Mercedes Benz Blu Tec
 

2008 Mercedes Benz E320 Blu Tec. Was there any major issues with this model and year diesel? I was looking at listing on one. Thanks!

Just be aware that the Bluetec emission system is high maintenance and parts are dealer only. When I had a Bluetec, I figured the car has three major high cost systems - Engine, Transmission and Emission.

Check all the reviews. There is a lot out there on Bluetecs.

this year of the sedan had the OM642 V-6 motor with the diesel particulate filter (DPF) but no diesel emission fluid (DEF).
not as desirable as the OM648 inline motors in the 2005-06 CDI.
definitely have to consider the emissions system more than earlier cars.

I thought that if it was a Bluetec, it did use Adblue.

Motor Trend said that it does here:
https://www.motortrend.com/cars/mercedes-benz/e-class/2008/mercedes-benz-e320-bluetec-first-test/

08 and 09 don't use DEF. Only issue I can think of is the oil cooler seals. Pretty extensive job that is resolved permanently when, I think, the purple o-rings are used.

i did too......there is some conflicting information that i found when i was looking but the 07-08 sedans definitely did not use the DEF

The good thing about that, is that it at least eliminates one set of expensive equipment. DEF tank, pump, heater, level etc. Maybe one Nox sensor?

Mind you, I still wouldn't buy one.

I would like to own a diesels up until the CDIs. When did those end in NA? 2006? In other parts of the world, the CDIs continued, and maybe still do? I think my brother has an E250, about 2014 vintage. Very economical. Like our vintage diesels, a car for life.

E250 most likely has a bluetec/adblue system on it, and definatley does if its in North America. Same engine I have in my GLK250, an OM651. The bluetec system can have issues, but so can anything on any car. I've had mine about 22k miles and its been great other than a few sensor issues (and a DPF under warranty). I blame the DFP on my car's prior life of hanging out in Chicago traffic for 65k miles though.

E250 in other parts of world had CDI. No Bluetec. Australia, South Africa, elsewhere. My brother has one.

As others have said, the oil cooler seals is a big one. However, these are old enough (unless you find one with sub 100K miles) that chances are, the seals have been changed. Other than that, the only other issue I had with mine was the transmission. It is quite costly to repair. With a VIN coded valve body, only dealer or very specialized shops (Sun Valley etc.) can repair them. Most everything else is easy stuff. A positive is the fact that it does NOT have SBC......Rich

The car has around 130K on it. Not sure what SBC means, that Rollguy mentioned. If all of the other issues have been serviced, do you think it would be no greater costly to own than the older ones? Fuel consumption with v6 pretty much the same as the inline 6 cyl's?

SBC= Sensotronic Brake Control. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensotronic_Brake_Control I am not sure about the MPG of the V6 vs I6. I have had both, and never actually calculated the MPG, only observed what was shown on the display.