I am looking at an R class to replace our not so great Lincoln Navigator.
I see quite a few of the 320 cdi and the 350 diesels if I look nation wide.
Lots of information bad talking the Diesel engines but I am a serious DIY guy and it may be a better fit for me.
I do not want to work on the thing everyday or anything but if it’s a matter of resolving a few issues and then I’m good that’s fine.

sounds about like what I am finding written elsewhere.
There does seem to be a lot of sprinter fans out there with lots of miles on the diesels. Some people also prefer the cdi over the bluetech. A bit less complex from what I have read.

I’ve had a 2007 diesel GL—same engine—from new and have experienced few problems. I wouldn’t get one of these newer than 2008, as beginning 2009 diesel exhaust fluid is required, which eliminates the spare tire and saddles you with run flat tires.

seems like some like them some don’t. Of the cost of fuel were equal I think I would take a shot at a diesel but at the moment Diesel is more than regular fuel.

In the US, the value proposition for a diesel consumer passenger vehicle is not there. Speaking from recent experience and significant travel to Europe, where diesel is viable.

New diesel car purchase price in the US extracts the financial value of improved fuel economy, net of price differential of diesel vs gasoline. So, at this level, no advantage to the consumer. Then comes higher maintenance costs (oil and filter) and lower reliability (DEF, DPF, EGR and connected hardware), which is the case for Mercedes, BMW and Volkswagen diesel systems in the past 10 years, in the US market.

I am a diesel proponent, however the options available to consumers in the US are less economically valuable than gasoline powered vehicles.

I restrict the above comments to light SUVs and sedans. Diesel light, medium and heavy duty (commercial) trucks are a separate discussion.