Rethinking diesels?
#26
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'08 GL 320 CDI (scheduled delivery 3/20/08)
I just hit 1500 miles on the odometer of my new GL320CDI and posted 27.8 mpg on combined city / hwy driving (35%/65%), from what I hear I'm very much looking forward to driving it in and experiencing better gas mileage.... Moreover, the disparity between gas and diesel is shrinking quickly
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 470
Received 169 Likes
on
110 Posts
19 X3, 24 Tacoma Trailhunter, 25 CLE53
I think comparing the economy of the GL450/550 vs the GL320 is kind of like comparing the proverbial apples and oranges. In search of similar performance I compared the ML320 to the ML350. Using the EPA's calculator, EPA fuel economy and my local BP's $3.40 vs $3.99 pricing spread, I found a savings of $10/month for the ML320. I know there are advantages/disadvantages to each engine that prevent this from being a perfect comparison, but the amount of fuel cost difference wouldn't sway me one way or the other for these two vehicles.
#32
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
I saw my first "not in the showroom" E320 Bluetec on the road today. I don't know if it was last year's or this year's but there it was. They're getting really good mileage. If only it was as beautiful as the GL ... ahh ...
STP
#35
Super Member
My opinion is this (and it's obviously just that-my opinion)...i'm still doing my small part to use less of the earth's fossil fuels, and fortunately, as an MB-driving American, i can afford it...think how we'd feel if we'd been paying $5-6/gal for years across the pond. Eventually supply will catch up-
PS-I still don't see why we can't go get the GD oil we already have in Alaska-it's BS that we can't convince the far lefties to approve that particular mission. Not that it should exempt us from a drive to become less dependent, but it sure would give the D$MN OPEC countries a shot in the groin.
PS-I still don't see why we can't go get the GD oil we already have in Alaska-it's BS that we can't convince the far lefties to approve that particular mission. Not that it should exempt us from a drive to become less dependent, but it sure would give the D$MN OPEC countries a shot in the groin.
#36
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
PS-I still don't see why we can't go get the GD oil we already have in Alaska-it's BS that we can't convince the far lefties to approve that particular mission. Not that it should exempt us from a drive to become less dependent, but it sure would give the D$MN OPEC countries a shot in the groin.
#38
Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Olney,MD
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wife - E300; GL320 - Sand Biege; Me - F150
If we were to develop the ability to get oil from oil shale (which produces kerogen), we'd have enough oil from our own country to meet our own demands at current levels for about 110 years. Saudi currently leads with "proven" oil reserves of 260 gigabarrels (I'm not making up that word). The US's oil shale reserves (unproven) are 2500 gigabarrels, and we lead the world in oil shale. Were we to cut off the OPEC countries and start selling to China and India ... wow, what a change in the global situation that would bring!
Is this a true STP?
I also read that there was an oil reserve under the Dakotas that equals 115 to 500 billion barrels of oil and a few of the oil companies are already starting investiagate drilling options.
Last edited by jhcicco; 04-04-2008 at 08:17 AM.
#39
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
http://ostseis.anl.gov/guide/oilshale/index.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_shale
That's where I get the information on it. I think my point is, if what we're really trying to do is eliminate our dependancy on foreign oil, it can be done. If we're trying to use that as part of a series of arguments to make feel-good legislation (think CAFE standards) and "gee-whiz" technology (think electric and hybrid cars), then we're still quite a long ways from accomplishing that goal.
#40
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
But I rant. (Again.)