'07 R320CDI impression
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 524
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From: MS Gulf Coast
1997 E320 Sedan
'07 R320CDI impression
Brief review:
Went to confirm my GL320CDI order today and the dealership had a R -CDI on the lot. I wanted to drive it b/c I'd never driven a MB diesel before and especially wanted to try the new V6 that just came out.
I didn't know what to expect with the new engine but I did think it would have been a little more quite than it was. I can tell it was a diesel with the doors closed and all electronics off. It was noticeable and would take some getting used to.
The drive and handling was superior. It had alot more pickup and acceleration than I expected. This R shifted better than my current 06 ML350. It was very smooth.
Put nose to the exhaust pipe and couldn't smell the diesel burn at all. It was just the 'loose marbles" that I could still hear.
Still plan on getting the GL320CDI too.
Went to confirm my GL320CDI order today and the dealership had a R -CDI on the lot. I wanted to drive it b/c I'd never driven a MB diesel before and especially wanted to try the new V6 that just came out.
I didn't know what to expect with the new engine but I did think it would have been a little more quite than it was. I can tell it was a diesel with the doors closed and all electronics off. It was noticeable and would take some getting used to.
The drive and handling was superior. It had alot more pickup and acceleration than I expected. This R shifted better than my current 06 ML350. It was very smooth.
Put nose to the exhaust pipe and couldn't smell the diesel burn at all. It was just the 'loose marbles" that I could still hear.
Still plan on getting the GL320CDI too.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 857
Likes: 21
From: NC
2019 Volvo XC90 Magic/Amber, '95 E320 Cabriolet Midnight,'14 GL350 Lunar/Almond was '07 GL320CDI
Brief review:
Went to confirm my GL320CDI order today and the dealership had a R -CDI on the lot. I wanted to drive it b/c I'd never driven a MB diesel before and especially wanted to try the new V6 that just came out.
I didn't know what to expect with the new engine but I did think it would have been a little more quite than it was. I can tell it was a diesel with the doors closed and all electronics off. It was noticeable and would take some getting used to.
The drive and handling was superior. It had alot more pickup and acceleration than I expected. This R shifted better than my current 06 ML350. It was very smooth.
Put nose to the exhaust pipe and couldn't smell the diesel burn at all. It was just the 'loose marbles" that I could still hear.
Still plan on getting the GL320CDI too.
Went to confirm my GL320CDI order today and the dealership had a R -CDI on the lot. I wanted to drive it b/c I'd never driven a MB diesel before and especially wanted to try the new V6 that just came out.
I didn't know what to expect with the new engine but I did think it would have been a little more quite than it was. I can tell it was a diesel with the doors closed and all electronics off. It was noticeable and would take some getting used to.
The drive and handling was superior. It had alot more pickup and acceleration than I expected. This R shifted better than my current 06 ML350. It was very smooth.
Put nose to the exhaust pipe and couldn't smell the diesel burn at all. It was just the 'loose marbles" that I could still hear.
Still plan on getting the GL320CDI too.
P.S. I've always thought that the "loose marbles" sound was an MB badge of honor because it's so rare in a car!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 524
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From: MS Gulf Coast
1997 E320 Sedan
One thing to remember....I live on the Gulf Coast (read major rebuilding) and there are tons of diesel HD pickups everywhere. I smell and hear them everywhere I go.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 524
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From: MS Gulf Coast
1997 E320 Sedan
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
Loose Marbles Sound.
The sound of money being saved.
Compare the sound of a late model MBZ diesel with that made by my first diesel, a 1961 190 Db.
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
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From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
Thanks AutoSaurus
Thank you for letting us know that these R-class diesels are beginning to appear at the dealerships.
Do you happen to recall what the EPA mileage estimate figures were on the Maroney?
What was the approximate price total at the bottom of the sticker?
How long before your GL will be built and delivered?
Do you happen to recall what the EPA mileage estimate figures were on the Maroney?
What was the approximate price total at the bottom of the sticker?
How long before your GL will be built and delivered?
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
From: MS Gulf Coast
1997 E320 Sedan
Thank you for letting us know that these R-class diesels are beginning to appear at the dealerships.
Do you happen to recall what the EPA mileage estimate figures were on the Maroney?
What was the approximate price total at the bottom of the sticker?
How long before your GL will be built and delivered?
