I have and like both cars. The '95 is tried and true....just keeps going. It is, however, an older design that is now 10 years older physically. The '05......same tried and true.....just keeps going. The CDI is a better road car....much more modern and fast with stability control system. It is also easy to DIY for basic maintenance. It is also physically 10 years newer.

Given the cost of both, I'd go for the newer '05.....more value for the money and it is younger.

As with either car, look for a well maintained one that has lived down south.

__________________
-- Chris

'95 E300, 216k miles, Silver Surfer
'05 E320 CDI, 138k miles
'07 S550 4matic, 69k miles

Gone but not forgotten:

'76 300D, 350k miles?, SOLD in 1995
'75 240D, 300k miles, SOLD in 1991

I like what you said about "easy to DIY for basic maintenance". I am just starting to understand my old '95 and I am somewhat afraid of jumping up to something that is all computerized. Maybe it's not something to worry about so much?

I found an '05 E320 in Arizona on Craigslist. The car looks very nice and only has 111000 miles on it. Asking $8800.00 or best offer. Problem is the title status says "rebuilt". Is that something I should stay away from or what questions should I be asking the seller?

I would ask exactly what it means. You could also ask for help from a local member here to look at the car for you.

__________________

All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

That would be awesome if a member here was in n.Scottsdale?

I am still looking for an '05 or '06 but I did run across a nice 1999 E300 turbodiesel. Any pros or cons about that year?

Not familiar with w210 diesel. I understand bodies are very susceptible to rust including front suspension.

Definitely, check out w211 2005 or 2006 before you get a new vehicle.

__________________
-- Chris

'95 E300, 216k miles, Silver Surfer
'05 E320 CDI, 138k miles
'07 S550 4matic, 69k miles

Gone but not forgotten:

'76 300D, 350k miles?, SOLD in 1995
'75 240D, 300k miles, SOLD in 1991

My 1995 has been very reliable, it has 400,000 miles on the engine and just keeps going. I have owned it for twelve years now and it is my daily driver.
My only reason for upgrading is that the winter salted roads has all but destroyed the body with rust. It's a shame, I would drive this car another twelve years and feel confident if the body were in better shape.

From what I know, if a vehicle is totaled by an insurance co. then rebuilt it gets a salvage/rebuilt title. That could be collision, flood, fire, that usually is greater than 50% of the vehicles value. Yes ask for an explanation and photographs, and who rebuilt it.

The seller is telling me the front bumper and grill was replaced. I think I will shy away from other than a clean title. That kind of damage sure seems to be less than 50% so why the rebuilt title?
Shopping for a newer used car is no fun, just can't seem to trust anyone.

Mercedes dealers get 2005-6 e320 CDIs in stock from time to time and they tend to be fairly priced. A dealer maintained vehicle with service history is a good foundation for a used car. You can also negotitate getting some preventative maintenance done if necessary.

__________________
-- Chris

'95 E300, 216k miles, Silver Surfer
'05 E320 CDI, 138k miles
'07 S550 4matic, 69k miles

Gone but not forgotten:

'76 300D, 350k miles?, SOLD in 1995
'75 240D, 300k miles, SOLD in 1991

Totally wish that as well. It would be a dream.

My 2005 has had computer issues- it won't fully read the history. It claims I have a SRS problem, and it may be a sensor in the seat for the airbags. The radio failed and I had to replace the secondary computer which ended up costing $2K. However even thru that everything else works. I still get "battery function compromised- aux equipment functions disabled" which means ac is on low blower other stuff is disabled. The computer expert told me it would be another two grand. Otherwise the car kicks ass and I'd buy another one in a heart beat. I have found that some dont seem to have the great power that others do. I test drove a couple that were slow in comparison.

Not on a Mercedes. You can do 5k in body damage easy and not do any structural or engine damage. My sister hit a deer in her 06 Cdi. She moved to New Zealand and was going to give me the car in two weeks. My luck. The insurance company at first wasn't going to total it out. Then they did. 6k in damage.

1998 and 1999 are great but the spring perches rust out up north Ivee heard. If you. It a southern one and coat it or keep an eye on it you would be ok. I've had 4 w210s and none of them were rusty. But I live in TN.

That said any Mercedes or Vw is going to be expensive to maintain relative to a American or Japanese car. They just have too many expensive parts that break . You can buy a perfectly good minivan that won't ever break for the price of one trip to the dealer for your Mercedes cdi.

Our 06 had 600.00 central gateway at dealer. 900 sbc pump at Indy. And ball joints -- 500 just for parts. Oh and fuel injector seals -- 100 in parts and lots of work and a special injector puller tool. Oh and navigation antenna and coupler. That was only in like 2 years ownership.

Buy one with higher mileage. It will have more stuff fixed. A Mercedes with 120,000 on the clock is a money pit. One with 175 and a good maintenance history is about right assuming the tranny holds out. Which they usually do if the fluid is changed.

You need expensive, like thousands, for the mb star scanner, maybe cheaper options now but I couldn't find anything that can program the gateway or sbc when I was looking.

__________________
What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius