AnotherSL

MBZ seems way behind the times. These other guys all have direct injection gasoline V6 engines that give more power and better mpg:

BMW - their 2008 X5 3.0 will have the 300HP D.I. engine with turbo (out this summer)

VW/Audi - their 3.6L V6 has 280 HP with D.I. (out now)

Porsche - their 3.6L V6 has 290 HP with D.I. for 2008 (out now)

Even Cadillac will have D.I. on their 3.6L V6 for 2008 with 300HP (out this summer)

What about Mercedes????????????

arbittan

I have been very vocal about my experiences with Mercedes here on this forum and it doesn't surprise me that this car doesn't have the technology capabilities as other cars in its league. Unfortunately my experience with Mercedes wasn't the greatest and the dealer I went to wasn't the most honest dealer in my area. My previous vehicle in a side by side comparison had more technology integrated into it then the ML I have. When I say technology, it doesn't only include the interior amenities, it includes the safety technologies also.

I have had other people in this forum tell me to sell my vehicle and get one I like. My answer is, 1 year and 5 months

GregW / Oregon

Sorry about your bad experiences. My dealer is absolutely the best. As far as safety technology, the ML350 was just named top safety pick for 2007 by the Institute for Highway Safety in the US. The transmission in the ML is certainly state-of-the-art. Direct injection is not the end all. Even the forthcoming 2008 414 hp 8,400 rpm BMW M3 doesn't have it.

Germancar1

I agree it isn't the end-all nor does it always mean superior either. I'm sure Mercedes will offer it sooner or later, but knowning this with more power than the competition. There is already a DI version of the 3.5L V6 in the European market only CLS350 CGI, it makes 292hp.

M

Kar don

direct injection is also louder... i know i will have to get used to it in the lexus.

sosh

Not only louder but far more injector maintenence down the road.

AnotherSL

Germancar1: "There is already a DI version of the 3.5L V6 in the European market only CLS350 CGI, it makes 292hp."

I didn't know about that version of the engine. Maybe it'll be here in the USA soon. Has anyone heard any rumors?

sosh: "Not only louder but far more injector maintenance down the road."

I had not heard that before. Are you basing the statement on current diesel injector maintenance requirements?

Also, I remember reading that direct gas injection forms more NOx which may be why it's taken so long to get it on the market.

sosh

No, I am not basing this fact on Diesel injectors. The gas direct injectors have a substancially shorter life span than the type we use now and they are more expensive to replace. Remember that gas unlike diesel fuel has no lubricating qualities and that the head temps of gas engines is higher than that of diesels. I have seen this in applications of direct injectors in Gas engines powering other types of equipment. By the way, the highest performing car I own is carburated and as far as its performance it will leave most MB's in the dust.I personally believe that direct injection benefits have been very overstated.

AsianML

The CGI engine has been out (or at least the information) a while now. Haven't heard any new information, for probably a year now about it.

Germancar1

Here is the article on the CLS350 CGI:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm...world-premiere

M

Germancar1

You bring up a very interesting point. This could be why BMW and Mercedes haven't adopted this on their AMG and M engines yet.

M