Do you happen to recall what the EPA mileage estimate figures were on the Maroney?
What was the approximate price total at the bottom of the sticker?
How long before your GL will be built and delivered?
$55,000'ish (only had premium pkg and something else)
No time on my GL as my dealership, which is small, had none allocated yet. I quick phone call to the factory rep says he'll get it in the order bank soon. I'll know more next week I think.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 4
From: Toronto
2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
Brief review:
Went to confirm my GL320CDI order today and the dealership had a R -CDI on the lot. I wanted to drive it b/c I'd never driven a MB diesel before and especially wanted to try the new V6 that just came out.
I didn't know what to expect with the new engine but I did think it would have been a little more quite than it was. I can tell it was a diesel with the doors closed and all electronics off. It was noticeable and would take some getting used to.
The drive and handling was superior. It had alot more pickup and acceleration than I expected. This R shifted better than my current 06 ML350. It was very smooth.
Put nose to the exhaust pipe and couldn't smell the diesel burn at all. It was just the 'loose marbles" that I could still hear.
Still plan on getting the GL320CDI too.
Went to confirm my GL320CDI order today and the dealership had a R -CDI on the lot. I wanted to drive it b/c I'd never driven a MB diesel before and especially wanted to try the new V6 that just came out.
I didn't know what to expect with the new engine but I did think it would have been a little more quite than it was. I can tell it was a diesel with the doors closed and all electronics off. It was noticeable and would take some getting used to.
The drive and handling was superior. It had alot more pickup and acceleration than I expected. This R shifted better than my current 06 ML350. It was very smooth.
Put nose to the exhaust pipe and couldn't smell the diesel burn at all. It was just the 'loose marbles" that I could still hear.
Still plan on getting the GL320CDI too.
Buy these babies before the tree hugging Sierras determine that diesel engines are as bad as O-Zone (north of the de-militarized zone in Korea) and horse buggies are more "environmentally friend" and "sustainable (opposite of prematured evacuation" growth. By that date you have to run around with a bottle of urea like a colostomy bag in case you run out.
Blow some sooty smoke and make the Sierras "fume" ha!
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 857
Likes: 21
From: NC
2019 Volvo XC90 Magic/Amber, '95 E320 Cabriolet Midnight,'14 GL350 Lunar/Almond was '07 GL320CDI
Thank you for letting us know that these R-class diesels are beginning to appear at the dealerships.
Do you happen to recall what the EPA mileage estimate figures were on the Maroney?
What was the approximate price total at the bottom of the sticker?
How long before your GL will be built and delivered?
Do you happen to recall what the EPA mileage estimate figures were on the Maroney?
What was the approximate price total at the bottom of the sticker?
How long before your GL will be built and delivered?
My dealership has been allocated one GL320CDI (mine, yeah!
!) and i have the Netstar notification letter that says MBUSA is hoping for Dec 06/Jan. 07 introduction.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,199
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
The diesel sound will disappear at highway speeds.
Kind of fun IHMO to "growl" around town at 1100 rpm.
Diesel has way more torque than the 350 and right at the same as the 500, so real world performance will be quite impressive.
Kind of fun IHMO to "growl" around town at 1100 rpm.
Diesel has way more torque than the 350 and right at the same as the 500, so real world performance will be quite impressive.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2006
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Test drove one myself the other day. I'm buying one. The diesel sound was only barely noticable (to me) when I gunned it and I was too busy enjoying the torque than worrying about the minor sound... I've got a very finicky wife (don't tell that to her... 
) and I'm sure she won't even mind it!
) and I'm sure she won't even mind it!
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
Here's one more.
Thanks. Since you liked that one, maybe you'd like another? 
It goes something like this:
Knock knock!
Who's there?
Diesel.
Diesel who?
Diesel will save you plenty of money if you can stand the noise.
The noise part was true back in the days when I had my first MBZ, a 1961 190 Db, but that is not true today.
At 70 years old and with my hearing not what it once was, I'm afraid that when I get
my new Bluetec CDI, it will only purr and I will have a tendency to fall asleep.
It goes something like this:
Knock knock!
Who's there?
Diesel.
Diesel who?
Diesel will save you plenty of money if you can stand the noise.
The noise part was true back in the days when I had my first MBZ, a 1961 190 Db, but that is not true today.
