So...

Mercedes sent a representative over to my house to convince me to bring my 2014 E250 Bluetec in for an emissions update for whatever lawsuit that occured.

Couple thoughts...

1st I was hesitant, and have been ignoring the whole issue since I have had nothing but problems with the system and tuned it out and. unplugged the SCR module.

2nd, I really like the car as it is. It's been like this for a few years and had no problems since. I thought the issues would be covered under 8 yr/80,000 mile federal emissions waranty. Apparently not. Dealer wanted over $2,000 to replace the tank module in it's entirety for P20B9 Reductant Heater "A" control Circuit Open" code. I replaced a line cleared that code but then somethign else broke.

3rd All the parts are still there. When I plug everything back in I get the following code and check engine light: 20B913 The output for the heating element of the AdBlue pressure line has an electrical fault or open circuit. Clear the code unplug module, and no issues. Also have a broken fitting on the DEF injector supply line (Injector line, not line from tank).

Couple questions

1. has anyone had the Emissions done to their BLuetec Diesel? Thoughts appreciated?

2. Does anyone know if Mercedes will require for me to repair the issue before giving me the emissions mod? It doens't look like they are going to touch the tank as part of the mod. (I think...someone correct me if I am wrong).

Final thought, I am skeptical...they offered $2,000 plus a $1,500 service credit if I perform the mod...but I feel like I would still get screwed on the deal if they make me replace the tank module or something first for $2,000 or more. I fell like I got screwed once already since they denied to repair the issue under the 8/80,000 emissions warranty at the time...which to be fair, the fine print does not indicate it should have been covered, to my surprise...

Thoughts appreciated.

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dmcginn2
2014 E250 Bluetec
2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI

I reached out to the representative that stopped by the house. Told him the details I laid out to you fine folks and directed him to verify with the dealer.
Response follows:

"They said you don't have to fix it. You still qualify".

Ok, I'll bite, so we'll see where this leads...

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dmcginn2
2014 E250 Bluetec
2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI

You should do it. That original Bluetec system was a big problem for many.

I had a GLK250, but got rid of it at only 50k km because I didn't want to be stuck somewhere in USA while travelling (which was how we used it). If we had only needed the car in Canada where the warranty would be covered at Canadian dealers and hassle-free, I would have kept it. The settlement would have been a big bonus.

Just this week, I spoke to an owner who had the recall/upgrade done. He was quite happy with it. Only negative was that the new system was not as fuel efficient.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Appreciate the insight. Like I said, I have ignored the whole thing because I like everything as it is. Now they are showing up at my door offering cash...

I made an appointment, and when I show up I'll have the conversation in person.

Quesion:

So when the owner you know says "less fuel efficient" was it a drastic change?

Right now I get 30mpg mixed driving, and 40-45 mpg on the highway. If it's a mpg or two, I guess I can live with it. I guess that would translate to 5 to 8 liters per 100 Km's in the metric world...I think...

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dmcginn2
2014 E250 Bluetec
2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI

He didn't say, except that it was noticable.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

I have a GLK250 that has had the AEM modifications done. I now have 20K miles of operation after the modifications - I can't detect any changes in fuel economy of power - still has great power/torque and gets low 40's for MPG on the highway and low to mid 30's in a relatively rural around town environment.

The only thing I've noticed is a slight increase in the amount of Ad-blue, I'd guess maybe a 5-10 percent increase in usage maybe? It's still low enough that I sometimes forget to check it at each oil change, the tank is easily large enough to store sufficient DEF for the 10K oil change service.

In my opinion its a no-brainer to have the mods done. The parts required seem to vary significantly with the vehicle type but my GLK got a new DPF cat, most of the exhaust system, new transmission valve body and upgraded instrument cluster firmware. Along with the modifications you get a new 4 year/50K mile engine warranty. I also know of 2 other owners that have had the AEM work done with no issues reported.

The nature of the emissions 'infractions' Mercedes got caught on was much less severe than what VW faced in its regulatory solution. Mercedes was accused of not operating the EGR system at lower temperatures as I recall? Unlike the VW solution the fueling of the Bluetec vehicles wasn't altered on the dyno versus the real road conditions.

I'm guessing Graham will disagree but its completely unclear to me that the Bluetec vehicles cheated at all, in my opinion they didn't, but they got caught up in the regulatory hysteria of the VW Dieselgate solution and ran scared of being lumped in a similar solution so Mercedes kind of rolled over and offered a very sweet deal to the customers and the EPA to avoid a VW-type settlement.

I now have 140K miles on my GLK and have owned it for 10 years, its a great car and I hope to keep it until I stop driving. I'd estimate I've saved around 2,500 gallons of fuel over that an equivalent GLK350 over my ownership period.

