Greetings folks,

Right now I am considering the purchase of either a 2002 BMW X5 3.0d (137,000 KM) or a 2003 MB ML 400CDI (73,000 KM).

I am of course leaning towards the MB because I am hoping that bringing it into the country maybe a bit easier (hopefully a lot !! )than the BMW and of course the extra grunt is always welcomed.

Anyway, the salesman has set me up for a test drive of both but warned me not to get overly concerned with the smoke coming from the tail pipe of the MB as the MB Diesel is a " well known smoker!!" as he has put it.

He continued to add that the BMW unlike the MB is a much refined vehicle and engine and that I should be much better off with it!!

So here is my question, is it possible at this day and age that BMW can produce a smokeless diesel engine while MB can't!! Add to that the BMW is theoretically a year older!

I also took into account the fact that I have not seen what he meant by smoke but nonetheless according to him the MB smokes while the BMW does not.

Can any of you shed some light on what may make this particular engine smoke at all? A misadjusted/defective electronic part perhaps? A clogged filter here or there? Is there such a thing as a "wrong diesel"?? As the salesman mentioned that once.

Any advice is appreciated and thank you all.

P.S. I apologize to the moderator if this is not the appropriate place for a somewhat technical question and I also apologize for double posting this question to the Technical forum.

I'd post it over at the Diesel Forum as well.........

Gilly

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Since the ML400 was never sold in the US, it seems it would take a lot of work and money to "federalize" it properly. I believe the BMW would be similarly hard to import. I believe answering that question should be your first priority.

Last time I was in Germany we saw a few ML400s driving around. None seemed to be smoking. The Mercedes diesels are highly regarded over there.

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Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

As the owner of a ML 270 CDI (in Australia), I would be very wary of a smoking MB CDI motor. Mine has no smoke at all after 75 kkm.
It is a shame that you can't get a 270 CDI instead as the same motor is in the Cherokee in the US now so parts would be easier.
The 400 CDI motor has never been sold in Australia so I cannot help on that score. (Incompatible with RHD).
The other thing to look into is the quality of diesel fuel in the States - sulphur content is pretty critical to these motors. Here in Oz we reduced sulphur content significantly a few years back to allow the import of these new high tech diesel motors.
As a comparison though, the MB is more versatile with respect to space, 7 seats (if applicable), low range etc. The BMW is more like a SUV sports car.
Both worth owning though ! And economical - mine uses about 9.5 litres per 100km which I think is brilliant given its performance and mass.