Mercedes C Class BlueEFFICIENCY now has new, more frugal engines
I’m so ancient now that I still think of diesel engines as slow, noisy, dirty and horrible to drive. Fit only for a taxi or an HGV. But car makers are getting better and better at producing economical, good performing diesel engines. Engines so good that they make a nonsense of the whole push towards Hybrid and Electric cars. I still argue that no diesel engined car is ever as good to drive as a petrol – they just don’t have the delicacy and refinement; the power tends to be all or nothing; precious little progression and finesse. But they are getting good.
And the new engines Mercedes has announced for its C Class BlueEfficiency are quite remarkable. Already available in the new Mercedes E-Class, they offer remarkable economy whilst still producing a very drivable car. The new Mercedes C220 CDi Blue EFFICIENCY delivers 170bhp and a 0-60mph of 8.4 seconds, but averages nearly 59mpg and only emits 127 g/km o2. Astonishing. And the Mercedes C250 CDi BlueEfficiency offers 204bhp and still does over 55mpg.
Also joining these two super-frugal diesels is the petrol engined 1.8 litre C250 CGi BlueEfficiency that produces 204bhp and averages almost 40mpg. But it’s no quicker than the C220 CDi so, taking in to account the extra savings on fuel, I think even I would opt for the diesel.
These headline mpg figures are all very well, but are they achievable? Well, if you drive in a ‘spirited’ manner then no, of course not. But as we proved in our 500 mile road test on the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic, the headline figures can be achieved if you don’t mind driving like an old fart!
And to be honest, when things are as tight as they are at the moment, even I’ve found myself driving more economically when I don’t have to be anywhere urgently – which isn’t often – so it can be done!
New Mercedes C-Class BlueEfficiency Data
Model | cc | kW/hp | Nm | Fuel consumption (l/100 km) | CO2 emissions | 0-100 km/h | km/h |
C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY | 2143 | 125/170 | 400 | 4.8 (4.9) | 127 (130) | 8.4 (8.8) | 232 (219) |
C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY | 2143 | 150/204 | 500 | 5.1 (5.3) | 134 (140) | 7.0 (7.5) | 240 (238) |
C 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY | 1796 | 150/204 | 310 | 7.2 (7.5) | 168 (175) | 7.4 (7.5) | 240 (233) |
Nigal says
Hi guys,
I live in Australia and bought a 2010 220CDI…. had no idea that this (blue-eff injector) problem existed and would I be right in assuming it applies only to European models? …. but the issue is of interest as I have one complaint about the car: it has a definite ‘flat spot’ when taking off at lights etc. It’s not real bad but very irritating as it often takes a second or so for the engine to kick in. Once its going its fine. It makes no difference btw whether in standard or power mode. I took it to the dealer but they say there is no problem.
Any ideas?
Cheers Nigal
Larry Miller says
geez, how did all these other comments get on here!
Nige says
I can add another E Class 2.2 CDI BlueEfficiency to the list.
Mine was delivered on March 19 and packed up as a result of duff injectors last weekend, having managed 8,800 miles. The only bit of good luck was that I was on a rural road, going uphill in a short crocodile, doing about 40 mph when it died and I only had van behind me. Thankfully the driver was awake.
To add to Dave Grant’s views on the BlueEfficiency tag (above), I’d concluded that it was a reference to my language whilst I waited the 2 hours for retrieval on Saturday night!
Interestingly, I’m told mine was supposedly built after the the problem was identified and sorted!! Doesn’t bode well does it?
Brian says
Sasha, see this article as well for other ideas;
https://www.carsuk.net/mercedes-blueefficiency-om651-injector-problems/#comment-5993
Push for a E350 or a E250, I have the C250 and it is very very good, when it works! My breakdown was embaressing as I had 4 guys in the car with me all wanting to see what the car was like, 15 minutes up the dual carriageway and I was sitting with a red face. Could have been worse as I was doing probably 70-75 only seconds earlier and had slowed down into traffic when it happened.
