Avoid DPF Diesel particulate filter on W203?

[philepo]

Hi All,

From looking at Parkers guide for the c220 cdi W203 it seems that pre 2004 cars do 43 mpg combined and post 2004 do 39 mpg.

it it the case that the DPF has sapped mpg?

If so is it worth avoiding the post 2004 models?

Curiously, the C270 CDI which I am also considering, doesn't seem to be affected?

Thoughts much appriciated.

 

[markjay]

I don't know about the DPF, but post 2004 (face-lifted) cars are much better designed and more reliable, so well worth it in my opinion (well, I would say that, I've got one).

If you don't want the face-lifted model, then post-2002 cars are still better than the first batch i,.e,. 1999-2002...

 

[Sp!ke]

Yes, most things that clean up emissions impact efficiency - especially DPF's which, from looking at used ones I suspect don't do an awful lot of filtering unless they are changed with much regularity.

If you want efficiency, do away with the EGR and the DPF imho.

 

[markjay]

...If you want efficiency, do away with the EGR and the DPF imho.

And the cats...

 

[philepo]

OK cheers.

So for max economy go for 2002-2004 model.

And for best build post 2004 model.

Does the DPF cause any issues on your car? 4 mpg loss is quite a lot over a year and puts in in the same mpg as the c270.

Is it common or legal to have the DPF removed?

Hmmm, maybe just get a BMW 320d auto!

 

[markjay]

...BMW...

 

[momomo]

Will it not cause issues with the car if the DPF is just removed?

 

[Sp!ke]

Yes, I wouldn't advocate just removing it.

 

[Dieselman]

Not all post 2004 cars have DPF, but they did increase the volume of EGR which reduces efficiency.

Given the option I would remove the DPF and have the ECU recoded and block the EGR and cheat the MAF sensor.

 

[rf065]

If so is it worth avoiding the post 2004 models?

I remember reading an interview with a MB exec, as late as 2007, he claimed not a lot of UK MB's were fitted with DPF's at that point although it was standard fitment for some other european countries. Not sure what year UK did get them fitted as standard, certainly not 2004 though.

Russ

 

[philepo]

OK thanks. I assumed it mist be something restrictive as pre 2004 = 43 mpg, and post 2004 = 39 mpg for the C220 same model.

????

 

[aybracers]

Dpf

The easy way to tel if the car is fitted with a DPF is to look for Code 474 amongst the options code in the back page of the service book. No 474 code, no DPF.

 

[htavs]

You people are all MAD! Do you think MB just dreamed up a DPF of the EGR Valve? Do you think it’s just a bell or Whistle to add to their cars?

These things took millions to design and perfect and the only reason people have issues with them is poor maintenance and upkeep. And the figures are wrong the DPF version is more economical due to the back pressures they create.

EGR recycle unburnt fuel so how can that be detrimental to the running of a car?

If you regularly service and check over your car you won’t have issues with it, problem is people just want to get in and drive the car, being an ex-solider when we took any vehicle out in the field we have to check and sign off on every vehicle and maintain it regardless of cost and time. In the civilian world I do the exact same regularly checking and maintaining both of my vehicles.

If the people on here checked their cars and did routine maintenance instead of slagging off features on their car that have been poorly maintained then there cars would run more efficiently.

RANT over!

 

[LittleG]

These things took millions to design and perfect and the only reason people have issues with them is poor maintenance and upkeep. And the figures are wrong the DPF version is more economical due to the back pressures they create.

problem is people just want to get in and drive the car, being an ex-solider when we took any vehicle out in the field we have to check and sign off on every vehicle and maintain it regardless of cost and time. In the civilian world I do the exact same regularly checking and maintaining both of my vehicles.

If the people on here checked their cars and did routine maintenance instead of slagging off features on their car that have been poorly maintained then there cars would run more efficiently.

RANT over!

How do you properly maintain your DPF? Most people buy a car to get in a drive it. I didn't buy a car to spend half the morning giving it a first parade. My car is serviced when it should be and regularly checked but the DPF and EGR still clogg up.

 

[markjay]

How do you properly maintain your DPF? Most people buy a car to get in a drive it. I didn't buy a car to spend half the morning giving it a first parade. My car is serviced when it should be and regularly checked but the DPF and EGR still clogg up.

Change to petrol engine car?

 

[Justin1600]

You people are all MAD! Do you think MB just dreamed up a DPF of the EGR Valve? Do you think it’s just a bell or Whistle to add to their cars?

These things took millions to design and perfect and the only reason people have issues with them is poor maintenance and upkeep. And the figures are wrong the DPF version is more economical due to the back pressures they create.

EGR recycle unburnt fuel so how can that be detrimental to the running of a car?

If you regularly service and check over your car you won’t have issues with it, problem is people just want to get in and drive the car, being an ex-solider when we took any vehicle out in the field we have to check and sign off on every vehicle and maintain it regardless of cost and time. In the civilian world I do the exact same regularly checking and maintaining both of my vehicles.

If the people on here checked their cars and did routine maintenance instead of slagging off features on their car that have been poorly maintained then there cars would run more efficiently.

RANT over!

90% of new diesel Mercs that go into the dealer for EML lights on are because of the useless/pointless DPF system. It is over complicated, and a waste of money.
All makes of car use this system, the dealer will say to you to do a long motorway journey at least once a month to allow the system to do a burn off ( empty the DPF filter )
So this means for people who just drive locally that they have to do a un-necessary journey to do this.
How does this help the environment ??? More fuel used, more emissions

POINTLESS !! Best to remove it and put it in the recycle bin

 

[vealige]

To be Frank you shouldn't be buying a diesel unless you do a decent amount of mileage. Most DPF issues are because the owner drives the car on short journeys only which negates the point of having a diesel which is why they say it needs a good run every now and again. EGRs can be a pain too and they can clog up for similar reasons but maintenance does prevent issues such as removing the EGR and cleaning periodically its not a difficult job and stops problems most manufacturers wont bother though.

 

[sspeed]

To be Frank you shouldn't be buying a diesel unless you do a decent amount of mileage. Most DPF issues are because the owner drives the car on short journeys only which negates the point of having a diesel which is why they say it needs a good run every now and again. EGRs can be a pain too and they can clog up for similar reasons but maintenance does prevent issues such as removing the EGR and cleaning periodically its not a difficult job and stops problems most manufacturers wont bother though.

Cleaning the EGR is far from an easy job !!
And when you have spent hours cleaning it guess what ??
The inlet manifold is just as dirty and choked.. Now lets see you "easily clean " that..
My previous C270 Cdi had the EGR delete mod and it never ran better..
In fact the MOT guy commented that "Blime that's a good un" when he did the smoke test..
I didn't tell him the cause of it being a "Good un"

 

[LittleG]

Change to petrol engine car?

As soon as I don't have a 1000mile trip to work and back I pobably will get a petrol, maybe with a couple more cylinders

 

[Justin1600]

To be Frank you shouldn't be buying a diesel unless you do a decent amount of mileage. Most DPF issues are because the owner drives the car on short journeys only which negates the point of having a diesel which is why they say it needs a good run every now and again. EGRs can be a pain too and they can clog up for similar reasons but maintenance does prevent issues such as removing the EGR and cleaning periodically its not a difficult job and stops problems most manufacturers wont bother though.

You are correct in what you say, but alot of Diesel car buyers don't know anything about DPF and EGR and plod around town doing short journeys causing a headache for dealers to have to keep rectifying these cars.
I hate diesel cars, never owned one and would only buy one if I had no choice due to everyday mileage becoming high.