So, I think it was bound to happen... She has been driving our w210 e300d for several months now to save on the cost of fuel for her commute, and she has decided she really likes the e300d- she fills up once a week instead of 3 times, she likes how it handles, the heated seats, her programmed seat setting( number 2), and she likes diesels now- even the sound and the smell!

Now she has decided she "needs" to replace the SUV she was driving previously. First she decided she needed to replace it with a fiat, then a golf tdi, then a jetta tdi. I finally sent her an email listing for a nice, white, 2005 e320 cdi to show her why $18K was WAY TOO DANG MUCH for "some VW, when you could get a nice e320 for less money!," and... well, now she's totally in love....

So... it seems we are now in the market for a 05-06 w211 e320 cdi...

And now, I'm doing research. I've found out that the 2005-2006 models (that we might be able to afford) have issues with the EGR system (like all diesels would), the SBC braking system, the self-leveling airbag system, and the cooling system/radiator.

Is there anything else that I should know, (positive or negative) about the w211/e320 cdi? Also, I found a few for sale online in California- do I need to know anything about California models like air-pumps, or California specific emissions stuff? Please let me know. I finally have some time set aside and could drive the car home for her if we decide to buy something from out of state. And as always, thank you all for the help!!!

How about a 2000 Dodge Dakota with a diesel sipping 4 cylinder Cummins? I've got one for sale with only 114K miles on the truck; engine was remanufactured by Cummins at some point in the past; crew cab (4 doors).
Dakota truck pictures by daw_two - Photobucket

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

Wow- we don't need another truck right now, but a 4cyl diesel p/u should be able to find a new home fairly easily!

She really likes the e320 cdi, but wishes it got mpg in the 40s like the Jetta. I explained to her that the w211 is an altogether different animal than the vw jetta and would require more fuel to move it. I'm just concerned that there may be some "known issues" with the e320 cdi, and would really like to know what I should know to look for if/when I begin searching/hunting for one.

Thanks- John

IIRC the earlier rigs were more prone to problems with the cooling system, rust, and a few other things that require some attention and consideration. I think the later cars were quite a bit more reliable and trouble-free, I'd buy a nice later-model CDI with no concerns of reliability. Just be sure it doesn't have rust, which a CA car likely won't. I'm not sure if there are any special Kommifornia emissions bits known by the state of California to ruin our fun, but it's possible.

My TDI Jetta is no econo box. It's no Mercedes but I used to commute 7 hrs 1 way once a month and it's stood up well. 75k in 3 years with over 65k in the first 20 months. I'm not sure how the US built cars stand up against the MKV and MKVI Jettas.

If I buy another Benz it's going to be Euro speck all the way. I've been eying the E250 coupe convt with Bluetec. Now I just need to get TDY in Europe for a while.

Rather than bring in more oil burners a new E400 hybrid is on the the roadmap.

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Mad_Matt's Current Stable:
Oil Burners:
09 Jetta TDI The highway queen @ 105k
83 300D. Sold
Gassers:
16 A4 sport line
10 Passat
83 Recaro Trans AM WS6 Bone Stock Survivor
11 Harley Ultra

My mothers daily driver has been a 2006 E320 CDI for the past 3 years. It replaced a 1981 300D which she drove for 22 years. Anyways, we very much enjoy the E320. It is our go to car for driving from SoCal to Texas, a 2500 mile trip. Our average milage is 36 MPG, usually both ways. In town, when my mom drives it is about 23 MPG. When the men drive it, we compete to get it closer to 30 MPG. So overall a real sipper.

It has the Premium 2 package, so that includes 60/30 rear folding seats and other stuff I presume. I can’t remember else what is included in it. The memory adjusting seats are really nice for having three drivers in the family.

Hmmm what else...its got a loooot of pep. When some derp in a ricer is riding your tail, you can still push out a little *poof* of coal and leave them wondering where you disappeared too.

