Oh MAN that's really too bad.
I won't say I'm a really experienced MB guy, but I have driven my share of MB's, and diesels in particular, and I can tell you the CDI's are really something different.
My 220 CDI is close to the 124 series 300 TDT of the 90's.
Even though it "only" have 125 hp. / 300Nm originally it has 150 hp / 350 Nm when chipped. and quite easily outperform regular gas engines around 2.0 litres.
When it comes to hauling ie. my campingtrailer which weighs 1900 kg's / 3500Lbs You can really notice the differece between a CDI and a standard diesel. Not to mention the sissy torque of a gasoline engine in comparison.

I don't think I will ever have another car without a CDI diesel

Steinar