CE750

well ahead.. I pay $2.99 for Diesel #2, and for my Volvo $2.89 for super (AZ prices are usually high)..

With diesel running about $.10 more than super, I am way ahead.

To put it in perspective.. using EPA milage data... a gallon of Diesel would have to hit $4.33 before I loose $/mile efficiency vs the Gas car equal to mine (realize, the E500 is closer in performance than the E350 on the CDI's).

When heating oil season comes to an end, in 3 months or so, Diesel will cost less than Super at the pump.. happens every year.

Diesels biggest advantage is durability.

xraymd

Thanks for the numbers. I'm hoping we don't see $4.33! I'm just not familiar with how much more diesel is than gas and how much better the mileage is on the CDI over equivalent gas. I was trying to find mileage data for the E350 but couldn't.

I'm happy getting 18mpg on my 55. Now I just have to save my pennies for my natural gas bills this winter.

CE750

I'm quite certain gas/diesel prices are on their way back down to below $2 with in a year.. This is temporary, I'm willing to bet.

The thing about CDI milage isn't so much the fact that you can get 40mpg at 65+ mph... as many cars can do this.. it's the fact that you get that and 369ft/lb of torque at your command all the while.. that's what makes it amazing.

E55AMG99

Hey Sam,
Does this include any premium paid for the diesel engine vs. the gas 350? My GMC cost me almost $5K more than the gas but the mileage is 50-75% better. Premium is about $.10 less than diesel out here right now. It only seems to vary by about $.20 either way. With a 50% mileage gain, I'll pay for the diesel upgrade in about 3.5 years.

E55AMG99

CE750

I've read where the $1500 extra for the CDI would take a year to make back, but then that just means if you hold it for longer than the year.. it's all gravy.

Truck diesel options are pricey.. You're right, but this is where the MB is interesting, because the premium is actually kind of small when you consider it's a diesel. But they also shaved costs in other areas to help keep the premium small, such as the front disk brakes... On the E350 they're like the E500.. brembo with the larger disk.. on the CDI they're basic, which really ticks me off frankly, but don't get me started on MB cost cutting!

E55AMG99

$1500 is very reasonable but not without the Brembos! The truck I'll keep for 6-7 years at least so the extra $ is not that hard to swallow and made even better by the pricing incentives and financing.

HELL ONA HARLEY

Hmmmm..... Wish I was closer to you. I'd take that bet in a second.

CE750

and the fact that you could probably remove a California Redwood Sequoia out of the ground with the prodigious torque it produces!


HOH: I never said $2/gal in California now! :p

E55AMG99

The huge torque rise is actually the truck's only weakness. I can't keep from spinning the tires when I'm towing the trailer!! OK, I can't keep from spinning the tires ANYTIME! I love this truck but I can't wait for Gale Banks to certify the Six Gun for it. With the ECU, an intake pipe and exhaust system, I should be putting out 450HP and close to 800lb-ft torque! Look out!

CE750

you and PHXATC need to talk!

BTW.. out at the track there was 4x4 Duramax powered F250 that ran a 14.8.. for a large 4x4 truck!

E55AMG99

There are at least 2 guys in my area that have solid mid-low 12 second Ford F350s. I saw the video tape of one of them pulling a 12.14 against a C5 Z06. Freaking amazing since the damn truck weighs almost 7000 lbs!

HELL ONA HARLEY

Pulling 12s and get to make a dump run too????? nIIIIIce

E55AMG99

Yeah, got to get there in a hurry before the lines get too long, right?

dacbiet

Doubt AZ will be below $2/gal within a year even for regular unleaded. But the irony is that fuel in Phoenix, 75% of which is refined in LA and piped through the desert, will always be cheaper than what we pay in the LA region. We can thank our state tax system for that, and also we also thank our state for prohibiting new diesel passenger cars until 2007.

CE750

prolly propane injection! I had a guy come to me at the track claiming he could do it for under $1000... I said "man, you don't understand, I'm just having fun, I'm not here to prove anything!" ;-)

MarcusF

I’ve never worked on diesels, but I do know a little something about engine design. Looking at the bottom end, the downsides to a vee six versus an inline six are the angle of the piston in the cylinder on a vee at bottom dead center. This is compared to it being dead straight in an inline at the same point. The severe piston angle results in greater internal drag which costs HP. Also, an inline six usually has seven main bearings versus the standard four mains in a vee six. The increased number of bearings can only aide in longevity.

CE750

yup.. basically, every time I've asked about I-6 vs V6 to either engineers, mechanics, or just plain old motor head.. the I-6 is a unanimous winner.. like I originally said I6>V6... it will always be. ALL ELSE BEING EQUAL. Again, in the new V6 CDI, they have a 3rd generation CDI system, that if used on the I-6 would yield more HP and Torque.. but MB needs V6 for cost/4-matic etc..

pa28pilot

Do we know yet whether the V6 will also have the urea injection? I get the impression there's a consumable tank of a urea-based fluid that is metered in to the exhaust in the European cars, but I can't tell if that's included under "particulate filter" or not.

I'm not sure what to make of having to add fertilizer to my exhaust system on a periodic basis...

PHXATC

Gives a whole new meaning to "taking a pee." Now that will mean that you are emptying the urea tank.

I feel dirty now.

KosherBenz