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  #1  
Old 10-30-2013, 02:40 PM
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What are the disadvantages in purchasing a 07-09 E320cdi compared to 05-06?

I remember hearing that that there were many disadvantages in purchasing the 07-09 E320cdi compared to the in-line 6cyl on the 05-06 E320 cdi.

Are their any advantages in purchasing the later models in 07-09 E320cdi's?

Is there anything else I should be aware of when shopping for one of these models? Thanks

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  #2  
Old 10-30-2013, 02:53 PM
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I went with an 05. It was past the bad radiator debacle of the 03 and 04's, and before more complicated systems (BlueTec, 7 speed trannys...etc). Mine will be for sale shortly BTW. Changed jobs, so don't need it to to go back and forth to Atlanta any longer.
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  #3  
Old 10-30-2013, 03:05 PM
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Great mileage as well. And loads of power.
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What are the disadvantages in purchasing a 07-09 E320cdi compared to 05-06?-mpg_returnfromatl.jpg  
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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D
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  #4  
Old 10-30-2013, 05:14 PM
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I dunno about there being many problems with the 07-09 E-class diesels. I think perhaps the OM642 v6 has a few more common problems than the older OM648 inline 6 engine. Neither is perfect, both are darn good.

The older car actually gets better fuel economy - though the cost/mile difference between the two in negligible. The newer car is much less polluting. Both have the same power & acceleration.

I don't believe the 7 speed transmission is any less reliable than the older 5 speed. The new transmission has been in 99+% of all Mercedes sold in the US since 2006, and you sure don't hear about a bunch of the newer cars having problems.

The 05-06 diesel has the electronic SBC brake by wire system. It has been removed from the facelifted 07-09 cars, replaced with conventional ABS brakes. The SBC again has a bad reputation, though I do believe reputation again exceeds reality. That said, it does present the risk of an expensive repair that is not present on the newer cars.

My recommendation is to buy what you like, can afford, and find to be in well kept condition. Both are fine cars. BTW, I own an '08 and my brother drives an '06, so am quite familiar with both models.
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  #5  
Old 10-31-2013, 02:50 AM
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The SBC on the 05-06 is a concern now that the 10 year extended recall/warranty is coming up. If the pump does go bad, that's a few thousand to fix.
The 07-09 have a DPF that can fail also, and that is expensive to fix. But I'd remove the DPF, if your state doesn't care, and have an ecu tuner flash the computer to operate without it. This would probably also increase your fuel mileage in doing so.
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  #6  
Old 10-31-2013, 04:00 PM
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The SBC brakes on the 05-06 really concern me. It would kill me to spend the kind of money it takes to purchase one of these only to find out a bit later that this part needs replacing for a few thousand.
Anyone know how often they fail and when in the life range do they fail? Do they fail early or if they dont fail early then I have a good chance for this EBC part to last a few hundred thousand miles like the engine?

I was looking to buy a 05-06 cdi because I heard the straight engine was better plus one didnt have to add the treatment to the exhaust. Not sure how much to ownership those costs are.
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  #7  
Old 10-31-2013, 04:05 PM
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Mine is about nil to maintain if you are handy. I have a letter from MBUSA on the SBC saying I can bring the car in to have something done to it, cant recall what it is though. maybe I should read the letter closer... ha

Where are you located Jim?
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  #8  
Old 10-31-2013, 04:08 PM
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The 07-09 cars don't use urea injection in the exhaust.
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  #9  
Old 10-31-2013, 04:20 PM
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Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by jmbeam View Post
I remember hearing that that there were many disadvantages in purchasing the 07-09 E320cdi compared to the in-line 6cyl on the 05-06 E320 cdi.

Are their any advantages in purchasing the later models in 07-09 E320cdi's?

Is there anything else I should be aware of when shopping for one of these models? Thanks
Good Qs.....

Would you mind listing those disadvantages that you may have heard here please?

The biggest advantage I found for me when comparing models, was keeping over $10K++ in my pocket by buying an '06, versus the select '08/'09s that I was considering buying.....

Other than bringing (in some cases), a lot more money to the sale, not so significant that it would deter me from buying one - if that is what I wanted. I believe that you would be pleased with which ever model you go with.

Last edited by Skid Row Joe; 10-31-2013 at 04:33 PM.
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  #10  
Old 10-31-2013, 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted by jmbeam View Post
The SBC brakes on the 05-06 really concern me. It would kill me to spend the kind of money it takes to purchase one of these only to find out a bit later that this part needs replacing for a few thousand.
Anyone know how often they fail and when in the life range do they fail? Do they fail early or if they dont fail early then I have a good chance for this EBC part to last a few hundred thousand miles like the engine?

I was looking to buy a 05-06 cdi because I heard the straight engine was better plus one didnt have to add the treatment to the exhaust. Not sure how much to ownership those costs are.
The cost savings on an 05/06 E320 CDI, over the pricier 08/09 Bluetecs would more than mitigate any out-of-pocket you might need to spend to repair the SBC brake system at some future time.

Some fail early on, and some haven't failed. The system is covered by MBUSA for a period of 10 years / unlimited mileage.