Darren says
Sasha, yep looks like you got a pup with the rest of us, Brian is absolutely right, start kicking up and don’t let them fob you off…the C Class CDi is a fantastic car (I love mine, despite the problems) but thats no excuse for both Mercedes and your dealer selling you a car with KNOWN issues.
I am currently in a dispute with my dealer selling me a car with a KNOWN issues in December so your dealer has no excuse whatsoever!
Let us all know how you get on!?
Brian says
Sasha, I maintained I had been sold a known faulty car by Mercedes, if not by the sales people but by people much further up the food chain in Germany. I would suggest if you bought that car in March then there can be no denying they knew the problem existed, if it was me I would be wanting a serious enhancement to what I have otherwise tell them to shove the car. All very well me saying that and I appreciate its your car and you probably love it etc. Read other articles and you’ll see people in similar situation negotiating better cars although I doubt for the same price. What I will say is that the service I got from my dealer was excellent.
sasha says
I took del of my e220 cdi sport estate on the 27th March 2010.Today whilst driving on the A3 with four young children in the car – the car lost all power and we nearly ended up in the crash barrier. I am sitting at home after finally being given a c class saloon. I am still in shock at the thought of the accident we could of been in. Since reading all the comments on this site I have steam coming out of my ears. I had been made aware of the problems with the injectors but had been reassured mine was a new one that did not have the problem!!!! Tomorrow am I will be on the phone to MB any advice!!
Brian says
Raeid, see the link below for another articles and statement from Mercedes.
https://www.carsuk.net/mercedes-blueefficiency-om651-injector-problems/
raied says
Thanks Brian
If this problem only happens with Diesel engines only (C220 and C250 CDI), then I would presume that it does not happen in CGI engines (C250 and C300 cgi). Appreciate any body to confirm this understanding.
Thanks in advance
Brian says
Raied, Diesel 220’s and 250’s only as far as I am aware.
raied says
I cannot belive what I’ve been reading here. I am planning to get C250 CGI. If what is mentioned here is correct and confirmed, I’ll go for C180 unless it also has the same injectors problem. Can any body tell me whether the C180 has the same.
Peter says
Similar problems to everyone else, my c250 died and is now with my dealer. However I have been given £250 compensation and my courtesy car is an S350, which I’m told I will have for 4/5 weeks. The car was supplied by Enterprise. I also received a letter regarding a recall last Friday – so it seems that MB are finally facing up to their responsibilities.
Adrian Dyer says
Our Mercedes C220 Blue Efficiency sport broke down on Good Friday it is 6 months old with only 3000 miles on the clock. Breakdown Customer Services are terrible they use Enterprise Car Hire who could not locate us a car until Easter Monday! As our car was being collected on Tuesday it was too late. Did not know about the faulty injectors do now!! It could take up to 4 weeks to get our car back we are currently 5th in line!! Still have no replacement car 6 days later. With 5 in the family and a dog we need a larger car which Enterprise do not have except an M Class but Mercedes will not authorise them to release one to us. Have been offered a Zafira!! Susposed to be going on holiday in 4 days. Would never have bought a Mercedes if we had known.
Brian says
Adrian, I got an M Class, see my comment above, after my dealer made representations. Also got confirmation today from dealer that I will be getting a monthly payment back which is great. Cannot fault my dealer in Hertford at all. first class service.
Dave Grant says
Update:
Three weeks on and still no phone call from Mercedes. I called them twice leaving messages both times with no call back. Third time lucky and surprise surprise ‘the parts are yet to turn up; 2 cars are ahead of me in the queue and that the new injectors would be made by Bosch – as if that makes me feel any better. Not happy.
