PackerFan

So, here's my dilemma. I'm rapidly closing in on a 100k on the odometer (should be there by the end of the year) on my 2006 E320 CDI. My CPO warranty will expire at that point, and I've never owned a car out of warranty. From what I've been told and read, I could purchase another extended warranty thru a third party, but I've never heard too many good things about aftermarket warranty companies. The car has been my favorite commuter car out of 10 or so vehicles I've owned in my lifetime, and I'm excited to have the thing paid off soon. It's also in fantastic condition, both inside and out, so I don't feel it's wearing old. My concerns are simple...repair costs.

I'm very aware that most european cars are expensive to repair, but I'm wondering how many of you have over 100k on the odometer and if you could share your thoughts on owning this car without a warranty. I'm happy I don't have the air suspension and figure that's a positive, but what are the majority of items that tend to fail between 100k and 200k? I'm addicted to having a diesel commuter car, and if I sell my car, I'd want to go inexpensive on my next daily driver, so something like a VW tdi for instance. So, in summary, would you keep the CDI after 100k or am I asking for trouble? I wish I could swing just trading in towards a new CDI, but that unfortunately is out of the question for now (even a CPO one unfortunately). My CDI has been extremely comfortable, returned 32mpg consistently in town and 39mpg on the highway, build quality appears to have been excellent and is simply an overall great car. If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

240D 3.0T

Selling a car because its out of warranty is wasteful. If the car is reliable there is no reason to sell it, its not going to fall apart when it reaches 100,001 miles. If you've changed the transmission oil every 30k miles, serviced the engine on its schedule and washed off road salt in a timely manner there shouldn't be any reason for major failures.

C5DRVR

My advice for what it is worth is keep the car. I have a 2005 E320 CDI with 186,000 miles on it and it has been very reliable and amazingly still drives new. I did have a EGR valve go bad which was about $800 but other than that these engines are pretty rock solid from my view point. I do keep up with maintenance which I do myself. I change the oil every 10K, fuel filter every 25K and air filters every 50K. When I bought the car MB said the tranny was sealed for life so I never have touched it. MB now says change it. At this point I think I could do more harm than good changing the fluid. My plan is to drive the car at least 300,000 miles.

Carsy

I do not see how changing the Auto trans oil has any downside whatsoever .

It will only lengthen the transmissions life in my humble opinion!

I have been advised by MB shop to change my 5 speed Tx every 60,000 km.

240D 3.0T

"Life" is the warranty. All MB cares about is the vehicle making it through that period with as little cost to them and you as possible, what happens after they don't care. If you haven't changed the ATF in 100k miles then plan on replacing the transmission VERY soon.

Thats an old myth that keeps getting perpetuated by shadetree mechanics. You should change it asap.

Carsy

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...used-c240.html

PackerFan

Thanks for the replys, everyone. I'm heavily leaning towards keeping the car only because it's the first daily driver that I actually LOVE to commute in. My only concern was the cost to maintain, and I think the replys address this concern. I've been told (and have read) that the following items are the most common parts that need attention from 80k-200k on the odometer:

1. Motor/Trans Mounts
2. Ball Joints
3. A/C Compressor
4. Altenator
5. Starter
6. Shocks/Struts
7. EGR Valve
8. Glow Plugs
9. Injectors

I understand that not everyone will need all these items from the mileage posted, and I also understand that there are thousands of parts on a vehicle that can and will wear out over time. Not having a car payment will more than make up a couple of these items needing replacement over the next year or two. I'm simply worried that if three or four of these items need replacement within a short period of time, I'll start to get concerned about the choice I'm probably going to make in keeping the car.

The other reason I want to keep it is due to the fact the new diesels are handicapped (IMHO) with all the new emissions controls. I had a nightmare with a DPF quipped vehicle in the past and don't look forward to dealing with that again. So, if I'm not going to see $3k repair bills year in, and year out (outside of general maintenance of course), then there's really no reason for any of us diesel owners to get out of our cars as long as we still enjoy driving them. As I mentioned before, the build quality appears to be excellent as my car still looks close to new inside and out, it's extremely comfortable, returns excellent fuel economy and has been incredibly reliable for me.

Again, thanks for the opinions. I've always enjoyed visiting the forum every once and awhile.

Speedriven1

At 100k miles, the CDI should have plenty of life left. Even if you spend $2-3k on maintenance and repairs in the next year or so, are you really going to find a better car that will only cost you 2-3k + your Benz?

Persnickety

+1

OM606

I have 183,000 miles on my E300 and would never trade it in for a diesel with a pee bucket like all the new ones have.