longevity/reliability of the 2005-06 e320 cdi - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

wallbenz · #1 11-29-2019, 02:16 PM

Still looking for MB Diesel

Many here- have attempted to talk guide me out of the w126 into the
w211 CDI's.

What is the latest on the 05/06 CDI reliability/longevity OM648?

ROLLGUY · #2 11-29-2019, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallbenz

Still looking for MB Diesel

Many here- have attempted to talk guide me out of the w126 into the
w211 CDI's.

What is the latest on the 05/06 CDI reliability/longevity OM648?

I feel that the '05-'06 CDI is probably the best modern Diesel sedan made. The engine is very DIY friendly (compared to the OM642). The chassis has many upgrades from the 126 chassis, and it too is very DIY friendly. The Icarsoft MB II is an inexpensive scanner that is a must for any DIY 211 chassis owner. Work on these cars is much less intimidating with the use of this scanner. Many of the faults with this chassis/engine are known, so repairing them is fairly straightforward. I have had five 211's with three different engines, and overall, they have been the most trouble-free cars I have ever owned. Bottom line- Get a CDI!!!!

speednjay · #3 11-29-2019, 03:42 PM

I don’t have any direct experience but I have been looking for a cdi also. My budget is pretty low so I look at the bottom of the bucket as far as the Cdis go. Came across quite a few with 300- 400k miles and still chugging along in mint shape. Even the neglected ones aren’t that bad. Unfortunately I can’t anything sub $5000. So in conclusion all the cdis I looked at were in great shape for being driving into the ground

TimFreeh · #4 11-30-2019, 12:53 PM

I have two CDI's in service in the extended family. One has 304K and the other has 255K. I've been the only caretaker on the 304K example since 160K.

Can't speak too much about the 255K example since we've just taken it over but the 304K example has been one to the most trouble-free Mercedes I've ever owned - and my ownership experiences to back almost 40 years now.

One of the most amazing things I see in the W211 CDI world is how well examples with multiple hundreds of thousands of miles run. Was driving the 304K example a couple of weeks ago and it occurred to my that it was about 95% as nice as my 2014 E250 with 65K miles on the clock.

It's been awhile since I've driven a W126 but from what I remember the driving dynamics of the W211 compared to the W126 are about are pretty dramatic - the W211 is at least an order of magnitude better in every respect. Not really surprising since its a couple of decades newer and more refined.

wallbenz · #5 11-30-2019, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimFreeh

I have two CDI's in service in the extended family. One has 304K and the other has 255K. I've been the only caretaker on the 304K example since 160K.

Can't speak too much about the 255K example since we've just taken it over but the 304K example has been one to the most trouble-free Mercedes I've ever owned - and my ownership experiences to back almost 40 years now.

One of the most amazing things I see in the W211 CDI world is how well examples with multiple hundreds of thousands of miles run. Was driving the 304K example a couple of weeks ago and it occurred to my that it was about 95% as nice as my 2014 E250 with 65K miles on the clock.

It's been awhile since I've driven a W126 but from what I remember the driving dynamics of the W211 compared to the W126 are about are pretty dramatic - the W211 is at least an order of magnitude better in every respect. Not really surprising since its a couple of decades newer and more refined.

Tim / Rollguy-- Thanks for the Info/feedback... I think U have convinced me to shop around for one.

Seems like they are holding value to... which is market's way of telling all- it is Reliable/high mileage car.

Any advice on what to look out for - when shopping? Seems like they had issues with leaking seals/injectors? Is the Viton replacement seal-- the "cure"? Or is it just something that needs to be paid attention to while owning?

thanks!

tjts1 · #6 11-30-2019, 01:34 PM

As much as I like my om603 and om606 diesels I prefer the gasser m112/m113 powered w211s. That engine is by far the cheapest and easiest to work on Mercedes engine I've ever encountered and it runs on 87 octane.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I feel that the '05-'06 CDI is probably the best modern Diesel sedan made. The engine is very DIY friendly (compared to the OM642). The chassis has many upgrades from the 126 chassis, and it too is very DIY friendly. The Icarsoft MB II is an inexpensive scanner that is a must for any DIY 211 chassis owner. Work on these cars is much less intimidating with the use of this scanner. Many of the faults with this chassis/engine are known, so repairing them is fairly straightforward. I have had five 211's with three different engines, and overall, they have been the most trouble-free cars I have ever owned. Bottom line- Get a CDI!!!!