No reports on irregular problems or the ones described above. We just passed 66,666K on the odometer, and today it went in for service. Gotta love the dealer lounge

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1982 300TDT
1991 190D
2022 Metris

Well, I was going to follow this post, but the VW "econobox" crack lost me........And yes, I do enjoy my 2002 Jetta TDI as much as I enjoy our 83 300D. Granted the Jetta is not as "Luxurious" as a newer Benz, but for the money (and the rock steady 49-50 mpg I consistently get) I'll take it.

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2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)

Econobox retracted...

FWIW I quoted what I JOKINGLY said in conversation, and used the term in order to (again jokingly) influence what my wife was considering to include a benz. Sorry some of you couldn't interpret that in the post.

So... back to the the er, intended purpose of the thread... I suppose in my searches online I've found alot more info on possible problems versus KNOWN issues- with the exception of a few things. There was mention of problems with the Valeo Radiators leaking coolant into the tranny cooling lines-but it seems that was more of a problem on 2000-2003 e320s. (If I had one of those I'd replace the radiator STAT) For ALL diesels with egrs- they foul up, get stuck, and cause problems. (I wonder if euro models have this issue?) And the electrohydraulic brake system and the air bag "leveling" systems are problematic. I couldn't find any info on the difference in reliability of the I6 versus the V6, but as pricing largely dictates what we are able to purchase- it will likely be an I6 model.

Does anyone know of any other problem areas to be on the lookout for? And does anyone know the cost of addressing the electric brake or SLS issues? Are there any modifications to defeat the SLS like is done on the 190e's and Land Rovers with SLS?

The airmatic suspension ws optional equipment on the diesel models. It was standard only on AMG and gasoline V8 models. It would be very unusual to find airmatic on a diesel; most are lightly optioned. At any rate it's easy enough to determine - get an EPC subscription to view the data card, or open the hood and look for plastic air lines running to the top of the shock towers.

Love my CDI.

181k on the clock. I bought it in 2010 with 130k on it.

The SBC system is no problem. It does a self test when doors are opened or other seemingly random times, so it leads people to believe changing brakes is dangerous, but it's a simple as disconnecting the connector on SBC system before working on brakes.

I had a front wheel bearing seize at about 170k. I ended up having to replace the spindle because the bearing welded itself to the spindle.

I had a catastrophic in-tank fuel pump failure at 167k. Easy to change (under the back seat), but pricy $600 dealer-only item.

I've run all 50k miles on homemade BD. Mileage is about 29 in town, 34 on the highway. (It would be higher if I ran pump diesel).

two glow plugs (easy to change, not like the sensitve 210 glowplugs), a few light bulbs, that's about it for maint issues.

My wife loves driving it. I end up "stuck" driving the 83 or the cummins if she doesn't need the minivan for kid hauling.

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Mark in MA
05 MB E320CDI 402k Granite Grey Metallic
05 MB E320CDI 267k Black
05 MB E320CDI 232k White
05 MB E320CDI 209k Tectite Grey
99 Dodge 2500 Cummins 5sp 148k
62 Jeep CJ-6 120k

I'll note my brother bought a 2006 CDI brand new. It has been a very decent car for him, no trouble at all, and is still his daily driver. It does have very low miles due to multiple-car-syndrome and a commute distance more suitable to a bicycle than an automobile. I do recall that he has seen as much as 37MPG on highway trips. Oddly, we both drive 2006 211 cars, though mine has about 300HP more than his...

- JimY

Thank you all for the input here- we will keep an eye out for one that has been maintained. We found a white one with tan interior online with records that looked very nice- but it sold before we could even get info about it. Another one came up on ebay that she liked- but the bidding ran beyond what we could afford right now. So, we'll just wait and see what comes up in the next few months. I hope those of you who have one continue to have good luck with it.

The I-6 if you can..."Down the Road" (and currently) it will present Much fewer
problems!

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'84 300SD sold
124.128