My new (to me) $1,500 '05 E320 CDI - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #31 10-07-2018, 10:05 PM

Just last week, I finally got the turbo actuator in, the car smogged, and the upholstery done so the car can be driven. I have to confess though, I don't actually own the car. I bought it with a friend's money, and had to do all the paperwork in my name because I was the one that purchased and took delivery of it. My friend (Dave) was able to work out with the DMV service a way to bypass me, and register it in his name. The car is now repaired, insured, and derivable. Needless to say, Dave is VERY happy with it. He graduated from a '99 E300 to the CDI, and is loving it. A bunch of us met for breakfast the other day, and I got a photo. The CDI, E300, and my TD. The CDI has nice new upholstery in the front seats, and is (mostly) all cleaned up. Dave plans to send the ECU to Rocketchip soon, and when it is returned, he is planning to sell the E300........Rich
EDIT: Oh, and Dave named it "The Silver Bullet"

MTUpower · #32 10-08-2018, 09:59 AM

There was a $3000 CDI on CL in south florida for two days, then it was deleted. I just spent over $500 for the windshield wiper motor install because my wipers didn't work. The cars can be overly expensive to keep.

t walgamuth · #33 10-08-2018, 10:02 AM

Looking good though!

ROLLGUY · #34 10-08-2018, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUpower

There was a $3000 CDI on CL in south florida for two days, then it was deleted. I just spent over $500 for the windshield wiper motor install because my wipers didn't work. The cars can be overly expensive to keep.

Yes they CAN. However, they (W211) have proven to be generally VERY reliable for me (having had five of them). It also helps to have a parts car (which I do), and be a DIY type guy. Compared to a W123, they are more expensive to maintain and repair. However (again), these are showing up in wrecking yards, so good used parts make this platform very affordable. For many of us, it is a natural progression to go from a W123 to a W126 to a W124 to a W210 to a W211. That is probably as far as I am willing to go. Nothing newer really excites me, and I am happy with the comfort, safety, and value of the W211 platform. Although I am a "died in the wool" Diesel guy, I have been dabbling in the "Dark Side" (gas powered) 'Benzs. I have wanted a W211 wagon for some time, and the only way to get a Diesel W211 wagon in the 'States, is to make one. I have one now, and even though I have to be careful to put the correct fuel in it at the filling station, I am enjoying it nonetheless......Rich

97 SL320 · #35 10-08-2018, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUpower

I just spent over $500 for the windshield wiper motor install because my wipers didn't work. The cars can be overly expensive to keep.

What was the parts / labor breakdown?

MTUpower · #36 10-09-2018, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

What was the parts / labor breakdown?

Actually it was $520 parts and $300 labor. My indie was stumped and I had to take it to a car computer/electronics specialist. Wiper motor was the only part that was R&R'd. My main computer unit is bad and I've already spent $2K+ in chasing it a couple years ago. I think this is why the car was traded in as I have the full service history and it indicates computer issues at the dealer. The battery lost charge if not started for more than two days, and the codes history was not complete when I bought it.

97 SL320 · #37 10-09-2018, 02:27 PM

Ack! The labor looks OK but at 520, the " motor " must include linkage and maybe a control computer all in one.

MTUpower · #38 10-12-2018, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Ack! The labor looks OK but at 520, the " motor " must include linkage and maybe a control computer all in one.

Online price and add 20%. Seems normal for indies.

ROLLGUY · #39 02-10-2019, 02:47 PM

We planned a trip to San Felipe this month, and decided to take the CDI. We normally take a '17 Ram 2500 Diesel, but only had a quad and a couple kayaks to take this time. With three of us in the car, and the trailer behind, we headed out last Friday on the CDI's first major road trip. Dave normally drives the car for work, so it mostly sees local roads and freeways. Knowing that the roads are not the greatest south of the border, Dave decided to get new tires for the car before heading out. About $700 later, the CDI has all new Goodyear tires on the 18" wheels. The entire trip down there (360 miles one way) was without incident until the last 30km. It was dark, and Dave did not see the large pothole in the road before it was too late. The left rear wheel got swallowed up by the pothole, and the wheel broke in half along it's circumference. A turnout was found just yards away, and we stopped and surveyed the damage. Thankfully, there was not much traffic on the road, as I needed to change the tire with my butt hanging out in the road. Having the trailer tongue jack helped to take most of the weight of the trailer and rear of the car so the stock jack could lift the car to change the tire. We were able to make it the last 30km to the house on the donut spare. The next day we drove into town, and talked to the guy at the lumber yard we deal with. He showed us a wrecking yard in town that happen to have a couple different 18" wheels to choose from. We purchased one for $25, and headed back to the house to check the fit, and clean it up. It had a dual bolt pattern, and one of them worked perfectly. The tire was undamaged, so after cleaning up the wheel, Dave drove the "Baja Beater" ('96 Ford Ranger) back into town to get the tire mounted. The trip home was without incident. I am now searching for a replacement set of 18" wheels, since the tires are new. I found a set of AMG wheels for an S class. Anyone know if they will fit? The seller is not sure, and I don't really want to drive the 100 mile round trip, only to find out they don't fit.....Rich

vwnate1 · #40 02-10-2019, 09:21 PM

The fun never really ends does it ? .

dude99 · #41 02-10-2019, 09:39 PM

Must have been a hell of a pot hole

tjts1 · #42 02-10-2019, 09:57 PM

That's an ambitious trailer. You might consider carrying a full size spare next time. The W211 spare tire well can swallow up a 245/45/R17 wheel with room to spare.

Yes S class wheels should fit. Beware that W211/W220/W140 use M14 wheel bolts. All earlier MBs used M12.

ROLLGUY · #43 02-10-2019, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

That's an ambitious trailer. You might consider carrying a full size spare next time. The W211 spare tire well can swallow up a 245/45/R17 wheel with room to spare.

Yes S class wheels should fit. Beware that W211/W220/W140 use M14 wheel bolts. All earlier MBs used M12.

I don't think there will be a "next time" for the CDI with a trailer. If the CDI goes south again, it will be with just passengers in the cab, and ice chests in the trunk. Thanks for the info on the wheels, I was hoping that was correct. That opens up a lot of wheel availability around here. One guy alone has 4 sets for an S, and neither of us knew if they would work on the E.......Rich

tjts1 · #44 02-10-2019, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

That opens up a lot of wheel availability around here. One guy alone has 4 sets for an S, and neither of us knew if they would work on the E.......Rich

Bring an M14 bolt and stick it in the wheel before buying just to be sure.