The car is at least living up to its ‘BlueEfficiency’ credentials – whilst its been stationary at the garage I’ve walked more; taken the bus the odd time and braved taking a 1.4 litre car on the motorway (not much fun). My carbon foot print has shrunk almost as fast as the deprecation on the car. Splendid.
peter says
hey amar.same problem with my mercedes e 250 cdi sport.its been over a week and mercedes still havent got me a courtesy car.ive complained so many times but no one takes you seriously.IM NEVER GOING TO BUY A MERCEDES AGAIN.MERCEDES SORT YOU SERVICE OUT!
amar says
i bought a e250cdi within an hour it broke down.there was a problem with the injectors.merc said its going to take 4 to 6 weeks to repair.they offered me a vauxhall corsa.what a joke.my mate bought a brand new e250 cdi it broke down 2 days later.its been 2 weeks and merc still havent given him a replacement car.their attitudes stink.we both are in touch with the oft and are planning to give the cars back.
Adrian Dyer says
How are you getting on with handing back the cars?
Brian says
Nick, I had fuel problems too, gauge reading 1/8 of a tank and 60 miles on the Range and ran out of fuel.. Thankfully it ran out just outside my Office but a couple of miles later and I would have been doing 70 on the A90. Same with my injector problem, was doing 70 just 30 seconds before car went down.
I suggested to Mercedes that they could take the vehicle back as they knowingly sold me a vehicle with a fault (late October 2010) and they denied that to be the case. Mine has been with them now for 3 weeks exactly. I am prepared to wait, still think it’s a great car.
Nick says
My wife bought the 250CDI BE Sport last September with the assurance from Mercedes Aberdeen that it was a safe and reliable vehicle for commuting. I work International so knowing that my wife is safe in a reliable vehicle is very important to me as I am not always there to give her asistance. The first failure occured in December when the fuel pump failed. Because of the dangerous location in which she had broken down the traffic police had to be called to assist her. Customer services/breakdown were a joke. The second breakdown occurred last Saturday. Again my wife was on her own. Mercedes customer services and breakdown were useless, again. The first operator insisted that she needed a post code before she could help. Sorry but not all of us need Sat Nav to get to work! Even when my wife described her exact location near to a well known supermarket chain she said she couldn’t help! Yup, you probably guessed already that it was the injectors at fault. 4 weeks minimum to replace. I am now in the process of returning the car for a full refund on the grounds that it is not ‘fit for purpose’.
Please, please, please if you are a women who usually drives on her own seriously look into these problems if you are considering one of these cars. Some very serious near misses have occurred as a result of these failures.
Nick says
My C220CDi Bef broke down after one week due to incorrectly set fuel pump electronics. Now 4 months into ownership I’m waiting for Mobilo to take it away following loss of power on dual carriageway and warning light. Sounds likely to be the injectors. Will be having serious words with my dealer tomorrow!
Brian says
Dave,
I complained about the Vauxhall Corsa I got and got an M Class delivered to my door. Cant fault their service at all.
Dave Grant says
I too have experienced this problem – whilst on the fast lane of the m25 during rush hour. Only clocked 9,000 miles.The engine has never felt great from day one to be honest – very gruff and never really been smooth (C220). I’d be fuming if this was my own car.
Enterprise rental is a Vauxhall Meriva which well, it isn’t quite the same is it? Mercedes dealer have run out of cars.
A RECALL is clearly required.
Emma says
Having a friend who works at Mercedes they are close to recalling the C220 / C250 due to the fuel injector problems, but as yet haven’t – Mercedes employees have these cars on their work car scheme and they are all breaking down – and they just aren’t getting enough replacement fuel injectors in to cope. A recall would be much better PR than the bad word-of-mouth from owners (and employees!) who have had this problem and know that Mercedes have known of this for ages and haven’t acted. Having the power fail on you whilst driving can lead to a serious accident so they really should do something immediately.
Brian says
My C250cdi broke down on Thursday 4th March, went into Mercedes following day. Received phone call yesterday confirming it is an injector fault with one injector but that “they will be replacing all of them” and it will take 3-4 weeks! Car was purchased late October and has done 5k.
