W211 Wagon - can you lay front passenger seat flat?
 

Can the front passenger seat on the W211 wagons lay flat with the rear seats for carrying long items (like the W123 could)?

No.

But, I have moved the passenger front seats all the way up and with the backrest tilted as much forward as possible. That did the trick for me.

I don't suppose you'd be willing to take a picture?

Remove front headrest, back bottom, leave them in garage and than you can fold front with only small bump.
I've been carrying 10' plastic pipes just fine
Best yet, get one of those

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...47_zzz_500.jpg

Cool, that's good to hear. Though, the more research I do it seems like the only way to get a reliable one is to get a 2009 E350

Our 2004 E320 is having drivetrain proved to be one of the best combo of 21 Century.
Sure would be nice to have Bluetec in 4M wagon, but in America we are not allowed to have good and economical cars.

I thought the '06 - '09 models had the problematic M272 engines with balance shaft defects? I had several Mercedes mechanics advise me to either get 2005 and older, or 2010 and newer.
When we were shopping for an E-Class wagon a few years ago, I found that the '06 models were about the same and (sometimes less expensive) than the '04-'05 models in similar condition. We ended up getting an '04 E320 4Matic Wagon and it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned. This car is built like a Swiss watch and aside from regular maintenance, I've hardly needed to do anything to it. I actually prefer driving the car over my wife's 2015 GLK350 because of the longer wheelbase and I just prefer the styling.
As for the front seats reclining, I haven't tried it yet, but Kajtek1's recommendation of removing the headrests seems like a great idea. So far it's been able to haul most everything we could expect from a small SUV.

I had read that the balance shaft issue was fixed after the 2008 models. Is this not correct?

There is topic in stickies that gives VIN or engine numbers where the balance shaft was redesign. It was about 2008, but not January 1.
The 320/5 sp combos, beside need for replacing pilot bushing on transmission every few years and occasional valve cover seal are bulletproof and plenty of them on W210 to prove.

09 is the last and best sedan they built, in my opinion. I'm biased as i own one, but shucks those things are never in the shop for irregular issues. Simple maintenance and wear and tear items. then again it all depends on how take care of the vehicle was. Anything is possible but 09 W211's are GOATS