CDI A Success in US
http://www.autointell-news.com/News-...p-15-04-p8.htm
ps.: I'm already configuring my next MB (due in 9 months). And this will be a diesel!
I'm still wondering what motivates Americans to buy a diesel today? Mileage perhaps? Because, the comparatively low cost of diesel can be evanescent.
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[What a shame
]I'm still wondering what motivates Americans to buy a diesel today? Mileage perhaps?
Because, the comparatively low cost of diesel can be evanescent.
[Could be very True!]
Evanescent . . vanishing, or fading away. Had to go to Websters for that one!
Conversly, I would ask what motivates anyone to buy a gas powered MBZ?
Diesel is now plentiful, and there is not the problem we all encountered back when. I had my first diesel in 1966.
EPA ratings of 27 city/37 highway plus rather high useable torque of 369 ft/lb (30 ft/lb more than your E-500) at only 1800 up to 2600 are just two of the many reasons. The car is almost always within that rpm range, so there really is not any reason to have to kick it hard enough to cause the trans to downshift. Most people cannot tell when inside a new CDIs that they are indeed riding in a diesel, and when they drive one, they always comment on how responsive they are at any speed.
You seem interested in CDIs or you wouldn't be here commenting. Why not test drive one and perhaps discover what you have been missing?
They've come a long way baby and are Not your grandfathers' diesel any longer.
The differences between my original '61 190Db and the CDIs are greater than that of a Model "T" and any new Ford four banger. The only thing those two MBZs have in common is that they both use number diesel.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
I do feel, at least for the US, that a hybrid design makes much more sense. Excellent fuel economy, and in fact, better fuel economy in city driving, which given the traffic density of NJ and other metropolitan areas, is mainly the type of driving I encounter. After hearing that a hybrid Lexus LS may be available when my lease is up on the E may possibly give me an incentive to go to hybrid. I too do not want to be in the position of not being able to find a diesel gas station easily.
I wonder if anyone else has any data on this, but if I remember correctly, here in NJ, when gas prices were really low, I didn't see diesel being that low at all, and in fact seemed to be higher at some stations. I could be really off base here, so please, if anyone has any data to prove me wrong...
In order for diesel cars to be successful in the US, mainstream manufacturers need to step up and offer them in large quantities. Only then can we guarantee that the majority of gas stations would have diesel fuel, and it won't be considered a novelty.
Jay
It is strange that the US has 'marked up' the diesel engined vehicles. Most of Europe offer the diesel engine as a cheaper option over its petrol equivalent, and with the same specifications.
Hopefully when the quality of the fuel improves you will see every forecourt offering diesel. The CDI over here certainly does NOT smell of diesel in fact in has a 'sweet smelling' odour. Even Jaguar now offer a diesel powered vehicle and someone once pointed out that in some countries Mercedes-Benz sell a C class AMG diesel!!!!
Jensen Button and Tiffiney Dell once raced against each other in 3ltr BMW's. Button had the petrol whilst Dell had the diesel. Sadly Button got to the front at the first bend and from then on blocked the diesel.
Wake up sir, and join the rest of the world in the diesel 21st century.
Are you a vertically challenged, ginger haired 'Jock' by any chance
(Bar-room English humour coming to the fore) Sorry FastbuckRegards
From dusk at Torquay
John
Jay
Jay, I agree 100 percent!
My '99 has only 244 ft/lb torque, and it is a powerhouse. Can't count how many times people have tried to pass me on the right side on the interstate, and knowing that they plan on cutting me off, I will just tickle it a little, and because it can jump so quickly at highway speeds, all of a sudden, they don't have enough room to make that unsafe move. Simply amazing how responsive mine is at any rpm, and I know the newer CDIs are even more so because of the extra 125 ft/lb the later CDI engine has.
Can't wait until I can order one ED.
BTW Jay, who is giving the best deals over and above the ED price?
I know I can order from any dealer anywhere, take care of all the paperwork via Fed-Ex, and then after taking ED delivery, have it shipped to any dealer for US delivery. Correct me if I am wrong!
Can't count how many times people have tried to pass me on the right side on the interstate, and knowing that they plan on cutting me off, I will just tickle it a little, and because it can jump so quickly at highway speeds, all of a sudden, they don't have enough room to make that unsafe move.
Now, back to our previously-scheduled diesel praisefest programming.
Since we ordered our CDI in late June, I've watched diesel prices creep upwards toward parity with regular gasoline. As I write this, the corner Shell station is getting $1.879 for diesel and $1.889 for regular gasoline. I'm confident that by the time our CDI gets here (~early November), diesel fuel will be more expensive.
I'll try to console myself with the fact that prices in the USA are still hugely lower than in Europe, but that only does so much good :-(
Since we ordered our CDI in late June, I've watched diesel prices creep upwards toward parity with regular gasoline. As I write this, the corner Shell station is getting $1.879 for diesel and $1.889 for regular gasoline. I'm confident that by the time our CDI gets here (~early November), diesel fuel will be more expensive.
I'll try to console myself with the fact that prices in the USA are still hugely lower than in Europe, but that only does so much good :-(
By having the ability (torque) to be able to easily accerate or jump guickly enough to close that gap so that the car that is attempting to pass me on the right and cut in front of me before rear-ending the car he is rapidly closing on in that lane, the right lane, without having to make my car downshift which I think isn't all that good for the tranny, is the point I was trying to make.
Down here on the I-215 in Riverside County where the speed limit is 70 mph, you have these clowns that, even though the flow will be in the 75 - 80 mph range, want to drive 90 mph or even faster by weaving in and out of all lanes unsafely, and these are the types I simply love to make brake with the outstanding torque available with my diesel. Because they don't expect it, it is all the more enjoyable to me. It is worth the p'd off look on their faces when they discover they've been had by an old man in a six year old plain-Jane white four door E-300DT.
Last edited by Green E-300 DT; Sep 21, 2004 at 11:04 PM.
Since we ordered our CDI in late June, I've watched diesel prices creep upwards toward parity with regular gasoline. As I write this, the corner Shell station is getting $1.879 for diesel and $1.889 for regular gasoline. I'm confident that by the time our CDI gets here (~early November), diesel fuel will be more expensive.
I'll try to console myself with the fact that prices in the USA are still hugely lower than in Europe, but that only does so much good :-(
Thanks for pointing out the excuse that Big Oil is using this time around.
There are stations here in Southern California that are already charging more for diesel than they do for premimum gasoline. I've seen the difference be as much as 20 cents per gallon. I felt lucky lately to find good Unifuel for $2.099.







