OM651? Newer Diesels?
 

Hi Guys,

I'm looking at a getting a newer MB.

Its between a 2015 E250 with the OM651 engine. Its got 24K on it so far.

and maybe a W213 E300 of some kind.

Anyone here have any experience or thoughts on the newer diesels?

Just wanted to get some opinions!

I've had a 2015 GLK250 with the OM651 for the past 13 months/ over 11,000 miles so far and its been great! Mine is just about to roll 80,000 miles. I did experience DPF failure at 78k but it was covered under emissions warranty. I suspect the car did a lot of idling in traffic or the previous owners may have used a non DPF rated oil. (it was owned by a company in Chicago) I currently use 5w30 DPF rated low ash (liquimoly) oil and suspect the new DPF will last a long long time....so its real low on my worry list.

Servicing it is easy as can be since its an inline 4, everything is easy to get to. I've done several service items like trans fluid, oil changes, fuel filter, air filter, cabin filter. Has never left me stranded or had any engine or trans related issues. (also none in its history before me)

The torque is incredible....as are the MPGs!

One thing to consider - The Bluetec emission system parts are VERY expensive and not very reliable. Just read the reports. I traded my 2014 GLK250 early - before I had any of the problems others were experiencing. Too bad - otherwise I loved driving that car.

I had heard that there were problems with the various systems/engines up to the 2015 model year. Maybe that was primarily engine more than emissions systems.

pawo, what exactly failed in the DPF? how bad would it have been if it was not in warranty? The car I am looking at is CPO. I'll have to check the warranties and how much time is left on them.

How is your fuel economy doing?

Does the GLK also have twin turbos? I think I read that the E does and that one major difference between it and the other variation of the OM651 used in the Sprinters.

Thanks for that link! Good info!

If you get a CPO pay the extra money for a 2 year extension on the warranty ($2800 on my 19k E350). This gives you a total of 3 years with no mileage limit. Only thing CPO does not cover is cosmetic flaws, so go over the car totally, and have dealer fix everything, before agreeing to the deal.

Just put 2000 miles on my E350 going to NY state for family. Just a seriously awesome highway driver and 40+ MPGs.

I think the OM642 powered E350s were last in 2013. It carried on for one more year in the ML. Then in 2014 (E) or 2015 (ML) they changed to the OM651.

The limit for CPO is 6 model years and 75k miles so the clock is ticking on 2013s. Maybe too late already if the 2020s have been released.

The particulate filter itself is threw a below regeneration efficiency error, so it was longer able to effectively regenerate (plugged up too much essentially). The part itself can be had online for about $800-900....or you can go the shady route and delete it.

I drive about 10-12k a year....if I get 100k out of the second filter (average is much higher, in the 150k+ range from what I've read), then the fuel it has saved me and the 10+ years that would take, not a big deal even if it was $900 then. People have had success having them cleaned at truck centers so thats an option as well.

The repair was free, but even if it hadn't been I'd still be well ahead vs the fuel my old 420SEL I drove as my daily driver would have used in comparison....and thats in only 11k miles....it was a guzzle monster....and slow. The GLK diesel would leave it in the dust.

I average anywhere from 23 to 42mpg....really varies depending on weather, driving speed/style. "Normally" I get about 28.5-31 in the city, a couple less if I have the A/C blasting. And about 35 on the freeway going ~75, the economy actually increases up to about 80-85 then it begins to decline. Highest ever was when I drove about 60 miles at 50-55mph, got about 44mpg.

The torque is awesome, its comfortable, its quiet. If I get another 80-100k out of it with no major repairs then I'll be very happy....and I bet it can do way more than that.


My overall favorite MB remains the Metris....its just tons of fun to drive, because its huge, and handles reasonably well.....I've debated selling the GLK for a second one but there'd be a decent ding in fuel economy (22-23avg on premium gas vs my ~30-31mpg avg on diesel)

Emissions warranty is 8 years 80k miles.

I would get a copy of both the CPO and the extended CPO warranties. The emission system component coverage is quite different from the overall coverage, at least here in Canada. And from what I have read from other owners same is true in USA, and coverage may not be as good as it is here.

The warranties say that if an item is not specifically mentioned, it is not covered. There are a number of sensors on Bluetecs. NOx (2), soot sensor and several others. These are not normally covered.

The Adblue supply has a tank, a pump, a level sensor. Parts can't be changed - they change the whole assembly out for a few thousand bucks.

I read that one owner had trouble getting a DPF for an E250. Apparently it is different from the one on the GLK. Both are $$$$.

When you get an emission related CEL on these diesels, a message comes up saying you are allowed 10 more starts. After that engine will not start. You have to get car to dealer or a shop with dealer capability to get the problem fixed (usually at great cost)

I already said this, but I would recommend staying well clear of Bluetecs unless you have deep pockets. These are not your legendary Mercedes diesels that will run forever (I have one of those too!)

