lkchris

DennisG01

Could it be that this is just an interim deal and once they "re-meet" certain EPA guidelines, they'll be back?

I find these statements by the author odd...

"Most fuel stations in the marketplace sport a blend of diesel fuel and biodiesel"
&
"The problem is that many outlets throughout the U.S. offer diesel with up to 20 per cent biodiesel – B20"

Now, I can only speak for fuel stations from PA to ME, but I honestly can't remember the last time I saw "B20" on the pump. Is this an exaggeration by the author to fit an agenda? Yes... I'm always skeptical of news agencies anymore - especially "online only" ones. That's not to say there isn't truth to the main premise of the story - this is just the first I heard of it and I haven't researched it. But my skepticism is more aligned with the reasoning (hard to find non-B20) behind the diesel-ditch, not the actual diesel-ditch, itself.

Fourdiesel

Depends on the state. In Washington where I live, it is hard to find any diesel that is NOT B5. In Oregon, it is hard to find any that is not B20 [so called environmentally conscious state laws]. B100 cannot be found anywhere publically yet city transit fleets in Oregon brag on running on bioD only!

SndsoftheSbrbs

The biodiesel fuel argument is laughable. There is no problem procuring low-level diesel blends in the vast majority of the United States and Canada. The issue is clearly the ever higher emissions standards imposed by the United States government, and by harmonization, Canada. That coupled with the fact that diesel vehicle sales represent a small percentage of Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales in North America, means that it is potentially not worth their while to sell diesel models in the United States. To me, this is a travesty. Especially in light of the fact that these vehicles are all assembled here. I consider myself part of the dedicated following of Mercedes-Benz diesels, despite my less than satisfactory experience owning a 2011 R350 BlueTEC (OM642 powertrain) vehicle. I am saddened that Mercedes-Benz won't try to bring their diesel products to market when Jaguar Land Rover, General Motors, and BMW have been pouring into the marketplace. Mercedes-Benz' saving grace is that the GL/GLS direct competitors are viewed as inadequate by most Mercedes-Benz drivers. They know that most Mercedes-Benz diesel enthusiasts will stick with the brand, even if it means buying a petrol model.

musquaro

It’s not clear this reason ,for the non availability of the diesel in the GL as they are still installing the same engine in the SPRINTER , This thing about fuel is non sense and I will not be buying a petrol replacement for my GL350 I just can beleive Mercedes is doing this it’s a shame

Plutoe

Are you serious bio diesel what a load of HS. The author does not know what he is talking about-----show we where at any time MB authorized the use of bio diesel in any of their newer model diesel engines---they have authorized low sulfur(sp) and nothing else------it's volume---the usa is not a diesel culture--very low sales!!

Jason B

Wait, do is this article a fact. Mercedes is really dropping all diesels in the USA? hard to believe....

http://autoweek.com/article/diesel/m...esel-crisis-us

SndsoftheSbrbs

They should hire me to write articles. I can write fake news articles too.

Anyway, the reasons that Mercedes-Benz passenger cars has dropped diesels for the United States and Canada are: 1. Additional emissions testing requirements imposed by the United States after the Volkswagen scandal that caused substantial delays in getting approval for Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC models, and 2. Generally low demand for diesel powertrains among American and Canadian consumers. The low demand coupled with additional testing requirements and delays killed Mercedes-Benz diesels in the United States.

lkchris

Think it's only B20 in Illinois

Daveh5525

I saw this article on line last week. I have a 2007 GL320CDI and love it. I was looking forward to the new 2019 GLS comming out with the next gen diesel engines. Let me know your thoughts.

DennisG01

Dave, what is that article trying to say in regards to diesels in NA? I don't see anything in that article about it. On a side note, the article seems to be written kinda strange - the wording is off. Is it translated from another language or do we have another not-so-bright "reporter" here?

Daveh5525

The link to the complete article is below. It looks like the CEO of MB is quoted. If true, might be hope for future diesels.

https://www.just-auto.com/news/merce...id180572.aspx#

91stealthes

Incorrect. Meijer carries straight D2. Though, this was my goto spot for fuel, as most gas stations didn't know if it was D2 or a Blend.

Stations in NYC/Long Island don't know what type of Diesel they offer either. It's quite frustrating!

KrustyKustom

what gets me is all of the other manufacturers that are coming out with new Diesel models. Small displacement diesels in the new F150, Silverado, Ranger and Colorado pickup.

I have had some issues with my GL350 but cannot think of replacing it with a gas guzzling V8 gasser..

SndsoftheSbrbs

I agree. It is shocking that Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, and a host of other manufacturers are releasing a number of diesel models in the United States while the manufacturer that essentially made the diesel passenger car market in the United States has retreated. The current GLS450 is a relatively efficient V6 petroleum powertrain. However, it disappoints on torque.

chsu74

That hot V6 is a motor I would stay away from out of warranty. There are no materials for its plumbing that exists today which can deal with heat soak. Had a BMW 550 with this design and will never go there again.

Jason B

Care to give more detail on that? Just curious. I love the GL350, and my neighbor just got a new GLS450, because the Diesel she ordered was put on hold, then cancelled due to this. She had no choice.

chsu74

Motor designers are starting to put turbos in the V of the motor. Traditional designs put turbos hanging off the side of the V.

New design in theory is great for better throttle response but all that heat generated by the turbos is difficult to manage. The heat soak is tremendous and just shortens life span on all the plastic plumbing bits around the motor.

Google BMW N63 motor and be prepared for long reads.

DennisG01

I wonder why it's an issue for MB or BMW? GM has been doing it with their Duramax diesel for 17 years (maybe other manufacturer's before that/since - but I don't know one way or the other).

chsu74

Because gasoline engines run hotter than diesels.

BlownV8

Get a tune on the little V6 and it has more torque and close to twice the HP of the diesel. 402HP and 454TQ
https://www.renntechmercedes.com/ind...902-929-detail

gkgeiger

Looks like my ML Bluetec will have to last forever. I already told my dealer how I feel.
Sorry, I didn't realize I was in the GL forum. I did a search for diesel looking for conversation about this topic and this thread appeared.

gkgeiger

Yah, but it doesn't make that torque number till 3500 RPM, not off idle.

Daveh5525

Agreed, I came to this realization also and listened to what others commented on in this forum.
I just found a CPO 2016 GL350 Bluetec with 26,000 miles. I traded our 2007 320CDI with 160,000 miles for this 2016. It came with remaining original warrentee til 9/19 & 50,000 miles, and with CPO 1 additional year warrentee unlimited miles, plus bought the 2 additional years of extended warrantee with the unlimited miles.
Im good now until 9/2022 and hope by then the diesel issue is resolved.
There are only 6 other 2016 CPO GL350 Bluetec in the county now. Hopeully others will be coming in from lease soon.

BlownV8

The stock engine makes 384 lb-ft by 1800 RPM and carries that through 4000 RPM. The V6 gas engine is a bi-turbo so it makes boost very low in the RPM range. The stock GL320/350 in the 164 GL makes peak torque around 1600 RPM but only carries that until around 2500 where if drops quickly. The diesel does not have much of an advantage in quickness to peak torque and has much less hp so it will not accelerate very quickly when compared to the gas engine.