2005-2006 E320 CDI Buyers Guide, Common Problems, & Roll Call - Page 14 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JimFreeh · #1 03-19-2018, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chronometers

These are great cars and you got a great example! At the price you got it for, how can you go wrong?

I put a set of Michelin Premier AS on mine and really like them.

You'll enjoy rolling the miles up on this.

We installed a set of the same tires on our 05 CDI in December.
Very nice tires, bought them from Tire Rack, and their feedback indicated the Premier had the best snow/ice ratings in the category.

I recall that they took very little weight to balance, one was good out of the box, the worst was 3/4 of an ounce, using my Hunter dual plane balancer. Michelin seems to be superior to others, WRT balance. I just finished repainting the alloys on the 85 300TD, and the 14" Michelins on that car took 3/4 of an ounce or less per wheel, as well when I remounted the tires.

Jim

texnsf · #2 08-07-2021, 08:35 AM

I am new to the MB/diesel world just purchased an 05 E320 CDI with 244K.
Strong running beast i am using it as a daily driver 77 miles one way averaging 35 mpg. any advice .....

psaboic · #3 08-07-2021, 12:05 PM

Keep up on the scheduled maintenance, drive the hell out of it, Enjoy.......best three pieces of advice I can give.

ROLLGUY · #4 08-07-2021, 12:22 PM

I would add: Every oil change, remove the plastic covers and inspect the injector area for the signs of "Black Death". Also, change your trans fluid about every 25,000 miles. Use a good synthetic (Valvoline Max-Life) or equivalent, and change the connector plug, and bolts as well (the complete kit is the best value).

Skid Row Joe · #5 08-08-2021, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texnsf

I am new to the MB/diesel world just purchased an 05 E320 CDI with 244K.
Strong running beast i am using it as a daily driver 77 miles one way averaging 35 mpg. any advice .....

Be prepared to spend on it, parts/labor, and the associated downtime.

engatwork · #6 08-08-2021, 07:03 AM

Remove the serpentine belt and spin the idler pulleys and tensioner pulley by hand. If they spin freely and you can "hear" it replace them. Hard to describe exactly. These are fairly cheap parts that when they fail can leave you by the road. If original at 244k miles it is time to replace them.

Jeremy5848 · #7 02-09-2022, 09:36 PM

Pleased to add myself as a member of this CDI group, having found in January 2022 a near-perfect ‘05 E320 with 112,000 miles for $8,000. It’s a rust-free southwestern car from a gentleman belonging to one of my mailing lists. The car had been purchased from and serviced by the same dealer since new and came with all its records. The only significant repair I’m facing is the rear window shade, stuck in the extended position. I’ve found a couple of posts on the repair procedure; it’s just a matter of setting aside the time.

ROLLGUY · #8 02-09-2022, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Pleased to add myself as a member of this CDI group, having found in January 2022 a near-perfect ‘05 E320 with 112,000 miles for $8,000. It’s a rust-free southwestern car from a gentleman belonging to one of my mailing lists. The car had been purchased from and serviced by the same dealer since new and came with all its records. The only significant repair I’m facing is the rear window shade, stuck in the extended position. I’ve found a couple of posts on the repair procedure; it’s just a matter of setting aside the time.

Looks like a very nice car, you did well!

Jeremy5848 · #9 02-21-2022, 02:52 AM

The rear window sunshade is repaired! Took longer than I wished because so much had to be removed just to get the sunshade out of the car. One can understand why a shop has to charge so much to do the repair. The problem turned out to be the failure of the little electric motor that makes the screen go up and down.

The little motor was poorly made by whatever subcontractor Daimler-Chrysler chose. The motor case is made from cast pot metal—a tube and two end plates. The “front” end plate (this end has a worm gear) has a tiny sealed ball bearing sitting in a recess of the front plate.

Unfortunately, the sub did a poor job. Because of the worm gear, there’s a lot of in-out stress on the motor shaft and consequently on the bearing and its fitting in the end plate. Eventually, the bearing comes out of the end plate, the whole motor shaft slips a quarter inch or more, and the motor jams.

Repair was simply to re-seat the bearing and do a better job keeping it from shifting. Most of the time was just to get to where the motor could be worked on. This is a fairly common occurrence in this model. It required removing the rear seat, the c-pillar covers, all 3 rear headrests, the rear speakers, and finally the sunshade could come out.

https://jeremynichols.smugmug.com/2005-E320-CDI/i-SsMJkN5/A

Otiswesty · #10 11-25-2024, 10:22 PM

Hello, first time checking in on this thread.

