[QUOTE=BudC;2089994
I'm almost tempted to buy a diesel just to afford vacationing in California and Canada[/QUOTE]

Please come back up north and enjoy our cheap diesel !!
How does the cost of driving a Bluetec compare to the cost of driving an E350 4Matic in Canada ?
Here's the current price of diesel and gas in Vancouver : diesel $1.00/lt. v's premium gas $1.25/lt.
Comparing the cost of driving 1000 kms in the E320 Bluetec v's E350 4Matic looks like this : Bluetec 6.1 lt/100kms = 61 lts X $1.00 = $61.00
E350 4Matic 8.8 lt/100kms = 88 X $1.25 = $110.00
The above calculation is based on MB Canada's published fuel consumption figures.

The additional cost of driving the E350 4Matic of $49/1000 kms is 80% more than the Bluetec !!!! So, for the average driver in Canada who travels 20,000 kms/yr.(or approx. 12,000 miles), the Bluetec would cost $980 less to drive than the E350 4Matic.

 

Great Info! If Californians could get their hands on a BlueTec, they'd have similar savings.

 

Diesel isn't always cheaper here in CA, at least in the major cities. It fluctuates less, so when gasoline is expensive (as it is now), diesel is a lot cheaper (.40/gallon compared to super). But when gasoline is low, diesel is generally more expensive than super.

Diesel tends to be a lot cheaper out on the interstates where the truckers roam.

 

Yes, you are absolutely right. I test drove a 2006 E320 CDI yesterday (no Bluetecs available ) at my local MB dealer. At first I thought that the car really suffered from turbo lag, then I discovered that the transmission was set on "C" instead of "S". It makes a big difference when starting out.
On another note regarding the Bluetec, there have been conflicting reports with respect to the actual engine specs : 208hp or 210hp and 388 lb.ft or 400 lb.ft of torque. MB Canada confirmed to me today that the correct numbers are 210 HP and 400 lb.ft torque, more torque than the E55 !!

 

Actually, we can. I'm ordering a Bluetec for European Delivery though WI Simonson, and the salesman (Ted) who works there was very helpful. He said as long as I put 7.500 miles on the car, there's no problem bringing it back. Since you get 1 year of insurance and registration on the car for Euro delivery, that shouldn't be too hard to manage. If you talk to Ted, tell him you heard it from Chase.

 

I think your salesman is mistaken. Yes, you can bring a used diesel into California with more than 7,500 miles on it, but they can't sell a new diesel car to a California resident (a European Delivery sale is final to you as a Californian before delivery in Europe).

Besides, ED cars are only covered for 15 days of insurance, and the plates are only good for a month. I think you'll find the salesman conveniently has a used Bluetec from their 'sister' dealer in Florida when he tells you he was mistaken about ordering you a new car.

 

Can't you just say it has 7500 miles on it? How are they going to know otherwise? I guess they might figure out it's just been purchased, but your DMV/AAA agent might be so clueful. Perhaps it's a good chance to take a road trip somewhere, and back for two weeks?

 

All used cars brought into California require a DMV inspection. Mileage on cars brought in through European Delivery are documented by US Customs.

 

Ah, okay. I guess i'll discover this when I bring my '05 CDI with 25K miles on it in this week to get registered in California. Good to know!