenity
2006 Sprinter 432k
2005 E320 CDI
1998 SLK230 (teal)
1998 SLK230 (silver)
1996 E300D 99k, 30k on WVO
Previous:
1983 240D, on WVO
1982 300D, on WVO
1983 300CD, on WVO
1986 300SDL 237k, 25k on WVO (Deerslayer)
1991 350SDL 249k, 56k on WVO - Retired to a car spa in Phoenix
1983 380 SEC w/603 diesel, 8k on WVO
1996 E300D 351k, 177k on WVO

Last edited by GregMN; 12-08-2015 at 11:16 AM.
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  #12  
Old 12-07-2015, 11:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shertex View Post
Just curious...what are the alleged advantages of the OM642 over the OM648?
It meets newer, tighter emission standards and hence is legal to sell. The om648 was too dirty to be legal under new standards introduced in both the U.S. and Europe in the 2008-ish timeframe.
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  #13  
Old 12-07-2015, 09:35 PM
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I have the OM642 in my wife's 2008 ML320

We picked an 08 because it was the last year in that series that does not require DEF

126 k miles...so far the only major hiccup has been glow plugs.

It does need the special oil so a DIY oil change is around $100 or so.

Very intimidating to look at especially compared to an IDI inline engine.
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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech
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  #14  
Old 12-07-2015, 09:51 PM
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I'm not sure why everyone dislikes the DEF. You fill it up with each oil change 10k miles (in my case probably 2 years) and it's less than 50 bucks...
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'85 190D 2.2 Auto *Cali* (Blue/Blue) *sold*
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  #15  
Old 12-08-2015, 07:24 AM
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It's not the DEF per se but the fact that MB deletes the spare tire for the reservoir.

Run flat tires are very expensive, 2x the cost and 1/2 the life of regular tires. Especially 19's as used on the MLs.

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech
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