I arranged to test drive a E320 CDI today and it seemed to be a nice car. It didn't need to be warmed up before starting. When it started, it started very easily and idled very smoothly. It was really quiet for a diesel, I could barely tell it was a diesel by the way it ran. It was very responsive upon acceleration. The salesman even said to floor it on one occasion and it lit up the tires. Its got lots of torque! The car handled very nicely on curves and road imperfections and potholes are not jarring to the cabin. The seats on the otherhand are a bit hard for my liking even though they are fully adjustable and supportive. I also heard quite a bit of road noise which I thought was a bit unacceptable for such an expensive car. I didn't like the CD/audio controls with the TV like screen either. If its anyway related to the electronics of our W123/126 cars I don't think it'll hold up in the long run just like the climate and cruise controls of our older cars.
The last thing I didn't like either was the "smart" key. It's not a regular key like we're used to. It's some electronic gadget that works like a key. Again I'm not a fan of modern electronics, especially not in MB cars, and this thing worries the heck out of me. I'd rather have an old fashioned key that if it breaks, I can get a new one made for a $1 or whatever they cost these days at your local locksmith. I could only imagine what one of those "smart" keys costs to replace.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

I can't remember what rumor I heard, but I think you can only use the Smart key few thousands of times before having to replace it. The key projects a unique code to the ignition everytime you put it into the ignition.

Don't like the Smart Key? Try I-Drive in the BMW 745i! I couldn't even figure out how to start the d*** thing!

__________________
1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

$150


200,000 times per key. 8 keys are alloted per vehicle's EIS. Each key has 2 replacement keys available = 24 keys total for every car.

__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Thanks.

__________________
1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

One thing that bothered me when driving the new CDI was that extra "stalk" on the left of the steering wheel column. I kept hitting it accidently each time I would signal a turn. It just got annoying.

They wanted $56k for the one I drove.

That's an awful lot of money for something that the average person probably couldn't tell from a Kia Amanti, if not for the hood ornament.

- Patrick

__________________
1982 240D. 198k, Marine Blue/Blue, 4 Speed, Crank Windows, No Sunroof, No Rust, No Oil Leaks
2001 TDI. 197k, Lagoon Blue/Black, 5 speed, Chip, G60/VR6

It's actually easy to tell the difference. The Kia has a better warranty. As it drives by, you'll notice it's not on the back of a wrecker being driven to the dealer for yet another repair. If you pay extra close attention, you'll notice the Kia has a transmission that works, a/c that cools, windows that go down (not on their own accord) and then back up again and the sunroof actually works. You're also unlikely to find rust on the Kia.

One additional HUGE difference is the driver. If he found these problems on his car, no one would be able to convince him it was because it was a finely tuned superior machine and he was somehow responsible for the problem because of his lack of maintenance.

Come on! You'd have to be blind in one eye and couldn't see out the other to not tell the difference between the two cars, plus the KIA is down right FUGLY.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

I saw one of these today at school out of the corner of my eye parked on the street. "What MB has the grill that recessed?" I wondered as I turned my head to get a look. Where is the damn hood ornament? Is that even a merc? I just shoved it off as another something-rather-new that someone had money to spend on...

I still liked the 220D better that I saw today with the "SQsequential Biofuels" sticker on the back and the "my age" female behind the wheel. There are a few chicas around town with old diesel mercedes and biodiesel yummies...
...where do I sign up to share processor time with them

So what happens after the key goes 200,000 times? It stops working suddenly?

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

I bet the key will out last the car.

My folks are having second thoughts about the E320CDI, especially after I sent them a link to: http://www.lemonmb.com/e_class.php

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

WOW...is all I can say.....pretty much took care of my desire for one of these.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche