Finally got a dizzel!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
From: Monterey, CA
'97 E320
Finally got a dizzel!
After months of searching for a CDI, and having two deals fall through, I finally was able to purchase one (by far the best of the three). The options that were an absolute necessity were the lighting package, heated seats (preferably ventilated as well), and premium sound, all of which combined made it very difficult to find the right car USED so I could bring it to California.
Thanks to a true gentleman of a seller, my late-prod '05 Designo Graphite CDI is on its way to California. The CDI is equipped with ventilated/heated seats, premium package, lighting package, rear-seat package, and keyless-go. If I was able to order a new one in Cali, I would have bought this exact car (with the addition of parktronic).
Will post more pictures when it arrives on a truck, which will hopefully be before the 15th of September. Anybody know when I can find out how many Designo CDI's have been sold in the US?
Raj
'97 E320 (daily driver)
'85 535i (weekend/track toy)
'05 E320 CDI (on the way)
Thanks to a true gentleman of a seller, my late-prod '05 Designo Graphite CDI is on its way to California. The CDI is equipped with ventilated/heated seats, premium package, lighting package, rear-seat package, and keyless-go. If I was able to order a new one in Cali, I would have bought this exact car (with the addition of parktronic).
Will post more pictures when it arrives on a truck, which will hopefully be before the 15th of September. Anybody know when I can find out how many Designo CDI's have been sold in the US?
Raj
'97 E320 (daily driver)
'85 535i (weekend/track toy)
'05 E320 CDI (on the way)
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 108
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From: Jacksonville,Florida
2005 E230 CDI
Kanji, we prefer to call it FUEL, not gas 
. But 780mi on a tank isn't unheard of. I think the pic speaks for itself. (caveat, my trip wasn't long enough to run most of the tank down but full hwy runs have yielded over 800 mi/tank.) And it will only get better. Enjoy the new ride.
Best regards,
. But 780mi on a tank isn't unheard of. I think the pic speaks for itself. (caveat, my trip wasn't long enough to run most of the tank down but full hwy runs have yielded over 800 mi/tank.) And it will only get better. Enjoy the new ride. Best regards,
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 23
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From: Orange County, CA
'06 BMW 530i, '03 BMW M3
Originally Posted by Kanji
just wondering??? i thought MB CDI can't be smog inside CA. due to some high pollution or sulfer?? Its a great car you have there, is it true you can get aprox 780mi in one full tank of gas?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,968
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Welcome to the club... I have many times considered selling my car in CA.. I only live in AZ.. But the hassle just isn't worth it for me. Though the idea of driving my '05 for 8000 miles and getting out of it and into an '06 for little money is appealing 
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Originally Posted by khaug
Congrats. Lovely car! I'm sure you'll like it as much as we've liked ours.
I'm puzzled, though. Heated seats a necessity in Monterey??
I'm puzzled, though. Heated seats a necessity in Monterey??
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
From: Monterey, CA
'97 E320
Interior picture:
The first car I pursued was alabaster white/stone with Nav, ventilated/heated seats, rear seat package, panorama roof, sunroof, premium sound, and lighting package. It also had an 8 year, 100k mile warranty and was in perfect condition. The agreed-upon price for this car was $54k from a private party. At the time, I thought this was as perfect as a used CDI could get. Unfortunately, the seller was a bit insane and kept coming up with unreasonable additional stipulations to the sale on a daily basis.
The second car was silver/ash with heated seats, Nav, premium sound, sunroof, and lighting package. The agreed upon price was $46,500 including trucking to CA from Luxury Motors in Downers Grove, IL. This car was in okay shape, with a couple dings & scratches but nothing major. They ended up backing out by saying there was evidence of body work on both quarter panels, even though I had a friend thoroughly inspect the car for me and I KNOW this wasn't the case. My bet is that they found someone else to buy the car for more money, and this was their excuse to re-nig on the deal. Needless to say, I would never attempt to do business with these guys again!
The price on the Designo car was right in between the other two, and it was by far the best deal. I was finally dealing with a moral & decent seller, and he stuck by our agreement, even though someone else offerred him $5k more for the car after we had agreed on the sale. I guess there still are some good, honest people left in this world! This car is also in absolutely perfect shape, and has a 6yr/100k mile extended warranty.
Raj
The first car I pursued was alabaster white/stone with Nav, ventilated/heated seats, rear seat package, panorama roof, sunroof, premium sound, and lighting package. It also had an 8 year, 100k mile warranty and was in perfect condition. The agreed-upon price for this car was $54k from a private party. At the time, I thought this was as perfect as a used CDI could get. Unfortunately, the seller was a bit insane and kept coming up with unreasonable additional stipulations to the sale on a daily basis.
The second car was silver/ash with heated seats, Nav, premium sound, sunroof, and lighting package. The agreed upon price was $46,500 including trucking to CA from Luxury Motors in Downers Grove, IL. This car was in okay shape, with a couple dings & scratches but nothing major. They ended up backing out by saying there was evidence of body work on both quarter panels, even though I had a friend thoroughly inspect the car for me and I KNOW this wasn't the case. My bet is that they found someone else to buy the car for more money, and this was their excuse to re-nig on the deal. Needless to say, I would never attempt to do business with these guys again!
The price on the Designo car was right in between the other two, and it was by far the best deal. I was finally dealing with a moral & decent seller, and he stuck by our agreement, even though someone else offerred him $5k more for the car after we had agreed on the sale. I guess there still are some good, honest people left in this world! This car is also in absolutely perfect shape, and has a 6yr/100k mile extended warranty.
