I live in Upstate NY so there are very few cdi's for sale. I really appreciate the information about the brakes and the engines. Just as a devils advocate should the 05/06 brakes fail would I be able to pick up a used SBC brake parts.
Im looking to spending around 15K on an 05/06, seen them for sale from $700o with 265K on it to $21K with 25K on it. I thought that this car would be much solider and safer than a 2012 NIssan Altima or Toyota Camry. Any opinions on this?

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1994 S350D
1995 E300D
1997 E300D

I was looking at an 07 ML350 CDI today. About 70k miles on it. C$24k.

Have a 2014 GLK250 0n order, but they have an AdBlue error problem that MB don't seem to be able to solve! And then there are those runflats with no spare!

The $25k difference would go a long way toward maintaining the E350.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

You might see if you can learn about which parts on the SBC system break, and how much they cost at the MB dealers' pricing. Next, I'd spend some time researching the availability of salvage SBC systems around the country. In short, get real familiar with the SBC replacement option costs, be they new or used parts. Since you've already decided how much out-of-pocket you want to go on a used 05/06, scour the Internet on finding one that fits your price. Pretty easy to do. That's exactly how I found mine a few months ago. A 2012 4-cylinder Camry would be an excellent choice that would likely beat the CDI over time, dollar per dollar out of pocket in total costs per mile.

Just a dumb question, but are you sure it was badged ML350 vs ML320?

That's a fare price these days, I paid the same for mine about a year ago, it's been a great ride, but a real pain far as the few repairs. The EGR valve and the MAF went out recently to the tune of $800US just in parts.

Tough call, I like the smaller ride and nimbleness of the GLK, and the updated interior.

[ML320] The OM642 is no fun AT ALL to work on, it's like a ball of rubber bands all wrapped together that you need to dig through to get to anything. Not fun.

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Mark
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THE WHITE FLEET
2016 GLE300d 4-MATIC 38K BROWN!
2012 S350 Bluetec==94k WHITE

2007 ML320 CDI==166K WHITE (FOR SALE)

Under new management:
2005 E320 CDI--140K--WHITE
1995 E300-Diesel-133.5K--THE CAR IS BLUE
1986 300SL--97.5K (European) AND WHITE. Back in Europe!
1991 190E 2.3-73K California Perfect.--WHITE
1995 E320-Wagon-159K--WHITE (recently scrapped)
1987 300D Turbo-213K--WHITE
1987 190D 2.5 Turbo-288K--WHITE

Sorry, i was going from memory
2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class 320 CDI DIESEL!!! For Sale | KINGSTON ON

After sober second thoughts, I remembered why I decided on the new GLK250. Mainly the 7 years of warranty coverage. All modern cars but especially MBs have some very expensive parts.

The ML320 seems attractive otherwise. More space, maybe room for a spare? But less than stellar reliability, based on some sources.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5