Just wondering how reliable the new mercedes are? I've had three old Diesels & would love to buy another newer Diesel! but I'm afraid that i won't be able to do any mech work withgout bring it back to the dealer.

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"Bemind ful of the living force" Master Jedi

83 300 CD Black on Black Sold, which i reget selling!
92 Acura Legend dying
06 Dodge Magnum R/T very fast!!

2005 CDIs are excellent cars. I wouldn't be afraid to work on one in the least. Do your due dilligence when you find the one you may buy - be sure it is all they are representing it to be, as best you can.

Be careful not to overpay for one. I have found 2008 Bluetecs that sell for less than 2006 CDIs with the same miles on them. There are huge pricing disparities, as well as what people are paying for in 2005 - 2008 diesel W211 model years.

Good luck in your search for a good one.

It's not so much the diesel engines that are troublesome, it is EVERYTHING else about the Mercedes Benz cars from 2000- 2009.

Bluntly, you have a better than 50% chance of buying a TOTAL piece of garbage if you go for one.

Their overall build quality, durability, reliability and longevity are NOT what they once were - to about 1993 or so...

They are now being built to a price point, the Walmart mentality of "Build 'em cheap and pile 'em high" and marketed as "For $299 a month, you TOO can drive a (leased) Mercedes Benz."

They are now squandering brand equity for more unit sales, the engineers who held sway have been pushed aside by the marketing department....

In the old days, price was NEVER mentioned, just the founder's motto:

Die beste oder nicht (The best, or nothing at all)


The actual technicians in the Service Departments at the dealers in Southern California have, confirmed it, they say they would never even have bought a new one in 2009. The 2000 - 2007 one are the worst of the worst ones.

Think sensors, computers, over complexity.

They are still safe, and still have some prestige left for now.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Other than the SBC system that MBUSA added a 10 year/no mileage limit warranty extension for issues with the hydraulic unit, Those cars are worth owning.

The 2007 & later cars did not have SBC & are a pleasure to drive. Normal Mercedes type of maintenance $$$

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
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