If you can find an E of any year in the cared for condition you will accept between '96 and '99, I'm sure you will be happy.

I bought my '99 brand new 11.5 years ago. I have no complaints overall in the car's reliability. It's been a good car for me. Really, any MB diesel with about 100K miles on it should be good for another 250K miles at least.

I drove my '83 300SD to 305K miles, and sold it prematurely in 1999 after I purchased a new MB diesel.

My '99 300 ETD would be considered mint by some - I consider it a reliable, solidly maintained daily-driver with a complete history of major components replaced, with numerous imperfections, and a non-giveaway price.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

Sorry for the rookie question, but does anybody know why they did not offer the facelifted '00+ W210's with a diesel?

That's along the lines of what I'm thinking. My current TDI has ~155K on it and I consider it halfway broken in.

The good news is I started a new job this past year which is going great (something not said for too many in Michigan)... but the downside (or upside...?) is I'm now "a suit" and have to occasionally cart clients around and visit people's homes. Though it's a fantastic commuter (47+ MPG's), my 2-door Golf just isn't cutting it (failed clearcoat, shoddy tan cloth interior, etc.). As much as I like the older model Benz' I think the modern styling of the W210 is a better fit.

As for purchase timing, I likely will not look to buy until spring. I figure I'll put the VW through the salt this winter while all cars are filthy anyways and start the hunt for the right one with no hurry. I prefer to not "need" to buy a car so I can find the right one, and then jump when needed, as opposed to needing to jump.

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-Nick V