AMGFREAK

Just notified by dealer that they will be able to be ordered very soon..... for March/April delivery and they will be 2011 model year YAY!!! No word on if 4Matic will be available...

shoes

Which dealer told you that the cars were available in the Spring? I cannot find any info on the internet regarding when the US diesels are coming and my dealer is telling me the end of 2010. Thanks.

EJ_92606

Can you guys tell me what are the mileage ratings on the bluetec? Has anyone driven one? Does it feel more like a e350 or e550..I know it has a lot of torque.

HiTach

I was told by Atlanta Classic Cars "We are expecting the 2011 E diesel in March and the wagon in June. More details available in January."

HiTach

How do you like your diesel ML? (performance, economy, reliability, ride etc.)

SkinnyVanilla

I just bought a E-350. Was thinking about diesel but didn't want to wait - and dealer wouldn't or couldn't say when.

My wife has a '09 GL 320 Bluetec and I think its great. Acceleration in that big car is very good; engine is pretty quiet, no smoke, etc.

She gets (with a heavy foot ) about 18 mpg around town, 25 highway. Again, pretty good for a big 7 passenger SUV. So I would think the engine would be great in the E-Class.

Wig

I don't think 4Matic will be available. The Mercedes Germany website does not have it, which means it is probably not available anywhere else. (For now at least.)

There is a CDI 4Matic available in Europe but this does not meet North American emissions standards.

A diesel 4Matic in North America would be a home run for Benz IMO. Not sure when it will happen.

AMGFREAK

I love my ML... I have AirMatic Suspension, its like riding on a magic carpet. I average 25 mpg, I have had zero problems with it. Only 35k miles on it. Performance it great as well... Its very easy to speed. I have towed my jetskis and have taken it in the snow as well with no problems.

Boolie125

I am anxiously waiting to order the E350 Bluetec. Word from my dealer is that it will be available April/May. It will NOT be available w/4Matic -- just rear wheel w/traction control. Same goes for 2011 BMW 5 series. i wasn't aware that the E350 will be tagged as a 2011 vehicle -- very interesting.

Duane

NO 4matic on the e350 Bluetec. There will be an S350 Diesel in 4matic coming out in December.

Boolie125

I am working w/2 Benz dealers -- one repeated the press release and said that the E350 Bluetec will be released in March and the other said closer to summer -- both opinions were offered today. Either way I am waiting but hope my current car holds out that long or else I'll have to rent a vehicle. And yes, they confirmed that it will be released as a 2011 model. I'll use the time to decide on the color -- black, steel gray, iridium or palladium...!

silberrosa

It is my understanding the E350 Bluetec will be a MY11 and will be in dealers mid-July (June production) with the other MY11 E-Class models. It will be possible also as a sport or luxury model but apparently no 4WD. Therefore, I would guess ordering would start in March/April.

Boolie125

Got it -- this sounds right based on what I've been hearing. Good to know but will be a difficult wait.

ccimocm

My dealer, also, first indicated a March delivery and now says that MB USA has told him it will be a July delivery? This is odd after watching the following video clip aired 21 JAN 2010:

http://www.buy.com/videoclip/mercede...tec/77234.html

Boolie125

Ah, interesting video. I understand that most release dates are optimistic so July is looking like the real deal. The Philly auto show starts this Saturday so I will be sure to inquire and will post any updates.

I was hoping to do Euro delivery but I understand that shipment to the US can take up to 60 days after you leave Germany and that puts it at September (so forget that option...).

Lastly, can anyone confirm that the 2011 V6 gas engine will be more powerful than its 2010 configuration? I've seen different information about this and it may be worth waiting until the 2011 model year for either the Bluetec diesel or standard gas engine if the latter gets me to 300 hp at a decent rpm.

ipp

I cannot confirm anything, but I strongly recommend you to try both the diesel and the gasoline first. I drove both the E350 CDI and the E350 CGI. The CDI is the same engine as the Bluetec but with no AdBlue, a little more power for some reason. The CGI is a 292 hp direct input gasoline engine we have had in Europe since the beginning of the W212 sales.

I tried both and I like the CDI much better, it feels stronger and less strained. Got the car this week and I'm not regretting the engine choice.

Boolie125

Glad to hear that you like the CDI over the CGI.

I expect to stay the course and order the E350 Blutec diesel in the Spring for summer delivery -- those of you in Europe are fortunate to have diesels so readily available.

I did read an auto review that panned the Bluetec in the ML but I expect that the heavier weight of the SUV impacted performance of that engine. Review below:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...0-diesel_N.htm

Boolie125

Question: Is your CDI a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive? I know that in the US, the diesel is only rear-wheel drive. If your E350 CDI is rear-wheel drive, do you have any concerns about driving in the snow?

btrepper

looks like several availability dates are being tossed around. does anyone have a recent dealer quote of when it ( 2011 E350 Bluetec) can be ordered?

Boolie125

I was at the Philadelphia Auto Show this weekend and heard early March for release of Bluetec pricing and ability to order. No one knows for certain but this sounds about right. I will probably order via Euro delivery option -fixed 7% off of MSRP (nice), 1 night luxury hotel, etc.

The MB website is now showcasing the E-series cabriolet and wagon so I can't imagine that the Bluetec is far behind given that all three are 2011 releases.

I heard from a Mid Atlantic rep that he has already "reserved" 12 Bluetecs and that demand is high -- can't vouch for veracity. Haven't seen any 2010 E sedans on the road and Bluetec models are few and far between in the Northeast.

Blk04cobra1

As of right now, you cannot order a 2010 E350 bluetec. You can however order an E350S (wagon) or the E350A (cabriolet). The pricing has not been released, nor has an exact release date been given. If I had to guess, the wagon will be here by April/May along with the cabriolet. The diesel could fall around that time frame or might be mid-summer.

btrepper

Thanks for the input on odering and delivery of the E350 Bluetec.
I do see quite a few E350's here in the Raleigh NC area

Blk04cobra1

You will as the E350's you see now are the gas models. The bluetecs will have that word on the right side of the trunk lid.

btrepper

where do you look to get details of euro delivery and all associated cost/proceduers to get it back to US?

HiTach

Here is the best start, then your dealer.