mdadgar

Because we're competing with heating oil in the winter, which is basically the same thing.

It's very difficult to change the split of diesel vs. gas vs. other components of a barrel of oil, and even when you can change it you can't change it by much. So small changes in diesel demand (ie a colder than normal winter) result in large changes in price (since the supply doesn't change easily or quickly).

- Mark

TamZ

Diesel. It's horrible! My husband paid $4.25/gal though yesterday in a different town. I saw it was $3.99/gal at one of the AM/PM gas stations but we don't go there because they don't take credit cards. I looked today and they are up to $4.11/gal now. Sigh..

Fuel is $$$ right now! Some stations as high as $4.55/gal!

http://www.californiagasprices.com/index.aspx?fuel=D This link, if you page down just a bit shows you our average prices right now in California, as of about 9 hours ago.

TamZ

If I had a dollar for everytime I say this...lol...

StevethePilot

Okay, Mark, I'll buy that if in the summer, here in Phoenix (where heating oil's used about as much as snowshoes), the price of diesel is routinely less than even super. Which it ain't. It used to be, but once they made it a "boutique" fuel by giving it the fancy appellation "ultra-low sulpher diesel", it suddenly became "special."

Plus, anywhere I've been in Europe, summer or winter, diesel is less than petrol. Always. And it's still like $.18/gal in many oil producing countries.

TamZ

This is what I have always thought. Back when "having a diesel" wasn't as popular, diesel was inexpensive. Then..it seemed as if everyone wanted a diesel...and voila--prices for diesel went up. It's like marking up the price of your $5 Justin Bieber T-shirt to $10 at your garage sale because he just happens to be having a concert in your town that weekend--and everyone wants a shirt. (bad analogy, but remember I have teenage girls in the house.)

I remember when I was first driving, I remember gas was 99cents/gal and lower. (early 80's) For some of the older people around here, I'm sure they remember it even less but that seems to be about as low as I remember! (edit: Now I guess I must have been in a competition to see how many times i could fit the word "remember" in these sentences. sheesh.)

mdadgar

I don't disagree. The refineries needed to be retooled for ULSD, which is the excuse they are using for soaking us.

I bought a Duramax back in 2002. Diesel was nice and cheap. That lasted a year or two.

- Mark

Brocktoon

For me, it was a no brainer going diesel. Up here, a Diesel GL starts at $9,400 less than a 450, and fuel is up to $1.00 less than Super per imperial gallon.

I think it is a harder argument in the States. Unfortunately, most car manufacturers group us as the same market now, and we pretty much only get the Diesel cars you guys get. They even took away the diesel Smart!

mdadgar

It's still an easy argument in the States. The GL350 is $1000 less than the GL450. Diesel costs 3% more per gallon (roughly) but returns mileage 30-40% better.

And NO ONE who's ridden in my GL350 has noticed that it's a diesel. Literally.

Easy decision!

- Mark

LEOSOPHIE

Fortunately Mercedes gives us a choice between superior mileage with the diesel or superior acceleration with the 550.

EWT

That is a taxation issue. Diesel is taxed less than gas to encourage adaption of diesel powered cars, which is why they are so much more popular there.

+1. You can quote diesel torque numbers all you want, but a 550 is a lot quicker than a 350, both in terms of absolute acceleration and in especially in terms of throttle response.

chsu74

Why would anyone want to race with a 6,000 lbs vehicle? The GL can only go in a straight line anyway. Otherwise, there are other cars to choose from when carving corners.

EWT

That's why I have the other car in my profile.

LEOSOPHIE

It is more fun to go fast in a straight line than slow.

chsu74

I was at Watkins Glen last summer and a supra Turbo was in my group. He would just blow past me on the straights but I catch up in the corners. I am a fan of the styling.

You are correct! In fact, it is much more fun driving a sub 5 second 0-60 mph car than a 6,000 lbs truck which get you there 3 seconds slower.

I been driving my wife's GL 320 BTC and while it does not handle poorly for a vehicle so high off the ground, I would not call driving the truck fun even with a big gas V8. Its more like a chore truck..

EWT

Sounds like somebody needs to learn how to drive. Contrary to popular belief, Supras actually handle very well. Not the most communicative and light feeling car, but very neutral and incredibly easy to drive given the amount of power. Mine used to make it to the track at least once a month before kid #2 Sadly, it has been at least 4 years since the R compounds have been on the car.

LEOSOPHIE

Car and Driver recorded 5.9 not exactly slow. What are you so angry about?

mdadgar

Yes, we miss you at Thunderhill.

- Mark

mdadgar

You need to spend some time in a heavy-duty pickup. The GL will feel like a Porsche after that.

- Mark, daily-drove a Duramax Crew Cab for 6 years

luv2sleep

Since this discussion came up, I'll bite.
The GL450 will do 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds according to one of the car magazines (Road & Track?). The 550 will do it in 6.5 seconds; the GL350 in just under 8 seconds. The V8's numbers are impressive for such a big SUV, indeed. However, the new QX56 is quicker than the 550, fyi. Having owned a GL450, I barely notice the lag in the Bluetec but I do notice it, that is until it hits around 1900 RPM. During cruise, the throttle response is better in the GL350 than in the V8s due to the low end torque. So yes, torque does matter; it is king.

mdadgar

That's been my experience with a GL350 so far, too. Once rolling, the pickup is better than the 6.2L V8 in my old Escalade (same torque at a lower rpm and 600 fewer lbs will do that).

I think the GL350 0-60 time is really hampered by the soft initial roll-off.

- Mark

BlownV8

According to MBUSA
GL450 = 6.9 to 60
GL550 = 6.4 to 60
GL350 = 9.1 to 60

Car and Driver has tested the GL550 0-60 in 5.9 and the 450 in 6.6.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take_road_test

Motortrend tested the 2011 QX56 0-60 in 6.1
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...est/index.html

luv2sleep

Thanks for posting the test numbers. I stand corrected.
I'll still take the GL350 over the 450 & 550 unless they put a big enough gas tank to go a week or more between refueling.

EWT

I'll make it back one of these days. I've intended to do make it out the last 2 years, but the date has fallen on bad days both times. If you want to see a blast from the past, I was just looking at the Thill video I have on FB, and I think you make an appearance @ about 4:25. Ken's car is in there too, and probably several other list regulars, but I didn't know any names back then.

The boat has replaced track days as a black hole for money and time, and it is fun in a different way and a better family activity than watching me drive fast at a racetrack, so it isn't a total loss.

chsu74

Apologize. Did not mean for the remark to come off this way.

Love those trucks. I logged around 100K miles in a Dodge van 2500 going in and out of New York City when I first got out of college as part of my first job. Its where I learned to parallel park and push cabbies around. Ah.. the good old days.

StevethePilot

Dodge may still be "Not Ready for Prime Time" --- http://www.tmz.com/2011/03/18/meet-t...-perry-recall/