The new V6 CDi is a 72 degree engine. Here are the details.

http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cf...ercedes/1.html

 

Yup! But only the real luxury stretched limo

John

 

Spartan, you've got your head screwed on well... I like how you think. I also think you'll be ok as far as the brakes on the 06, as I checked into this recall and turns out my build date was already addressed at the factory, therefore surely yours will have.

Also, like you I bought this car blindly (accepting) MB to be the finest car in the world... I will keep it as long as I can, but when the time comes to replace it, if they aren't standing out of the crowd, I may look again at BMW or Audi, not likely Lexus or Infinity as they are just glorified Toyota and Nissan's.

 

John,

I will not discuss the details of what happened but let's just say it probably "catalyzed" the brake-by-wire issue.

As for my recall notice....

Mercedes are calling back ALL the cars build from the very beginning of brake-by-wire technology. The recall notice extends from 2001 to cars BUILT up to MARCH of 2005. They are calling them ALL back to replace the brake wiring harness. This is not some minor work as it will cost Mercedes FIVE hours of work, probably 500 million dollars and two black eyes.

The bottom line still is that I have faith in Mercedes to do the right thing because of the magnitude of this recall and how they handled my incident (so far).

The content below is for US recall.

~~~~~~~~~~

2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 NHTSA Recall ID Number: 05V133000

Recall Date: APR 01, 2005

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Potential Units Affected: 204000

Summary: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC) SYSTEM MAY PREMATURELY SHIFT TO THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP FUNCTION MODE, DUE TO DETERIORATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTION, OR DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP.
Consequence: IN THE HYDRAULIC BACK-UP MODE, THE DRIVER HAS BRAKING POWER SUFFICIENT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH GREATER BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE IS REQUIRED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WILL BE NOTICEABLY LONGER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRACKET AND REPLACEMENT GROUND WIRE TO THE SBC PUMP UNIT ON ALL VEHICLES. ADDITIONALLY DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE SBC PUMP UNIT IN SL VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING A LIMITED PRODUCTION PERIOD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.internetautoguide.com/aut...-int/2005/merc

 

Anyone know anything about the release date for the 2006 CDI? It here in Maryland, but they are not sending them out to the dealers! Any insite would be greatly appreciated. I sold my car based on the mid July delivery date.. and now i don't have anything to drive in. Frustrating!

 

My dealer here in Az says he has a '06 on the boat coming to him now.. they are more or less identical to the '05's he claims.

I would get a small discount on the '05 rather than pay the higher '06 price if it's not too late.

 

Here is the scoop on the '06 CDI's.

In Canada, they are getting released today (July 13) for any cars that have been presold. Official release is in a very short while. There are currently cars in Halifax (and New Jersey?) sitting on the dock but they can not be move until EPA/Transport Canada certifications. That happened in the middle of last week.

So.....

I should have possession of my '06 by mid next week.....FINALLY! As soon as I get it I will post any changes. I was told there was no major changes over the 05's.

As for the V-6 CDI engine?

According the Tech boys at Mercedes, it is scheduled for year end release. I would NOT buy that engine until it has 5 under it's belt.

 

Unless you get a substantial discount (10%?), it makes no sense to buy an '05.

 

from a resale point of view, if you're a short term owner (3-4 years) you're right. But if you're going to hold it longer than 5 years, and more over, don't want to pay more for it.. the '06 will carry a substantial price increase (words of two dealers here in AZ), and have no mechanical difference from the late production '05.. more over, the '05 can be had at $1500 over invoice all day.. not going to happen on the '06. That is my logic.

As for the V6, I completely agree. I would never buy a new engine (with no pedigree) without millions of miles of road experience and bugs/optimizations first being done.

I would be very curious if any of the '06 buyers would share their price (base) for the car so as to confirm the dealers story.

 

Picked up my new baby on 7/14/05. Like you said, there is no different that i can see between the 05 and 06 (visually). Seems like the changed some of the menu options in the instrument cluster, but other than that... nothing. I have a long relationship with my dealer and salesman, and i was able to get my 2006 CDI $500 over invoice. Thought that was a great deal!

Loving the car!

Russ

 

great indeed!!! How much is invoice may I ask?

 

Why the new handle? You can simply ballpark invoice by subtracting 7% from MSRP.

 

During the 100,000 mile test the engine was started and brought up to temp one time.

This is nothing like 100,000 real-world miles.

Consider Spartan's comments about thermal expansion of aluminum...this is to be considered.

Actual durability of many cold starts are not addressed by the nonstop run.

KB


QUOTE:
am SERIOUSLY concerned with what happens with starting up and cooling down of the engine. Cast iron and aluminum have substantially different expansion and contraction rates and it's very likely that the stresses where these two materials meet can become very high. This will be compounded by the ENORMOUS stress that the diesel cycle creates relative to the gas engine. It may not show up in a year or two but it CAN show up in SEVERAL years. By which time Mercedes just shrugs it's shoulders and says "oops, buy another one".

 

Just that it's the same handle I go by on other boards, so it makes it easier to remember.. plus, more private (a bit).

As for Invoice, I know that MB is like 6.4% profit, but I guess I'm trying to see what, if any price increase there was between '05 and '06

 

Is the diesel still going to be available in NJ?

 

Let me answer that question. From the MBUSA web site...yes.

However, no more drive dynamic or multi contour seats or ventilated seats. Without those options, I would have bought another car (Lexus, BMW, etc.)