I owned a 3 series between 2003-2006 and a 5 series between 2006-2009 and not a so much as a blink out of either of them.
bernard walmsley says
my c class 2.2 cdi broke down in january with injector problems.it is 6 months old .it took 3 weeks to repair because of shortage of parts.
replacement car was a Vauxhall because all mercs were loaned out
i was not offered a voucher or free service but i will now pursue this
David Barker says
I had a 22ocdi blue motion on order for delivery in jan 2010 but was told that it would be delayed till march. During the extended period they upped the price and have subsequently delayed the delivery to june/ july.
It’s pretty shoddy pr to delay a car AND up the price at the same time.
Mel says
My C250 is 5 months old with just over 7000 miles now, I experienced the same problem as described here, engine management light came on (its had the engine management recall completed that came out in Dec) and lost all power, halfway up a hill on a dual carriageway in the outside lane! I have to say though Merc Assist were great, I’m 6 months pregnant, they recovered me back to my dealership and put me in a 59 plate C180 from Enterprise whilst mine awaits the replacement injectors. I was off the road for a total of 3 hours. This is my 5th merc so I may be a little biased, but in my experience every new model of car suffers with teething problems when first launched. I still love my C250 and can’t wait to get it back as the C180 is a little gut-less in comparison 🙂
MG says
Is this fault present on the C350 CDI (V6 engine) also?
And info most appreciated.
CarsUK says
No, the fault is with the OM651 engine which is fitted to 220CDI and 250CDI versions of the E Class and C Class. There are no reports that these faulty injectors are used anywhere else in the Mercedes range.
A Babadi says
I have had my C250CDI since November on Monday it broke down I have been told its the engine injector fault the dealership is telling me they have a backlog so it will be several weeks before I get my car back. Replacement choice from enterprise is a Polo will not accept its a joke?? I am going to aked them to take the car back as they sold the car knowing about this fault??
Paul says
Car rejected and refund provided, suggest everyone else does the same
Datren says
Hi Paul, after an injector issue with 5 month old C Class 220 CDI Sport I asked the dealer to take the car back with a prompt refusal from Mercedes UK…how did you return yours?
Paul says
I have had my mercedes 16 weeks got to 4000 miles just suddenly stopped. The injectors have gone on it. I have been told to wait 3 to 4 weeks. Mercedes gave me a VW. proves how much faith they have in there own cars. i feel like giving the car back. Dont no if i can by law, it would be good to find out.
Ian says
Less than 4 months old C250 CDI estate injector failure today. I would be interested to know why the car was supplied with a demonstrably known fault. Mercedes not willing/able to provide a replacement equivalent for the estimated 4 week repair time (apparently “spare injectors need to be ordered from Germany” – suspect this means redesign needed). My first experience of Mercedes – not a good start.
lawrence says
12 Weeks old with 4,800 miles and broke down with injector fault. (250 CDI) Broke down New Years eve and dealer did not want to know as closing in 10 minutes so had to call merecedes assist who ere very good to be fair, but no replacement car for 6 days !!!
Now told going to be about 5/6 weeks !!!!
Going to tell Merc to take car back ! Not very impressed that they sold car when they new they had major problems. They are going to issue recall when they have cleared the current backlog.
jim gardiner says
well, after a 2nd one failed mine has been off the road for over 7 weeks, and no sign of a fix yet.
Luigi Palombini says
In Italy many Mercedes class E220/250 blue efficiency bought for limousine service are experiencing serious problems with injectors.
Philip de Pass says
I bought the C250 Blue efficiency in July 09. It has broken down 3 times in as many weeks with fuel injector problems and also now sits with Mercedes while they rectify what is obviously a serious design fault. Despite the curteousy car, this has not been a good experience for me. That being said, we love the car until this problem developed!
Gary Powell says
I have had the car only 16 weeks & it has now broken down twice due to injector problems. Latest update is that the car is now impounded by Mercedes pending resolution with an ETA on January 2010 before I am likely to have back. Needless to say I am “disappointed” with my new Mercedes “Blue Efficiency” C220 CDI Sport
DOUG GRAHAM says
Gary,I assume by now your car is fixed and running well.Can you confirm this. (august 2010)