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

MTUpower · #1 03-19-2015, 10:33 AM

I bought my 05 CDI (145K) late last year; it has the gen I interior. I looked at five IIRC, drove three and bought the one in the best condition for cheaper than the other four. I bought it at a small buy here/pay here lot with cash. He had bought it at the local auction- which is common. Here in south Florida most cars over 6 years old do not stay at the dealer which traded for them- they get sent to the auction and then to a small used car lot or a non luxury dealer. My car has the apparently rare dynamic seats- which is my favorite option - they are simply fantastic. It's a dark metallic green which appears black to most people over a beige leather. Heated seats are awesome and so is the HC sound system. I wish I had the trunk pass thru. Asking prices in South Florida are between $8800-14,000 depending on miles and seller. I found the power levels of the engine vary greatly between examples- some are dreadfully slow in comparison to others and some are in the middle. IDK why- but I'd check for the leaking injectors if I were in the market again.

funola · #2 03-19-2015, 11:37 AM

Never driven a CDI and would love to check one out and see what it's all about. I called the closest one to me in Manchester NH Pre-Owned 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class E320 CDI for sale but was told it has engine problems, not for sale and going to auction.

The expensive tools needed ($1k to $2k) to do DIY maintenance is kind of a turn off for me though.

GregMN · #3 03-19-2015, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

The expensive tools needed ($1k to $2k) to do DIY maintenance

In my opinion, I do not agree with that statement.

funola · #4 03-19-2015, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregMN

In my opinion, I do not agree with that statement.

Can you tell me what tools are needed and what they cost to read/clear fault codes and program ecu, and to service the injectors?

spark3542 · #5 03-19-2015, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

Can you tell me what tools are needed and what they cost to read/clear fault codes and program ecu, and to service the injectors?

I use a $13 Amazon bluetooth code reader with my smartphone to read and clear codes. I would not call that expensive. I would assume programming ECU's would be pricey on any vehicle. I've never done it.

Skid Row Joe · #6 03-20-2015, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spark3542

I use a $13 Amazon bluetooth code reader with my smartphone to read and clear codes. I would not call that expensive. I would assume programming ECU's would be pricey on any vehicle. I've never done it.

There you go. These are very affordable for all, IMO.

GregMN · #7 03-19-2015, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

Can you tell me what tools are needed and what they cost to read/clear fault codes and program ecu, and to service the injectors?

I disagree with the need to get a $2000 diagnostic system to be able to do maintenance on the car.
Would I like to have one, absolutely. Do I need one to consider owning one of these cars? Not really.
If I run into a problem that cannot be diagnosed any other way, for $125 I can get an hour at the dealership on their $10,000 system and an experienced tech thrown in.

A $60 UltraGauge can read and clear fault codes. It can read many of the engine's sensors in real time.
I have one page on mine set to read out fuel rail pressure, intake manifold pressure/vacuum, coolant temp., voltage.
I do not consider re-programing the ECU to be maintenance.
You will need to add a set of torx and e-torx sockets to your tool box.

In almost 200k, my dealer serviced car has had 2 glow plugs replaced and 1 injector. All things that the car's fault codes will tell you exactly which one failed.

MTUpower · #8 03-19-2015, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

Never driven a CDI and would love to check one out and see what it's all about. I called the closest one to me in Manchester NH Pre-Owned 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class E320 CDI for sale but was told it has engine problems, not for sale and going to auction.

The expensive tools needed ($1k to $2k) to do DIY maintenance is kind of a turn off for me though.

If I drive mine to NY this summer and I'll come visit!

chronometers · #9 03-19-2015, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUpower

I bought my 05 CDI (145K) late last year; it has the gen I interior. I looked at five IIRC, drove three and bought the one in the best condition for cheaper than the other four. I bought it at a small buy here/pay here lot with cash. He had bought it at the local auction- which is common. Here in south Florida most cars over 6 years old do not stay at the dealer which traded for them- they get sent to the auction and then to a small used car lot or a non luxury dealer. My car has the apparently rare dynamic seats- which is my favorite option - they are simply fantastic. It's a dark metallic green which appears black to most people over a beige leather. Heated seats are awesome and so is the HC sound system. I wish I had the trunk pass thru. Asking prices in South Florida are between $8800-14,000 depending on miles and seller. I found the power levels of the engine vary greatly between examples- some are dreadfully slow in comparison to others and some are in the middle. IDK why- but I'd check for the leaking injectors if I were in the market again.

