Anybody own an S350 bluetec?
 

Saw this on Ebay, have owned over 30 Mercedes diesels, my E320 CDI is magnificent but I have extra cash and may buy this. Any advice?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-DESIGNO-EDITION/202970149470?hash=item2f41f6b25e:g:uMsAAOSwwz9ejkbQ

Same powertrain as found in a lot of the other bluetec's the OM642 v6 + 722.9 trans. I've seen a couple around here that looked pretty nice still. Its probably a fantastic ride, but is a very complex vehicle overall.

Bought one Labor Day 2018. Smooth, quite, powerful, efficient. Needs a pre-purchase dealer inspection.

I really like distronic cruise control.

They look like they'd be ultimate diesel cross country cruisers. I have an '07 S550 4matic. Great highway car. The W221 is great chassis. Be aware, some of the systems are very expensive.....air strut is $1500 each I believe. Set of tires is $750 plus. They historically have depreciated steeply. Definitely do your due diligence/ pre-purchase inspection.

I think if I were buying a newer diesel, I'd opt. for the E250 with twin turbo I4 2WD version. Not as big or luxurious, but easier to drive in town and get's phenomenal mileage.

I had an 09 gl320 Bluetec and it was one problem after another with sensors, AdBlue tank heater, air struts, suspension air pump. so I got rid of it as I was no longer able to support the vehicle financially. loved the way it rode and the fuel mileage was great, getting high 20's on the highway. just my experience though

Same here 2011 GL 350. Never again will be there another car with DEF. Very happy with E320 CDI.

I had a 2012 S350, it was a great vehicle especially when on highway its smooth and very efficient, I can and will average up to 30+ mpg cursing at 80 mph or up to 750 miles per tank, which is incredible!

We unfortunately had to sell it there was too many electrical gremlins that could not be sorted by advance DIY'er, had multiple SAMS (Mercedes interior ECU'S) not communicating so some of the functions are not working ie HVAC heater and some air vents, and with its accident history there was some shoddy body repairs done and we ran into many suspension alignment problems even after replacing parts on, car was eating tires every 15k miles, if i had a chance i'd probally get one that is has not have any accident and is well kept.

Had a friend in Insurance industry look up the VIN. He said RUN. Houston flood victim.

Yikes. Just goes to show that if the price is too good to be true, it usually is.

Hoovie, here is one for the utube. Bought the cheapest S350 that was one a submarine.

Nothing the wizard can't make right! :D

(with countless thousands in repairs and majority disassembly of the vehicle) :D

Trip from Payson, AZ to Santa Rosa, NM on hwy 60.

Starting at 5000' in Payson, to 8100' east of Pie Town, to 4500' crossing the Rio Grand river, to 6200', to 4600' at Santa Rosa.


Started with a full tank.


I have owned the car for 30,000+ miles. I have averaged 30.37mpg since I have owned the car.


Is this an aberration ? Yes, tail wind most of the day.
Is the mpg on the trip display accurate ? No, I have found that the trip display is about 8% optimistic, but not consistently so.
The actual was 36.56mpg when I filled the tank.
The trip home was 1735 miles, 52.678 gallons, 32.94mpg.

Thank you for all of the replies, The 4 cylinder twin turbo appears to be the better choice as I understand it.

Is Bluetec very expensive to maintain?

My CDI cost almost nothing to maintain!

Expensive is relative. I've personally had zero issues with the bluetec functions on my GLK250. I've put about 20,000 miles on it so far in just under 2 years. I did need a DPF under warranty but I blame that on its prior life of 65k miles around chicago, probably a LOT of idling.

06/12/15 24925 $637.17 oil change, fuel filter, brake flush,
01/06/16 34345 $1,396.62 oil change, front brake pads & rotors, air filters, cabin filters
08/11/16 45151 $165.72 oil change,
10/24/16 45151 $1,927.44 particle filter / cat
01/12/17 51741 $326.76 turbo inlet o-ring
03/21/17 57573 $482.03 oil change, air filters, cabin filters
05/05/17 60078 $571.69 rear brake pads & rotors
06/01/17 60078 $2,079.00 both front air struts
09/20/17 65964 $1,146.88 leaking fuel tank d/s sending unit, fuel pump
11/01/17 67486 $1,409.84 oil change, ad-blue pump,
05/16/18 77441 $2,998.76 oil change, front brake pads & rotors, air filters, cabin filter, oil cooler, thermostat

$13,141.91

09/06/18 83392 $86.52 License Bracket
10/10/18 84314 $659.91 4 tires Kumo Solus 60k
11/24/18 87357 $60.00 Oil & filter change
01/11/19 90561 $54.00 wiper blades
03/06/19 92671 $221.12 main battery
03/20/19 92680 $12.93 2.5 gallons DEF
03/23/19 92680 $14.02 2.5 gallons DEF
05/01/19 97566 $60.00 Oil & filter change
05/08/19 97606 $0.00 tire rotation
12/29/19 107812 $69.00 Oil & filter change
01/28/20 109600 $24.00 5 gallons DEF

First owner, company lease then they bought it off lease at 25k miles.
I bought it 09/06/18.
I would suggest getting a PPI on a one owner with records. 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.