78amsetl

I'm looking at purchasing a new 2006 E320 CDI. I currently own a 2005 BMW M3 which will be traded in. Reason for the trade is my family needs a larger car. I live in New York City... I've been talking to several dealers, and I'm ready to bite the bullet, but it seems I can't find a way to get around this CARB law. Any suggestions?

Also - I was hoping someone could tell me the difference between the I6 diesel and the new V6 Bluetec that's coming out for 2007? I actually prefer the I6 design, as I'm very familiar with that engine design. I recall reading about a poorly positioned turbo unit with the V6, hence a lot of work required just for basic maintenance.

Sorry for the noobish questions. If anyone here owns an M3, I'm on M3forum.com under the same screen name. Thanks.

cyclerider

Living in New York will force you to purchase a used CDI with enough mileage on it to allow you to register it in your state. California requires a minimum of 7,500 miles. Sorry, but I don't know the exact mileage required by the New York law.

TPAbnz

This has been exhaustively discussed here. As a starting point, you may want to search this forum . . . lots of great advice.

Nice to see another diesel poster!

AndrewAZ

Hey you are the guy on the BMW forum that yells at noobs to use the search function all the time... . My advice is to just get the gas version since it does not look like you drive a lot. Yes the cost difference is only like $1k for the diesel vs gas but you have to remember to make that difference that low you give up a lot of luxury. For example when getting a new car for mommy we could either get a 320CDI which basically had no option or a 350 with premium package (Navigation, moon roof, memory seats, ext) both came out to be the same price since the dealer would discount the 350's more since they had more on the lot.. Well if you didnt guess it she is driving the 350 but she only puts 4k miles on a car each year so to make up that 1 grand price difference considering we trade in the cars every 4 years we would not make up the premium with fuel savings.

So far for around the town driving the 350 has been getting 20-22 mpg and the 7 speed is a big improvement over the 5 speed transmission that the E320 CDI will have until October 15th of this year the 07 E320 blue tech will be out with the 7 speed. Having more luxury and the 7 speed transmission vs the CDI was worth it in our case. But if you drive a lot go for it.

emanon

I have an 05 320 CDI (I6) and engine wise have had no problems. In the warm weather, I have been getting 32 or so around town. On a longer drive (60 miles or so) I have gotten over 38. My last trip to the shore, a mix of back roads and highway, I got over 39 mpg. While diesel is priced higher than regular at the moment, it is still cheaper than premium. As you can see below, I didn't have to give up much in the feature department. If the new V6 is any thing like the W211, you may want to give it a little time before you buy one.

lkchris

Owning an '06 E320CDI, I would NEVER advise anyone to purchase a gasoline engine Mercedes, unless perhaps they "needed" an AMG.

The AMG is the only E-class engine with as much torque as the diesel, and of course it's not at 1600 rpm. These things are wicked fast--especially compared to a torqueless BMW 6.

In 2006, the E320CDI is the highest-technology car sold in the USA.

And, it's 1999 Mercedes technology. (Transmission is 1994)

The 2007 E320CDI will be 2005 engine technology and will have the 7-spd transmission rather than the 5-speed and again will be the highest technology car sold in the USA.

As for performing DIY maintenance on one of these ... I wouldn't count on it.

cyclerider

That is no longer correct.
2006 E320 CDI = 369 lb-ft
2007 Bluetec = 388 lb-ft
2007 E550 = 391 lb-ft

Alan Smithee

Bold statements, both...

The E320 CDI is far, far from "wicked fast", and comparing the CDI's I6 to the M3's S54 is comparing oranges and orangutans...yes, the CDI has torque, but the M3's acceleration speaks for itself.

And as far as the CDI being the "highest-technology car sold in the USA", I don't know how you can justify that claim...ever look into the details of how Toyota's hybrids operate?

amstel78: I had an E46 M3 for four years, and bought a new E320 CDI last month. If you have any questions, let me know...

lkchris

You have 23,000 psi in your fuel injection system?

You have injectors that fire five times per comustion cycle?

You have electrically-controlled, variable pitch turbo blades?

And yes, comparing the kiddie-car M3 to the grownup E320CDI is apples/oranges. I was thinking of the slug 530xit I recently drove.

TPAbnz

That's too good