X2 on dynamic seats. They only were available in the 2005. Perhaps MB thought they were offering too much luxury/performance in their mid-line vehicle.

Difference in power may be injectors or.....EGR system. Apparently these can be fouled especially when there has been a lot of short distance travel. Can anyone illuminate from first hand experience? Any DIY procdeures for cleaning the EGR valve/system?

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

The expensive tools needed ($1k to $2k) to do DIY maintenance is kind of a turn off for me though.

Are you referring to the diagnostic computer system? Basic PM seems easy/low cost for things like air, fuel, oil filter/oil changes.

funola · #10 03-19-2015, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chronometers

X2 on dynamic seats. They only were available in the 2005. Perhaps MB thought they were offering too much luxury/performance in their mid-line vehicle.

Difference in power may be injectors or.....EGR system. Apparently these can be fouled especially when there has been a lot of short distance travel. Can anyone illuminate from first hand experience? Any DIY procdeures for cleaning the EGR valve/system?

Are you referring to the diagnostic computer system? Basic PM seems easy/low cost for things like air, fuel, oil filter/oil changes.

yes, tools to read and clear fault codes and to program ecu. Also tools to service the fuel system, pulling injectors etc.

MTUpower · #11 03-19-2015, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chronometers

...

Difference in power may be injectors or.....EGR system. Apparently these can be fouled especially when there has been a lot of short distance travel. Can anyone illuminate from first hand experience? Any DIY procdeures for cleaning the EGR valve/system?

...

I'm thinking that it may be the leaking injectors ... ie black death. I drove a CDI which had just started to leak in two injectors and it had less power than my car, and another CDI which was far slower which had well over 200K- but I did not check for BD. My car has no BD and it's powerful. You can buy aftermarket tunes which basically close off the EGR and it only gets fresh air- which is what I will do eventually.

chronometers · #12 08-06-2015, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chronometers

Difference in power may be injectors or.....EGR system. Apparently these can be fouled especially when there has been a lot of short distance travel. Can anyone illuminate from first hand experience? Any DIY procdeures for cleaning the EGR valve/system?

Trying to be proactive in maintenance.....have had several episodes in last few months of "engine...hesitating at part load with no fault codes." Car would not downshift and turbo seemed inoperative. All restored to normal after car shut off and restarted. Dealer said to wait till it starts to throw codes (if ever).

Any first hand experience on EGR clogging? The first 2005 CDIs had a different EGR valve that was replaced by MB along with software upgrade. I wonder how many of the first type of EGR valves caused/will cause problems? Wonder how many of the new EGR valves will cause problems?

How many of the 2005s had work done by MB (please check your VMIs and report back)?

Here is excerpt from DR. Diesel in 2006:

Quote:

Originally Posted by DR.DIESEL

Hello,

Those EGR valves have been known to be trouble and were modified.

See the following Dealer technical Bulletin.

DTB Date: January 10, 2006
Order No.: P-B-07.16/55a
Supersedes: P-B-07.16/55 dated October 31, 2005
Group: 07
SUBJECT:
Model 211.026
Engine Performance Complaints / Check Engine Light On with Code 2511 and/or 2355
If you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles of the engine being in limp home mode with the check engine light illuminated with fault code 2511 and/or 2355 stored in the engine control unit (ECU) or
the engine is surging/hesitating/misfiring at part load with no fault codes, perform the below procedure to resolve. These may be caused by the EGR valve temporarily binding and consequently exceeding the setpoint and causing the fault code and limp mode condition; or the software version in the engine ECU (lean condition under certain RPM/load, temperature and fuel quality conditions).

