Looks like the first owner was doing the 10k oil changes, I think they did on mine too. I change mine around 5-6k, according to oil analysis they said I could go up to about 8,500 but I opt on the paranoid side.

45k for the DPF failure is really early, probably too much idling around or it was flawed to begin with. Mine didn't throw an efficiency error until 78k. Almost 7k on the replacement so far and its been error free. I drained and serviced the Adblue system a couple months ago. (supposed to drain fully every 2 years and put in fresh Adblue) I did it when the alert came on to add some soon, drained out about 2.5 liters or so at that point.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Maybe plan on a $5000 surprise on your 8 year old, $100k car, you bought for less than 20% of what it cost to get it off the lot when new.

That DEFINITELY puts it in perspective.... Do they have the performance of a CDI?

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Currently Driving
2006 E320 CDI
1999 E300 Turbo Diesl
2002 ML500
1995 E320 Station Wagon


MBs I've owned
1997 E320 Assassinated by Pine Tree
1987 300E Wife Killed Engine
1981 300D Stretch Limo Total Loss
1970 250 Coupe 212,000 mi.
1974 450sel 184,000 mi.
1974 240D 377,000 mi.
1977 300D 204, 000 mi.
1979 280se God Only Knows!
1983 240D 130,000 mi.
1972 220D 280,000 mi.
1983 300SD 244,000 mi.

I bought my 2013 E350 Bluetec in April 2019. Bought it CPO with a 2 year buy up on the warranty (so total of 3 years/unlimited miles warranty). Paid in the low 20s for it. Sport model that stickered for almost $60k new. It had 55 k miles on it, just turned 70k.

Had a little problem 2 months ago, it went into limp mode and threw a CEL. Took it to the dealer and they kept it almost 6 weeks. Got one of those CLAs that wants to be a real MB when it grows up.

The trouble started with the gasket ring around the turbo leaking oil into the swirl flap motor. Swirl flap motor shorted and blew ECU sensing circuit fuse.

Then they noticed oil leaking and ended up doing an oil cooler seal job.

So under warranty I got the turbo resealed, new engine wiring harness, new swirl flap motor, both intake manifolds, new thermostat, and the oil cooler seals replaced.

Car doing great now.

What is ironic is the dealer keeps sending me e-mails that I am overdue for my Service A. Of course they replaced the engine oil and filter, when they did the oil cooler seal job, but they forgot to reset the maintenance counter. So I did that for them with my Xentry but obviously it did not phone home to Germany to let them know it was done and stop nagging me about it.

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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

Yes. The S class is the ultimate hwy cruiser, if you can afford to keep it on the road. Look for a one owner, dealer or MB specialist, maintained with records. Get a pre-purchase inspection. Don't cry when something expensive needs to be replaced to keep it on the road. Just figure that the $20k car you just bought was actually $25k, you just haven't paid the full price yet. If you wouldn't buy it for $25k, don't buy it for $20k.

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Greg
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

Just joined the club with a 2012 S350. One owner, 45k miles on the odo, dealer maintained since new with all the records. Always garaged, and it shows. Still had the "Genuine Leather" tags hanging in the rear seat! I think it was a fair sale price at $26k.

I took advantage of the warm weather last week and did some preventative maintenance on it to keep things healthy: oil and filter, air filters, fuel filter, cabin filters, brake fluid, coolant, differential oil, transmission fluid and filter, probably some other things I'm forgetting. All pretty DIY friendly, the wrenching all looks/feels about the same as on my other bluetec vehicles.

Only major expense so far has been the stereo amplifier which was failed. Part was spendy at $1600 but audio all working nicely now.

This S is a seriously smooth comfortable luxury car with super solid "built like a tank" feel. My first S, and a massive step up from any of our other diesel vehicles.

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Current fleet:
1998 E300 turbodiesel
2008 E320 bluetec - leaky oil cooler seals replaced
2012 S350 bluetec
2015 GL350 bluetec

Sold:
1996 Passat TDI
1997 E300 diesel

If the cost of excessive maintenance is going to bother you. Do not buy a deep pockets car. But if one must.

Good dealer pre buying inspection is not really optional. Plus better buying an example with some warranty.

My opinion and we do own an add blue vehicle. Keep city and town driving down to a very small percentage of the total. .

For myself, I will not buy any more cars requiring DEF.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.