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  #1  
Old 04-30-2019, 01:44 PM
okyoureabeast's Avatar
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: North America
Posts: 1,675
Interested in a 2008/2009 e320 Bluetec

Being a glutton for punishment, I'm in the mood for a modern diesel Benz with the typical accoutremonts that come from a later model vehicle. My other post 2000 vehicles were a Prius and a Saab. Both were meh cars, but I was more than competent in doing repairs on them.



I'm aware of the om642 oil leak thread, what other issues do these cars have that an interested buyer should be aware of?

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  #2  
Old 04-30-2019, 02:19 PM
pawoSD's Avatar
Dieselsüchtiger
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 15,438
2008/2009 are some of the first bluetecs....so likely will have more issues than the later ones, though its also possible all the issues may have been fixed already at this point.

Personally my 2015 bluetec has been 100% reliable. No mechanical issues at all in 10+ months, 8000+ miles of ownership.
__________________
-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)
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  #3  
Old 04-30-2019, 03:14 PM
okyoureabeast's Avatar
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: North America
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So here's a question for you Pawo, how's the bluedef system?

The only reason I was turned off against it was because of the removal of the spare tire since you see the bluedef stuff at pretty much every service station now. I'd be willing to entertain a later model depending on your experience with them.

I've had ... bad luck with spare tire donuts and "patch" kits. It's a preference of mine to have a full proper spare.
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  #4  
Old 04-30-2019, 05:31 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oberlin, OH
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2008-9 Bluetec MBs in US do not use blue def fluid. The engine is the OM642 which had some oil leak issues I believe. Why not get a 2005-6 with OM648?
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-- Chris

'95 E300, 216k miles, Silver Surfer
'05 E320 CDI, 138k miles
'07 S550 4matic, 69k miles

Gone but not forgotten:

'76 300D, 350k miles?, SOLD in 1995
'75 240D, 300k miles, SOLD in 1991
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  #5  
Old 04-30-2019, 08:46 PM
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Location: Soperton, Ga. USA
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If you get an 08/09 model (or even after that) make sure that it has always received Mobil 1 ESP oil if you can.
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Last edited by engatwork; 05-01-2019 at 12:58 PM.
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  #6  
Old 05-01-2019, 10:12 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 3,941
Oh where do I start???

Having both a 2008 E320 BT (W211/1st gen OM642) and a 2013 E350 BT (W212/2nd gen OM642) I can give some good background.

Oil cooler seals are a given on a 1st gen OM642. It is not the end of the world to do this job. Get yourself the right tools (beyond the basics, a set of good e-Torx sockets and the proper fuel injection line nut wrench) and a copy of the WIS and you will be all set. There is a kit of seals and parts online from f c p e u r o dot com that will give you everything you need, including a new swirl flap motor (yes it's necessary to have this working) and breather puck. The kit around $600 ish and you can do this over a long weekend if you have all your ducks in a row.

AdBlue/DEF: Not used on the W211 diesels. All 211 diesels have a donut spare. If you must have a full size spare, buy a W210, that was the last MB to have one.

Front suspension: Any W211 is at least 10 years old now and probably in need of some front end work. The front suspension is completely different than a W123/W124/W201/W210, it does not have the open coil springs. You have coil-over shocks. So you can get the suspension apart easily and safely with just a floor jack to hold the spindle up while you pop the ball joints. Unfortunately they took a step back on the ball joints themselves, the 210 has a 2-legged ball joint that is easy peasy to change with a ball joint separator. The 211 they went to a pressed in ball joint that is a PITA. I am in the midst of replacing everything in the front suspension on my 211 before giving it over to my son.

Transmission: 07-09 will have the 722.9 transmission. These do have a weakness, it is the VGS (aka Conductor Plate). In the 722.9 the VGS also contains the transmission computer, not like the 722.6 as found in the W210/early W211 where the computer is separate. You cannot change this conductor plate yourself, as the VGS has to be SCN coded to your car and this can only be done with dealer Xentry that can phone home. The problem is the sensors fail on the VGS and cause the car to go into limp mode. I had the dealer do this for $1850. If you are adventurous you can pull the valve body and replace the sensors (look on eBay) for a few tens of dollars plus the $100 worth of special transmission fluid it requires.

