Howdy all,

Here's a link to a review I did recently on the 2012 ML350 BlueTEC. I spent a week with the car courtesy of Mercedes' press fleet and absolutely loved it - I'd hoped for some snow to evaluate the awd system, but no such luck. (the upside to global warming in CT?) I'd like to hear from ML350 owners and others familiar with the breed.

Will

2012 Mercedes ML350 BlueTEC: Diesel Improves the Breed - Hartford Hartford Cars | Examiner.com

 

If you have the dealer top off the 7 gal AdBlue tank, it's about $220. (local quote) M-B sells their AdBlue (aqueous urea) for $20/gallon, but the same stuff (32% solution) can be bought at farm supply or auto supply stores for $6 per 2 gallon bottle, total cost $24. The tank lasts 15,000 miles +/- so it should be good for a year or better, typically. As far as the exhaust filter, if you're referring to the DPF (diesel particle filter) in the exhaust there is no replacement interval. It's only replaced if it's damaged. (This came directly from M-B)

 

Mercedes DPFs aren't self-cleaning? (will have to ask MB about this) Even VW's TDI particle trap has a regen function which cooks off the accumulated soot on a programmed cycle. Where did you get your 5 year figure from? Even if it couldn't be cleaned, why would that require replacing the entire exhaust and not just the particle trap? This doesn't make sense.

 

I am curious about the ash buildup issue, and will ask MB about it. The idea of a single-component exhaust sounds crazy, and I've never heard of anything like it, but I can see how a whole new system could run up to $5k.