Opinions on durability of the 220-CDI engine

[Lord-WYBMAnE220]

Say compared to BMW's very solid six-pot lumps ?

This is my first MB (E220 - 2008) bought 21 months ago and I haven't been that impressed.
Blowby on one cylinder.
The car had allegedly only done 85K when I bought it - but even it had done 185K, it really shouldn't be leaking cylinder pressure.
Maybe the previous (company) owner chipped it, which cooked the rings on one cylinder ... in which case, I just got unlucky.

But I see lots of four-pot MB engines with black smoke and oily tail-pipe issues.
You don't see that in BMW's.

 

[RoDDDimuS]

Say compared to BMW's very solid six-pot lumps ?

This is my first MB (E220 - 2008) bought 21 months ago and I haven't been that impressed.
Blowby on one cylinder.
The car had allegedly only done 85K when I bought it - but even it had done 185K, it really shouldn't be leaking cylinder pressure.
Maybe the previous (company) owner chipped it, which cooked the rings on one cylinder ... in which case, I just got unlucky.

But I see lots of four-pot MB engines with black smoke and oily tail-pipe issues.
You don't see that in BMW's.

Ive had a MB for about 3 weeks and regretted every single minute of not buying a 3 series

BMW/Audi are in a different league altogether engine and build quality i would also rate renault and citreon above merc in fact id be hard pressed to fact a manufacturer who could produce a more unreliable diesel engine

 

[cws196]

Coincidentally I was behind 2 BMW 320 diesels, today, and both were puffing out clouds of black soot on acceleration! Both me, my wife and my dad all run Mercs with 2.15L diesels and none of them puff out any soot. Perhaps the first poster was unlucky? They did hint the car may have been clocked. This is the thing with buying an MB-you have to get one with full (and verifiable) history, either main dealer or a good MB in dependant. Which E Class is it, as the facelift W211 was rated as one of the most reliable cars ever, by one of the large warranty companies.

Regarding BMW diesels, just look up BMW N47 diesel problems.......number 1 issue being cam chains jumping.

As for Audi/VW being head and shoulders above, that is tosh. They have not long managed to fix the numerous issues with the 2.0TDI engine (again google that one), the TSi engines have all had issues (cracked cylinders) and they drink oil. Then consider DSG boxes and how they had to be redesigned....... Both MB and VAG had injector issues, but at least MB owned up and quickly, unlike VAG.

On balance MB make a good diesel. Just go to Germany and see what every taxi is!

 

[E270 Owner]

They are all as bad as one another in their own ways.

Some engines can go around the world 10 times and some not as far as the end of the road ........

Any secondhand car is subject to problems at some point depending on past servicing and abuse.

Some engines are subject to "common faults" across all marques.

Just depends what badge you want up front on it.












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[V12]

Having been involved in the parts supply for both Mercedes and BMW over the past decade I can tell you that we hear of many more BMW engine failures but Mercedes have the auto gearbox problems.

We also buy hundreds of scrap cars every year and many Mercedes are only scrapped due to gearbox issues but the rest of the car is otherwise nice and the same could be said for the BMWs about the engines.

As above, every car can have problems if not treated well but generally speaking, the 611, 612 and 613 cdi engines are very tough. There are some failures but there are also a lot of cars on the road with these engines.

 

[racpat]

As a rac patrol would agree about vw and Audi without a doubt the most unreliable brand on the road

 

[E270 Owner]

Depends on the number of vehicle sales v breakdown ratios per manufacturer.

If there's more VW Audis running around than other brands then there will be more break downs for VW Audi.

Mind you those oil pumps are very dodgy on the Audi.

 

[Lord-WYBMAnE220]

BMW swirl-flap failures aside, I think their six-pots HAVE to be the best proven lumps on the planet. They're as close to indestructible as it gets.

 

[E270 Owner]

I have re-manufactured as many BMW 6/4 pots as I have any Merc 6/5/4 pots

No difference to be honest between them they both have common failure points.

Now the Lexus UZ V8 is a different beast I hardly ever see in for repairs except when service limits have been exceeded.












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[Lord-WYBMAnE220]

I have re-manufactured as many BMW 6/4 pots as I have any Merc 6/5/4 pots

No difference to be honest between them they both have common failure points.

Now the Lexus UZ V8 is a different beast I hardly ever see in for repairs except when service limits have been exceeded.

... and so the Lexus legend continues.
Shame they don't do a manual diesel.

(BTW E270, what's all the space after your replies - followed by the white dot ?)

 

[E270 Owner]

(BTW E270, what's all the space after your replies - followed by the white dot ?)

Spacing from the edit bar under my posts

Looks too cramped for my liking

 

[Lord-WYBMAnE220]

Spacing from the edit bar under my posts

Looks too cramped for my liking

... but what about my scroll wheel ?

 

[E270 Owner]

Hold down control and scroll mouse wheel