Ordered my GL320CDI
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: MS Gulf Coast
1997 E320 Sedan
Ordered my GL320CDI
Went to confirm my GL320CDI order today and the dealership had a R -CDI on the lot. I wanted to drive it b/c I'd never driven a MB diesel before and especially wanted to try the new V6 that just came out.
I didn't know what to expect with the new engine but I did think it would have been a little more quite than it was. I can tell it was a diesel with the doors closed and all electronics off. It was noticeable and would take some getting used to.
The drive and handling was superior. It had alot more pickup and acceleration than I expected. This R shifted better than my current 06 ML350. It was very smooth.
Put nose to the exhaust pipe and couldn't smell the diesel burn at all. It was just the 'loose marbles" that I could still hear.
Still plan on getting the GL320CDI even though I'll have to get used to the new sound.
I didn't know what to expect with the new engine but I did think it would have been a little more quite than it was. I can tell it was a diesel with the doors closed and all electronics off. It was noticeable and would take some getting used to.
The drive and handling was superior. It had alot more pickup and acceleration than I expected. This R shifted better than my current 06 ML350. It was very smooth.
Put nose to the exhaust pipe and couldn't smell the diesel burn at all. It was just the 'loose marbles" that I could still hear.
Still plan on getting the GL320CDI even though I'll have to get used to the new sound.
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This may be the wrong section of the forum to ask, but here goes. I thought the reason for the development of the new AMG 6.3 engine was to create a lower torque motor to pair with the 7 spd automatic (the S/C 5.5 had too much torque for the 7 spd?). How is it then that the 7 spd is being used with the 320 CDI engine which has much higher torque? Is it that the torque occurs with less RPM?
Furthermore, would a tuning module that increases torque compromise the transmission?
Furthermore, would a tuning module that increases torque compromise the transmission?
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
The 7G can handle up to 600 lb/ft of torque constantly, the blown 55 cars when modded would shred the 7G to pieces.
The 6.3 liter AMG designed V8 was made to compete with the M5/M6 and really shines when its revved, down low in the RPM's there isnt as much torque as the blown 55K engines.
So the V6 CDI and the 7speed are a match made in heaven, the Renntech ECU would raise torque slightly, but would gain a lot more hp, say about 20~30 hp or more.
The 6.3 liter AMG designed V8 was made to compete with the M5/M6 and really shines when its revved, down low in the RPM's there isnt as much torque as the blown 55K engines.
So the V6 CDI and the 7speed are a match made in heaven, the Renntech ECU would raise torque slightly, but would gain a lot more hp, say about 20~30 hp or more.
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2007 ML320 CDI
I wouldn't worry at all about the 320 cdi. We took delivery this week on our ML 320 cdi and now that I have one, I would recommend it to almost anyone. I wish I could hear the diesel more often, but it only seems to be slightly noticeable when you are outside the vehicle. When you are inside, it is very quiet, probably related to the low operating rpms. In various postings, many of the ML 500 owners boast that it is their torque that makes it improved over the ML 350 or other suvs. The 398 lb-ft of torque in the diesel must also therefore count for something as compared to the 339 lb-ft in the GL 450. We live in a hilly area and the cdi rarely downshifts to go up the hills. You'll lose a race in a cdi, but in normal driving you will never notice the difference. On a long trip, you will lose seconds in acceleration time to the GL 450, but gain minutes by not having to stop for fuel as often.
