oilbelcher

Think we will have the ability to order the sport package 333 on the 2007 E320 CDI? Frustrating that it can't be ordered now. I mainly want the rims and lowered sport suspension.

amdeutsch

You may want to start a write/call in campaign. I'm sure there are people that would want the BIX without having to order the P2 package or those in the northern states that would want heated seats without having to order the P1 package.

cyclerider

Nope. Gas burners only.
Good luck with that.

Alan Smithee

I found a brand new set of 18" sport package wheels for my CDI, and if you really wanted to, a set of sport package springs/shocks (or aftermarket suspension) would be an easy swap as well.

oilbelcher

Did handling improve by a fair amount going to the 18's? Any negative comments? On a BMW I would hessitate using 18s as their suspensive is stiffer. But I think this is a good move for a Merc

cyclerider

You know the lowered sport suspension is also stiffer, right?

Alan Smithee

Absolutely. No negative comments. The standard 16s are horrible tires for any driving that is remotely spirited. The 18s won't turn it into a BMW, but they do communicate the road surface and improve steering a bit, and allow for some lateral g's through on-ramps. Ride is still smooth, and no longer wallowy. You hear more bumps, but you only feel the really big ones.

All that said, from what I understand the 2007 W211s have a different suspension across the model range, including the upcoming Bluetec (there will be no '2007 CDI').

oilbelcher

Yes, aware lowered Merc suspension is stiffer. Actually looking to be a little closer to a standard susp BMW, say 3-series (which typically have 17"'s). Hoping sport Merc susp and 17/18s will help.

oilbelcher

have an answer from MB. I hate government control and rediculious restrictions.
=========================
Dear Mr. xxx,

Thank you for your recent internet inquiry.

The 333 Sport Package will not be available for the E320 BLUETEC diesel.

Due to certification issues, the factory is not permitted to build the
E320
BLUETEC for the US Market with any wheel larger than 16", thus
prohibiting
us from offering the 333 Sport Package on this vehicle.

If we can be of any further assistance, please feel free to e-mail us
again
or call us at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372).

Sincerely,

Mark Sluscavage
Customer Relations
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Alan Smithee

My interpretation of MB's response:

Lower profile/higher performance tires would degrade fuel economy, so it's not beneficial for them to run a car with 18s through the EPA cycle and have to post lower fuel economy figures for the Bluetecs.

Germancar1

Exactly! I was thinking the same thing. Makes sense.

M

LNL

Good read Alan. The CDI's used (and I assume the BlueTec will also) 16 inch Michelin or Continental all-season tires that offer lower rolling resistance than summer tires or wider 17/18 inch (or larger) tires. This is an interesting article on the subject, which reports the low rolling resistance of a number of tires (including the MXV4 Plus): http://www.greenseal.org/resources/r...resistance.pdf

According to this link, the "Bridgestone B381 ... has a measured rolling-resistance coefficient (RRC) of 0.0062 (2002)—one of the lowest on the market. The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ... has a rolling-resistance coefficient of 0.0133 (2002)—one of the highest." http://www.hybridcars.com/blogs/hyview/tire-labels

Good mileage is not the end all for me, but it is for Mercedes in marketing the diesel. There will probably be a loss of mileage to some degree if you move to different wheels (especially if they're significantly heavier than the 16's) or tires. That's been the comments of some on here. Alan, did you notice any changes in mileage when you upgraded your wheels and tires to staggered 18's?

Lou

Alan Smithee

I was planning to keep the 16s for ski trips, which would've allowed me to experiment; run some test loops with each in a semi-scientific fuel consumption analysis, and weigh each...however the guy I purchased the 18s from made me an offer I couldn't refuse for the 16s, and we swapped them in his garage when I picked up the 18s. I had the car for less than a week, and was driving it conservatively during the break-in period...with the 18s I'm definitely driving in a more spirited manner, and now that it's broken in, taking occasional trips to redline. Average MPG is therefore dropping, but how much is due to the rubber size and compound I can't say.

That said, I've seen a high of 34 MPG on the highway at ~75-80 MPH with both sets, so I don't think the tires have a significant effect on real-world fuel economy. I've been running 32 PSI on all four with both sets.

oilbelcher

I understand the marketing need to show high fuel economy for the diesel, the thus the use of 16" for standard CDI tires. However, they can easilly make and OPTION to upgrade to the 333 sport package. Does EPA testing force a manufactuer to test economy with all options/packages, and then maybe take an average?

Also, received another MB message about retrofitting 333 sport suspension on a CDI. This is the first I have heard that you can't swap suspension (springs, maybe shocks). Or is this because 333 sport pkg has the airmatic?

Dear Mr. xxx,

The sport suspension cannot be special ordered or retrofitted into the
E320
Bluetec. However, the wheels and tires may be purchased separately from
the dealership as an accessory. Please inquire with your sales person
at
the dealership if they can order a set of wheels for your vehicle.

Sincerely,

Mark Sluscavage
Customer Relations
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Alan Smithee

Yes.

The E350 sport package does not have Airmatic. You'll never find the manufacturer agreeable to modifications to one of their vehicles for liability reasons.

mgsbenz79

I agree government regulations stink, but unfortunately we have to live by them...
The EPA is so strict with imported vehicles, and Diesels in particular. The exact vehicle has to go through the certification, so a E320 Bluetec with the 16" wheels and "normal" suspension is what has been certified, and that's all that can be sold in this country; an E320 Bluetec with the 333 package would have to be completely recertified... stupid, but that's the law.
I still cannot believe that states like NY and CA allow Hummers that get 8 or less MPG, yet a Diesel that gets 35+ mpg is not allowed because the NOX emissions are a little higher than the gasoline engines! One would think the gain in fuel economy would make up for that?
As side note... I have a 2006 E320 CDI and I was disappointed it had the same wheels as the 2005's and not the 2006 wheels... I'm still debating buying a set!