In some other parts of the world, the E250 doesn't have Bluetec because of possibility of poor diesel fuel (must be low in S and biodiesel) My brother owns one and I believe it has a CDI engine. My dealer service manager says that he wishes he had one of those! I do too - our E320 is getting a bit long in tooth.

http://mercedes-benz.custhelp.com/ci...iesel+fuel.jpg

I've got 48K miles on my GLK250 and NEVER had any kind of problem, warranty or otherwise. At least in my model there were indications of some bad sensors in the exhaust system, many replaced in cars produced from August to November of 2013. Mine was built in March/April of that year for factory delivery. There are some indications of low use and much stop-and-go driving in cars that did have problems. I seldom use mine for trips less than 20 miles. My personal belief is that there is more noise than substance to the problems.

I didn't have any problems either and I am sure that those like yourself with low mileage and good performance are bound to be defensive. But there are problems as I am sure you have read on the GLK forums.

This is one shops's post that crops up in several places: https://www.facebook.com/LinosAutoRepairsInc/posts/this-is-best-summary-of-bluetec-diesel-problems-we-found-so-farit-sums-everythin/785510888253257/

I love the older Mercedes diesels and always wanted to buy a new one. When I did, I hadn't realized just how much they had changed. Still drive my 85 300D regularly!

140k miles of OM651 experience, total of zero emission related problems. My prior new unreliable new Mercedes diesel was a 2006 CDI. It’s still in my family and now has 302k miles on the clock. I’ve had it since 162k and the sum total of all engine issues have been 1 set of glow plugs and a thermostat. It’s been far, far more reliable than any OM61X engine I’ve ever owned.

I’m not saying all new MB diesels are perfect but dire predictions of apocalyptic meltdowns are not a universal reality.

I plan on keeping both of my bluetecs a long time, I’ll certainly update the board of any issues I have.

Not defensive at all, just factual. What you read in the GLK forums is usually only the problems and there aren't that many of them. The problem is that the solution can be expensive. My dealer, in Rocklin, CA, a pretty high volume dealer, hasn't had ANY for the talked about emission problems. On the other hand, they are to go-to dealer for problems with the Sprinters converted to motor homes from the builders in the Mid West on their way to the dealers in CA that have had a few of those same problems.


I use my '85 190D as my daily driver, and that too is problem free!

I will say that other than the DPF issue (which I blame on the previous owners for probably causing it) on mine, it has been flawless otherwise, no other errors or problems in ~12k miles of driving. Everything works, its smooth, quiet, and efficient. Covered over 85 miles today averaging 31.8mpg with the A/C blasting, charging my laptop in back with the built in A/C outlet, and cruising along most of time around 80-85mph.

Any other experince with these 2014-2016?
 

What are must have options?

Why don't you guys just do egr deletes on these? If that seems to be the only problem with newer diesels, what's the reason for not doing it?

Doesn't the drivetrain warranty expire at 75k anyway?

EGR deletes where already in effect basically. Volkswagon got nailed to the cross for doing it. Mercedes as well as others did it too but have not been persecuted.

On the volkswagon buy backs the constant recycling of a portion of the exhaust gasses is restored. The DPF filters cause issues even without it. To me the carbon particles being blown back into the particle filters with the Volkwagon modifications to sell them again. Are not going to help the situation at all.

The answer is no Diesel particle filter. The problem with that is really too many pollutants of a dangerous nature would exist. Volkswagon was 40 times over the federally mandated NOX limit when sold. Mercedes may still be up there. Even a modified volkswagon engine is still over the true limit but there was a deal cut with the authorities. That allows it.

What really put the icing on the cake with Volkswagon. Their corporate advertising was that it was a clean diesel green car basically when the reality was totally otherwise. Mercedes got away with it but Volkswagon did not.

At least with the add blue cars there is a more effective treatment of the Nox gases themselves. The add blue feed system is so expensive to repair. Aftermarket or used units may appear on the scene. I would suspect the sale of rebuilt ones if possible to do would gain acceptance fast.

.The warranty on pollution control components on cars is federally mandated I believe. Usually going beyond the manufactures overall warranty.

Drivetrain warranty is 50k unless you pay to extend it. Emissions is 80k. My DPF failed at 78,259 miles :D

You can't just "delete" things off these cars....there are MANY sensors telling the computer things in real-time. It will know. Deleting/changing requires re-tuning the engine management computer to not care....and is also illegal.

Must have options?
 

For folks driving these, what are must have options?

Well I have a 2013 E350 BT that I bought CPO last spring.

It came with P1 package.
This includes
navigation (good for in a pinch but mostly I end up using my phone)
music register (I admit I never used this)
Harmon Kardon Logic 7
Sirius XM radio receiver (never renewed it after the trial, I use Spotify)
Voice Control (never can remember the keywords)
Heated front seats
Rear window blind (handy in the south in the summer)
Rear camera

I also have:
Lane Tracking Package (Blind Spot and Lane Keeping Assist)
Split folding rear seats (very handy!)
Heated wheel (something I never appreciated until I had it this winter!)
Natural Beige/Black Leather with Dark Ash wood
Sport Package

I wish it had:
Keyless go
Bi-Xenon Intelligent light system (my wife's 2014 ML has these and they're amazing)
Distronic
Parktronic

I think starting in 2015 they upgraded the stereo to work with CarPlay/Android Auto. However there are third party boxes that go in between the head unit and the screen to provide a CarPlay experience. I'm thinking of getting one of these.