[EricM]

2015 Mercedes-Benz ML250 BlueTec Test ? Review ? Car and Driver

Interesting that it got the same real world MPG as last years ML350 Bluetec in their testing.


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[Mac]

Pretty much a lackluster review but C&D is as pro-BMW as CR is anti-Mercedes. And, it's not a very smart review because it is comparing the I-4 and V-6 diesels which makes no more sense than comparing V-6 and V-8 gassers. The mileage they got seemed pretty good considering they didn't seem hesitant to put their foot into it. Even so -- not that matters a lot -- my experience with both diesels is that the 3L's EPA stats are a bit optimistic whereas the 'lil diesel exceeds expectations.

 

[Mac]

Car & Driver really wasn't doing its job on this one. The better comparison to the 2015 ML250 BlueTEC's 2.1L twin turbo would have been the I-4 biturbo to some of MB's venerable I-5s and I-6s of yesteryear. The worlds 1st Turbodiesel (300SD), was an I-5 and reached its highest state of tune in '85 at 125 HP and 250 Nm of Torque.


Granted, MB's 3L V6 turbo diesel is in a league of its own, no question. Even so, MB's I4 twin turbo diesel (OM651) is impressive; and, it's true, C&D does see that --e.g., "Highs... torquey diesel engine." Still, it's actually pretty amazing compared to previous diesels that powered some of MB's premier flagship sedans that came in at about the same weight as MB's modern-day SUVs. For example:

MB's '91 - '98 SE/SEL/SEC models (coming in at nearly 5K pounds) were powered by a 3L I-6 diesel (OM603/OM606) with turbocharger and intercooler that put out, as follows: 150 HP @4100 RPM and 310 ft-lbs Torque 2000 RPM for the '603' / 174 HP 4400 rpm and 243 lb-ft Torque @1600 rpm fpr the '606,' or, a torque falling from 420 Nm to 330 Nm to achieve the greater overall horsepower.

By comparison, the new 2.1L bi-turbo diesel comes in, as follows: 200 HP @3800 RPM and 369 ft-lbs Torque @1600 RPM. Looking at just the HP the little diesel clearly blows them both away. Interestingly though, when you look at the torque, MB's I-4 easily handles even the torquier but older '603' (310 ft-lb/420 Nm): the I-4 puts out 420 of its max-500 Nm from about 1300 to 3K RPM. The solid blue area of attached torque shows how much additional twisting power the little diesel has over the old '603' engine.

Perhaps the 2.1L will be more boring than MB's modern-day 3L turbo diesel (OM642: 240 HP @ 3,600 RPM and 455 ft-lb of torque @ 1600), that compares with a V-8 gasser in performance; however, as the Irish reviewer Bob Flavin said when reviewing the 2013 ML250 that was available in the EU at that time, it is brilliant! That was a brilliant review!

 

[fabbrisd1]

Torque'y banger for sure...

I did a quick read of the C&D article...

My customer's real world experience with the turbo 4 has been quite positive... quite a surprising/positive - including one owner of a 2014 ML350BT - a non towing guy - who gets a new diesel ML every year - employeee purcahse as he is a retired Freightliner principal - and in his specific case - he LOVES his ML250BT.

My impression - yes, the ML350BT was more than admirable - the 350BT is very impressive, especially in the X166 chassis.

The 250BT charges well around town - and my customers kindof-routinely report 31-32 mpg on our highways at 70mph... and 25-26 for their mix-running-around..

 

[Mac]

I did a quick read of the C&D article...

My customer's real world experience with the turbo 4 has been quite positive... quite a surprising/positive - including one owner of a 2014 ML350BT ...

All true... the ML350 BTC (3L turbo diesel) seemed to me to be the perfect compromise between wanting V8 power with no compromises and getting better overall MPG. But, if you don't do a lot of towing on a regular basis, everything is different –e.g., doing anything over 65 mph freeway driving and the "350" is not going to get that EPA 28 mpg whereas the "250" (2.15L biturbo diesel) has no problem meeting and exceeding EPA estimates.

And, if you do tow, the 250 will do a lot better job at towing-speeds than the V-6, 350-gasser. Even so, bringing up these points in the comments on C&D's website would be pointless. It is easy to see the average blogger there is clueless when it comes to diesels and has zero appreciation for the fact that MB makes 750,000 of these clean diesels a year (e.g., you find them in Sprinters).

