[AlbertS]

I have heard from several sources that E 270cdi's are very popular around the world as taxis. It is claimed that it's not unusual to get a million kilometers or more on the original engine.
Can anyone substainate these claims or is it just hype started by a good used car salesman?
Seriously, has anyone had any high mileage experience with these engines?

 

[1997E300D]

Cannot attest to CDI, but I had 314000 miles out of my 1997 E300d (str8 6 sans turbo) and sold it in February, as far as I know the guy that bought it is still running it 1500 miles per week. I am hoping for at least that much out of my E320 CDI, given that I currrently have a 2000 VW Passat 1.8t (gasser) with 320,000 miles, on original turbo and clutch.

 

[AlbertS]

300d

Yes, those engines went forever. I'm trying to find out if the newer generation common rail 270cdi, and 320cdi will last as long.

 

[aeubank]

I have a 2006 cdi with close to 100k miles on the clock and I'm expecting it to last until at least 500,000 miles. Heck the diesel engine is not even broken in until around 150,000 miles lol..

 

[1997E300D]

As time goes by, I dont think its going to be the engine failing as much as it going to be the electronics and wiring failing. You may then reach a point where its cost prohibitive to keep repairing the electrical gremlins. My previous W210 was a testament to that fact, rock solid engine, poor electronics

 

[mescaline]

million km is nothing, i saw citroens, peugeots and many many volkswagens clock a million kms

My fathers '90 Passat 1.6 TDI just turned 650 000km and we suspect that previous owner has been fiddling with odometer as well since when he bought the car it had only 120 000km and ..it was very unlikely

 

[crazypotato]

engine will last forever. how about other parts? transmissions, suspensions? I believe rusting is very minimal on the W211. Last time i was under the car. The frame is made out of some kind of alloy. However, bushings are often the weak part as they are just plastics after all. I still can't figure out the rear "thump" and wheel jump problem on my car. Visual inspection shows nothing. That drives me crazy.

 

[6.2AMG]

Yep, like others have said the motor will probably outlast the rest of the car. The motors in these cars are the least of the worries.

In respect to taxis, don't forget that those cars are running constantly. Starting up your car each day just to drive 30km, or shutting down and starting up several times a day is worse. Starting a motor (esp cold) puts the most strain on it.

Plus those taxis are serviced all the time. And just because they've been in service as a taxi with lots of miles doesn't tell you what has been done to it over those miles to keep them running. In the US, the old Checker cabs and current Crown Victoria Yellow Cabs can rack up that kind of mileage, too.

 

[lkchris]

MUCH more than the design (or the fuel type) it's the maintenance that makes an engine last a long time.

Most taxis are the 4-cylinder E220CDI and not the 5 cylinder E270CDI or the 6-cylinder E320CDI.