We bought the 220d this past July. Think it has either 128k or 228k on the odo.
Runs perfectly. Can this car be too good to be true, can it be trusted this winter in Michigan?

Wipers just failed, and except for the defroster, nearly everything else works well. Should I trust it, or look to replace it?

What problems will I likely experience this winter?

What year is it? More info please and everyone enjoys pics if you have them.

Is this your first diesel? Do you know any the maintenance history on the car - I suspect not if you aren't sure of the actual mileage.

If you want to make it through the winter you will need a block heater so you can plug it in at night. Get yourself a timer (rated for outdoors if the timer itself will be outdoors) and set it come on about 3 hours prior to wanting to drive your beast around. There are also additives you can purcahse to keep the fuel from gelling suring those super cold spells. This would also be a good time to confirm if your heater blower and thermostat are working properly.

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'95 E300D ("Tank") - 231,000 miles
'79 240D ("Biscuit") - 197,250 miles (Sold)
'83 240D ("Ding-Ding") - 217,000 miles (Death by deer)
______________________________________

"Back off, man. I’m a scientist” ~ Peter Venkman

I had a 1970 200D (euro) from 1976-79. Good tires and some weight in the trunk helped when in snow and ice.

I second the block heater. My old 220D was not a friend of the cold! Probably the best investment you can make.

Klaus

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‘84 300TD “Mountain Goat”
'62 300d Adenauer-350 Chevy - "Max"
'15 VW Passat TDI
'16 Dodge Ram 3500 - Cummins w/6-speed
'68 Mustang fastback
'55 T-bird
‘63 Studebaker Hawk

Fix the wipers.
Fix the defroster.

Adjust the valves.
Install new glow plugs.
Block heater.

If after all the above is done, and you determine that it will indeed start in cold weather, then invest in a set of 4 Winterforce tires. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Firestone&tireModel=Winterforce

You will learn a lot this winter.

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Greg
2012 S350 BlueTEC 4Matic
2007 ML 320 CDI
2007 Leisure Travel Serenity
2006 Sprinter 432k
2005 E320 CDI
1998 SLK230 (teal)
1998 SLK230 (silver)
1996 E300D 99k, 30k on WVO
Previous:
1983 240D, on WVO
1982 300D, on WVO
1983 300CD, on WVO
1986 300SDL 237k, 25k on WVO (Deerslayer)
1991 350SDL 249k, 56k on WVO - Retired to a car spa in Phoenix
1983 380 SEC w/603 diesel, 8k on WVO
1996 E300D 351k, 177k on WVO

Just sell it to me. In the event that you decide to keep it, get it so it starts very easily when it isn't very cold outside. Then you'll be fine. Do things like check glow plug system (Diesel Giant has one of several pictorials). Adjust valves, change fluids & filters, service the tranny. Get a factory service manual (Haynes = toilet paper).

If it doesn't work for you in the cold I'd be glad to take it off your hands. I am in MI, and do pick-ups!

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

pawoSD, it is now listed on craigslist in gr mi. Want to keep it, but since it is my son's car, he wants to sell it for a more "practical" car. Seems he listed it there several days ago.