carpersn

I'm in need of a vehicle now, but willing to wait a few months. Desperate for the GL but must have diesel...know the R diesel is coming. Keep hearing conflicting reports on the GL diesel about this year vs. next. Why doesn't ANYBODY have any concrete info. You moles step forward and speak up!!!

JRGD4L

Motor Trend Magazine said the GL would be released early in calendar year 2007. Also Edmunds inside line apparently got a quick drive in one at the press launch and said they liked it. They said it felt quite spritely with all the diesel torgue. I too have read the conflicting reports.

ClayJ

I have heard that they are going to get both the GL550 and the GL320CDI into the USA market before the end of the calendar year -- but I don't believe it....

If you can wait, wait. Otherwise, I think that you are going to have to make another choice, as availability on the diesel is really up in the air in my opinion at the moment.

tmukherjee

just spoke to my dealer (prestige mb in NJ) ml diesels scheduled for fall delivery. gl diesel scheduled for winter. he sees them in system. however mercedes rep who visited today is concerned that introduction of low sulfur fuel in the us may be delayed because of concerns that extra cost/gallon would be detrimental to truckers. introduction of low sulfur fuel may be delayed or ?abandoned altogether.

JRGD4L

That jives with the early 2007 calendar year report then for the GL from motor trend magazine. I doubt any delays on low sulfur fuel. This is an EPA mandate period - end of story. My wife is in the oil and gas industry and she says the plants are already producing it and are ahead of the curve on this. To produce Ultra Low Sulfur diesel is no mere flick of a switch. It sounds like the dealer and MB rep just want you to buy something now rather than later.

jjay911

I have it here at The dealer on a scedule that came out last friday. JJ

tmukherjee

i'm all for buying it right now. my wife's land cruiser scares me. great car with tremendous appetite. also the gl's electric fold down 3rd row is far more convenient for her.

mastermind

Hi

I have two Benzes now and like to switch to a Diesel but the bad news for us in NY seems to be that even the famed BlueTec won't be ready any time soon to allow sales of new cars in this state:

From the MBUSA website (http://www.mbusa.com/whatsnew.do):
"The 2007 E320 CDI BlueTec, ML320 CDI, and R320 CDI do not meet the emissions requirements of California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, or Vermont and are not available in these states."

Bummer...

deltadude388

Here's what I have in mind since I am CA for my soon to be diesel powered MB.

Pls chime in if ya 'll guys think this is not going to work. I plan to buy the car in my mom's friend name in NV. I will have the title and car in my possession, drive the crap out of it until I hit 7500 miles on the odometer. Then together with the bill of sale from my mom's friend to me, I will "buy" and register the car in CA. I may have to pay sales tax once in NV and another time again in CA, only drawback I can think of......

ClayJ

The harder you have to work to get around the truth, the greater the odds that you are going to get screwed -- that's what I think about your plan....

cyclerider

California law allows the out of state owner of the car to keep and operate the vehicle in California for up to six months. Of course, you would not be the owner, and the legal owner could be required to immediately remove the vehicle from California if it is not in their posession. The CHP even has a system in place where your neighbors can report nonresident vehicles. They then contact the registered owner directly. Your plan is seriously flawed, I'm afraid. If you do this, why not let your Nevada people put the 7500 miles on for you (legally, in Nevada) and then sell it to you?

carpersn

miles on the car? CA is shi$ting on your parade, which sucks. But they are certainly well known for that, huh?

deltadude388

There are some hassle and risks involved but I think it's worth it, 7500 miles for me is like 2.5 to 3 mths of driving. Diesel is the only way to go and I am not going to let someone have a free ride for 7500miles in my new ride....

jjay911

The 07 requirment for Low Sulfer content diesel will be in effect nationwide for all of the US by end of the year. As I stated before All the Diesel cars will be available in every state. E,ML,and R class arrive here mid October and the GL arrives April 07. The new 08 C class turbo diesel early summer 07. JJ

cyclerider

Here is the link: http://www.mbusa.com/whatsnew.do
Look under the heading "Alternative Fuels - Diesel and Ethanol(E85)"
You stated before that all the diesel cars will be available in every state. That is incorrect.

jjay911

If they dont make them available in those states in october I cant imagine why they wouldnt make them available by first of the year when The US goes low sulfer nationwide at the begining of the year. Remember Diesels do not produce carbon monoxide at the levels that gas does, only soot and Soot is not bad for the environment only people. That is why California does not require smog checks on diesels. Hell with 59 MPG the new E class should let you ride in the carpool lane since it gets better mileage than a hybrid. I will check on when these will officially be open to those states and get back to you guys. JJ

cyclerider

Where do you get this info? The new E-Class is expected to get the same MPG as the 2005-2006 models, 27 city and 37 highway.

jjay911

They sealed the tanks and drove three e class 07 models to florida and averaged 59 miles per gallon on the highway. This test occured in Feb. I am just connected lets say that much. I know you will be very pleased with the finding when they hit shore. I can tell you the 08 C class is getting even bettern and looks like an S class with a Pano Roof. JJ

carpersn

jj is a not just slightly OVER THE TOP...expect mild improvements in MPG over current I-6.

jjay911

I will find the documtation and take a pic and upload it so you can read it that way the info isnt coming from me reguarding the Miles Per Gallon. JJ

Frugal1

Maybe that was 55 liters per gallon! LOL !!

I heard that the new "improved" engines will have more emissions junk on them and that the new ULSD will have less energy in it. . . that translates to LESS MPG than the current model. But . . . that's only rumor.

As for the diesel in the GL, I've heard from the beginning that it will not be available before the 2008 model year. It seems that they plan on releasing the 08 in April (according to this thread) so that rumor might be true.

AutoSaurus

Read this post for more info

https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-x164/147957-diesel-development.html

Frugal1

The good news is that I was wrong about what I said about the GL320CDI above . . . my dealer just confirmed he'll have one THIS COMING FEBRUARY! I didn't ask if it will be dubbed an '07 or '08 but it's coming !!

The bad news? Well, that I was wrong!

carpersn

Did your dealer tell you whether he can spec one out/place an order...

Carl Lassiter

GL is great vehicle but the 320CDI engine is underpowered in that particular application. Get the V8 420CDI as 300bhp and 500lb/ft is what's needed for such a solid SUV, especially when its loaded up with people.