AutoSaurus

I'm trying to convince myself to wait on the diesel version of the GL which hopefully will arrive this Fall in the US.

Looking at the MBUSA website I was reviewing the E class specs on the 350 vs 320 CDI. The site doesn't give fuel mpg ratings for the 350 but the CDI says 27/37 which is pretty good but what I'm interested to know is will the performance of the CDI but just as good as the 450 on the GL?

I've never owned a diesel but would like the benefits of of the higher mpg especially since premium is $2.79 and diesel is $2.49 in my area as of today. Other than better environment effects and higher torque what other advantages are there for the CDI?

Also the MSRP is $1000 more for the CDI too on the E class and I expect the same for the GL I guess.

AutoSaurus

I found this article on the GL320 CDI link

It says 26 mpg at 221 hp and end of 2006. Not bad.

carpersn

sold my tahoe yesterday (figured i had a buyer, why not sell...i have another car I can drive in the meantime)...

Know i'm getting the GL but trying to make myself wait on the diesel. My family has always had the diesel E's and they simply drive better, IMHO. THey have a "girthier" more grounded feeling, and with the torque and fuel efficiency now being what they are, it's a no-brainer. Except for the fact that MB will not openly commit to an offer date! and we know that we could be driving the gas version next month!!!

AutoSaurus

according to this article the CDI will be available later this year. It says 26 mpg at 221 hp which isn't bad at all. That means sometime soon we should be able to start seeing this info in the dealers Netstar system.

carpersn

they have been told to expect diesel M's in Netstar end of April...no word (or at least no releasable word) on GL's or R's as of now. But C&D mentioned as did the Edmunds article that by end of year we should have. If my dealer would guarantee me a trade-in value, i'd jump now on the gas and go back when the diesel arrives. needless to say, that won't happen

ClayJ

How about 376 pound-feet of torque at relatively low rpms? I'd say that is quite an advantage(!)

I am sure we will see it this Fall/Winter -- I just can't see them not releasing a GL with a diesel here in the USA until we get into calendar year 2007 - no matter what anyone says....