Hi everyone,
Did Mercedes produce a 2010 E320 diesel for the California market? I was at a Mercedes dealership today (N. CA) and the sales gal mentioned they were only available for lease but not for sale due to strict California emissions laws. The emissions part makes sense but not the leasing angle. Why would a company restrict sales but leasing is fine?
Thanks for any info you may have!
Liz

W211 E320 Bluetecs 2007-09 were not sold in CA. Could be imported used (+7k miles).

W212 E350 Bluetecs +2010 were sold new in CA.

I was thinking the same, Diesels were exempt from California emissions. They only produce sulfur dioxide in minimal amounts.
The W124 could pass any emission test without a catylist but Mercedes equipped them with it.

No W211 diesel was exempt in CA, as well as four other states I believe. You could purchase them used after a certain number of miles were put on them, but they could not be sold new.

Diesels in CA "used" to be exempt from smog. Not anymore. Law changed in 2010 I believe.

I am a long way from California but used to study Emmissions standards for gassers when servicing.
GM produced some serious misquito wagon diesels in the late 70's ,early 80's. Although non toxic. How many semi and concrete type trucks do you see blasting black smoke on the highway?
There must be something I am missing about not allowing a Diesel MB for sale in CA. Since the MB diesel has gone electronic it is competetive with gassers on emmissions and performance while smoking the gassers in MPG.
I remember another strange rule about Diesel MB, NO station wagons in the USA after 1987?

Cheers, Thanks for the CA information
Mike

Wow the wagon thing was a rule? those 87 TDs are unicorns...

Hi GatorMB
I haven't heard about the no wagons after 1987 but perhaps someone else who is more knowledgeable than I can chime in on this.
I do know that other friends of mine who have diesels have received letters from the DMV (I haven't) asking them if they'd like to take their cars off the road. I don't know the details, haven't seen the letters myself, but I find that pretty interesting in and of itself.

TMAllison,
Is the smog requirement for the newer diesels only (2010 going forward?) or does it apply to older MB's as well?

Hi TMAllison,
I found this SFGate article about the CA emissions and the new BlueTec MB's. I thought you might be interested.
http://www.sfgate.com/default/articl...uy-2614088.php