New guy here, 06 E320 CDI!

[jditom]

Picking her up in the AM!

2006 E320 CDI, 35k miles.
White, tan leather, most options including keyless start, split rear seats etc.
This is my second CDI, last year I bought a 2008 Winnabago View built on a MB sprinter with a V6 CDI. I have been hooked on CDI ever since.

Few question from the newbe!
I do all my own service so I plan on
Changing oil and filter
Fuel filter
Air filter

Anything else you folks can think of?

Thanks

[TMAllison]

Trans is to be serviced once at 39k (I'd recommend servicing it again later on myself) per currennt recommendations; fluid is dealer item.

[jditom]

Originally Posted by TMAllison

Trans is to be serviced once at 39k (I'd recommend servicing it again later on myself) per currennt recommendations; fluid is dealer item.

Will do!
Thanks

Did the engine air filter & cabin filter today.
Next oil change with filter and fuel filter.
It looks like Amsoil MB 229.51 5/40 W is approved.
I also use this oil on my V6 CDI so I have 2 cases of it laying around.

[mistertonyn]

hooked on CDI? I have never owned diesel and have been reading good things about it in reviews...but I like to hear it from a real person who is not being paid or sponsored to say certain things.

[TMAllison]

I'll be interested to hear your comments comparing the '06 I6 CDI and the newer V6 CDI engines.

Is the V6 an 07 or 08?

[lkchris]

BEWARE of brake work.

Serious injury is likely unless SBC system is disabled.

Remove engine oil via vacuuming out the pseudo-dipstick. You'll be sorry if you remove the lower sound panels.

Antifreeze is good for 15 years.

VERY good idea to not attempt DIY without service manual.
http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...stedDocId=9124

Some rather specific requirements around fuel filter change.

[lkchris]

Originally Posted by TMAllison

I'll be interested to hear your comments comparing the '06 I6 CDI and the newer V6 CDI engines.

I6 is first generation and V6 is second generation CDI.

I6 is with 5-sp transmission, V6 with 7sp transmission

V6 is clearly more sophisticated, athough the transmission interface is yet to be perfected.

I6 smells to high heaven, there is ZERO smell with particulate-filter-equipped V6. It smells like a laundromat, i.e. just humidity.

I6 is significantly noiser.

Both are rocket ships.

As a matter of interest, the first generation CDIs came in 5-cyl and 6-cyl versions, named 270CDI and 320CDI and these were the actual displacements.

Current generation V6s come in 280CDI and 320CDI variants, but are both the same engine block at 3.0 l displacement. Power difference is in tuning only, and I'd be surprised if the Sprinter state of tune isn't 280.

[jditom]

Originally Posted by lkchris

I6 is first generation and V6 is second generation CDI.

I6 is with 5-sp transmission, V6 with 7sp transmission

V6 is clearly more sophisticated, athough the transmission interface is yet to be perfected.

I6 smells to high heaven, there is ZERO smell with particulate-filter-equipped V6. It smells like a laundromat, i.e. just humidity.

I6 is significantly noiser.

Both are rocket ships.

As a matter of interest, the first generation CDIs came in 5-cyl and 6-cyl versions, named 270CDI and 320CDI and these were the actual displacements.

Current generation V6s come in 280CDI and 320CDI variants, but are both the same engine block at 3.0 l displacement. Power difference is in tuning only, and I'd be surprised if the Sprinter state of tune isn't 280.

Agree with above.
I6 is louder than the V6.
I6 gets better mpg than the V6.
V6 has a bit more hp and torque.

[jditom]

Originally Posted by lkchris

BEWARE of brake work.

Serious injury is likely unless SBC system is disabled.

Remove engine oil via vacuuming out the pseudo-dipstick. You'll be sorry if you remove the lower sound panels.

Antifreeze is good for 15 years.

VERY good idea to not attempt DIY without service manual.
http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...stedDocId=9124

Some rather specific requirements around fuel filter change.

