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  #1  
Old 10-05-2008, 03:06 PM
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Mercedes E320 CDI vs 2009 vw jetta tdi

I'm changing jobs soon and will likely drive about 33000 miles next year. May be for more than a year if housing deflation/market collapse continues. Anyway, I don't want to drive my wifes Prius as it will be 99% interstate at 75mph at least. My w123's are not up to the task. Suburban is a family vehicle/emergency driver only. Thinking about all of the various options including camry or escape hybrid etc. , I think I've decided to go with a diesel car (big surprise). Considering an 05 CDI versus a 2009 Vw tdi. Will likely be a big difference in price and I realize this is more of an apples to orange comparo. There is no local dealer for either marks. The city where I will work has a small MB dealer that was just sold to another larger dealer. Does anyone have any guidance, recommendations or experience they can share about the choice, cars involved or better options. I really can't afford the time to do any significant maintenance other than the usual oil changes, tire rotation, etc. Thanks for the help.

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Last edited by yellowbenz; 10-05-2008 at 03:07 PM. Reason: spelling
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  #2  
Old 10-05-2008, 03:19 PM
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Is the '05 a BlueTec model?

I would first find out what sort of maintenance the '09 needs for the emissions system. I read that the M-B BlueTec needs to have a piece "recharged" at 50K miles, and suspect that the same is true of the '09 VW. What's that cost?
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  #3  
Old 10-05-2008, 03:26 PM
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Pretty sure the 2005 e320 cdi is not bluetec so no urea. The new TDI has a particulate filter (groan) that burns off during one of the cycles when the engine is at operating temp. Saw a reference/warning on TDI forum that if you do alot of city driving, backpressure may build up because of the particulate filter and inadequate operating temps. Shouldn't be an issue with highway driving so not a concern yet.
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  #4  
Old 10-05-2008, 03:27 PM
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You ask here if you should buy a Mercedes or a VW? I won't even dignify that with an answer

You can probably find a nice '05 CDI for around $30K now as they are on ebay in plentiful supply at or below that price. I would hold out for one from its original owner (as opposed to a used car dealer) but if you must buy from a dealer than get them to include the CPO warranty. You might have to pay a little more to find the right one, but a wise man once said "it is the stingy man who pays the most".

If you buy from an owner then make sure the car comes with all service records and the owner swears that the car's never been wrecked or flooded. Basically judge the seller not the car. If the seller seems hinky keep looking.

The Bluetec didn't start until '07 so either an '05 or '06 is the straight 6 while the '07 on is a V6 Bluetec.
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  #5  
Old 10-05-2008, 03:38 PM
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Maybe this is wrong to suggest this on an MB forum, but how about a VW Phaeton? You can get low mileage ones for much less than $30k now. They would be great for long highway drives. They are more of a Bentley than a VW. Here's one for $24k in saint louis. I've seen many under $20k already. They are probably on the same level as MB's with repairs. They look like a bloated Passat, though. They do have a real-wood dash like MB's too, they were about 80k new and were built to the Chairman of VW's specs, for instance it can be driven all day at 190mph, with an exterior temp of 122 degrees, and have an interior temp of 72 degrees.

You can even get one with a w12 engine, which should be useful for I-44.





This one is 24k for 44k miles, you can get one for much less though. http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/846868041.html
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  #6  
Old 10-05-2008, 03:49 PM
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I'd buy a S Class Mercedes before a VW Phaeton at the same money. The OP was talking about diesels...I don't think the Phaeton was ever in the US with a diesel, was it?
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  #7  
Old 10-05-2008, 03:55 PM
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That is a stunning loss of value for that car. I think they are beautiful cars but no market for an s class vw. I'd have to research the history of those cars more but when you go to cost2drive, my suburban fuel cost is only a few cents more for my daily trip so I couldn't justify the purchase (re: wife).
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  #8  
Old 10-05-2008, 04:05 PM
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tdi=50mpg@$20k, cdi=30mpg@$30k.. math?
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Old 10-05-2008, 04:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rudolfgreen View Post
tdi=50mpg@$20k, cdi=30mpg@$30k.. math?
You probably won't consistently get 50 MPG out of a TDI, especially not an automatic but you also can't place 100% of the buying decision on fuel economy either...if that were the only criteria then, yeah, the TDI would have to win. Some people report routinely getting 35+ MPG on the highway in CDIs too so 30 is being a little conservative.
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  #10  
Old 10-05-2008, 04:47 PM
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I guess it will come down to the reliability issues and service. From memory, I think most have had good luck with the later e320. I'm partial to the inline engine's last gen emissions equipment. I think I can probably find a CPO for around 30,000. The 2009 is going to be at least 23-25000 minimum and maybe more if they start marking them up.
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Last edited by yellowbenz; 10-05-2008 at 04:48 PM. Reason: engine, not motor DOH!
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  #11  
Old 10-05-2008, 04:56 PM
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A brand new anything with full warranty sure is tempting if you can't be bothered with DIYing or a protracted search.

