what to look for when buying a 2005/06 CDI
 

Help me out folks. I crashed my daily and need a new one. I'm looking to buy a CDI. What areas that you know of which I really need to be aware of?
USA versions since I'm here in FL.
thanks!

Here you go. Probably a pretty good car seeing as how it is at a dealer.

CDI

A couple of things. Don't get one from anywhere where roads are salted and plan on replacing ball joints between 125 and 170k miles.

The good thing about the 06 model is that you have a couple more years before 10 year warranty on SBC module times out. I think it runs about $1700 at the dealer if out of warranty. Or better yet find a 05 model that has already had it replaced.

how much are ball joints? How can I tell if the sbc has been done? If not do I take it to the dealer and say what? I'm looking at a 05 now which looks nice. 143K. 12 grand. if this car falls thru is your wagon for sale?

Wagon ain't for sale. Wife likes it alot (moved her out of the 95 E300 into it).

If you are talking to private owner ask them if it has been changed out and ask to see the receipt. Not sure you can get dealer to run vin and get the info and I have not looked close enough to the one that got changed out on the wagon to see if it is dated. I will try to remember to take a look.

Isn't much to changing ball joints on these models. I get an hour for it.

You didn't kill the wagon... Did you?

:(

Runs, drives fine but the condenser and radiator are moved. New those, new pass lights and signal plus hood and quarter panel? Those repairs will be close to $2K. Doesn't make sense for me.

Data point...Bought my 05 CDI in 2010 with 130k miles. It now has 235k. 99% of my miles were on creative fuel. This is what I've experience in the last 4 years.

- Front left wheel spindle (would have been averted with timely bearing monitoring)
- In-tank fuel pump at 167k (dealer-only part, about $600)
- Thermostat
- Air bag light...faulty wiring in steering column. One of the few things I had the dealer fix...$700
- 3rd brake light...lost about a third of the LEDs, did some soldering to recover most of them...no big deal either way.
- Glow plug here or there. No big deal compared to 606 GPs
- Turbo grenaded itself last week (at 235k). Waiting for replacement to arrive today ($700 for mechanical part, $1200 for whole unit with actuator)

Thiis car is awesome. I would buy another one in a heartbeat. Power, comfort, style. Don't let the list above scare you. All of the things have been minor, and the fuel pump was the only thing that left me stranded.

My white wagon looked like that before I got it.

My story: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/326138-buying-1987-300td.html

Don't let it go to the crusher, someone on this board will want it.

What is the current location?

How much you want for it and where it is at? I've got a 95 E300 sitting here that would make a great parts car. Still runs and drives out good.

If it's in FL, you're just one state over. :)

yep

A 95 E300DT would be nice.

My wagon is at my home in Palm Beach county, FL. Interested parties are more than welcome to make an offer on it. Nice cream leather in good shape. No third row seat. Strong engine. The junkyard will give about $500.

The 05 cdi is in the driveway. 143K. dark metallic green which looks like black. Nice drive from FTL to PBC on the turnpike. :D I think I did the right thing. Pics to follow.

Nice

Curious to know how much longer you plan on keeping your car for? I would assume you maintain the brake system yourself and is that a difficult job did you need any special software or is it just a procedure. I am just thinking of looking at the same car several are for sale here an 05 about the same mileage $9500 and a 06 with 80k miles for $17000 which seems a bit pricy.

There's perhaps five for sale on CL here in south florida priced between 12K and 15K. I looked at three and bought the best looking one for less than the price of the worst- this was after searching over 30 differing cars online sales and local other models. The mgr of the dealer effed up and the small lot owner liked me so he let it slide because I brought cash to the table. Knowing he liked fishing and cigars didn't hurt. ;) Man I love this car and I'm reading the small "guide" and pushing buttons for things I've never had in a car before. Messaging seats, rain sensing wipers, a powerful diesel with excellent mpg... wow.

Forgot to mention cup holders:). That, and the heated seats, are the two options the lovely Ms engatwork likes the most in the 05 E320;).

One cdi we looked at had one cup holder while the one we bought has a pop up version which has two.

I have to remove the phone in the center arm rest- any tips? I can't figure out how to recline the rear seat head rests- it's got to be a simple thing I can't find. Tips there as well? I checked out the messaging seats last night- wow. I going to buy a chip for even better mpg- do you have advice there?

Thanks!

Is the phone in the arm rest a mid 2000s flip phone in a cradle? That phone is a paperweight now. Better than my 98, it had the factory analog phone when I bought it. That phone is a real antique, about as useful as a tube TV with rabbit ears.

If so that cradle can be removed and a Bluetooth adapter installed in its place.

Have a look at Home

You can go on eBay to find these. However know that there are 2 versions. The older one is cheaper but it is flaky. The newer one is better. When we bought the ML we got the dealer to include one with the deal.

My wife's 08 ML 320 CDI has the same system as your 05 E320 CDI. She has an iPhone 5C and it connects and works fine. However in order to trigger Siri she has to hold in the home button on the phone itself. But if the phone rings she can answer it from the steering wheel.

Thanks for the link! Only $450... :rolleyes: are they found anywhere else and who can install it?

They are cheaper on eBay. Just be sure to get the newer one (black plastic housing, not the "chrome" plastic housing). You can install it yourself, it just snaps in. There is a little release button to slide the old phone cradle off the electrical connector in the arm rest. Then the new Bluetooth adapter slides onto the connector. The radio recognizes it automatically. Then hold down the MB logo on the adapter, until it blinks , to put it in discoverable mode. The Bluetooth security key you will have to type into the phone after pairing is 62872 which is "MBUSA".

Too bad, that looks like a seriously nice car!

On your new CDI, the rear headrest retract button is on the lower control panel next to the emergency flasher. Has a picture of a seat with the headrest going down.

W211 consoles had an early 2003-mid 2004 style with two doors (armrest) that open side to side. Later CDI consoles have a tambor door that allows two beverages to nestle inside.

Since the CDI was a pull ahead year, early 2005 CDI models can have the early console, even though titled as a 2005.

Jim

I knew is was something really simple- and I found it later. I love this forum- thanks.

I have the double side to side console and a pop up drink holder. It seems like it's a double drink holder- you can put on in the pop up and one to it's left inside the hole- although it must be a small cup or can.Thanks Tom- I really like it but the wife and mom told me it was important to have a newer car. gotta listen to them when they tell me that...:D