I removed all the belly pans even though only one needed to come off.
I wanted to give her a good inspection and see how things were built.
I found a dead mouse on the belly pan so I am glad I took the pan off!
Oil and filter done along with fuel filter.
Running great.

[TMAllison]

Thanks both for the data points. One of you I know from another forum.

Am beginning to look to upgrade my W210 99 to a W211 05 or 06.

Any major differences in safety or options between those two?

[dieselsrule]

Our 05 E320 CDI didn't come with NAV or Sirius, so I bought the kits and installed them myself. Nav is great if you're not good with maps. Sirius is wonderful. I tried a TomTom type of device, and decided that I wasted $175.
From what I have read, the 05's and maybe some 06's are pre-wired, but later models are not. Adding options to later models is not practical. Find a service manual if you want to do your own servicing. I got mine on Ebay for about $15 on DVD.

[mescaline]

Originally Posted by lkchris

BEWARE of brake work.

Serious injury is likely unless SBC system is disabled.

Remove engine oil via vacuuming out the pseudo-dipstick. You'll be sorry if you remove the lower sound panels.

Antifreeze is good for 15 years.

VERY good idea to not attempt DIY without service manual.
http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...stedDocId=9124

Some rather specific requirements around fuel filter change.

Hey man, i am interested in this "sorry if you removed the lower sound panels" part, why is that? The thing is that i removed them when i changed oil last time and now i get all kind of clicking noises from front part of the car when going over small bumps etc.
Is this in any way related to sound panels?

Thank you!

[lkchris]

I just think the more times these things are removed the greater the chance they're not reinstalled properly and they might just fall off. Certainly some noise could occur if one or a few fasteners were omitted.

[Alan Smithee]

Originally Posted by lkchris

I6 smells to high heaven...

2 years and 22k miles on an I6 CDI...have never smelled anything from the exhaust. Not sure what you're talking about...

[lkchris]

Wife typically starts car and immediately backs out of garage.

Garage is uninhabitable for a couple minutes thereafter due to diesel exhaust fumes.

[harkgar]

Originally Posted by Alan Smithee

2 years and 22k miles on an I6 CDI...have never smelled anything from the exhaust. Not sure what you're talking about...

I like the smell of burnt diesel in the engine bay. It is sweet. The Bluetecs do not smell at all at the pipes.

Today I had the E serviced at 40,000 km or 24,000 miles at the MB downtown flagship store. Oil change, brake fluid flush, all new pads front and rear. With 13% taxes it came to CD$1,400.00 (for US$ multiply by 0.95 or so). Expensive. MB charges a $75 fee for disabling and restarting the SBC. Why?

The service head Chris changed the front wheel bearings under warranty for me because they are noisy. He is a very nice able guy - no hassle at all.

[Untertürkheim]

Originally Posted by mistertonyn

hooked on CDI? I have never owned diesel and have been reading good things about it in reviews...but I like to hear it from a real person who is not being paid or sponsored to say certain things.

Great torque, great fuel economy. Quieter at high speed, cool engine/turbo sound, and they last forever.

[harkgar]

Originally Posted by Untertürkheim

Great torque, great fuel economy. Quieter at high speed, cool engine/turbo sound, and they last forever.

I will second those remarks. Without the extra filters and their accompanying electronic nannies that will scream "Check Engine!" everytime there is a little bit of soot in the system.

These cars have the high pressure common rail injection (read power and quietness) in preparation for the stricter 2009+ generation "clean" diesels WITHOUT those pesky filter and urea devices. In other words power goes up without the extra costs of tougher emission complexities.

[jditom]

Originally Posted by mescaline

Hey man, i am interested in this "sorry if you removed the lower sound panels" part, why is that? The thing is that i removed them when i changed oil last time and now i get all kind of clicking noises from front part of the car when going over small bumps etc.
Is this in any way related to sound panels?

Thank you!

I thought they were there to keep crap out of the under belly and your engine. I do not really see how they make thing quieter. They are just screwed in so unless you did not tighten all the screws down they should not make any noise. On ramps this is an easy job.

