AutoSaurus

No discounts for factory pickup of US built MB's.

NickIndy

They should at least drop destination charges.

BW

Theoretically CDIs should be CA legal between October 2006 and January 1, 2007, as the '07 federal Tier 2 Bin 8 requirements (which the CDIs meet with low-sulfur fuel) are identical to '06 CA requirements. According to Edmunds, VW will be offering their Touareg TDI in all 50 states for those three months, but it appears Merc has opted out.

Has anyone contacted MB about this matteR?

Wolfgang

Interesting.

EDMUNDS: "A new set of more restrictive diesel emissions rules which go into effect January 1st of 2007 will force Volkswagen to restrict sales to 45 states next year, but for a period of about three months the Touareg TDI will be sold in all 50 states."

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=116017

Wolfgang

MBUSA still says on their website:

MBUSA:" The 2007 E320 BLUETEC, ML320 CDI, and R320 CDI do not meet the emissions requirements of California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, or Vermont and are not available in these states."

http://www.mbusa.com/campaigns/alter...fuels/index.do

Wolfgang

Here are the Tier II bin 8 limits BW mentioned.

marc32

Also On the GL line, Mercedes will be offering the six cylinder diesel as well as the eight cylinder diesels.

On the S Class any idea when they will introduce it?

Germancar1

I would guess we'll see a S320 CDI or Bluetec for the 2008 model year, but the V8 diesel isn't coming to the U.S. in any form, at least for right now.

M

Wolfgang

Would have to be S320 Bluetec since cars must meet Bin 8 starting in 2007, trucks starting in 2009.

Germancar1

Oh, didn't know that. Thanks. A S320 Blutec would be really hot in those states in which MB can't current sell diesels, IMO.

M

medici78

Any updates from anyone? My salesperson is saying he is not aware of any delays and my car will be built 8/31...

BenzOwner

The diesel ML will not be released until the second week in October so that MB is positive that the new low-phosphur diesel fuel has replaced the old stuff nationwide.

I'd be sceptical of the 8/31 build date...did your salesperson actually show you order to you in NetStar? I was the second person to order one in Seattle (and I placed the order back at the beginning of April) and got a 10/10 build slot. Looking in NetStar, the earliest build my salesperson and I could find (at least for this area) was 9/27, so I find it a bit of a stretch that they are going to build your car and leave it sitting at the factory for four or five weeks waiting for the new fuel to be available. Even if the build date is correct, it looks like you're still going to have to wait until after the beginning of October to enjoy your new vehicle.

Sorry to be the bearer of less-than-happy news.

WishforE55

strange no off road pro package we get it down under on the Ml350 and ML320 CDi, cost is less on the 500, b/c of the airmatic.

carpersn

on almost all the new models, to build up inventory, they'll build 'em and let 'em sit for a few weeks, often at the port (for a German-built, or European, that is), often in Vance, and even as often in the rear of the dealership-last car my buddy got he sat in at the dealer's back lot 2 weeks before he could pick it up.

medici78

Yup, looked up NetStar and as of last week, the 8/31 is still scheduled.

Germancar1

Important article on MB getting the ML320 sold in all 50 states in Bluetec form one day in the future:

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...41/PROMOBLOG01

M

medici78

I don't see anything in that article saying what you describe.

Germancar1

You missed the point. The article is important because the EPA is getting close to setting up the guidlines for urea injection (MB's adblue system) approved for 50 state use which will allow MB and others to sell diesel cars in the 5 states in which they can't do so currently. Once the EPA approves this it will be a green light for MB to sell the blutec in Cali, NY, MA etc...

M

oilbelcher

I am really pissed you have to order almost $10,000 is over-priced, extremely high margin (for MB and dealer) just to get the air suspension. what a rip-off

medici78

Maybe my car is a glitch in the system, but I just called my dealer and here's what they told me about our US-Spec ML320 CDI: According to NetStar, built 8/31 and in-transit.

I'll definitely keep you folks updated with progress.

WishforE55

here is what we get ripped for down under if anyone is interested we also get the ML280CDI...

http://www.mercedesbenz.com.au/passe...00615824PM.pdf