Does VW have deals on 07 and 08 CPO TDIs? Loan and lease defaults must be flooding the market by now.

I'd say an 05 E320 is safer but my teenage niece walked away from crumpling her 08 Jetta into an oak tree and walked away with not enough of a bump to knock sense into her

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  #12  
Old 10-05-2008, 05:17 PM
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I managed to put more than 17,000 miles in one year on my 300D. Only one incident because of a improper PO repair with an oil cooler line. They're very capable vehicles.

Unfortunately, the logical choice would be the Jetta. It wins in every category I can think of. (other than the "cool" factor)
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  #13  
Old 10-05-2008, 05:54 PM
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Get a 123 in perfect condition for $12k-ish, and still get the 30mpg. My factory injectors, bearings, auto transmission, etc.(with 200k) still get me 30mpg highway...
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  #14  
Old 10-05-2008, 08:00 PM
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If you want to keep the car for, maybe 10 years at 33k per year, get the VW. There's a thread on VWVortex where someone has 2001 a Golf TDI with 400k miles, and he says it runs like new. He's also on the original front brakes because it's used basically highway only.

The VW diesel is the best choice for saving money with fuel and purchase price. However, VW quality is somewhat questionable, but it seems to be getting better. But, for the same price you can get a Phaeton, it offers possibly more luxury than the Benz if it counts. They are v8's and not great on gas, and it probably contributes to their stunning depreciation. They get high luxury per gallon. It is amazing that now you can get one for so little, they are basically a Bentley, but not badged as one, there's no market for a very high end VW.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=250332080&dealer_id=100051760&car_year=2004&num_records=25&model=PHAETON&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&engine=8+Cylinder&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=300&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=VOLKS&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar::ispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&position=top&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceASC&address=63105&advanced=y&end_year=2009&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=266

Here's one for 17.5k with 73k miles, a 2005 that looks almost new. Maybe in a decade, or a few years, I could afford one if they continue to depreciate. (Might be a negative when buying used, lol)

The money saved in the price of a used Phaeton vs. used 2005 MB or new VW might make up for the fuel saved with the VW's and MB. Comparing the 17.5k phaeton to the 30k MB, you would have 13k to pay for gas and repairs if you get the Phaeton. The phaeton is arguably a better car then the MB.

Based on what fuel prices are around here, here's some fuzzy math on the VW's v. MB

Let's say you keep it for 5 years, and the cars cars cost 1k each year to maintain, etc. Fuel prices based on cost in my area right now.

Phaeton 17.5k purchase price
Gas 33,000/20mpg X 3.33 per gallon(might require premium)= $5,494 per year on fuel, plus 1k a year for repairs at least.
Total Cost over 5 years: 17.5k, fuel + repairs $32,470 (assuming price of fuel doesn't go up!) = $50000

2005 CDI MB: 30k purchase price, 1k repairs a year. 33,000mi/30mpg X 4.00/Gallon Diesel = $4,400 per year for fuel.

Total cost 5yrs, 30k+ 22,000 fuel, 5000 repairs= $57,000

VW diesel 20k purchase price, 1k year repairs, 33000/45mpg X 4.00= $2933 per year for fuel. 20k+5k+14,665= $40,000.

Your mileage/repair costs may vary. The VW diesel is my choice for saving money, and it'll probably have a decent resale value when you want to sell it.

Sorry for the Phaeton rant, but I like them and I want one. Great missouri highway car because of the v8. Lol
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  #15  
Old 10-05-2008, 08:20 PM
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$1000 a year to maintain a new VW? Warrenty? hello?

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