My E320Cdi Estate has just gone through 40k miles and I thought, after being prompted by Wayne Lindholm, that I would sit down and give a little thought to my experience.

Overall I must say that this is the BEST car I have ever owned. To put that in context I have had 4 MB's, 2 RR's, 1 Bentley and a host of other machinery - Jensen, MG, Jag E Type Etc.

I held out from having a Diesel for a long time. Even an MB Diesel.
Then one day a friend turned up with an E Class Cdi and after a drive I was a convert.

When you consider that this "Panzer" of a car.
(Kerb weight (kg) 1680 or 3700 lbs) - heavy, long, big - has the "legs" to blow off 98%+ of vehicles on the road (Including most, non M3 BMW's) and return an average of over 30 (UK) MPG whilst doing it.
Over 40 MPG cruising at 70 - 80 MPH on the Motorway

According to MB Top Speed of 146mph and 0 - 60 in 7.8 secs.
BHP is 194.
Max Torque is 347 Ft Lb @ 1800-2600 RPM (Compare this to the 320 Petrol Engine)

Its the Torque that does it. Stamp on the pedal and it really flies.

The Tiptronic Gearbox might be of use on the smaller engines but is just a gimmic on this car. I used it a few times when I first had the car but never now.

It is quiet, refined, luxurious, prestigious, and so far totally reliable. The build quality is almost the best I have seen on a car.

I have the AvantGuard model with the lower suspension and firmer ride, and whilst occasionally you will feel a pot-hole in the road, the handling is totally amazing for a car of it's size.

I have only had the stability program come on a few times. You know - the time's when you come on a corner that just gets tighter and tighter.
I call them an "Oh S**T" type corner.
However- no drama - gone round it perfectly.

For those of you who love detail I have put the car's full specification at the bottom.

Recently I have fitted a "Hands Free" cellular telephone system.
When I get in the car I plug my Mobile Phone (Nokia 8210) into the carrier, mounted on a colour matched pad to the side of the center console, and I can then dial by "Voice Command" to a microphone located in the roof control panel.
The system overides the CD/Radio and puts the conversation over the car speakers.
Total cost including Dealer Fitment - under $300. (Not an MB accessory except for the console pad)

I will do an article about this soon as it is so easy to fit more people should do it.
It will work on all MB's after about 1990.

To sum up I would say that my decision to buy this car was one of my better one's.
My previous work-horse car, a 190E, I had for 17 years before giving it to the Wife so you can understand that I take my time making a decision that I will live with for along time.

It seems a shame that the US cannot have this car as I am sure that it would be received with open arms even by rabid PetrolHeads.

Hope these comments are of interest.

Mike





STS 1 S Specification

Optional Equipment. Factory Fitted

Electric drivers seat/headrest/steering column + memories (3)
Electric passengers seat
Heated front seats
Leather seats - Orion Blue
Mercedes Audio 30 radio/single CD + Auto Pilot (Navigation) system
Metallic paint - Obsidian black
Parktronic system
Rear facing seats leather

Optional Equipment. Dealer Fitment

6 disc CD changer
Locking wheel nuts
Chrome Headlight Bezels
Chrome bonnet air intake
Chrome tailgate handle
Hands Free Cellphone System


Standard Equipment

12V power point in luggage area
5 hole alloy wheels
6 speakers
ABS with brake assist (BAS)
Acceleration skid control (ASR)
Air conditioning
Alarm system with interior protection
Aluminium door sill trims with Mercedes logo
Auto anti glare rear view mirror
Blue tinted glass
Body colour bumpers/side strips + chrome strip
Body colour side skirts
Brake pad warning light
Child proof door locks
Colour keyed door handles
Cupholders - rear
Driver & passenger airbags
Dust filter with re-circulating air
Electric heated & operated door mirrors
Electric windows front & rear
Electronic stability programme (ESP)
Exit lights in doors
Extendible sunvisors
Foglights front and rear
Front centre armrest/storage
Front seatbelt pretensioners
Front side airbags
Halogen headlights
Headlight washers
Heated rear window
High level brake light
Illuminated vanity mirrors
Immobiliser
Instrument cluster in grey
Interior light delay
Leather steering wheel and gearshift
Load anchors in rear
Load cover and protection net
Longitudinal roof rails
Magazine pockets
Maple wood trim
Multi-function steering wheel with trip computer
Outside temperature gauge
Parameter steering
Passenger power seat
PAS
Radio aerial in side window
Rear centre armrest with cup holder
Rear reading lights
Rear wash/wipe
Remote central locking
Retractable load area cover + vertical net
Self levelling rear suspension
Service interval indicator (ASSYST)
Speedtronic (Tempomat) cruise control
Split fold rear seat
Sports suspension
Steel spare wheel
Third rear head rest + diagonal s/belt
Windowbags

I sho wish they were available over here but for right now I guess I will stick with the 1983 240D. Enjoyed the write up - now, how bout a picture of the engine??

__________________
Jim

*sheds tear* Boy, I sure hope they come over here Mike! It'll be a few years before we see CDi's from what I understand, and your experience seems to qualify all the hype they're getting. I'll be particularly interested to see what longevity/reliabilty is like at 100kmi and beyond. Have you visited the dealer much for warranty repairs? If so, for what kind of things?

I don't think even petrol 'estates' ('wagons' to me), here have a sport package available - that's some sweet icing on the cake!

You have just about the most ideal car as far as I'm concerend - true 'sport-utility'. I need two cars to peice together the driving experience you've got in one - and I still don't have the room your estate does!

Thanks for the report!

Regards,
- Ryan

__________________
'95 E420 - 'Shadowfax' 138kmi.
'92 Volvo 740Turbo Bard 193kmi
'74 240D - 'Ol' Green' 4spd Manual 104kmi. (sold )
'77 300D - 'Red' 223kmi (sold)
'75 240D - 'Bianca the Blue Bomber' (sold)

Ryan,

Only had a single call to the dealer on warranty.

The detector under the passenger seat for the child seat fitment went bad and caused the Passenger AirBag to show a fault.
They changed the transponder.

Mike

Mike - Great summary of your ownership experience so far - thanks for posting this for all to see. If history is any lesson, perhaps MB will offer the 320 CDi in the Estate (as opposed to the 270) when they introduce to the US. The Estates tend to get the larger offering (as opposed to the sedans where they may offer two).

__________________
04 GMC Yukon XL Denali, Black, 12k
02 New Beetle, TDI, Reflex Silver, 24k
89 300TE, Arctic White, 214k

90 300E, 142k (sold)
87 300TD, 128k (sold)
83 300D, 314k (sold)
79 300TD, 266k (sold)

Share your knowledge -

Wayne