The foxwell NT520 is way more capable than the Icarsoft for similar money. I own both. NT520 can do actuations, fault tracing and limited coding. It can activate/deactivate SBC and bleed the system. Adjust cooling fan trigger temp, adjust fuel trim, min octane requirement, shift points, zero out a new instrument cluster to adapt it to your car, code out teleaid ect. I'm just scratching the surface.

ROLLGUY · #7 11-30-2019, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallbenz

Tim / Rollguy-- Thanks for the Info/feedback... I think U have convinced me to shop around for one.

Seems like they are holding value to... which is market's way of telling all- it is Reliable/high mileage car.

Any advice on what to look out for - when shopping? Seems like they had issues with leaking seals/injectors? Is the Viton replacement seal-- the "cure"? Or is it just something that needs to be paid attention to while owning?

thanks!

The injector seals are copper. If you find an otherwise good car with "Black Death", and it is affordable, don't let that scare you off. The injector seal job is not that bad, even with the most serious case of B.D. (ask me how I know).....Rich

Father Of Giants · #8 12-01-2019, 03:34 AM

Thanks for information on MB scan tools

shertex · #9 12-01-2019, 06:16 AM

I have two of them. Put 30k miles on one and have owned for four years....10k on the other and have owned for a year. Can't think of a weak spot. (And, no, the SBC is not a weak spot, especially now with the 25 year warranty in effect.)

The number of examples out there with high miles and running like a top is impressive. Rossafuss over on Benzworld has close to 500k on his.

As to price....if you're patient I think you can find one in perfect working order, well maintained, with, say, 150k miles for around $5000.

Hogweed · #10 12-01-2019, 09:56 AM

i currently have 2 w211's as drivers: 2005 cdi and 2005 e500 4 matic. i, too, was on a "budget" (read: no money!) so i had to look around to find the one i eventually bought. i found one earlier that the worst case of black death i've ever seen. it had coated the wire harness and i was concerned about the wires breaking and having to remove the head if the injectors were too stuck....which can happen. car was really nice and the owner had no idea the issue had started or progressed to that extent. i probably could have bought it cheap but decided to pass.
i like the w211 cars as much as any other MB i've owned, which is to say, they all have had some issues but nothing that i have been unable to figure out with the help of this forum and the interwebs in general.
good luck with the search!
g

wallbenz · #11 01-24-2020, 11:52 AM

I will be purchasing a Scanner this week for my e320 cdi

Foxwell 510 or 520? which is better?

Also- are the sensors on this car- easy DIY jobs? O2 sensors? MAF, etc.?
still trying to figure out why after long expressway runs/stop/restart... car is in "limp"
until I pullover and restart

chronometers · #12 01-24-2020, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallbenz

I will be purchasing a Scanner this week for my e320 cdi

Foxwell 510 or 520? which is better?

Also- are the sensors on this car- easy DIY jobs? O2 sensors? MAF, etc.?
still trying to figure out why after long expressway runs/stop/restart... car is in "limp"
until I pullover and restart

Did you rule out stuck EGR valve?

Get Foxwell 520. Here is link to well priced one (make an offer): Foxwell 520

wallbenz · #13 01-24-2020, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chronometers

Did you rule out stuck EGR valve?

Get Foxwell 520. Here is link to well priced one (make an offer): Foxwell 520

Not yet... I will dig in this weekend... but either way do EGR delete

but- thinking about adding chip tune as well... just don't know if I want to throw more $$$ in- if this issue isn't SIMPLE EGR clog

Still wondering about nasty smell on 1st start-- is that normal??? It doesn't smell like diesel... more comparable to 1st generation of Cat convertors... any thoughts on strong exhaust smell 1st start? does that seem normal

ROLLGUY · #14 01-24-2020, 09:26 PM

If you do get a chip tune, Rocketchip http://www.rocketchip.com/ is a good way to go.......Rich

chronometers · #15 01-25-2020, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallbenz

Not yet... I will dig in this weekend... but either way do EGR delete

but- thinking about adding chip tune as well... just don't know if I want to throw more $$$ in- if this issue isn't SIMPLE EGR clog

Still wondering about nasty smell on 1st start-- is that normal??? It doesn't smell like diesel... more comparable to 1st generation of Cat convertors... any thoughts on strong exhaust smell 1st start? does that seem normal

I'd get car sorted before investing in chip tune.

RE: foxwell 530, those may be chassis specific.