[harkgar]

Originally Posted by jditom

I thought they were there to keep crap out of the under belly and your engine. I do not really see how they make thing quieter. They are just screwed in so unless you did not tighten all the screws down they should not make any noise. On ramps this is an easy job.

It is not true. They are thick and around the transmission there is extra insulation material as well. The catalytic converter is connected to the engine-exhaust by a flexible tube (which is most unlike MB) to reduce vibrations.

If you remove the 2 top coverings you will also see thick insulation under the plastic.

[jditom]

Originally Posted by harkgar

It is not true. They are thick and around the transmission there is extra insulation material as well. The catalytic converter is connected to the engine-exhaust by a flexible tube (which is most unlike MB) to reduce vibrations.

If you remove the 2 top coverings you will also see thick insulation under the plastic.

You are right they had insulation on the inside.
So they are sound and dirt protectors.
Cool!

[Patrushka]

I have a 2007 E320 bluetec with 10K miles. I would recommend this car except for a few things:
* Mercedes hasn't made a pretty E class for years
* The MB dealer I bought from were such disgusting, sleazy, greasy liars about the car I am calling the attorney general about them. I would tell you who but I think they'd break my legs and windows.
* This car is too fast! I am always surprised how much pickup it has. However, my speed demon days are over and this kind of speed really cuts down on the mileage. This car does not get for mileage the dealers lie about.
* IF MB comes out with a diesel C300 next year, I'll trade if it is a 4 or 5 cylinder for even better mileage.
* Hold on to your '85 SD300 turbos until your feet go through the floor. Absolutely the best car I have or will ever own. Ten times better than the 2007.
Patrushka

[Untertürkheim]

Originally Posted by Patrushka

I have a 2007 E320 bluetec with 10K miles. I would recommend this car except for a few things:
* Mercedes hasn't made a pretty E class for years
* The MB dealer I bought from were such disgusting, sleazy, greasy liars about the car I am calling the attorney general about them. I would tell you who but I think they'd break my legs and windows.
* This car is too fast! I am always surprised how much pickup it has. However, my speed demon days are over and this kind of speed really cuts down on the mileage. This car does not get for mileage the dealers lie about.
* IF MB comes out with a diesel C300 next year, I'll trade if it is a 4 or 5 cylinder for even better mileage.
* Hold on to your '85 SD300 turbos until your feet go through the floor. Absolutely the best car I have or will ever own. Ten times better than the 2007.
Patrushka

I find the W211 to be the best looking E class in recent times, and what did they tell you the milage would be? I know they can get nearly 40 on the highway, for city driving they are good, but that is not the strong suit.

[jditom]

The EPA sticker on the new bluetec's say 22 city 32 highway but I heard they do better than stated after breakin. But not as high as the inline 6 without the diesel particulate filter.

[Untertürkheim]

Originally Posted by jditom

The EPA sticker on the new bluetec's say 22 city 32 highway but I heard they do better than stated after breakin. But not as high as the inline 6 without the diesel particulate filter.

I still wonder if the V6-7G will better the I6-5G at high speed, it should.

[harkgar]

Originally Posted by Untertürkheim

I still wonder if the V6-7G will better the I6-5G at high speed, it should.

It probably will - not because of the V-6 but rather the 7G transmission. The inline 6 in NA comes only with the older 5 speed. I wonder if this is due partly to the lack of space in the E with a straight 6 and the 7G (both longer than the V-6 and 5 speed).

Both engines are great but I like the straight 6 because it is dirtier and cheaper to service when it is old.

[Untertürkheim]

Originally Posted by harkgar

It probably will - not because of the V-6 but rather the 7G transmission. The inline 6 in NA comes only with the older 5 speed. I wonder if this is due partly to the lack of space in the E with a straight 6 and the 7G (both longer than the V-6 and 5 speed).

Both engines are great but I like the straight 6 because it is dirtier and cheaper to service when it is old.

My thinking exactly, I really enjoy the 7G transmission for that reason, I tend to maintain high speeds and I enjoy the quiet and fuel economy from that last gear.