w211 - year of reflections

[barkford]

Having let the w210 turbodiesel go a year ago, I've been in a CDi for a year now. Here's a few observations between the two... (memory of the w210 being pretty sweet).....

- CDI feels much more "closed in" on the interior - wraps around you. Doesn't feel like you could swing a hula hoop around like the 210.

- CDI definitely has the low rpm grunt - very pleasing - will bark a tire off the line if you goose it right.

- CDI doesn't have that 1 second "leap of faith" while waiting for turbo like the 210 did. Good and Bad. The rush you got on the 210 when the turbo hit full swing was a blast.

- Pushbutton AC controls are gone. Not fond of the plastic knobs for climate control in 211.

- No dipstick on the 211. Call me hard headed but I like putting "eyes on" to see my oil.

- Harman Kardon 9 speaker system rocks. Bose in 210 was boomy and fun but I like my tunes in the new ride.

- CD changer up front with MP3 capability - good thing.

- Trunk had wider opening on 210 - harder to get stuff in 211.

- SBC brake unit. Probably OK but worrysome. Never heard a brake system that hummed and vibrated everytime it needed to boost.

- Most cool thing before it was discontinued - satellite phone. Did not have phone package but used to be able to hit concierge button and have them make a call for me - handsfree.



Just some reflections - you guys with the 210 TDs, keep puffin - they are good cars.

[Johnhef]

Thankfully SBC wont be around for long. The 2007 models already have discontinued use of it.

[Hatterasguy]

Did you get the nav? If so how is it?

I really like the W211 body style, it is very sleek.

[barkford]

No nav yet. Am considering an install soon however.
If SBC unit goes bad, I'll just yank the one from my Bosch dishwasher for the CDI.

Happy puffing.