I traded my 2005 E320 CDI on a 2006 E350. My comparisons of the two are as follows:
The 350 engine is smooth, quiet and has instant throttle response. Power is very impressive without resorting to a V8.
The E320 CDI had lots of torque but I did not care for the non-linear response. In stop and go traffic, the short turbo lag, followed with so much torque made me feel that it would be easy to rear end a car. The essentially linear acceleration of the 350 is ideal.
The 350 engine is not only more quiet than the CDI but it doesn’t have the annoying sewing machine sound every time I would accelerate. The 350 engine has a very pleasant sound when accelerating.
Fuel consumption on the CDI was obviously better than the 350 but with my average 10,000 miles eash year the additional cost isn’t a significant issue. Also, in my area diesel fuel sells for more than premium gasoline.
Features on my 06 vs 05 car are as follows:
Cargo tie down rings are heavy steel where the 05 had small plastic hooks that were worthless.
The flush grille on the dash essentially eliminates the annoying reflections on the dash from the louvres on the 05.
The tambour door storage console is a plus for me. I don’t use the cup holders so by easily removing them I have a storage compartment for things like putting my camera when on a trip for easy access. I used to have to put it on the floor.
The smart key feature which I had read was going to be eliminated is still there.
The return of an oil dip stick is great. I hated to depend upon the computer to check the oil level. It’s probably a cost reduction but there is nothing like going back to basics for certain functions.
There is a 12V outlet in the trunk which might come in handy at times.
When unlocking there are three low chirps and one when locking.
Having owned over 40MB’s, I think I now have the ideal car. I have found no defects as I did on the other models. Also,I don‘t have to search for diesel fuel and have a great performing mature car that could finally be a “Keeper.” Drive one and I don’t think you will be disappointed.

 

Good Info Jim Sounds like they've fixed all my complaints about the E320, especially the throttle response and the sound of the engine. Now all I need to do is find $15K to trade up

 

nice comparo

now post some pics

 

"There is a 12V outlet in the trunk which might come in handy at times."
Got that.

"When unlocking there are three low chirps and one when locking. "
Got that too.

"The tambour door storage console is a plus for me. I don’t use the cup holders so by easily removing them I have a storage compartment for things like putting my camera when on a trip for easy access. I used to have to put it on the floor."
Got that too.

"Cargo tie down rings are heavy steel where the 05 had small plastic hooks that were worthless."
Wish I had that, will look to retrofit.

"The flush grille on the dash essentially eliminates the annoying reflections on the dash from the louvres on the 05."
Does the flush grille have bunch of holes like a standard spreaker grille? If so, got that.

"don‘t have to search for diesel fuel"
Shouldn't be too hard to find diesel, especially with a 700+ mile range, finding bathrooms is a much bigger priority. I love travelling in my CDI, and pulling up to the front of the gas station for the bathroom, or better yet staying out of the gridlock interstate clovers when travelling to Anywhere, USA.

The only fuel issue I could comment on is you need the small automotive nozzel and not the truck nozzle. My '84 Lincoln Turbo Diesel (BMW motor) could drink from the truck nozzles, and has gotten lots of strange stares by truckers and the occasional "You know that's diesel yer puttin' in yer Linkon?"

Never had a problem with too much torque. Gimme MORE! I'm greedy for it!

The only W211 I would trade for would be an E55.

 

Your post proves that we diesel drivers are indeed a loyal lot.

I know that at soon as I have the where-with-all, my '99 will be upgraded to a CDI.
The idea of having 369 ft/lb of torque to begin with simply blows my mind.
I've only got a little over 300 ft/lb now, and that's only after mine was chipped.

Can't imagine a chipped CDI with well over 400 ft/lb.

 

Glad to hear you like the 350. I'm sure you will be happy with it. As for the comments regarding the CDI's torque, I believe this is a definite plus. Real world driving dictates quick highway entrances and lane maneuvering when necessary. As for the "turbo lag", I honestly have never encountered this to be a problem. Modulating your acceleration and braking is a technique that needs to be learned with diesels, especially with "gobs" of torque the CDI motor offers. As for trouble finding diesel stations, I have never onve encountered this problem. I guess living in Texas with all the powerstoke and cummins motors in the bigger traucks, it's everywhere. As for the price point of diesel, it is currently more expensive but is closely related to winter home heating prices. Wait for the summer and it will probably go down. This doesn't even take into consideration the future use of biodiesels but that is another topic :p . I usually get approx 650-720 miles per tank. As for the noise, I like it! I like the "diesely growl" and have come to appreciate the engineering of this fine motor. I just wish diesels caught on more here in the USA like it has in Europe. Anyways enjoy the 350, as I'm sure you would agree you need to drive what you like because life's too short!
Cheers and congrats!
Jay

 

Finally it arrived! Bud’s right though, for us common folk and as frugal as I am it’s hard to justify such a hit (even with getting an exceptional deal). I have decided to hold the 03 until approximately a few months before the warranty runs out.

The GM of Cadillac Motor Division offered me his personal employee discount to trade into a STS. The only stipulation was that I had to hold the car for at least six months. I thought about it, it did eat away at the depreciation on the 03 and after six months I would have traded to a 350. But upon inspection of the Caddy and after factoring in its depreciation, it wasn’t worth the hassle. Though come next year, I will absolutely be looking hard at both the 350 and the CLS.

Hey, but enough about me -- the very best of luck and glad to see you’re happy this time around.

 

This has to be some kind of record on this forum. Anyone else close?

 

My over 40 MB's began March 1956 with a 190SL 190SL followed by over forty more MB's which means next March I will have owned MB's for 50 years. I suppose there aren't many people in the US who have been that loyal.

 

That is amazing!!

 

Didn't MB used to give out hood-badges for mileage milestones, 100K, 200K, etc?

50 years of ownership.....just think, 50 years before 1956 (1906) cars hardly even existed.

I say MB-JIM deserves a personalized SLR, courtesy MB, and a TV spot.

I was born in 1973 so I can't comprehend 50 years.

 

I did apply and get a 100,000 Km pin as well as 500,000 but haven't applied for the 1,000,000. I drove my 56 19SL 85,000 miles in three years. At that time I was awarded the 100,000 Km pin by the president of Studebaker Packard since at that time they were the importer of MB cars in the US.

 

Or that old..... :v

 

OK HELL ONA CUSHMAN, be nice

 

Ouch...... Jus kiddin.

 

So was I