listerone

Having spent about five hours,yesterday,on several of Quebec's main "autoroutes" (10/15/55) I was struck by how often I saw
"Bluetec","TDI",and "d" pass me (I take it easy when in Canada so that my ignorance of kph/mph conversion doesn't earn me a ticket).I saw
as many during those five hours as I see in six months of driving southern New England/NYC area streets and Interstates.I had noticed it
before but never as starkly as yesterday.I know that,unlike here,diesel is about the same as regular gas but is that the only factor? Is
it a Quebec thing,or are there national and/or Provincial tax incentives to go diesel? Do Canucks see diesel as being superior for cold
weather driving? Color me intrigued.

mikemargolis

Well, I don't know the answer to your question, but I noticed the same thing when I was there a couple weeks ago.

But as an FYI, it's really easy to have your speed in kph show up on the dashboard, though.

Wig

I'm not sure about any tax incentives, but diesels are not viewed as negatively here as they are in the U.S.

We've been asking for a 4Matic diesel E-Class for years in Canada, and we're finally getting it in the fall. It's going to sell very well.

ImInPA

Only Americans are ignorant of modern diesels. The rest of the world knows better.

Mtl20v

We love Diesel in Quebec. Actually, Quebec buys more than 50% of all the diesel VW's in Canada. We have more of a European mentality here. So much so that I just ordered a GLK250 BlueTec to replace my E350 Wagon. When the 4 matic diesel E class come out, i will jump back to an E.

telemakhos

Different mentality here in Canada (esp Quebec) vs USA.

I don't think they are superior for winter driving - I read a review on autos.ca on a VW diesel. It took a lot long to warm up the interior of the car vs the gasoline version. I take that to mean that the diesel engine is more efficient and generates less wasted heat but that is only a guess.

mleskovar

I believe it's prejudice carried forward from when diesels were slow, stinky, and dirty. And they were REAL slow, stinky, and dirty

YYZ-E55

It is the combo of BlueTEC + 4MATIC that is the win. 95% of ML and GL sold in Canada are 350 BlueTECs. The other 5% are gas.

E350 BlueTEC is very rare due to it being RWD.

MinnBobber

Please let us know how the GLK BlueTec works out. I wanted an E Wagon BlueTec 4 matic but, of course, no such animal here in US.

Wig

YYZ - any word yet on which grill the E250 Bluetec 4-Matic will have in Canada?

YYZ-E55

Star-in-grille only, either Avantgarde styling (standard) or AMG styling (optional sport package).

Mtl20v

Will it be sedan only in canada?

Mbenz260e

Modern Benz diesels have ceramic electric heaters to heat the car when you first start since it does take a long time for the engine to warm to operating temperature. Perhaps VW does not?

And yeah it's not just canada, Europe and places I have visited in Africa mostly diesels in the sedans and SUVs. Asia haven't noticed as much but then again tends to be ultra rich in MBs and I assume not many miles/kms.

Dc88

I got one of these rare combos. E350 Bluetec without 4matic and no issues at all. Great fuel economy and hardly noticable engine sounds.

PilotAlan

Not true. The Fed ultra-low-sulphur regs and taxes make diesel very expensive, and the particulate standards make diesels engines expensive or unobtainable due to single-market costs.

Nuru

Actually, we are very aware of the diesels and a number of us have wanted to buy a BLUETEC 4MATIC for a long time. And we aware of the fantastic mpg being attained by those driving diesels in Europe.

PilotAlan

Oh yeah. Almost forget the requirement for Diesel Emission Fluid. That's another cost item.

Arrie

Diesel engine is not more expensive than gasoline model. They make more diesel cars for the world than gas burners. MB charges only just over $1000 for a diesel E compared to E250 and this I believe is because people around in U.S. are willing to do so.

I used to have Audi Q7 with 3.6 litter gas engine. Same car with the diesel was about $5000 more to pay.

But, came across replacement engine costs. To replace the diesel engine would cost about $6000 but for the gasoline one it would be almost $15000.

The real engine cost can be seen in the pricing of the replacement engine, not in the vehicle pricing.

Wig

This logic means that the diesel cars should costs thousands less to buy new.
Sounds like MB's profit margin must be much better on the diesels.

mleskovar

Diesels motors cost more than gasoline motors. Because of the high operating pressures and resulting constant massive torque the parts must be made of better materials, designed to be stronger, and with closer tolerances.

Arrie

Logic has little to do with car pricing on this level cars. If they would price the car strictly by what it cost to build it the diesel would probably be a lot cheaper. It just is that almost everyone wants a diesel in all Europe and some other market areas so they can ask the same or slightly higher price for it. The lower fuel cost will save the difference.