The value play to me was in buying an 05/06, when I found the right one for me. Accepting any expense for the SBC, if I own it that long, is YTBD.
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  #11  
Old 10-31-2013, 07:07 PM
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I have one of each, 642-86K and 648-96K. The OM648 in the W211 is torque beyond belief, I get 36MPG Highway. The 648 is a 3.2L the 642 is a 3.0L The OM642 has a tighter torque band and requires a bit more finesse to hit the pull point vs rpm. The 648 just goes, and then it goes some more. The 642, despite being .2L smaller is rated higher torque and HP, but you'd never know it. I honestly think the new 2.1L twin turbo in the 2014 E350 goes quicker than the 642!

DEF is a buzz kill for me in the 642 E class installs, the ML did NOT have DEF until 09 strangely enough.

Having worked on both of this engines extensively, the 642 really flat out just plan f-bombing sucks for access. It's like a ball of rubber binders wrapped all together and you dig and dig to get to any and everything. the 648 is 60x simple to get to everything. I'm also finding the 642 to be more costly to repair. I just put a MAF and EGR on the 642 to the tune of $800 just in parts, (the V engine has two of everything, two air cleaners, two MAFs two this two that etc., the inline six does not.) and I still need to DAS it at the stealership to clear the fault. The turbo likes to leak oil from the MAF Y-pipe if it's not installed perfectly to the point it runs down the back of the engine and looks like a main seal leak, as does the oil cooler nestled in the intake V, which also likes to leak.

The 648 has been rock solid, like inline motors tend to be.

Additional considerations you may want to check, I believe the 07-09 W211s had the 7 speed, the 05/06s have the 5 speed. My 07 shifts a lot to find the right pull point, the 05 just goes, fast.

Far as the Chick-little sky is falling blather about the brakes, roll the dice. Set up a poll in the forum and ask how many 05/06 guys have ACTUALLY had a brake problem on an established car? For what I've spent on the 642, I'd take a 648 and electric brakes every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

You're call, but I'd find the lowest mileage 06 and jump on it, but that's me.
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2012 S350 Bluetec==94k WHITE

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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!
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  #12  
Old 10-31-2013, 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by markg612 View Post
I have one of each, 642-86K and 648-96K. The OM648 in the W211 is torque beyond belief, I get 36MPG Highway. The 648 is a 3.2L the 642 is a 3.0L The OM642 has a tighter torque band and requires a bit more finesse to hit the pull point vs rpm. The 648 just goes, and then it goes some more. The 642, despite being .2L smaller is rated higher torque and HP, but you'd never know it. I honestly think the new 2.1L twin turbo in the 2014 E350 goes quicker than the 642!

DEF is a buzz kill for me in the 642 E class installs, the ML did NOT have DEF until 09 strangely enough.

Having worked on both of this engines extensively, the 642 really flat out just plan f-bombing sucks for access. It's like a ball of rubber binders wrapped all together and you dig and dig to get to any and everything. the 648 is 60x simple to get to everything. I'm also finding the 642 to be more costly to repair. I just put a MAF and EGR on the 642 to the tune of $800 just in parts, (the V engine has two of everything, two air cleaners, two MAFs two this two that etc., the inline six does not.) and I still need to DAS it at the stealership to clear the fault. The turbo likes to leak oil from the MAF Y-pipe if it's not installed perfectly to the point it runs down the back of the engine and looks like a main seal leak, as does the oil cooler nestled in the intake V, which also likes to leak.

The 648 has been rock solid, like inline motors tend to be.

Additional considerations you may want to check, I believe the 07-09 W211s had the 7 speed, the 05/06s have the 5 speed. My 07 shifts a lot to find the right pull point, the 05 just goes, fast.

Far as the Chick-little sky is falling blather about the brakes, roll the dice. Set up a poll in the forum and ask how many 05/06 guys have ACTUALLY had a brake problem on an established car? For what I've spent on the 642, I'd take a 648 and electric brakes every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

You're call, but I'd find the lowest mileage 06 and jump on it, but that's me.
Great stuff, Mark. Thanks for providing this experience.
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  #13  
Old 10-31-2013, 07:36 PM
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05-06

Nobody likes this response but it is very easy to convert a 05-06 to run on WVO compared to a 07-present. The DPF has to be removed to do it. I found it easy to turn off the egr on the 05-06. I find it easy to work on also. easier than my 83 300SD. I have never had a problem with the brakes the pads are actually easy to change and cheaper than a Honda Accord (I changed those on my brother-in-laws the week before my car)

In-line 6 is a great engine a V-6 is a compromise to save space. My own .02 cents. Real semi-diesels are I6's.
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  #14  
Old 10-31-2013, 07:52 PM
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I would go for the in-line 6 versus the v6 just for the ease of repair. Also my experience has been that the SBC module seems to be a pretty robust system. I have had one car in the shop that the SBC module had "timed out" and was replaced for free by MB.
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  #15  
Old 11-03-2013, 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by engatwork View Post
I would go for the in-line 6 versus the v6 just for the ease of repair. Also my experience has been that the SBC module seems to be a pretty robust system. I have had one car in the shop that the SBC module had "timed out" and was replaced for free by MB.
Although I was originally 'intent' on finding an 08/09 E320 Bluetec, I think I lucked out choosing a very well-kept, lowish miled 2006 E320 I6 CDI instead, for a lot less money than I had originally planned on spending. I can buy numerous SBC parts/labor, and their associated brake system replacements over the years, if and when necessary. Once I learned about how fantastic the SBC system's performance aspects were, in my judgement, I'm quite pleased with it.

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