Even if your VGS is okay take it to the dealer, ask him to read the adapations, this will give you a picture of the transmission health. Then make sure they apply the latest firmware to the VGS and ECU. There is a firmware bug that results in rough downshifts especially when cold that are addressed by the new firmware. They will charge you an hour of shop time (approx. $150) for this.

Motor oil: It is absolutely vital that only MB Sheet 229.52 oil (or the predecessors 228.51 or 229.51) have ever been used in the engine. Not using the correct oil damages the particulate filter. Mobil1 ESP oil is the one that MB recommends and meets the spec. It is normally $10/quart or more but if you watch NAPA they run a sale for any kind of M1 for $6/qt occasionally.

Audio/electronics: Most every W211 out there came with the P1 package which is the COMAND with Navigation. Go look out on eBay you can find the 2014 update disk pretty cheap. I normally don't believe in piracy but not paying MB $300 for a 5 year old map. They are not releasing any more map updates for this system. The user interface is clunky but the navi works pretty decent once you get the address put in...and it sets the big hocking clock on the instrument cluster for you automatically so it's always right. Make sure to look in the center console in the back behind the cup holders and confirm that the cell phone Bluetooth adapter stick is there.
When the 211 was designed they had a MB branded Nokia phone that was meant to dock in this connector (remember this is 2001 or so...). They subsequently released a dummy phone for this dock connector, that basically pairs to any Bluetooth compatible phone. But it carries Handsfree profile only, not A2DP (music streaming).
But don't despair, they added (at least in the later 211s) a 1/8 inch aux in jack in the glove box. I went on eBay and found an A2DP only Bluetooth adapter that has a 12 V lead that I tapped into the cig lighter and a pair of line level audio outputs. I found the connector on the back of the radio that brings the 1/8 jack in, and wired the adapter there and abandoned the 1/8 jack. So your phone has to pair to 2 connections.

iPhones get a little confused on this sometimes and try to route the phone to the A2DP adapter and the music to the MB Bluetooth. My son has an Android and he can specify what type of protocol each connection supports and thus has no problem keeping it straight.

They did fix the rust problems that were legendary on the W210 on the W211. And if you get a 07-09 W211 you get traditional ABS brakes instead of the goofy SBS. As a result these do not carry the motorcycle battery under the air filter like the 05-06 have. They just have the main battery in the trunk.

I'm sure I can think of more later, just ask!
__________________
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
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  #7  
Old 05-01-2019, 10:31 AM
pawoSD's Avatar
Dieselsüchtiger
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 15,438
Quote:
Originally Posted by okyoureabeast View Post
So here's a question for you Pawo, how's the bluedef system?

The only reason I was turned off against it was because of the removal of the spare tire since you see the bluedef stuff at pretty much every service station now. I'd be willing to entertain a later model depending on your experience with them.

I've had ... bad luck with spare tire donuts and "patch" kits. It's a preference of mine to have a full proper spare.
Bluedef system is no big deal. I had mine alert once to fill it, I bought about 5 gallons at the dealer for $27 and poured it in, nothing to report since.

No spare in the car but my GLK has runflats....also in 16 years of driving I've only had to change two tires.....so the risk is pretty minimal in my opinion.
__________________
-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)
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  #8  
Old 05-01-2019, 12:41 PM
jay_bob's Avatar
Control Freak
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 3,941
Quote:
Originally Posted by pawoSD View Post
Bluedef system is no big deal. I had mine alert once to fill it, I bought about 5 gallons at the dealer for $27 and poured it in, nothing to report since.

No spare in the car but my GLK has runflats....also in 16 years of driving I've only had to change two tires.....so the risk is pretty minimal in my opinion.
Get the BlueDEF at WalMart or Sam's club, its about low teen$ for the 5 gallon jug.

Run flats are a way of life, manufacturers are dumping spare tires across the board to reduce weight. They have to squeeze every pound of unnecessary weight to meet the fuel economy standards (no politics here please).

Like you I have had 2 flats in 38 years of driving experience. One way back in the day in the 90s (Honda, it had a donut even back then) and the other was on our 2008 ML320, again this has a donut but I was up in Charlotte and didn't want to drive to Columbia on a Donut so I went to a local tire shop and had them swap it for a new tire.

