Mercedes E300D?

Question

Is this car still in production? if not, what was the last year of production?

What's the fuel efficiency like?

What are the downfalls of this vehicle, if any?

I'm deciding between an '03 Infiniti G35 coupe and this car but will look into other diesels too. The G35 is my dream car but I'm concerned about the fuel efficiency. I want a car that will be able to live beyond the decline of conventional fuel.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Consumer Reports indicates the E class is much worse than average (mainly electrical and power equipment) so the Infiniti might be a better deal. The Infiniti is rated much better than average (only area of concern was the exhaust system but that is easily replaced).

Answer 2

If you can find a good used 300TD, I would go for it..They make a great car and last a long time. The biggest vulnerability is the diesel fuel pump, expensive to replace, but not so horrible to rebuild. If the car has been sitting a while, find a can of Lubro-Moly Diesel Purge and follow the directions on the can. Don't over look the VW TDI (turbo diesel direct injected). They are getting 45+MPG. When you own a diesel, you have to get finicky about where you buy fuel. The sulfur content is a big issue. In my area, they are selling eco-diesel, made from soy. I don't know how good it is, though. Obviously, with gas engines, fuel is always available.

Answer 3

The current model is the E320 CDI
http://www.mbusa.com/models/main.do?modelCode=E320BTEC
And has been around a couple of years.

Here is a link to ebay listings for M-B diesels:
http://motors.listings.ebay.com/_W0QQsocmdZListingItemList?sofocus=pf&sbrftog=1&dfsp=1&socmd=ListingItemList&catref=C3&from=R2&satitle=&sacat=6001%26catref%3DC6%26curcat%3Dtrue&a39=1963&a41=-24&a38v1y=&a38v2y=&a10239=-24&a39705=39825&a18=-24&a10244=-24&alist=a39%2Ca41%2Ca38v1y%2Ca38v2y%2Ca10239%2Ca3801%2Ca85%2Ca10246%2Ca33512%2Ca10241%2Ca10244%2Ca39705%2Ca18&pfmode=1&reqtype=2&gcs=13&pfid=2473&pf_query=&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=56011&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&sadis1=100&fpos1=56011&lsot1=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&sadis2=100&fpos2=56011&lsot2=

We have a Jeep Liberty CRD, it gets 40% better fuel economy than a comparable Liberty with a V6 gasoline engine, and is quicker. We have had no trouble getting diesel here in Minnesota, nor on trips thru: SD, ND, MT, WY, UT, IA, WI, IL, IN, KY, OH, WV, VA, PA, NY, MI, Ontario, NE, CO,. ........ In the summer, the Liberty will go more than 500 miles on a tank, and more than 400 miles in the winter (in 4WD), so finding fuel is not an issue; just start looking when there is 100 miles left on the tank.