We have a 2006 E320cdi which we purchased new at the MB dealer here in Portland in May 2006. It has a bit over 123k miles on it and has been a great car for my wife since new. Garaged at home since new, but she parked it outside at work for the last 6 years during the day. We recently had all the door dings and small scrapes in the paint fixed and it looks like new again. No rust, no accidents.

Its just basic silver with black interior, but well loved. Dealer serviced until 2 years ago when they seemed to lose interest, now going to a local MB independent in Portland. We replaced the idler pulleys with a belt change 2 years ago. Otherwise just oil changes annually and brake flush every other year. Actually, there was a trans fluid and filter in the past along with ball joint service too.

We passed a palindromic mileage number on a roadtrip last weekend 123321, and also 123456, which seemed kind of cool. We had an issue of limp home mode for a short leg of the trip, drove normally afterward. About 900 miles on it yesterday. I'll get it on the Star system later this week to check the codes. Doing fine today as well.

We have a couple of older Europa G500s in the garage as well and I am pretty handy. It helps having a good indy shop for back up if I get in over my head.

atomix8 · #11 11-26-2024, 05:40 AM

Sounds like it's been a great car for your wife! These are timeless cars for sure. Reminds me to give a little update.

Mine is up to 234k, I was replacing motor mounts and noticed a leak at the front of the engine about 2 weeks ago. I traced it to the high pressure fuel pump, which I had resealed about 20,000 mi ago. I had bought the seal kit off of eBay to reseal the low pressure to high pressure side. I couldn't quite tell where it was leaking from this time, so took it to the local Bosch injection shop. They said it was not repairable as it was leaking from the housing. I bought a remanufactured one from FCP (lifetime warranty) for.... A lot of money.

Lots of threads out there about pump leaks and rebuilds, but something to be aware of as these cars age. Injection shop said they see this all the time on cp3 pumps around 250k.

ROLLGUY · #12 11-26-2024, 10:19 AM

I am on my fourth CDI (all '05's). Not because they are bad cars, but quite the opposite. I bought my first one years ago and got it cheap because it had the "Black Death", and fixed it for about $150. My niece needed a car, so I sold it to her (she had a 300D prior). I then bought another one, and drove it for years. I then got an '07 Bluetec E320, and sold the second CDI to my other niece. I ran the '07 for a while and then got a real cheap beater ($1,500) CDI for a daily driver/"work truck". The '07 was so nice, so I sold it to my sister-in-law (I did not need such a nice car). About 4 months ago I got another cheap (a real nice car though) CDI to replace my beater/daily CDI. My good friend had eyes on it, and I really did not want to thrash such a nice car, so I sold it to him. In the midst of all that, I have and had two '04 E320 wagons (gas). One I still have, the other I sold to a friend. The 211's are wonderful cars, and I and my extended family and friends enjoy them very much.

engatwork · #13 11-26-2024, 04:49 PM

I had an '05 gasoline E class wagon. I liked it a lot. Had a little over 300k miles. I had replaced the engine in it because of very poor prior maintenance.

shertex · #14 11-26-2024, 06:29 PM

I had to replace the injection pump on the one I sold at 176k miles. Somehow got a great deal on the pump...only about $600. Now the one I hung on to is almost at that mileage....holding my breath.

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomix8

Sounds like it's been a great car for your wife! These are timeless cars for sure. Reminds me to give a little update.

Mine is up to 234k, I was replacing motor mounts and noticed a leak at the front of the engine about 2 weeks ago. I traced it to the high pressure fuel pump, which I had resealed about 20,000 mi ago. I had bought the seal kit off of eBay to reseal the low pressure to high pressure side. I couldn't quite tell where it was leaking from this time, so took it to the local Bosch injection shop. They said it was not repairable as it was leaking from the housing. I bought a remanufactured one from FCP (lifetime warranty) for.... A lot of money.

Lots of threads out there about pump leaks and rebuilds, but something to be aware of as these cars age. Injection shop said they see this all the time on cp3 pumps around 250k.

HFB320 · #15 12-30-2024, 03:01 PM

Greetings from se Michigan.
I am an excited new-to-me owner of a 2005 cdi.
Cubanite silver ext, Amaretta Napa int. Dynamic seats (works great for about 45 min)parktronic, active Bi-x lights.
99k miles.
I love the car.
New tires installed, tranny flush and brake fluid change done upon arrival.
This fall I replaced the main (large-trunk) battery and 2 glow plugs.
Happy to find this group!

S