aceman

Anyone out there have any info on this....

Aceman

Wig

Have you heard something, or are you just hoping?

aceman

I'm hoping! so on the fence about what to replace my W211 with...
may jump ship to BMW or Audi....

But diesel 4matic would keep me loyal!

Diesel Benz

You mean coming to the US? E250CDI 4-Matic BlueEFFICIENCY and E350CDI 4-Matic BlueEFFICIENCY models are already available (in Europe at least).

aceman

Sorry for the confusion...

A) I have not heard anything
B) I was hoping for US Bound info...

Aceman

ImInPA

My understanding is that to bring in the 4Matic E350 Bluetec would require MB to re-certify the drivetrain with EPA. In the US, the percentage of Diesel sales is probably too low to justify the additional cot to MB. That said, I am miffed that MB decided to only bring the RWD and not the 4Matic over. Probably because they wanted to emphasize the fuel mileage, and, the 4Matic would certainly lower the mpg. Perhaps when the US wakes up and smells the diesel, we will get better deisel offerings in the US.

aceman

IminPA -

You are correct - its assinine that we can't get diesel AWD's here.
Although - the S350 bluetec is coming in 2012 as 4matic.

How do you like the diesel? How's it been in the snow for you this year?

Aceman

ImInPA

I love my E350 Bluetec. I have not had to resort to Snow tires, but, we have not had a bad winter so far. I regulary get close to 40mpg on the Hwy and around 28mpg in the city. My overall for the past 5.5K miles is 32.3 (according to the trip computer). I find the vehicle to "feel" much faster than the couple of reviews I have read that place it between 7.2 and 7.5 seconds 0-60. In fact, I find that for my type of driving (mostly below 3-4K RPMs) the effect is that the car feels like it has the power of the V8. My peeves are few and are more quibbles than real beefs. I think that leather should be standard, although, in all honesty, I have found that the MB-Tex actaully wears much better and retains its "newness" for almost the life of the car....no wrinkles, creases, etc. The maps that come standard with the vehicle navi (version 4?) are very much out of date and should include at least one free update. The AdBlue costs associated with MB and MB service are just insanely predatory and I think would constitue rape if tried before a jury of your peers. I have found that my bluetec consumes about 2.25 US gallons every 5K miles. I keep mine filled using the VW AdBlue at a cost of about $9/gallon. MB should be promoting this technology and should not be raping its customers that adopt early.

I chose the Luxury over the Sport package simply because I prefer the look better. For example, you would not think an inch in height would make a difference, but, to me, that extra inch in the Lux just seems to make the car seem more stately to my eye. I also prefer the additional chrome on the rear bumper and the 4-cross-bar grille on the Lux. All personal preferences. I did not notice much difference in the ride between the Lux and Sport with the Bluetecs, but, this could be because the Bluetecs do not get all of the Sport features that the gassers get (smaller wheels, etc.). I do prefer the dual round fog lights and DRL's over the LED DRLs. To my eye, only Audi gets the LED DRLs to look like part of the design as opposed to an aftermarket add-on. In any event, I like having the safety of DRLs and fog lights when needed.

If BMW was offering their Deisel in the 5, the decision would have been tougher, as I really like the look of the new 5 (again personal taste). Ido find the front seats more roomy in the E than the 5 primarily because the center console is so wide in the 5 that my right leg is always in contact with it. The 335d is just a rocket...however, the rear seat accomodations are not sufficient for my current needs.

jctevere

I have a question about diesel vehicles in particular. I have just recently started to research about it. But what are the real world gains of diesel vs gas. From an economical perspective, diesel gas in my area is 40 cents higher, 3.30 for premium and close to 3.75 for diesel. Does the added fuel economy make up for this pretty large gap in the cost? Also, I hear that on the new diesels, they require additives for the exhaust that need to be added every oil change, nad that in itself is around $100 more...

I guess my question is, what is so special about diesels?

aceman

Unfortunately depending on where you live, Diesel pricing will vary greatly.
Here in NJ, if you go to a highway which is a common truck route, you can find Diesel at the same price as Premium. When gas spiked a couple years ago, it was indeed 10-15% higher than premium here in NJ as well.

The additive - IminPA is 100% correct that MB is trying to rob us blind.
I have a GL320 diesel, and they charge 3-4X what the product costs from say a pilot truck stop (or VW parts for that matter). It isn't too bad so
long as you don't fill up from MB service centers. It is a shame though that
as MB customers, we have to go elsewhere for this.

IminPA - thx for your thoughts on the E350 - great write up!
I guess you're not in eastern PA because we've had a crazy winter out here.


Aceman

ImInPA

Closer to Harrisburg and we just missed the past couple storms.

jctevere, I regularly get between 600-700+ miles per tank of deisel. Here are some economies to consider. The additive you refer to is the AdBlue. MB is way out of line on the cost for this. It is a simple procedure and is explained in the owners manual. It is rougly as difficult as filling up the windshield washer fluid reservoir, only is is not as messy as that. My costs per 10k miles will likely be around $50 for the AdBlue. Diesel is running about 20 cents more than premium now, but, when I purchased the car is was between the cost of mid-grad and premium and will likely return to that after winter is over. Ironically, 10 years ago, diesel was about $0.70 less than regular per gallon. In Europe Diesel is still less than gasoline. Only in North America does diesel rise above gasoline in pricing. What makes a diesel special to me is knowing the additional strength required by diesel engines to support the incredible compression ratios. The massive torque (the 3.0L diesel puts out nearly 400ft-lbs of torque....more than the E550's V8. Once you get used to driving diesels,most gasoline engines "feel" weak in comparison (just my opinion here). If you haven's driven a diesel, you should give them a try...but...be forwarned, they can be addictive. Now if what you want is 0-60 times, gas is still the best way to go. For me, I just love knowing I drive a car the size of an E-class that get gas mileage like a Honda Fit. You have to have your own "ownership equation" that works for you.

jralstondr

i am addicted to diesel own a ml 320cdi for my wife and e 350 blutec for me.. Wouldnt have it any other way.. once you go diesel you will never go back..