Fastbuck

Guys.

Got this from www.JESMB.de

V6 diesel with 7G and 4matic in pipeline too.


V6 CDI and V6 Benziner will be erh?lich with the 7G-Tronic: C 280 CDI with 190PS and 3.0 litres of V6-CDI (OM642) approx.. Feb/M? 05 C 320 CDI with 231PS and 3.0 litres of V6-CDI (OM642)ca. Feb/M? 05 C of 230,2.3 litres of V6 M272 with 204 HP starting from June 2005 C of 280,2.8 litres of V6 M272 with 231 HP starting from June 2005 C of 350,3.5 litres of V6 M272 with 272 HP starting from June 2005 E of 350,3.5 litres of V6 M272 with 272PS starting from December 2004 E 280 CDI with 190 HP of 3.0 litres of V6-CDI (OM642) approx. June 2005 E 320 CDI with 231 HP of 3.0 litres of V6-CDI (OM642) approx. June 2005 E 280 V6 M272 with 231 HP of 2.8 litres of June 2005 E 400 CDI V8 OM629 with 300 HP off approx.. September 2005 E 320 CDI 4matic V6-CDI of 3.0 litres of 231 HP off approx.. September 2005 Both CDI's 280 CDI and 320 CDI will come beside C and e-class also into the CLK as well as into the new m-class. The s-class and the CLS get only gro?n the 320 CDI. Current CDI of models like 270 CDI and 400 CDI those not yet the European Union 4 erf?en, k?en until January 06 to be further-built. Only new models m?en starting from January 05 European Union 4 erf?en. Thus takes place the conversion new 400 CDI in September 05 and 280 CDI f?270 CDI still in time. Source: JES Community forum (Thread:"Motorenpolitik")

DavidNJ

That would make sense. V6 diesels would allow 4Matic. E350 in December would be a running change. I wonder if they would delay the US intro. BMW boards rumor their new 252hp 3liter for March production.

I wonder if the US would get the 280 petrol engine as an 320 replacement in the C-class and as a lower end engine in the E-class.

Fastbuck

350s going in to the C too.

DavidNJ

Internationally. MBUSA already has a problem with high end C320s getting into the high $40k range. The new 2.8l petrol motor has as much power as the current 3.2l. Making it the C320 replacement would allow them more pricing flexibility.

Also, although I haven't seen it written anywhere, I think the 3.5 will be nearly as quick as the normally aspirated AMG V8. Where the 70 hp AMG advantage does not overcome its higher weight, greater front weight percentage, and lack of a manual gearbox. At least in lighter cars like the SLK and C-class.

nyca

the C really doesn't need the 350 engine.

akbro93704

The 3.2 V6 in the C320 has the lowest HP rating of almost all its competition(BMW 330i, Infiniti G35, Jaguar X-type 3.0,Audi A4 3.0, Acura TL, Cadillac CTS,etc.). In order for the C320 to stay ahead of its competition, it definetely needs the new 350 engine which will most likely surpass all other competition in the power department....

Prostrho

Has JESMB been pretty accurate about these dates?

Is it reasonable to assume it would be around Feb/March 05 before the E350 will show up in North America.

ml320

Yes, JESMB is usually right on. He is well connected. But MBUSA makes their own decisions...

james_san

Dilemma...Need to buy a car rather quickly - My 2-door M3 is killing my back now the baby is turning 1-year old. E-class offers the best combination in terms of performace, comfort and prestige, not to mention it's the best looker out there (5-series? Yuck.).

I was hoping to have the M3 sold in the next two months and pick up an E320. Now with the 272ps E350 coming should I wait? Dealers out there are offering invoice price or better on 04's. Granted that's only about $3-$4k, but are we expecting a dealer premium on E350's when they first come out next year? Of course we want something newer and better but I dont know if 40+ HP justifies paying $6k over - in that case I might as well go E500.

Thanks in advance for your input. Any advice/comment is appreciated.

Barry45RPM

try to get an '04 E500. Great bang for the buck vs options you have discussed.

DavidNJ

E350 won't sell at a premium. This is a very competitive market. If you have the time and budget, european delivery can get you a discount.

On the MY04: option and color selection is getting limited. And if you buy it and keep it less than 5-7 years, the discount won't equal the model year depreciation loss.

mbchris

In response to James San,

I agree with you, go E500 or E350. I have a 2003 BMW 325i, which is used by my wife and I. We both live within 3 miles of our workplaces, so no need for 2 cars. However, we have a baby on the way, and I looked at the 2004 E320.

My concern about the E320, IN COMPARISON TO MY CURRENT CAR - NOT ABSOLUTELY, is that it doesn't offer enough technical, safety, space, or quality over my current car to justify the additional cost of me getting into it. It would have cost me $20K+, and then be superseded by the E350 in less than 1 year. I have that type of money to spend, but I just don't have that type of money to waste.

Now, with the 7G transmission, and increase in power that an E350 or E500 offers, then it is a different story. Remember this - we will always generally suffer as soon as the next car comes along (I also will not buy a new BMW 5 series, although I love my 325i).

Good luck,


Chris.

PS. My wife is saying we can get a Ferrari 360 Modena if we just have 1 kid - but if we have 2, then the Ferrari is out, based on our current finances. $250K to raise a kid these days. Decisions, decisions...

james_san

Good call, Chris. You are right on the point about the current E320 vs. the 325i -> not worth the upgrade even though you can afford it easily.

I am now seriously thinking about Euro delivery for an E350. I went to a local dealer during the weekend and the sales people do not know anything about the E350s coming. Not sure if they were really ignorant (!) or were lying (hope not) so they could sell me a car "right now".

Let me open another thread to dicuss when USA dealers will be able to accept orders for a new model.

MB-JIM

I believe the salesmen are being honest about having no information on when the E350 will be available. I talked to my very reliable source this morning and was told that MBUSA as usual are giving out no information. I don't know if they have even decided when to introduce the car. It is a marketing decision, not an availability issue.

konigstiger

This was posted by tntmcj (Chicago dealer) as given to him by MBUSA area rep in regard to U.S. availability:

“how about the 350 at the end of the year for 05 e class cars, that’ why the de-contenting took place, so as not to raise the cost of the car to much when the 3.7 litre is introduced in the e”

MB-JIM

I'm not sure exactly what that area rep was saying. It sounds like double talk. My first thought is that in no way will they use a 3.7L engine. The only one I have ever heard about is the 3.7L used in the ML and that is not the new CGI design.
The engine that will be used is the same 3.5 CGI engine in the new SLK. I hope it is here by February or March. I'm really enjoying my 320 CDI but still can't get used to buying diesel fuel. I think the 3.5 will be ideal. I had a 2004 E500 before the CDI and like the feel of the CDI better.

konigstiger

Please elaborate.

MB-JIM

I have simply found the CDI more fun to drive. I feel more like I'm in a sports sedan than a heavy but powerful feeling in the E500. I even think that the normal suspension gives a more positive feel. There is enough torque to make the car respond to anything I ask of it

saffrontiger

Agreed. I have especially noticed this around the 50-65 mph zone where the car seems to take off. I do experience some mild lag when pushing the pedal hard especially from a dead stop.