I have read up on the E320 CDI Buyers Guide here on the Peachparts forum.

Shopping for a CDI is not easy! I am located in New Mexico, where apparently few exist.

It is difficult to find an owner who has a detailed VMI. Used car dealerships are usually clueless. My local MBZ dealership has made it clear that they will not share the VMI without proof of ownership.

Since I have to make a purchase decision without actually driving or seeing the car, I am not comfortable purchasing one of these remarkable cars without a detailed service history from Mercedes, , yet I keep trying

Any thoughts on how to proceed? Is it worth all the trouble?

In my opinion the VMI is not nearly as important as the condition of the car. I think that compared to the currently condition of the car, the VMI is only worth the paper it is printed on.

Find the car you want. Have it checked out by someone who knows CDI's if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367151-2005-6-cdi-shopping.html

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Greg
2012 S350 BlueTEC 4Matic
2007 ML 320 CDI
2007 Leisure Travel Serenity
2006 Sprinter 432k
2005 E320 CDI
1998 SLK230 (teal)
1998 SLK230 (silver)
1996 E300D 99k, 30k on WVO
Previous:
1983 240D, on WVO
1982 300D, on WVO
1983 300CD, on WVO
1986 300SDL 237k, 25k on WVO (Deerslayer)
1991 350SDL 249k, 56k on WVO - Retired to a car spa in Phoenix
1983 380 SEC w/603 diesel, 8k on WVO
1996 E300D 351k, 177k on WVO

I have no problem assessing a car myself. I am even thinking of picking up a Mercedes Star C3 DAS clone so I can pull the codes, look at the SBC brake application count, etc.
Even a trip to Phoenix or Denver is going to be quite an expense just to go "look" at a car. Perhaps I will just keep an ear to ground and wait...

I was in your situation last summer. I broadened my shopping area to the whole USA. I live in Oregon, and finally found my car in California, which was kind of weird as these models weren't sold in CA originally. The owner admitted I really made him do a lot of work, i.e., taking specific photos, providing records, etc.. And we had lots of conversations over the phone. Once I was 80% comfortable and confident his was the right car, I rented a car one-way and drove to see it, ready to buy if it was as described. If it wasn't, I would simply drive the rental back. For me, it wasn't all that expensive. I had a one-week special rental on the car, which ended up cheaper than a daily rate. And I stayed at cheap motels when I needed to. I figured looking at the car in person was less expensive than buying the wrong car sight-unseen. Which is a mistake I have made in the past. I think I spent $400 for the trip, and considered it more of a vacation than an expense.
Take your time and find a car you're 100% comfortable with. I know patience is tough. But it'll be worth it in the long run. And at least for me, much of the fun is in the hunt!
I used Bing for my search engine. And I'd enter "+craigslist +Mercedes +2006 +CDI". And then once done browsing those results, do the same with 2005 instead of 2006.

Thanks Ray, I had not thought of renting a car one-way. I like that!

I think I see a vacation/driving trip to someplace warm (there are two e320s in the Phoenix/Tucson area) ... now you're talking

Since a lot of these cars were dealer serviced, a Carfax can really give you quite a bit of information, certainly enough to make you confident that it was well maintained.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 154k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 172k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 142k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

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

Buying a 1 way ticket on an airplane is so much quicker, a few hours, and your there, and just drive it back, and fall in love with it.
If it isn't the one, buy a return flight.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

This is what I needed.

Essentially - the VMI is no substitute for a test drive. I consider myself armed with the best advise.

Looking forward to the search