I get the appeal of the SDL...I've owned two of them over the years. This thread makes me want to get another one! My suspicion is that it might be very expensive to maintain if you don't do your own wrenching.

I have two CDIs and they've both been great. I don't see a downside to owning one, especially now that the SBC warranty is extended to 25 years.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 160k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 180k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 145k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 79k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife