StevethePilot

DANG it I wish I could go to the BBQ meet and jaw this one out with a few of you guys! Oh, the fun I'm going to miss!

If someone sees a smouldering hulk of a motorhome somewhere on I-80 between Reno and West Springfield, MA in the next three days, please feed and care for the dogs. I fly out to pick it up this afternoon.

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nantucketsleigh

In the most recent issue of the BMW magazine, in between the ads for $40,000 watches, are articles describing their current engine lineup. The amount space devoted to diesels and "glowing" descriptions of their performance (the 335d is faster than the 335) leads me to conclude that a big diesel push is on for the U.S. I'm sure MB reads the mag.

boxboss

They don't have to. MB leads the diesel pack in the US and the others are now having to play catch-up.

NbyNW

Not only do they read the magazine, they probably call each other... friends and previous co-workers to quietly discuss plans.

Monday at the local BMW dealer a sales guy said 2009 for diesels. Previously it was mid 2008 (for MY2009?). Even with the diesel as a great selling point the X5 is too small. The 335d and 535d would be very nice, but I was told the 535d is not on the list for the US.

I've been dragging my feet to replace my wifes (trouble free) 04 E320 4matic while waiting for word on the 420 and 550. And based on the hose issue I'm glad I've waited. Hopefully the Q3 and factory MY2008 fix makes this issue go away for good. From what is being discussed the 420 and 550 will be quite expensive - especially when the 320 and 450 are perfectly adequate, and can also get very expensive. Sounds like the GL class could get too crowded. Yet choices are good.

Will the 2008 GL CDI be a Bluetec or "standard" diesel? I'm sure we'll learn more very soon as many 2008 models are posted at mbusa.com - S, E, CL, etc.

Jlight

Ok so there seems to be a LOT of talk about a 2008 GL 420... I have searched the WEB looking for any and all info on the GL 420 Diesel here in the US only to find NOTHING!

Last weekend I drove the GL 320 CDI and WOW!!! I absolutely loved it, fantastic MPG, great power... The thing with power is that we always want more!! Like a v8 diesel!

My thought is that the trend will be more diesels for the US, people are realizing quickly that diesels are the way to go...

I absolutely feel people will pay for the 420 diesel here in the US, I would pay for one tonight if I could and the more I talk to GL owners the more I hear just how interested they are in a GL Diesel V8 here in the US.

I hope MB is 1st to market with a V8 Diesel in the lux SUV segment. The automotive press would be all over it, owners would love it and all said it would create some major new buzz to drive people to check out both the v6 and the v8 diesels...

Any more news?!?!?!?!??!

At the end of the day - any GL is a fantastic ride!

Germancar1

Mercedes is goingto wait until the 2009 model year to introduce a 50-state compliant GL420 Bluetec so I wouldn't expect it before summer 2008 at the earliest. Mercedes and the EPA still have some details to work out on the whole Adblue situation. They could have done it for the 2008 model year, but I think they're going to wait until they can make a 50-state splash/marketing blitz. Along with the GL320 Bluetec.

M

Jlight

M -

Thanks for the thoughts - by the way like your CLK 430! Good lines on that car for sure.

Hopefully the GL 420 Bluetec will be here ASAP I am all over that!!!

J

nantucketsleigh

Be patient and wait for a 420 if you can. Given the important evolutionary changes MB has made on virtually all of its model lineup in recent years, I have never met an MB owner who was sorry he didn't buy sooner rather than later.

Germancar1

YW and thanks.

M

GL Fahrer

There are NO plans to bring a V8 diesel to the U.S.
Good Idea, yes. But the V6 gives the GL acceptable performance and 7500lb towing. The GL320 CDI is the hottest selling M-B SUV. There is just not enough missing to to add another variant.
M-B only tracks the competition: Escalade, Navigator, LX470/570, QX56 and to a lesser extent the Range Rover HSE.
This group provides no compelling reason to change strategy.

nantucketsleigh

I would view any automakers' comment of "no plans" similar to politicians' comments of "no plans to run". MB's motivation might be to re-establish itself as the leader in the luxury car market. IMO in 3 or 4 years virtually all brands will have a range of diesels available in the U.S. as they have in Europe.

Germancar1

I would have to disagee with that. There is no way they went though the trouble of showing a GL420 Bluetec "Vision" on the auto show circuit for them not already have a plan in place to sell it. You can bet on a GL420 Bluetec for the 2009 model year.

M