carpersn

Got a call from my dealer this AM asking me to spec out my car-for December build, late Jan/early Feb. delivery. They have been allotted one (mine!) for that first build go-round, where they were allotted three ML320's...

Only thing the NetStar release said is that standard equipment would be identical to 450 and all options/packages would be same/available except for the off-road. Wasn't getting that anyway!

Taz0369

I stopped in my local dealer (Mercedes Benz of Buckhead in Atlanta) this afternoon to check on the status of the GL320CDI. I was also told they were taking orders now, although they don't have any pricing yet. The dealer had already taken one order on Monday, and that car is supposed to be delivered in Mid-December. The dealer did not mention the inavailability of the off-road package, but he did mention that 20" wheels would not be available from the factory. I noticed on the list of colors that a new color was listed called "verde brook" ...perhaps a light green? Will be anxious to see what that will be. Regarding the base price, I'm wondering if it will be less than the GL450, since the base of the ML320CDI is less expensive than the ML500. Wouldn't it be great if the base was around $52k!? Any thoughts from anyone?

AutoSaurus

Good news to me. I'll have to make a call to make dealership today as I'm on the road.

Here's a question for you....

Assumptions:

$2.29/gal premium 16MPG combined
$2.64/gal diesel 26MPG combined
$1,000 over base GL450 price for diesel engine

How long would it take me to recover the $1,000 premium?

carpersn

Alrighty, one of our dealer's is not being truthful with the intro date; if it's mine and they just don't want to acknowledge the car is actually ARRIVING in December, they are going to lose my sale. I understand if someone else is higher on their wait list, but they'd better not try to snow me into not even thinking ANY of THEM are arriving until February...what say you all?

MHK

Anyone know how the performance characteristics are different between the two cars?

Taz0369

Alrighty, one of our dealer's is not being truthful with the intro date; if it's mine and they just don't want to acknowledge the car is actually ARRIVING in December, they are going to lose my sale. I understand if someone else is higher on their wait list, but they'd better not try to snow me into not even thinking ANY of THEM are arriving until February...what say you all?

Quite honestly carpersn, I wouldn't put too much weight in what the dealer told me. He first said they wouldn't be in until January, then he said late december, then he looked at his first order online and said "Oh it looks like they are shooting for a mid-December delivery for this one." Apparently, Monday was the first day for orders, so I'm sure this guy was one of the first in line. Have you actually placed your order already? If so, did they give you any indication of base price?

AutoSaurus

Just a call that stated my build date is 1/11/07. Which is perfect for me.

Need to check into that factory delivery program and see if its available again.

TeutonicCarFan

Based on your assumptions I set up a simple equation and came up with the answer: 24,046 miles. At that point the higher MPG would have saved you 1000 dollars for the CDI truck thus making it even priced with the unleaded truck. To show you, at 24,046 miles with 16 MPG means you would use 1,502.875 gallons of gas, and at 2.29 a gallon this would equal a total gasoline cost of $3441.58. In contrast, at 24,046 miles with 26 MPG means you would use only 924.85 gallons of diesel, and at 2.64 a gallon this would equal a total diesel cost of $2441.60. Obviously +/- a few buck because I was careless with my rounding and gas is really 2.29 and 9/10 of a cent.

Hope that helps.

To break it down to an amount of time, saying you average 12k a year, it would take two years. 15k a year, it would take a year and 7 months.

carpersn

I have gotten a build date of Jan. 27, due to some parts back-ordered for options i wanted...but i was told that all built will be held for delivery to owners at the same time in early February.

Also told that AL delivery has not re-started as of yet.

AutoSaurus

I've got a call into my contact at the factory about restart of factory deliveries. Last time we talked she said early 2007.

I've got just about all options available on my order so I'm not sureif mine has any delays or not. I'm please with the late Jan early Feb delivery timeframe. Gives me time to rid myself of the minivan. Sooner would be nicer though.

az911s

I don't think the diesel will warrant a premium over the GL450 V8. The ML320CDI shoows a $1000 premium over the gasoline V6 - and nearly a $5500 discount from the gasoline V8.

How about a new calculation with those numbers? Thanks.

BTW - nearly 2 weeks now with the 2007 E320 Bluetec. Great car - and engine.

AutoSaurus

Good assumption that the GL320 will be less than the 450 but its not official yet from MB. Without having the actual retail price there is no way to recalculate without using assumptions. Lets wait for the final numbers. Besides, elsewhere in another discussion you will find a chart showing the comparisons.