8 months into owning a 2006 E320 CDI
 

and I have ZERO complaints...... I've owned over 30 Mercedes in my life and by far this is starting to look like the best Mercedes that I've ever owned!!!!...... I'd recommend these cars to anyone!...... The power, silky acceleration and its commanding road presence is remarkable..... Every person that checks it out can't believe it is a DIESEL!!!..... I'm ordering a Turbo Diesel emblem for the trunk lid

Absolutely! I've owned mine for about a year, driven about 14k miles. Not one complaint. Fabulous cars!!

2 years....30k miles.....
 

Very happy! Best vehicle I have ever owned. Not maintenance free (mostly routine and easy DIY) but absolutely a pleasure to drive! :D

there is an '06 CDI with 276,000 in the cars for sale forum too. Do both years have the SBC brake system?

yes

I posted that one- it's not far from me and looks great from the ad and description; high miles from highway use, second owner who appears to have taken care of it. I wouldn't have posted it if I had the money to buy another one. I hope someone here who needs a car will be helped.

I've had my 2005 CDI for over a year and really like it but I've had issues with the computers which cause other problems. I replaced the secondary unit and fixed a other related issues for $2000. The trunk closer no longer works- it chafed thru the wires. The wiper washer system had a broken plastic fitting, and the headlight bulb replacement involved alot of swearing and far too long for such a simple task. I had to replace the secondary battery and my favorite feature- found only on the '05 version- the active messaging seats- stopped working. Mine has not been problem free but I do love it. I'm driving 110 miles a day and for the last two weeks my overall mileage has been over 38mpg.

Good to hear they've got some problems at least.

Considering purchasing one and wouldn't want a boring car.

And don't overlook the 2007-2009 Bluetec with the OM642. Yes everyone hates that engine and has the dreaded oil cooler seal problem...but the OM648 is not trouble free either (can anyone say black death?). The oil cooler is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be, just been through it myself.

And they went back to normal brakes in 2007.

Can you provide more details on the headlight replacement (assume you have the Xenon ones since you mention headlight washers)? Also, what computer problems?

Previous owner of mine indicated that the injector bolt design was improved in 2006, thus making black death less likely. Not sure whether this is true or not.

I'm glad I bought an I6 CDI, with 59K miles on it.

Owned 3.5 years now.

If I could change 1 thing, it would be an upgrade to Xenon headlights.

I replaced the headlight bulbs- not the whole assembly. Strangely enough that was quite difficult the first time and I'm a mechanic. Who ever started it did not complete the job when I bought the car. It involved alot of swearing and some blood.
No headlight washers- the windshield washer system had a broken fitting under the hood which caused the fluid to never make it to the windshield.
Not sure what the issue is with the main cpu but a specialist has declared mine to have issues. I cannot access much of my cars supposed history which should be on it, and have had other issues. I lost the display screen was the major one but that was solved when I replaced the secondary cpu. I took it to the local vehicle electronics expert who deals solely with cpu issues on ICE powered cars and electric cars.

Buying a used car can be a Pandora's box, hard to blame the car's buid quality if it's had more hands on it than a sorority girl.

Definitely want the factory Xenon head lights on the W211.....much brighter and therefore safer at night. They also have the active feature which directs light in direction of steering input.

Any tips on how to getting them installed? Is it a DIY procedure??