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98 Dodge-Cummins pickup (137K)
13 GLK250 (157k)
06 E320CDI (341K)
16 C300 (89K)
82 300GD Gelaendewagen (54K)

This has been hashed out many times. The Bluetec system simply did not do what it was purported to do when the ambient temperature dropped below 10C. (4.5 months for many parts of Canada). This based on studies done initially in Holland, but applicable to many parts of Europe, Canada, Northern parts of USA and elsewhere.

But that was not the reason I sold my GLK after about 5 years. I had no problems with the Bluetec system. My first concern was that there were numerous reports of failures of components of the emission system. Some covered by the emission warranty, some not. Some parts were not readily available and if lucky, owners received a loaner. For a Canadian car that was used mainly for winter trips to the USA, MB Canada would honour our extended warranty, but if problem occurred in the USA, we would have to pay for the repairs ourselves, delay of trip rental costs, and then try and claim back from MB Canada. Some of the emission repairs were in the many thousands of US$$. We just could not risk that happening.

Another concern, was that we bought our GLK diesel expecting the legendry longevity and reliability of earlier diesels, like our '85 300D (which we still own). I did not expect that instead of two major items that one could expect to have to maintain and repair (engine and transmission), we now had three (the not too reliable and expensive Bluetec emission system)

I discussed all of this with our dealer and the MB Canada technical rep. They fully understood my concerns. One even mentioned (off the record!) the Bluetec delete that some owners in Canada were doing!

We ended up trading for a Subaru Outback - Not a Benz, but a sound and popular vehicle. Fuel consumption according to US gov figures is apparently better on the Outback (reg gas) than the emission modified GLK250 (diesel):
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=40382&id=34302

My only other beef about the GLK is that we still have not received the $900 settlement we have been promised in the Canadian settlement!

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Thanks for thei input TimFreeh!

I have to say Graham, I had a 1983 300SD and to me, I think it was a better car in many respects. Certainly seemed more durable, and it had 305,000 miles on it and ran fine when I had to get rid of it.

Conceptually, I like the E250, but man...that AdBlue really kind of put a damper on the experience, and along with some of the "nanny" technology producing glitches. The collision avoidance beeps at random times for some reason, and the driver monitoring system does not like windy days or grooved pavement.

But, at ten years and almost 100,000 miles, it's called "expectation management".

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dmcginn2
2014 E250 Bluetec
2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI

This is certainly the position of the regulatory bodies, as a Bluetec owner I can tell you the system met all of my expectations as a customer - it passed emissions system certification.

I'd sure like to see some bureacratic work from the regulators on the issues effecting the eastern USA these days that require me to burn my headlights in the middle of the afternoon because of 1/4 mile visibility?

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98 Dodge-Cummins pickup (137K)
13 GLK250 (157k)
06 E320CDI (341K)
16 C300 (89K)
82 300GD Gelaendewagen (54K)

Glad you're happy with your Outback.

Think it would do as well as a Prius in a fuel economy shootout in the real world against a Bluetec?

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a7170/the-most-fuel-efficient-car-in-america-is-a-luxury-car/

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98 Dodge-Cummins pickup (137K)
13 GLK250 (157k)
06 E320CDI (341K)
16 C300 (89K)
82 300GD Gelaendewagen (54K)

What is interesting is seeing all of the brand new GLE400d (turbo diesel) on I16 east bound on their way to get loaded onto ships for export - Made in Tuscaloosa, Al. I wish they were available in US.

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Jim

PUBLISHED: FEB 25, 2014??

A new plug in Prius would be on my list if I was going that way. The styling is much improved and economy is hard to beat

FUEL EFFICIENCY
Litres/100KM* 1.8 (Combined City/Hwy)

(about 131mpg)

What I would really like is something like that with plastic sheet "metal" like our 2006 diesel smart car had, along with it's frugal fuel consumption.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

FWIW..I had the emissions update done on my 09ML320. It was kind of a no-brainer for me. I paid $6k for the car 3 years ago (Lemon Law buy back title.) They basically replaced every seal on the topside of the engine and wrote me a check for just shy of $4k. So I've been driving an 09 Bluetec for $2k cost for 3 years.

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2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

So I dropped it off at the dealer for the emissions mod. I had a conversation...and it went like this...

"This adblue system has been problematic, so I tuned it out. All the parts are still there. If I have to pay to fix anything to get this mod...I want the car back just as it is."

Their response: "We'll let you know".

I am fairly certain I am not the first person they have heard this from.

So we shall see.

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dmcginn2
2014 E250 Bluetec
2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI

Mercedes will be replacing all the ECU coding for engine operations - I don't think your prior tuning will matter at all.

The AdBlue system will be operating when you get the car back.

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98 Dodge-Cummins pickup (137K)
13 GLK250 (157k)
06 E320CDI (341K)
16 C300 (89K)
82 300GD Gelaendewagen (54K)