C280driv3r

The gas version is also cheaper and has nearly 100 more HP

Can anybody explain the rationale behind this pricing?

BM2BZ

i think it's the same reason why people buying hybrids.

dfordham

In the real world experience of members here, the oil burner is considerably more fuel efficient.

While down in horsepower, the diesel has WAY more torque. Unless you're a boy racer, the torque will make the diesel feel more powerful in most everyday driving. Remember the saying: "You race horsepower, you drive torque".

Regards,
Don

Arrie

dfordham is right.

What moves the car is not the horse power, it is the force, i.e. the torque from the engine.

Horse power explains how fast you can get that torque from the engine.

Horse power is a "man made" unit to explain the power of a car or something but it can be very misleading.

For example, you can harness a 400 hp Lamborghini sports car in front of a blow on a flied and I doubt it could move it. In another token, you can harness a 60 hp Lamborghini farming tractor from the very same company in front of that same blow and it would not have no difficulties to move it.

With these cars higher horse power only matters when you take the car to close to its max speed, i.e. to 150 mph or even higher. That is where the diesel powered car will lose it.

Well, here in the U.S. we can only dream about driving those speeds. Our limis are so low that the diesel actually has a very good chance to beat the gasoline version. They are very close with the diesel having a way better fuel mileage.

Fuel mileage difference is huge in favor for the diesel especially in city driving.

ImInPA

The diesels are far more fuel efficient in the real world than their EPA stickers would suggest. Your post makes a statement that is patently false. I think your knowledge of what you speak is more than marginally deficient.

Mbenz260e

Compare on Fuelly.com and you will see real world results on the diesel vs. gas.

My ML320 & E350 diesels gets better mileage than the C300 loaners I get, both on the computer and calculated at the pump.

The diesel to me definitely feels more powerful than the gas version though perhaps I am just used to the diesel. I drove a gasser E350 recently and felt a bit anemic but then again probably just used to the diesel power curve.

When I used to have a gasser Volvo S60, I found it ironic how the ML320 SUV was the more economical choice when driving.

thekurgan

Agree 100%. Passing power on the highway, while still maintaining 36+ mpg has to be experienced over the gas variant as well.

troymir350

I agree with all the above, and at least where I live diesel is $0.30 LESS than regular gas. Now, it isn't always that much less but it has been like this for a while now.

So, when I do the math it is a dramatic difference between $3.99 for diesel and $4.49(ish) for premium. And the performance as noted.

raylee177

Diesel owner know value of owning a diesel car better than gas car owners. After 9 months of owning BlueTec, I love it more and more. The car is turbine smooth.

K-A

Don't forget, you can Lease a Diesel for about the price of a loaded Camry these days, as well (negates whatever closeness there may or may not be to the Gas version in MPG anyway).

ghstudio

my 2011 blutec has gotten 28 mpg averaging 27.5mph over the past 7500 miles. What are the real life numbers for a gas car that averages 27.5mph?

My fuel cost has been about .03-.05 more than premium fuel plus the bluetec cost of $40 for the 7500 miles or another $.005 per mile.

Now tell me about the gas 2012/2013 cars....

Did I mention that I lease my car on a 24 mo 12K mile lease and pay under $500 a month including tax (no money down) for the car?

So now compare total cost over 2 years....gas vs diesel. Then you can compare the financials of the two cars.

Nuru

I would imagine that the Diesel-engined cars get quite a bit better all around and freeway cruising mpg. If they did not, they would not be getting sold nor would they be produced by MB. It is like comparing a gas tractor and a diesel tractor - gph - diesel wins easily.

Nuru

I am gonna buy a diesel version when I grow up

raylee177

No phony story! I am really getting 40 miles plus per gallon on HWY with my 2012 BlueTec. I do know EPA estimate is only 32 HWY.