MB-JIM

My 04 E500 is a really great car. It feels much better than my Sep 03 E500. I'm especially impressed by the feeling of the steering. It seems firmer than the 03 and is very precise.
My problem, however, is the fuel consumption. It's not so much the cost but the idea of driving a "Gas Guzzler." I have frequently spoken out against the many gas-guzzling SUV's and now I'm part of the problem. As a result, I would like to switch to the E350 as soon as it becomes available.
Does anyone have any information first if the E350 is being planned and if so, when would be the earliest delivery?

HELL ONA HARLEY

Don't sweat it....I'm sure your car is much more cleaner burning than most SUV's on the road.... The gas milage in the e320 and the 500 are nearly the same and the 350 will close the gap that much more....

Adobe

The reason your car is considered a *gas guzzler* is because big companies can play games with CAFE averages by producing small cars to offset the big gas guzzlers while companys like Mercedes-Benz don't import smaller cars. Your 500E shouldn't be called a gas guzzler. It's just that American companies get a break from the Pols in Washington who always want to help Detroit.

nyca

doesn't appear to be coming until 2006 model year, E sales are strong, the competition is weak (new 5, new boring A6, new "looks like the maxima" GS).

that 350 will be a 4 valve (direction injection, not sure?) motor, likely will get good mileage.

Mercedesfan

The SLK for 05 is coming out this Fall. It will be the first US bound Mercedes car with the 350 engine. Plans are to have it become available across the line where applicable within 12 months thereafter. This would lead one to expect it to be standard issue on the 2006 E during the calendar year 2005.

mbr129

Simple. Buy a E320 CDI.

You are lucky enough to be able to get one in AZ. Around town it will perform better than an E500 and will give you twice the fuel efficiency.

More importantly, you get to vote with your wallet and show the US that diesels are the way to go. Soon enough SUV's will be using diesels (the most logical engine for the application).

Arnee

I've seen ML350's around already. Are those different from what's coming up, the 4-valve engines?

Adobe

MBUSA still don't know when the CDI will be imported nor what states will be approved. I wanted to pick up a new one in Germany in September and it looks like that's not possible. They told me yesterday that the CDI will be a 2005 model (it was supposed to originally be imported as a 2001 model).

Frankly, I'm concerned that the CDI won't be available in the Phoenix or Tucson areas because these areas require special gasoline and I suspect, special diesel fuel.

The CDI is a direct-injection engine that requires low sulfur diesel fuel which isn't going to be available in the US until 2007 (I think).

mbr129

The 2007 availability applies only to states that follow CA emissions. AZ is not one of them.

Now, whether the CDI comes to the US at all is another issue. But AZ wont have emission problems if it does come.

I thought it was confirmed that it was coming in a few months?

Adobe

The e-mail I got from MBUSA said they don't know what's going on. The Euro specialist I was talking to about ordering a CDI for Euro pickup said to check with him in a month and he might know something then.

I don't think service personel at dealers have even started training on the CDI.

There's got to be technical and/or legal problems with that car coming to the US.

My dealer is accepting deposits to get on a list for the car but don't know when it'll be available.

From what I've read about the CDI, it's pretty picky about the quality of diesel fuel it uses (unlike our old 190D). That worries me because the fuel in the US is pretty poor quality.

GDawgC220

C&D just posted the 2005 SLK350 and SLK55 specs. I'm guessing the E350 specs are gonna be around the same.

SLK 350
268 horsepower
258 pound-feet of torque from 2400 to 5000 rpm
24 valves
0 to 62 mph in 5.6 seconds (with the 7G-TRONIC: 5.5 seconds)
Variable camshaft control on intake and exhaust sides
Two-stage intake manifold
”Tumble” flaps in the intake ducts
Intelligent heat management system
Standard six-speed manual; optional 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic

Mercedesfan

Well, at least here at the Chicago Auto Show which starts today (2/6/04) as reported by The Chicago Tribune website. Anyone here attending the Chicago Auto Show? Maybe we can get some updates on when this vehicle will be in dealer showrooms from the reporting at the Chicago Auto Show.

By the way, the new 2005 SLK will make its US debut at the New York Auto Show in April. The European unveiling will be at the March Geneva Auto Show.