300 SDL or 2005 E320 CDI?
 

I have a choice between an 86 300 SDL with 150,000 miles on it, great interior except cracks near speaker grills, new rotors and master cylinder put in although it's yet to be determined if the generic mechanic used OEM parts. The exterior is nearly flawless. I have a trusted mobile mechanic who will go to the different city where the car is, and although he won't be able to do a compression test, he'll be able to take the wheels off, and do a test drive.

The other car, the 2005 E320 CDI has 186,000 miles on it, possibly no records, but the seller seems a decent person. He picked the car and two other Mercedes up in Las Vegas.

I'd be interested in what anybody thinks, and I'm wondering if anybody agrees with a consumer review that the passenger seat in the 320 CDI is uncomfortable.

My last 300 SDL was totaled when my girlfriend was hit by a crazy hit-and-run driver, and the strength of the car prevented her from having a headache after the event. I need to buy something soon.

Thanks

By the way, has anybody used Sugru for dashboard cracks? It's a novel substance, and I watched a Lexus owner successfully patch his cracked dashboard. It's strong, and has real tolerance for temperature changes.

Both will require repairs/maintenance so just buy whichever one you like driving/fixing/looking at

There is a 19 year difference between them, if resale is a concern in the next couple of years the CDI will likely be a better return on resale. The W126 on the otherhand is somewhat of a classic, values have bottomed so from here on out well kept models should increase over the long haul.

I'm partial to the better build quality of the earlier cars, and a big fan of the OM603, but that's me. As Chris mention, buy what gives you the most satisfaction for the $$

I'd take the CDI. W211 is more comfortable, safer and much better handling. It'll also get better fuel economy.

^^^^ This


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+1

One is a full size, one is a mid size and 19 years apart. So it is easy decision if you need a big car. 19 years is a loooog time in automotive innovation. If you wrench yourself then SDL is a better car to self maintain. If you farm it out then I would take the CDI. Both cars will cost you dear in any event.

All true... but the w126 has way more class/style.

I Bought CDI - 12 months ago... 12k miles so far

and SDL- 3 months ago-- 3k miles so far

Love both

Agree w/ Ah-kay-- SDL way bigger/space/people/cargo hauler
CDI-- torque and speed// sportier// Motor seems like it will pull for 500k

Hope u get lucky like I did--bought Rust free/Cali car-- unseen--
Inspecting mechanic-- said blown head gasket- negotiated price down $3k
NO head issues!!! Hasn't burned a drop of oil- in 3k miles
tracks straight as arrow... AC blows cold--- correct vents... I do have a random bounce on tach... SDL just brings me a smile

I get the appeal of the SDL...I've owned two of them over the years. This thread makes me want to get another one! My suspicion is that it might be very expensive to maintain if you don't do your own wrenching.

I have two CDIs and they've both been great. I don't see a downside to owning one, especially now that the SBC warranty is extended to 25 years.

If you can work on it yourself I would get the SDL, especially if you won't regularly be driving on really long trips. I have thought about getting a CDI, but realized that one I had it I would hate dealing with the electrical issues and added complexity. Do not get an SDL if you have to pay someone to repair it for you though, they are not a good enough car to be worth that.

If you can handle an OBD2 scan tool you can handle working on a w211. I find working on my w211 gasser a lot easier than my w124 diesel.

cdi can be chipped to run like a scalded dog. but if apocaylse, you can burn zombie fat in the SDL

I have owned two W126s, a W210 diesel and a W220, and an OBD2 scanner will do almost nothing on the newer cars. It's definitely doable if you want to take the time to learn, but you need the actual Mercedes diagnostic software ($600-$800? I haven't looked in a while) and to know how to use it to be able to deal with the issues the newer cars have. I find the 300SDL far less frustrating to keep running and usable.

I’ll take the Cdi solely for 400lbs of torque and the 45mpg

Not a chance anyone is getting 45 mpg with a CDI.