hrhos

If so when ?

jim256

The only printed reference I have seen to the E350 was in Autoweek, when in a sidebar they intro'd the ML350 and said that MB was not going to expend the effort now to certify the E350 for the US market. Also, articles on the wagon all mention the '04 E320 wagon in the US.

sf49ers79

my guess would be 2 or 3 years from now

E55 KEV

My speculation. If not 2004 models, then expect 2005 models. The next genertion of engines - Direct Gas Injection may be introduced at or before the W211 Mid Model Update or Face-Lift which will likely be the 2006 model year cars.

The W211 chassis will only run about 6 years. The current style will run 2003-2005 then W211 face-lift for 2006-2008.

MidniteBluBenz

We've put down a deposite for an E350. From what we've been told the 320's are going to be phased out across the model line gradually.
The salesmen who took our deposite told us to expect it for the '04 model year, but he could have been b.s.ing.

alewifebp

My personal speculation is that we will not see it for 2004, but I imagine (and hope) that we would get it for the 2005 model year. It just seems too late in the game and having heard nothing about it.

jpb5151

I'm hoping the horsepower wars will make MB offer the 350 soon, but what would that do to the price?

jim256

If there is a "war", the 350 in the ML is only 11 hp more (232) and torque +22 lb-ft. The small difference may be why it is portrayed as not worth certifying now.

Gregg2gs

I have to say, I would be pretty pissed if they came out with a 350 now! I just bought my 320 in Dec '02......... 39 month lease! Hate to be outdated in 6 months.... What is this a Mercedes or a Dell computer?

mbr129

I think Mercedes should really offer the 350 soon. After all, the W124 was powered by a 3.2L engine making almost as much power as the current one, yet the car has gained hundreds of pounds in weight. One may think a C320 is a car with a large engine, but remember that the engine, in the case of a C-wagon with 4-matic and auto, is trying to move a 3600-lb car around.

A new E320W with 4-matic is likely to weigh in at 4100lbs or more. All of a sudden 232lb-ft of torque can seem inadequate considering it will likely cost close to 60K. With a 350, it makes it adequate again. And of course, the E500 is always the hot-rod... for a price. There is a big enough gap between the two current engines that allows for MB to offer the 350 and people will still consider the E500 the one to get if power is what they want.

E55 KEV

Of course, we are mostly speculating at this point. But that same 3.2 liter engine is going into the the 2004 german built Chrysler Crossfire and I hope Daimler-Chrylser (D-C) has enough insight (sense) to not have the same engine in that car and the 2004 E-Class. Let's hope they (D-C) relegate all those engines down to the Chrysler Crossfire and move the 2003 E320 to 2004 E350.

nyca

it won't come with the October deliveries of the 2004s, something would have leaked by now. But maybe a mid year replacement.

E-Klasse

I had heard that the ML350 came about only so that it shares the 3.7L engine with it's cousin the Jeep Liberty. Both are made in the US. The other Classes built in Germany would not share in this change.

jim256

The Jeep 3.7 engine is a Jeep engine from the 4.7 V8.....not shared with MB. The ML350 is a derivative of the 3.2 M112 engine.

viper

The engine and powertrain is already certified for the US market.
Expect to see the E350 early in 2004. Sales of E320's are not good right now so the E350 is being kept secret so dealers can still get rid of their inventory.

MidniteBluBenz

In the E350 the 3.7 is suppose to have 240 - 245hp. ML's have always had slightly detuned versions.

MB-JIM

I don't believe the 350 will be the 3.7L, instead I think it is the new 4-valve
3.5L design. The horsepower should be around 250.

nyca

That means that some model year V6 Es will be E320s, and then a mid model year change to the E350? That will really put the hurt on resale values for 2004 E320s, I don't see the E350 coming until 2005.

I don't know why there isn't better spy information on Mercedes, there is so much BMW advance information that "leaks".

viper

Manufacturers make changes like this all the time. I don't think it will hurt resale on E320's. It will be called an E350 so they can just say they phased out the old model. They did the same when the ML350 came out.

E55 KEV

I 'think' the new Direct Injection 4 Valve engines will debut in the 2005 models. 2004 E320 or E350 (3.7l) is anybodys guess so far. I hope they put the 3.7 in the W211 and delegate all the 3.2L to the German built Chrysler Crossfire. Would hate to see the 3.2 in both the 2004 E320 and the 2004 Crossfire.

nyca

Well, the C class is using up alot of those 320 motors, I don't see any talk of a C350.

If its not the same engine as the ML350, a totally new engine would have to have been in the US emissions certification program for months now.

Kain

Here in Dubai, there is also a Mercedes-Benz S350.

etenn

Try to get a picture of the S350 badge if you can. It would be interesting to see.

MidniteBluBenz

Try and find last months issue of CAR magazine. They compared an S350 to a 735i and an XJ 3.7. Both the Jag and the BMW were V8's, but the Benz still put out similar power.

E-Klasse

Ford E350 Super Duty Econoline Van



Vehicle Summary
Engine: 5.4L 8 Cylinder 255 hp Gas
Safety: ABS Brakes / Driver-Passenger airbags
Tran: 6 Speed Manual OD
Drive: AWD
Seats: 15