Facelift was 07. The bad balance shaft was on the 06 and early 07 E350 m272 V6and the E550 m273 V8. The V8 doesn't have the balance shaft but theres an identical failure prone sprocket. Ideally narrow it down to 04-05 m112 E320 or m113 E500. 03 was first year, more problem prone. E320s and all 4matic have the 5 spd 722.6. The RWD E500 had 722.9 7spd. Its more expensive to repair and maintain. If you can find a wagon its as spacious as an ML with much better handling. The SBC brakes have a 25 year unlimited mileage warranty and the fuel tank has a 15 year unlimited mileage warranty. Airmatic suspension is expensive to repair so try to avoid it.

Thanks tjts1 and the others that posted with regards to the ml320

Tjts1, what do you think of a 2005 E320 cdi?

It's not my cup of tea but a lot of people on this forum really like the cdi inline 6. In my opinion the additional purchase and maintainance cost of the om648 isn't justified by the fuel economy over the m112 v6 gasser unless you drive a lot of miles each year. But again, I'm biased. Talk to member ROLLGUY. He has an E320 CDI and an E320 gasser.

Thanks

Good, well maintained 05/06 CDIs are hard to find.

I see a few 2007 and 2008 blue tech but nothing on the 2004/5/6
Are the newer ones not as good as the 04/5/6's. Thanks.