As the owner of two W210 diesels, I've noted with interest the polarized impressions people seem to have of them. Unlike other MB diesels, where impressions seem to be consistent (e.g. a 90-93 300D or an 05-06 CDI), impressions of the W210 seem to run from "Best car I've ever owned" to "Worst car I've ever owned." Regular participants on this forum can think of particular representatives of each.

All very subjective and anecdotal....but interesting nonetheless.

My periods of ownership (one year with the 98, three months with the 99) don't give me much perspective. I'm sure I'll have some definite impressions five years from now. So far I'm pretty pleased.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 159k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 178k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 145k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 75k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife