08 Eclass, good car?
 

Just curious if this is a decent car. I hear there is a class action lawsuit that encompasses this motor for a defective balance shaft. Repairs I have heard are in the $$$$'s. Is this true for this motor?

Thanks for any advice.

Andy

Cars with M272 engines are known to possibly have that defective balance shaft.

In your opinion would you stay away from M272 equipped cars doc?

Andy'

The '04 seem very reliable...

Make that the early ones, i.e. 2005-2006.

A 2008 is likely fine and this is a great car. It doesn't hold a candle to the Bluetec diesel, of course.

Running assembly line changes were made and the DTB covering this problem lists the engine serial numbers likely involved.

How so?

Slower and poorer fuel economy.

Modern diesels are purely amazing when compared to equivalent gassers. Endless torque, excellent MPG....durable. If everyone was driving modern diesels we'd save a LOT of oil worldwide.

My next Mercedes will most definitely be a diesel. I'm leaning towards a 2007-2009 E320 BlueTec. I've always wondered how these new emission standards will affect engine reliability. What is the real world mileage like with this engine?

I've though about that too, but I have two issues: First, they still don't make a diesel 4matic sedan (which is what I want/need as a daily driver for my wife). Second, I really don't see much advantage of a modern diesel over a modern gasoline engine in this application. The diesel gets somewhat better mileage, but diesel fuel tends to be expensive and the initial purchase cost is usually higher. Both engines are too complex to be DIY friendly, and I can't imagine it would be cost effective to keep either car indefinitely (other very expensive parts will break long before the engine wears out).

I agree that 4Matic is a nice feature for the snow belt, but realistically a set of four good snow tires will help the car navigate more than adequately, especially with modern aids such as ESP & ASR. Mercedes already makes the ML, GL & R-class available with Bluetec for those who want a diesel and all wheel drive. I will wait a few more years to see how the emission reliability holds up with the new engine. The depreciation on these cars is tremendous. An earlier E320 CDI is at about one third of its original price in just four to five years! The 2007 and up W211s are nicely refreshed and seem to have most of the earlier issues sorted out.

I would consider a 4matic diesel sedan if it was available (my wife likes the idea of having AWD), but I'm done buying trucks and SUVs. Personally, I have no problem with driving RWD cars in the snow. I agree with giving the new diesels a few more years.

Oh, they make them, they just don't import them.

No import of diesel wagons, either.

Both would be two (or three if you count diesel wagon 4Matic) drivetrains to EPA certify.

Do they? I didn't know that. I would consider buying one if they were available.