I am about to pull trigger on e320 cdi

I can deal with fixing - joints/rubbers/filters/etc.

But am I gonna see -- More issues w/ electronic junk? Codes? Resets/Limps

Part of the reason of being attracted to w126-- less Computer/stuff

and reason-- I am avoiding new Bluetec-- codes/limps/sensors- related to DPF/Emissions... junk

what does the jury say?

You should be fine. They will go the mileage.

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Jim

With the appropriate scan tool the computers in the W211 are a piece of cake and quite useful. Without the right scan tool you're at the mercy of the dealer. Check out icarsoft i980, MBII or foxwell nt520 on Amazon or ebay.

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Thx-

with these scan tools-- will I be able to at least re-set/clear some of these annoying codes? Take some time-learn via sites like this, and fix it as I go.

OR- will I still need Immediate attention (either Indy/ DIY)???
I just don't want- limps- like I hear about w/ DPF cars

Yes you can do all that. Foxwell NT520 with MB software is by far the most most capable. Sub $200 on fleabay last I checked. There's a bunch of YouTube videos on how to use any of these.

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I heard from the dealer than they occasionally had wiring fires in the trunk, but I don't think they are significantly worse than most cars otherwise.

I've never heard of that. There are 2 major failure points in the 211. One is the SBC brakes (brake by wire). It's covered by a 25 year unlimited mileage warranty. When it fails you take it to the dealer, they replace it no questions asked. At least in theory, there have been some less than helpful dealers. The second is the fuel leak from the top of the fuel level sender on the driver's side. On non PZEV gas cars it's covered by a 15 year unlimited mileage warranty. They replace the entire tank, pump level senders etc. Diesels are NOT covered even tho they use the same tank and level sensor. Symptom is fuel smell only when the tank is full. It doesn't drip to the ground and there havent been any fires. You can check it by removing the driver side inspection cover under the left rear seat.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

There is one thing to watch out for on the 211 (and pretty much every modern vehicle out there). I had a CAN bus shutdown that was traced to a wet connector on the central gateway under the dash. W211 CAN Bus problems

Pretty much any MB from the last 20 years or so (starting with the W140) uses this technology to communicate across the various systems. For example you will notice there is no refrigerator style door switch on a 211. The lock mechanism detects the door in the open position which signals the door controller to put a status out for ‘xx door open’ on the network. The overhead panel module picks up this message and turns on the dome light up front but only if the master switch is in the ‘on while doors open’ mode. This is done because of the reduction in wire for weight and cost.

I believe this was caused by a substandard job on a windshield replacement before I got the car.

You can check for this yourself, 3x T25 screws to pull the under dash panel down on drivers side, and look for the gray box about the size of a deck of cards mounted on the back of the cover. Note that pulling the plug will result in a ton of codes thrown (due to loss of the CAN buses) but they can be erased easily with a scanner.

Above all remember that these cars are pushing 15 years old. Things are going to get old and break. However with proper maintenance they have been quite reliable for me.

And don’t fear the later 2007-2009 W211s either. The OM642 is a little harder to work on but I have had good luck with them. Everyone in my family is currently driving an OM642/722.9 powered MB (see my signature, I have 4 cars for me, my wife, 2 college age kids). Just make sure on the pre 2010 642s that the oil cooler seals have been done. If not this is not the end of the world to DIY, there is a huge thread on here about how to do it.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

My brother's 2005 211 diesel is really a superior road machine. I drive it frequently. And am aware of all mechanical issues. Frankly there have been few. Nothing electrical and it is pushing on 150k miles on the odo. California roads are beating up the suspension but I consider that normal - the freeways are really falling apart out there and it is mostly a highway car. I have a 2008 211 gasser and feel the same way. It is a pleasure to drive and so far not very expensive to maintain.

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DS
2010 CL550 - Heaven help me but it's beautiful
87 300D a labor of love
11 GLK 350 So far, so good
08 E350 4matic, Love it.
99 E320 too rusted, sold
87 260E Donated to Newgate School
www.Newgateschool.org - check it out.
12 Ford Escape, sold, forgotten
87 300D, sold, what a mistake
06 Passat 2.0T, PITA, sold

Las Vegas NV

My two cents: Go with Foxwell or MBII. I returned the iCarsoft when it didn't reset a number of items as promised.


The MBII was the better of the two -- I now have both, due to a present received for doing some work-- barter payment.

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

Maybe, I'm almost too old to do all my own work, been transitioning to paying for repairs. Have a good indy mechanic and good local dealer who sometimes will beat the indy quotes. They give me new MBZ loaners, but haven't had any I really like to drive. Prefer to drive my other car unless it is a multiple day repair. Here's my experience with a 2004 E320 wagon, 6 cyl gasser, estate sale, 1 elderly owner, huge stack of dealer receipts for extended warranty repairs: Bought @ 127,000 miles & now @ 155. My dealer replaced gas tank assembly under warranty. Electronic issues: Navigation was confused/inop. Location off by 200 to 400 miles. Cheap fix was adding a Garmin. Lots of false codes first few months due to sitting for 2 years.

Mechanical issues: Receipts show Lower ball joints roughly every 50-60k miles. Frequent tire replacement, but 1st owner was buying cheap tires. Mine has regular suspension, save for rear air springs, which failed @ same frequency. I converted to coil springs after most recent 150k fail.

After 1st 5,000 miles, false codes quit appearing, car very reliable, ice cold AC, near diesel mpg (31mpg Salem, OR to Spokane, WA). Flawless during 2 Montana trips with extended periods on remote, unpaved roads & no cell reception, but while my S430 was at dealer waiting for rebuild of an electronic part, I was freeway driving W211 at night, cruise on, dialog box pops up: (SRS malfunction, visit workshop) followed by total shutoff, including headlights! Lights came back on, all else stayed dead. Coast to shoulder. Turn off key, wait few minutes, pray, car restarted & drove home normally. When picking up my W220, discussed incident with dealer svc. mgr. He says "Oh they can all do that once in a while, you should just sell those "old" cars and buy a new one it'll be much more reliable"

Told him I was keeping them but would find a decent W123 for camping/fishing and only drive the new ones on good roads where I can call AAA.

Actually found a pristine W126 with a low mileage, new factory engine and they can keep their new models that are very nice, but too expensive considering how ugly they look and how many features I dislike. Especially the autostart & that big distracting screen stuck in middle of the dash! Don

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John 5:25

Forgot to mention: My E320 had a parasitic voltage drain from failed Kommand unit. Got a rebuilt from Husker Mercedes parts of Lincoln, NE for about 1/2 $$ dealer wanted & installed it myself. Don

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John 5:25