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shoe,
I did a review of the differences when I got my 1998 E300D TurboDiesel. In a nutshell, all the Diesel W210 E Class cars have about the same body, interiour and accessories. So you end up picking the car out based on price and performance. In that scenario, a 1997 or earlier car will cost quite a bit less, but it will also not perform like the 1998 and 1999 TurboDiesel. I got hooked and bought the higher performing car and sofar it has been great. I had some issues with the front seats making snapping noises at the transition of accelerating or braking and they have been eliminated by warranty repairs. I also bought a Starmarked car and have an extended warranty through that program.
The later cars also come with the remote door locking feature and the new wierd key that is not a key but a little computer interface. So far I think the car is great. I get worried when I read about the less than robust climate control system and the other electronic stuff. I figure if I keep it for the next twenty years I will learn a lot more about those things as it becomes necessary.
I get 30 to 33 mpg, depending on how often I check the accelerating ability. Since it is really hard to believe a Diesel can perform like this, I do it a lot more than I need to....so others with a lighter right foot might get better mileage.
Your assessment that you will always encounter some failures is correct. What they might be, compared to what know them to be on the older models gives us some concern as it forces us to learn new things to maintain the cars ourselves. I think that goes by the name "progress" in some places, and we all know you can't stop progress. Good luck with your choice, I don't really think you can go wrong. Jim
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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles
Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)
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