The biturbo model in MB's US cars and SUVs, with its piezo injectors, is the OM651's highest state of tune. Getting it for no more than you'll pay for MB's 350 V-6 gasser I believe is a bargain.

Diesels in general are more fuel efficient –e.g., a 2015 MB ML350 V-6, 3.5 L uses Premium Gas and gets 24 mpg Highway / 22 mpg for the 4matic, which is 7 fewer mpg than the "250" 4matic's EPA -29; and, diesel prices are less expensive currently than Regular gas –e.g., about 13% cheaper than Premium (that's >$10 /tank).

Plus, I like being pleasantly surprised, like getting >33 mpg coming to work this morning (see attachment).

 

[MAE320]

I bought my new W166 a couple of months back simply because of the 2.1L engine and of course generous $5000 off MSRP offered on remaining 2015s on the lot, since the refreshed one is coming out soon. MPG is amazing, picture below is from going to work yesterday AM, 70% hwy 30% city. On average I get 30.5MPG (not display but calculated). If people are wondering about the route it is from Paxton, MA to Burlington, MA.

I had a 09' ML with the V6 diesel, however this I4 has literally zero turbo lag and better take-off personality IMHO. C&D wants to find "sporty" in all cars they test. This SUV is not sporty, it is rather boring yet quite brilliant! Well done MB!

 

[shabba1967]

just ordered a ML250 AMG premium with a 15% discount as last 2015 model any view on ride performance MPG, i think i have a bargain ?

 

[Mac]

just ordered a ML250 AMG premium with a 15% discount as last 2015 model any view on ride performance MPG, i think i have a bargain ?

Use of BTC's cruise control allows for a dynamic and responsive driving experience in a challenging road situation. California's Big Sur has a lot of twisty areas with a lot of 35 mph curves. Using the CC-stalk to back down off 50 to 35 and power back up when coming out of corners, teamed up perfectly with the 7-spd automatic (each full-hit is 5 mph either up or down) to take full advantage of the BTC's great engine breaking and low-RPM acceleration capabilities.

 

[NebraskaKen]

I consistently average 34-37 mpg with my V-6 2014 ML350BTC. But what I am now addicted to is its 455 lb of torque at 1,600 RPM. Drag strip testing aside, in the real world, torque is what we drive, and it's truly a delight like no other powertrain I've experienced. A towing capacity of 7,198 pounds is another reflection of that motor's prowess. Of course I'm biased, but I think MB made a real mistake by putting a 4 cylinder into a vehicle of this weight and size.

 

[Mac]

I consistently average 34-37 mpg with my V-6 2014 ML350BTC. But what I am now addicted to is its 455 lb of torque at 1,600 RPM. Drag strip testing aside, in the real world, torque is what we drive, and it's truly a delight like no other powertrain I've experienced. A towing capacity of 7,198 pounds is another reflection of that motor's prowess. Of course I'm biased, but I think MB made a real mistake by putting a 4 cylinder into a vehicle of this weight and size.

Based on your experience you must drive only at highway speeds and the EPA understates your actual mpg by 27.8%. Otherwise, your mixed city and country driving mpg improves on EPA 24 mpg estimates by nearly 50%. Our 2014 ML350 BTC 3L V6 was great and gave me an appreciation for Mercedes diesels. Even so, for me, the highway EPA estimate was more an optimistic goal than a reality, especially at highway speeds in excess of 65 mph. Still, getting almost 28 mpg was impressive compared to 22 mpg at best and more like 18 in our "500" ML V8 gasser.

 

[2008R320]

I consistently average 34-37 mpg with my V-6 2014 ML350BTC. But what I am now addicted to is its 455 lb of torque at 1,600 RPM. Drag strip testing aside, in the real world, torque is what we drive, and it's truly a delight like no other powertrain I've experienced. A towing capacity of 7,198 pounds is another reflection of that motor's prowess. Of course I'm biased, but I think MB made a real mistake by putting a 4 cylinder into a vehicle of this weight and size.

I only have experience with the old 3.0V6 CDI engine, that was in the R-Class and that one would only go to 30 mpg when speeds constant around 60mph, so I would say you are really driving it easy , or you are using Imperial MPG you would be at 28.3 - 30.8 MPG in US and that is about right for the car :wink:grin