Raj
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 482
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From: Northern California
Mercedes C400, BMW X3
You got a great car
You bought a great car at a great price. The designo graphite package is quite unusual for a diesel and I suspect there are less than 10 in the US. I own an E55 wagon in designo graphite and feel that the build quality of the designo cars is outstanding. Wait until you run your hands across the leather...
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 597
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From: Monterey, CA
'97 E320
Thanks...I feel the same way about the car. I actually flew out to PA last week, drove the CDI, and dropped it off at the trucking station. So I know exactly what to expect...just can't wait until it gets here.
Raj
Raj
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 551
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
2005 Carlsson CD32 E320 CDI Inline-6
Congrats
That is absolutely the most gorgeous CDI I have ever seen, and I'm jealous that you got it for about $50K! MSRP has to be in the $60's with designo and keyless, etc.
...and what perfect timing with insane gas prices.
A rare find indeed....the only one of its kind in California, and perfect miles, just enough to be smog legal.
Only way (in my opinion) it would look better is if you swapped on some 17" sport edition OEM wheels.
Better park that thing far away and hike into stores...don't risk a shopping cart or door ding on that beauty.
KB
...and what perfect timing with insane gas prices.
A rare find indeed....the only one of its kind in California, and perfect miles, just enough to be smog legal.
Only way (in my opinion) it would look better is if you swapped on some 17" sport edition OEM wheels.
Better park that thing far away and hike into stores...don't risk a shopping cart or door ding on that beauty.
KB
Last edited by cdiken; Sep 1, 2005 at 11:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
From: Monterey, CA
'97 E320
By the way, if it you are disappointed in any way by your designo diesel, send me a PM and I will be happy to buy it from you.
That is absolutely the most gorgeous CDI I have ever seen, and I'm jealous that you got it for about $50K! MSRP has to be in the $60's with designo and keyless, etc.
A rare find indeed....the only one of its kind in California, and perfect miles, just enough to be smog legal.
Only way (in my opinion) it would look better is if you swapped on some 17" sport edition OEM wheels.
Raj
'97 E320 (170k on original, unopened inline-6)
'85 535i (with freshly built inline-6 after original 282k mile motor spit a rod on the track)
'05 e320 cdi (just gettin' started)
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 551
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
2005 Carlsson CD32 E320 CDI Inline-6
I have the diesel version of your Bimmer...sort of
I have an old Lincoln Mark VII with the 524td motor and ZF trans.
That is the car that turned me into a diesel nut...smooth, relatively quick, and puts up astronomical mileage numbers. Still have it, the Ford body has more or less fallen apart around the Bimmer engine.
That is the car that turned me into a diesel nut...smooth, relatively quick, and puts up astronomical mileage numbers. Still have it, the Ford body has more or less fallen apart around the Bimmer engine.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
From: Monterey, CA
'97 E320
Thanks guys. The guy sold it because he already has two diesels (converting a pristine old 300d to bio-diesel and has a newer VW tdi) and decided he wanted a sports car instead of the CDI. He actually just bought a beautiful late-model C5 Vette convertible 6-spd a few days after selling me the dwizzle...lol. The seller was glad (like I was when I sold my topaz blue '02 540i-6spd) that it was going to a good home that would enjoy the car for years to come. Which reminds me...I need to call the buyer of my 540i and make sure all is well...
Oh, and cdiken, I agree that the m21 motor from the 524td was a masterpiece of its time. I have toyed with the idea of buying a 524td or MarkVII to add to the stable, but neither ever came in a stickshift in this country. And now that I'm an MBZ salesman, I really should stick with driving what I sell. However, I will NEVER sell the e28!
Long live the inline-6!
Raj
'97 E320
'85 535i
'05 E320 CDI
Oh, and cdiken, I agree that the m21 motor from the 524td was a masterpiece of its time. I have toyed with the idea of buying a 524td or MarkVII to add to the stable, but neither ever came in a stickshift in this country. And now that I'm an MBZ salesman, I really should stick with driving what I sell. However, I will NEVER sell the e28!
Long live the inline-6!
Raj
'97 E320
'85 535i
'05 E320 CDI
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 2
From: Georgia, USA
Honda Accord
Originally Posted by cdiken
Only way (in my opinion) it would look better is if you swapped on some 17" sport edition OEM wheels.
William
2003 E 320
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
No time involved.
Originally Posted by reb03
Kanji, the CDI is legally sold or registered in CA if it's greater than six months old AND has 7,500 miles or more on the odometer. I'm also looking for the right car...
DMV considers the car "new" when it has less than 7,500 miles.
"Used" vehicles are those that have more than 7,500 miles.
Only "used" prohibited vehicles are exempt.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
Thanks for the WARNING
Originally Posted by stickygreen
The second car was silver/ash with heated seats, Nav, premium sound, sunroof, and lighting package. The agreed upon price was $46,500 including trucking to CA from Luxury Motors in Downers Grove, IL. This car was in okay shape, with a couple dings & scratches but nothing major. They ended up backing out by saying there was evidence of body work on both quarter panels, even though I had a friend thoroughly inspect the car for me and I KNOW this wasn't the case. My bet is that they found someone else to buy the car for more money, and this was their excuse to re-nig on the deal. Needless to say, I would never attempt to do business with these guys again!
Raj
Raj
I've been watching the "used" CDI market also, but must have skipped over yours
when it was available because it didn't have the required 7,500 miles.
The devil is in the details, right?
I'm thankful to you for pointing out the way that Luxury Motors in Downers Grove, IL. treated you.
I'll not deal with them now because of the way they've treated you.
Thanks again for pointing out the way they are.
