I got about an hour in one here in CT a few months ago. Very refined, and very quick. Very un-Diesel in many respects except fuel economy. Wow, over 35 mpg highway!

If I win the Lotto or some other unexpected money making event happens, I will be in line for one too. The only damper is the complexity of the W211 chassis. Things like brakes that you cannot work on yourself bug me.

But a great Diesel. I look forward to the a C270CDI with a six speed transmission and few manually operated items like seats and a/c, with plain-jane hydraulic braking, that gets over 40 mpg. That would be a welcome turn around for MB from my perspective. More car and less junk, more reliability and lower shop time. 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)