2005 E320 CDI experience/troubles
 

I'm getting close to making an offer on one of these. Just drove it yesterday, seems faultless and we've been driving diesel benz's for about 35 years. .
Present car is '87 300 Diesel Turbo 300K kilometers and doing pretty well.


55K kilometers
Wondering if any owners or experienced persons would make any comments about faults,
lookfors,
opinions about extended warranty.
Electrical OK?
all that kind of stuff.
other

Thanks very much

Does that car have SBS (Sensotronic Braking System)?

The I6 CDI engine is a reliable and proven design. Gp's get stuck like the 606's.

Biggest complaint I've heard on W211's is the SBC brake system. I beleive it was only around for 05-06.

I'll prob replace my 99 with an 06 in the next year.

Agreed here too.

I have to say I find it really hard to justify purchasing a CDI today. The E350 can be had in an '06 for $10K less than a CDI, if not more. The fact that diesel is 30% more than premium gas negates any difference in fuel economy and the fact that the E350 comes in 4Matic whereas the CDI is pure RWD makes me lean in the direction of a E350 4Matic instead. I just saw an '06 with 45K miles, certified from the dealer for around $20K - it was hard to pass up but I resisted. I think better deals will still be coming as things get tougher.

I think you're right but CDI prices are falling along with everything else. I've seen a number of them listed recently at mid-$20k (and not just ones with high miles). Seems like six months ago they were all near $40k!

CDI's are not DIY friendly, you need SDS to do even the most simple tasks. I am not sure what the draw is, the performance is great but a 606.962 can be modified relatively cheaply to give a CDI a run for its money. The SBC system is a major flaw (Mercedes dropped the system on the facelifted models).

They are falling, just not as fast or far as the gas versions. It's simple supply and demand. I'd guess M-B sold at least 10 gassers for every diesel since '05, probably more like 20-30. You can find E350 and E500 models on every dealer lot and on every classified posting area of the country but CDIs and bluetecs are still relatively scarce.

To pay any premium for the diesel model today is unjustifiable (I know this is an unpopular view on this board) but the economics of it just aren't there any more. The CDIs should be selling at parity with the gas models - gassers require no more maintenance than the diesels and last just as long with proper care as their diesel counterparts.

:eek:

Does the E350 require premium fuel?

Scott

IIRC the last mercedes that ran on regular fuel was built in the early to mid 1970's

Yes, it would.

I agree completely with Marty, I've been driving Diesels for most of the last two decades but I'm done - no real advantage anymore.

Its funny he mentions the 06 E350, I've been looking at these for the last two months and the deals are hard to pass up. 18-20K for a tremendous value for a car with those capabilities.

An '06 CDI w/45K miles for $20K would be a great deal, IMO.

I want to get my uncles 2007 E350 4matic when he sells it. Maybe I can take it as payment on a deal insted of cash.:D

I love the W211 and I want AWD. They have some good balls to so I could put a hitch on it and tow a quad or sled. That V6 puts out more power than the M117, and about as much as the M119 and M113.

The cost difference between a diesel and gas (increased MPG) is still significant. Mercedes sees the Diesel motor as its answer to the gas/hybrid powertrain. People pay a significant amount for a Hybrid powertrain (which will have a far longer payback than a diesel). The clean diesels are not about cost savings but rather producing a vehicle that has similar performance to a gas vehicle (unlike a hybrid) but still gets amazing MPG's.

There is no other vehicle on the market that can get mid 30's mpg, RWD, performance etc as the CDI's. Thats the market Mercedes is going after. Most people who buy these cars probably don't cross shop with the gassers.

My uncle gets about 22ish around tow, and a CDI would probably get about 30 doing the same stop and go. I'm saying that because my friends E300D will do high 20's, so a CDI is probably going to be a bit better. You only see mid 30's on the open road.

Diesel is about $2.69, I paid 1.99 for Shell V power 93 octane last week, this week I think its $1.89.

So to drive 1k miles at 22mpg you would burn 45.45 gallons at $1.89, so $85.90.

1k miles at 30mpg would be 33.33 gallons at $2.69 so $89.67.

So unless you have to have the diesel, or drive 30k-50k miles a year on the open road, get the gas Mercedes. The diesel will cost more to operate. Now if your buying used and can save $8k+ the gas car is the clear winner.

Mercedes also does not offer AWD on the diesel in this country, which is a huge mistake since most people up here buy these cars with AWD.