To resolve, install modified EGR valve (see parts information) combined with ECU software update (available as patch 2005-10-13-0474 with DAS update 10/05 and later DAS updates without patch).
Note: It is important that the modified EGR valve is installed together with the modified engine ECU software and vise versa.

Note: After the software flash, perform SCN coding (refer to Star Tekinfo Document S-B-07.61/38g or S-B-07.00/144) and verify injector coding.

Parts Information
Qty. 1 EGR valve A646 140 19 60

I would ask your Dealer about some goodwill reimbursement or checking the Fedral 8/80 emmissions warranty for that model.
If no luck, call the CAC at 1-800-FOR-MERC and start squeaking.
The regional SPOM will be notified of your complaint and should respond.

Good luck.

DR.D

Any shared experiences would be helpful to me and future members

Skid Row Joe · #13 03-20-2015, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUpower

I bought my 05 CDI (145K) late last year; it has the gen I interior. I looked at five IIRC, drove three and bought the one in the best condition for cheaper than the other four. I bought it at a small buy here/pay here lot with cash. He had bought it at the local auction- which is common. Here in south Florida most cars over 6 years old do not stay at the dealer which traded for them- they get sent to the auction and then to a small used car lot or a non luxury dealer. My car has the apparently rare dynamic seats- which is my favorite option - they are simply fantastic. It's a dark metallic green which appears black to most people over a beige leather. Heated seats are awesome and so is the HC sound system. I wish I had the trunk pass thru. Asking prices in South Florida are between $8800-14,000 depending on miles and seller. I found the power levels of the engine vary greatly between examples- some are dreadfully slow in comparison to others and some are in the middle. IDK why- but I'd check for the leaking injectors if I were in the market again.

The '05s were customarily more loaded than the '06es. I'm not a bells-n-whistles guy because they're failure-prone in the long run. The heated seats however, were a must have!

My '99 E300 had too many options for my tastes, so I didn't want that again when I was searching for the right E320 CDI.

If anyone can provide pictures of the various stages of the pass-through rear seat back system start-to-open, it would be greatly appreciated. I may have the pass-through seat system on my CDI, but don't realize it.

MB_FanAddict · #14 03-20-2015, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

The '05s were customarily more loaded than the '06es. I'm not a bells-n-whistles guy because they're failure-prone in the long run. The heated seats however, were a must have!

My '99 E300 had too many options for my tastes, so I didn't want that again when I was searching for the right E320 CDI.

If anyone can provide pictures of the various stages of the pass-through rear seat back system start-to-open, it would be greatly appreciated. I may have the pass-through seat system on my CDI, but don't realize it.

It's easy to tell if you have split folding seats just by looking in the trunk. If the back wall is divided you have them.
A cool feature for sure, but can't say it's something I've missed having.

Do the rear seats fold down

If I had been able to order my car new, I would have opted for the Lighting pkg, Parktronic, split folding seats & heated front seats.

With the CDI's electric heater booster & front sheepskins I have, it's enough to make up for the heated seats though (at least for me).

chronometers · #15 03-20-2015, 12:49 PM

With the rear seats folded down, you can actually sleep in the car (head first and feet in the trunk.) Except for the rear roof pillars and back window it's almost like having a wagon.....

Agree some options can be failure-prone in the long run. The powered closer on the trunk in mine doesn't work from the trunk button but does from the driver's door. I need to track down.....think it is electrical connection running through arm of trunk that becomes separated. The Bi Xenon headlights can be expensive to service and are expensive to replace.

In order of preference: Sunroof (in previous MBs, only my 1976 300D didn't have one...I really like a sunroof in a Mercedes), dynamic seats, Bi-Xenon head lights (safety feature really), Leather, HK Stereo, Fold down seats, parktronic, heated seats (my wife would rank these higher in order), cooled/ventilated seats (no personal experience with these) and trunk power closer.

Caveat on sunroof, if you are really tall, the absence of a sunroof can be a good thing you get additional head room.

Finally, low optioned CDIs.....the options only make up a very small part of what makes these vehicles nice to own and drive. Even a vehicle without many options is still a very nice vehicle to operate!