This is OT, its about a non diesel but applies to 210/E300D's as well.
Its my wifes car, E320/97 with 71K miles of easy driving.
Had to completely replace both xenon front headlights, lamp and electronics at about $1000 a pop, that was about two years ago, covered by extended warranty.
Then comes the tail lights; break light bulb was dead, replaced the bulb, did not work, took it to the shop they said the entire light assembly needs to be replaced as some of the contacts with the light bulb sockets had melted, so we changed the entire tail light assembly.
Today the other tail light is out, same old story, contacts are messed up so the car is going in for yet another tail light assembly.
I better stop here as it is the tip of the iceberg.
I have driven MB for about 32 yeras now, I sometimes wonder how can an auto maker stay in business and sell cars based on its past glory and reputation, I for one will not buy another Benz again.

Vahe
240D/77 350K

I've got four solid reasons for you:

Star on the hood.

Warranty

C class loaner car........free........

Excellent customer service under warranty.

Sometimes I say to people that the W210 may very well be the low point in MB quality. Though I don't have a direct experience with the CDI's, overall I'm hearing the quality is good and I think Dr. Z has already taken action to correct the declining quality of the 3-pointed star.

Personally what I find unacceptable about the W210 chassis are the rusting spring perches and window regulator plastic pulleys that warp. Yet, I still like this car a lot and I admit the 3-pointed star on the hood is party responsible for this. That and the sweet music of an idling OM606.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Xenon lights are pricey to fix, shouldn't have checked the option box if you didn't want to fix them. Light builbs for my friends W210 with normal headlights are like $15.

But W210's seem to burn through light builbs quickly, don't know why. At least they are cheap and simple to change.

The SDL was burning through tail lamps for a bit, so I changed them all at once. So far this is working!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

C-pillar 5w halogen reading lights for a W140 are $9 from Fastlane

Sixto
... stay tuned

The tail light contacts corrode due to moisture, I purchased LED tail lights to cure this, it will just be a matter of time until it happens again. With regards to the "low point" in quality it woudl have to be the W163 ML's not the W210's.

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2005 SL65
1999 E300
1995 E300
1994 SL320
1988 560SL
1987 300TD
1982 300D
1955 300SL