If those MBs are in your (desired) price range, I think that they would be a great choice and hold excellent resale value. Diesels in general do not depreciate like gas vehicles, especially SUVs. If someone truly wants an SUV, these are a no-brainer IMO.
What would really be cool is if MB anticipates the great residual value and offers some smoking lease deals. They would not even have to be chintzy w/ the miles requirement, used diesels w/ miles still hold good resale.
EDIT: Typed my post at same time as 89's; bummer about CA. (as usual).