My 2013 has the run flats and I hate the ride (it is LOUD and HARD).
__________________
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

Last edited by jay_bob; 05-01-2019 at 12:53 PM.
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  #9  
Old 05-01-2019, 01:27 PM
pawoSD's Avatar
Dieselsüchtiger
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 15,438
In the winter I run without runflats (snow tires) and the ride is much better. (17" rims with michelin X-Ice)
Once my Dunlop runflats are worn out I'll be switching to Michelin normal tires, I'll take the risk.

Both times I've gotten a flat was when pulling into a parking lot and hitting a jagged piece of concrete in the driveway/curb that was broken up. Yay Michigan roads!
__________________
-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)
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  #10  
Old 05-01-2019, 01:36 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Milford, DE
Posts: 1,558
Quote:
Originally Posted by jay_bob View Post
Get the BlueDEF at WalMart or Sam's club, its about low teen$ for the 5 gallon jug....
Couple of months ago I was on a long trip in my GLK250 and the 'ad-blue' low light came on. I had done an oil change a month before and totally forgotten to check the ad-blue level, I couldn't remember the last time I had added ad-blue but it had to be at least 12-15K miles ago?

Anyways at the next exit there was a truck stop and I needed a coffee refill so I decided to stop and get a coffee and a couple of gallons of ad-blue.

The truck stop actually had a pump dispenser for ad-blue, worked just like a regular fuel pump. I rolled on over, put in my credit card and directly added 5.2 gallons of ad-blue into the DEF tank. Took about 2 minutes to remove the crap and access the tank but it was really neat and painless way to refill. I think it was $2 a gallon or something like that?

If you live near a DEF dispensing pump you can't beat this method for cost and convenience.

People seem to be really down on the ad-blue systems, I've had zero issues other than having to re-fill it every 10K miles or so.
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13 GLK250 (135k)
06 E320CDI (323K)
16 C300 (62K)
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  #11  
Old 05-01-2019, 04:07 PM
pawoSD's Avatar
Dieselsüchtiger
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 15,438
Next time I need some I am probably going to do that too....several places have it at the pump around here. I too have had zero problems with the system.
__________________
-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)
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  #12  
Old 05-01-2019, 06:28 PM
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Join Date: May 2000
Location: Soperton, Ga. USA
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If I ever get a 08/09 Bluetec I'm going to convert it to off road use only. This application run real good when they are uncorked and the ecu is set.
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  #13  
Old 05-01-2019, 06:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by engatwork View Post
If I ever get a 08/09 Bluetec I'm going to convert it to off road use only. This application run real good when they are uncorked and the ecu is set.
Why not just get a 2005/6 and no reprogramming is necessary?
__________________
-- Chris

'95 E300, 216k miles, Silver Surfer
'05 E320 CDI, 138k miles
'07 S550 4matic, 69k miles

Gone but not forgotten:

'76 300D, 350k miles?, SOLD in 1995
'75 240D, 300k miles, SOLD in 1991
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  #14  
Old 05-01-2019, 09:57 PM
pawoSD's Avatar
Dieselsüchtiger
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 15,438
There are advantages to the later cars....like more power, 7 speed trans, modern interior and electronics, no sensotronic braking system, having the option of multiple vehicle types (R, ML, GL, E, GLK)

I have the OM651 and its a torque monster, it will climb a steady significant grade in 5th gear @1,600rpm without complaint. In the wet it will readily break loose traction even with 19" wheels and 4matic if you give it too much of the go pedal.
__________________
-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)
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  #15  
Old 05-01-2019, 11:31 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Milford, DE
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pawoSD View Post
I have the OM651 and its a torque monster, it will climb a steady significant grade in 5th gear @1,600rpm without complaint. In the wet it will readily break loose traction even with 19" wheels and 4matic if you give it too much of the go pedal.
All true and all from 2.1 liters of displacement and the balance shaft solution MB used makes it pretty smooth and refined as well, an astonishing engine. I sure do love the amount of room in the engine bay, lots of room and easy to access everything.

__________________
98 Dodge-Cummins pickup (123k)
13 GLK250 (135k)
06 E320CDI (323K)
16 C300 (62K)
82 300GD Gelaendewagen (54K)
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