CDI's - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sophie2 · #46 12-31-2006, 01:39 AM

I agree that "new" stinks but it does provide some benefits...

About a year ago, we vowed off new cars altogether thinking that we could always get several used cars for the price of any new car. Plus, the concept of consuming "fossil fuel-products" was really depressing and new diesel cars were rather rare in CA. We have had Mercedes for years and have both understood them and feel comfortable with them. Running bio-diesel is a great alternative. So, we purchased several older Mercedes...

So, the older ones have simplicity but also come with complications. They are not new and are clearly not as reliable. With young childern it is difficult to explain why we can not always get from point A to B.

So, after a very interesting and complicated senario of events, we broke down and bought a 2006 CDI used. Yes, it has many electronics and is complicated but so far so good. I do think it will harder to maintain than the 123 but for a new car it is great. We still like the old cars better in many ways.... Best things about the new CDI is better mileage/performance and also being able to use bio-diesel.

Recent trip to Yosemite: 70 MPH @36 MPG, uphill, twisty roads.
Traction control was great in icy conditions.
City:22 MPG, Hyper MPH methodology 28 MPG
Electronics Issues: Rear window defroster has a large "dead" spot.
Design Flaw? When rear defroster is on the FM reception is not.

IMHP, getting any new car, Mercedes and the CDI is the best option.

justinperkins · #47 12-31-2006, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sophie2

IMHP, getting any new car, Mercedes and the CDI is the best option.

I'm still partial to the TDI.

sophie2 · #48 12-31-2006, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

I'm still partial to the TDI.

Yes I like the Beetle TDI.

#49 12-31-2006, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sophie2

IMHP, getting any new car, Mercedes and the CDI is the best option.

There is nothing wrong with the CDIs to get from point A to B reliably, if that's what you need you should buy one. Besides, someone has to buy new cars so they continue to support the old ones.

Hatterasguy · #50 12-31-2006, 11:24 AM

The W211 itself is an awsome car and would be perfect for me, I can most certainly see myself getting one in a couple of years. As to the CDI, if the price difference between the CDI and gas engines wasn't so much I'd go for the CDI. But when a lower mileage newer 500E costs the same or a bit less, I'll opt for the V8 thank you.

As to working on it I won't. I'll get a CPO thats 2-4 years old, keep it for 5 and sell or trade. I'll probably figure out how to do the basic maintaince but I'll make sure there is a warranty covering everything else.

MeinGreaseCar · #51 12-31-2006, 05:01 PM

I'm ready.. not for a new CDI.

I could swing it... but why?

I would literally spend 10k on my 300SD tomorrow.

If the engine and trans went out at once. A new one from metric motors, and it comes with a 50k mile warranty.

I'm sure that I'll have to do some rust work and paint next year, or the year after.

It's pretty tough to TRY and spend 500 a month on repairs for these cars.

I enjoy the 300SD immensely. I couldnt get a new CDI for double that monthly figure.

JP

Hatterasguy · #52 01-01-2007, 10:29 AM

Lease on a CDI should run about $600-$700 a month. Way to much money to spend on a car. I'll let my company pay for it.

3pointstar · #53 01-01-2007, 10:50 AM

Rebi, I tood delivery of a E320 CDI in July. I've put on approximately 13,000 miles and all I can say is that it's wondeful. The ONLY issue I had with the car is the driverside windshield wiper skipped. I just had the car in for it's first oil change and they made some kind of tension adjustment. Since it has been the holidays I haven't had the car out of the garage or in the rain. I'm sure I'll see if that is fixed soon enough. Other than that the economy is phenomenial. Highway is 35+--- best I got was 38--- Consistantly 32 mpg. It's quiet and the torque will push you back in the seat. I have a tendency to go a little faster than I should and there has been more than one ocassion in which I was doing 90 mph without a hint of hurry.

In regards to the cost. Yes, the Benz is expensive but the way I look at it most of us will purchase a new casket and then put it in the ground. I think we should enjoy the fruits of our labors and the gifts that God has let us use.

aklim · #54 01-01-2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

It isn't the technology, chief. It's reliability and handing a factory mechanic huge piles of $$$$$ that is scary.
Perkins, you were makin perfect sense up to and through the old men part.

Then the crappage started.......

How unreliable are they and what is the cost of ownership?

#55 01-01-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Lease on a CDI should run about $600-$700 a month. Way to much money to spend on a car. I'll let my company pay for it.

Just my HO, but leasing a car (or taking out a loan) is never a good deal (I made the lease mistake just once). If it's YOUR company, leasing is still a bad deal; if it's your employer's company, forget the car and negotiate for the cash instead, save up you money, quit your job, start your own deal, then buy whatever car you want.

Cars are terrible investments, especially new cars, and should only be paid for with cash. I would never buy a car that I couldn't (or wouldn't) write a check for. The initial depreciation on one of these is much higher than any potential maintenance/repair costs.

lkchris · #56 01-01-2007, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

As to the CDI, if the price difference between the CDI and gas engines wasn't so much I'd go for the CDI. But when a lower mileage newer 500E costs the same or a bit less, I'll opt for the V8 thank you.

MSRP of E350 is $51,325
MSRP of E320 Bluetec is $52,325
MSRP of E550 is $59,775

See mbusa.com

Of course new cars are more than used cars.

But, no reason for confusing the issue.

Hatterasguy · #57 01-01-2007, 06:48 PM

Yes new they cost more, but look at 2-3 year old examples. E320CDI's hold there value extremly well so they are good buys new, but not so used. You can get a lower mileage newer 500E for the what you would spend on a two year old CDI.

The reason leasing would be attractive is:
One, its a set monthly expense.
Two I wouldn't be paying for it, someone else will be. (figure that one out

)
Three you don't have to work on the car and get a new one every couple of years.
Four they drop in value quickly, gas ones look about $10k a year. I suspect if you only keep the car 2-3 years you would just about break even.

Leasing is probably a thing I will try once then curse myself for doing it after that.

aklim · #58 01-01-2007, 07:15 PM

I don't follow the arguement about the newer cars. They are mandated to conform to OBDII standards. IOW, anyone with an OBDII scanner will be able to read the codes and diagnostics. So, how different will fixing the 07 CDI cars be from the 99 cars?

#59 01-01-2007, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

So, how different will fixing the 07 CDI cars be from the 99 cars?

You haven't tried to read one have you? There is a reason Snap-On releases their $$$$ update cartridges every year. Yes, you can read basic codes, but it's not even a drop in the bucket of what you can do with the proper scanner software.

You can read codes, but that's it. It won't be able to describe what they mean, you can't run diagnostics, and you couldn't see sensor data.

Hit Man X · #60 01-01-2007, 08:29 PM

I was out at MB Sugarland here and saw an ML320 CDI 4matic while I was a bit too excited when I found a CLS63 there.