Made you look didn't I? I'm the proud owner of a 2006 E320 CDI with 146,000 miles on it. Thanks to Tyler for pointing it out in Dallas. With these coming down in price now, we'll need some troubleshooting help and a lot of it let me tell you.

Overall, I like the car after driving it a couple weeks. This W211 is a bit smaller than the the W210 and a serious down to business daily driver. Do you need to make a 30 minute commute in 20 minutes? This is a good car for you.

I paid $8000 out the door and then just forked out 717.00 in taxes and registration in TN. The car runs perfect. I got it cheap because some issues that can't be taken care of by a car dealer for cheap. It has a small crack in right top corner of windshield, nothing to worry about. It was blowing no heat in dallas at the time but it is working fine now. the electric engine fan runs all the time (hopefully the 20.00 temp sensor) and it has 5 non critical -ie not red -- mercedes messages which can only be diagnosed by the star system. Messages are
" Display malfunction. Visit workshop"
"Cruise control - visit workshop" . Cruise doesn't work but if i let car sit a few days, it will work the first time i start it
"SRS system - visit workshop" -- srs light is on too
and too others i'll have to check.

Parktronic button doesn't do anything. Neither does the c or s button.

Also, front left ball joint or joints are squeaking bad. One was replaced i can see. Also its missig 3 jack pads which i got here for 8.00 a piece. About to go try them. Thanks Pelican. Other than that, the car is awesome and exactly like my sister's she got a year ago for $11,500 and it now has 145,000 on it. Her ball joint is squeaking now too it she says. There's some reference points for us price watchers.

Are these good cars ? Yes. Awesome cars. They look great and drive great. The chassis , drivetrain, suspension, all seem top notch , solid mercedes engineering. The only hateful thing about it is the electronics systems -- complicated and buggy. You need a star das system to clear and diagnose messages on the console. We'll see how i get out of the woods of my current issues. Seriously we'll need a lot of help with these.

Have a great day.

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What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius

You DID make me look!

I was just in Dallas over the holidays and was going to go take a look....but then you snagged it!

I'll be interested in your sense of how the 211 compares to the 210. Although I'm sure it's a long ways off, I'm telling myself that the 211 is the next move up.

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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

For the SRS light, there is a common issue with the harness in the steering column. There is a factory fix where you install a longer harness. BTDT.

And, if one sensor goes out, it can trigger several malfunction codes. In my case, the right front wheel sensor went out, and I lost ABS, cruise, and something else..... all needed the wheel speed input.

I have access to the MB diagnostic system, which is probably a necessity if you own one of these cars and want to do it yourself.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

The C/S button will change the shift parameters. Easiest way to tell if it is changing the program is pay attention to the trans when you start off. S will start in 1st, C will start in second.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Welcome to the CDI I6 fold. The 05/06 E320 CDI is a big win!

Once we learn the 05/06 CDI nuances, I don't think they'll be all that much trouble. As contrasted with my last MB turbodiesel, the '99 E300TD, although a much larger and heavier car, this car is light years beyond that model, in almost every way that I can think of.

They'll go down as one of the quantum leap Mercedes-Benz turbodiesel cars made in history, IMEPO.

The performance feature is simply remarkable. I don't know of any other car that achieved covering a distance of 100,000 miles at 140 mph and 40 mpg, with no issues whatsoever. That record will stand for a long, long time.

The C and S button locks out 1st gear in C mode. S, allows the automobile to start in 1st gear.

Thanks. So there is no indicator on the dash for c or a? I liked the w/s switch on the 210.

Where did you get your star das system? I see them for 25000 on startech but knockoffs are around 500 on eBay. Dip those eBay ones work good?

Thanks. I'd say mb was really trying to take some sales from the bmw /Audi crowd with this generation. I rather liked the soft floaty ride of the bigger ones. I bet an a class from this generation is just about perfect. The guy I got my car from has and s500 for his daily driver. He loved it.

Thanks

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What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius

Correct.

There is however a C and S indicator in your 211's instrument cluster.

IIRC, the 210 did not have a lock out indicator on the dash either. The C/S does the identical function as the W/S.

What do you mean by; "a?" ?

Pick up a good, used Autel MaxiDas DS708 that has the MB software and that is all you will need.

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Jim

Jim,

Are you familiar with the W210 throwing the ABS malfunction code sporadically, then the code erasing itself after the steering wheel is turned lock-to-lock a couple times to erase that code? I am, thinking this steering wheel column wiring harness may have something to do with the W210 as well, since it started after the trunk release started malfunctioning and opening on it's own when the car was parked, because the trunk release was held in the up, or open position strongly too many times over the years. Just wondering if you've ever experienced this paradox with any of your older '90s E-Class MBs?

I have a w211 but its a 2008 with a bluetec Om642 3.0 V6 diesel, the SBC was a real turn off for me as it was a brake by wire, and so is the quality, the post facelift generation 2007 and up W211 was a complete different car in terms of road noise, comfort it was way nice and they've also got rid of that SBC!

Now your cruise control, I had that problem with my cruise control working once until you disengage it then it quit working until you restarted the car, later it turned out to be the engine was going into limp mode due to a intercooler hose leak. My question is your car going into limp mode? no Check engine will turn on when its in limp mode and your engine will not rev more than 3000 rpm and engine performance is 1/2 then it used to be.

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Current Garage
2008 Mercedes GL320 CDI 188k mi Repair/Work in progress
1994 S350 160k mi Garage Queen & prepping for repairs
2005 E320 CDI 203k mi Healthy & Daily Driver
1994 S350 357k mi Retried as parts car
1984 300TD 214k mi Blown OM617 Poss OM603 Swap??

Sold
1987 300SDL 200K+
1994 S320 181K mi
2008 E320 Bluetec 127k mi
1999 S420 130K mi
1980 240D 360k mi
15+ Others that has come, stay and gone

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1995 E320 SE 220k mi
1984 300SD 350k mi

The S/C display is on the dash, to the right side of the odometer, opposite transmission gear display.

Problems I've had with my 2005...

SRS light at 130,000...yes bad wiring harness in steering column. $700 at dealer.

Fuel pump at 167,000 $600 in-tank dealer part. Easy to change.

Front left spindle...check your wheel bearings for lube and play!

Tstat...easy change, and got horrible mileage while it was broken.

Turbo grenaded itself at 235,000. Found rebuilt unit online for $700.

Never had any issues with SBC brakes...do all my own brake work. make sure to disconnect black connector at SBC system before doing brake work.

Fast and comfortable...love my CDI

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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