At 70 years old and with my hearing not what it once was, I'm afraid that when I get
my new Bluetec CDI, it will only purr and I will have a tendency to fall asleep.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 367
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From: Scotland
2004 SL500, 2007 R350 Sport
Had a test drive in an R320 and it's very quiet on the move. There is a noticable chatter when idling but not intrusive at all. Reason I'm getting the 350 is we won't be doing that many miles and would worry we'd stick petrol into a diesel!
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
No
That is not a valid reason IMHO. 
'Course, that is your choice, but I'd reconsider if it is not already to late.
At the terribly high cost of fuels in your area, the savings from fueling with diesel
will soon pay for that slight addition cost of the diesel engine, and the
diesel is so much better in every way over the V6 gasser.
Think about it. Once you've gotten used to reaching for the correct nozzle,
the rest is history, and you'll never look back, believe you me.
'Course, that is your choice, but I'd reconsider if it is not already to late.
At the terribly high cost of fuels in your area, the savings from fueling with diesel
will soon pay for that slight addition cost of the diesel engine, and the
diesel is so much better in every way over the V6 gasser.
Think about it. Once you've gotten used to reaching for the correct nozzle,
the rest is history, and you'll never look back, believe you me.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Scotland
2004 SL500, 2007 R350 Sport
That is not a valid reason IMHO.
'Course, that is your choice, but I'd reconsider if it is not already to late.
At the terribly high cost of fuels in your area, the savings from fueling with diesel
will soon pay for that slight addition cost of the diesel engine, and the
diesel is so much better in every way over the V6 gasser.
Think about it. Once you've gotten used to reaching for the correct nozzle,
the rest is history, and you'll never look back, believe you me.
'Course, that is your choice, but I'd reconsider if it is not already to late.
At the terribly high cost of fuels in your area, the savings from fueling with diesel
will soon pay for that slight addition cost of the diesel engine, and the
diesel is so much better in every way over the V6 gasser.
Think about it. Once you've gotten used to reaching for the correct nozzle,
the rest is history, and you'll never look back, believe you me.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
Here Also.
Diesel is higher here too as it is in many places at this time.
In the U S, Big Oil is supposedly using the excuse that the new
federally mandated ULSD diesel is more expensive to produce.
I don't buy that, as they were charging, in many locations, considerably
higher prices for the older (dirty) fuel prior to the introduction of the
better lower content (15 ppm Sulfur or less) ULSD.
You know, any excuse to hit us where it hurts.
Meanwhile, have you seen the record profits posted by the oil corps lately?
Like I said earlier, try it, you'll like it!
Having driven diesels for years, I can't stand any gasser now because I have gotten
used to the tremendous right now torque that is available no matter what the RPM.
Good luck on your decision.
In the U S, Big Oil is supposedly using the excuse that the new
federally mandated ULSD diesel is more expensive to produce.
I don't buy that, as they were charging, in many locations, considerably
higher prices for the older (dirty) fuel prior to the introduction of the
better lower content (15 ppm Sulfur or less) ULSD.
You know, any excuse to hit us where it hurts.
Meanwhile, have you seen the record profits posted by the oil corps lately?
Like I said earlier, try it, you'll like it!
Having driven diesels for years, I can't stand any gasser now because I have gotten
used to the tremendous right now torque that is available no matter what the RPM.
Good luck on your decision.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12
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R320 CDI Impressions
I drove a R320 CDI this weekend on the interstate and on a few back roads. My daily driver is a '99 E300td, so diesels are nothing new. We purposely started it with the hood open and it's the quietest diesel I've ever heard. Once it was warmed up, it was difficult to tell what kind of engine it had. The torque is Very Impressive (almost 400 ft lbs). On the freeway you can be in ticket territory quickly. The seven speed is seemless -- it's hard to know what gear you're in without looking at the dashboard -- it just goes. BTW, at, ah, "cruising speed" the engine is sipping fuel at 2K rpms and the wind and engine noise are negligible. The sucker is heavy (almost 5,000 lbs) but even on the twisties, it did not feel as though it weighed that much. I'm 6'6" and there was plenty of space up front. Surprise, the seat behind the driver is also "big". With the driver's seat all the way back, the seat back was still a few inches from my knees. With the exception of a limo and a checker cab, no other vehicle has ever done that! With the seats down, there's 8' of length. Yeah, with some constructive padding you could sleep in it. All in all, a very nice ride. I have to admit that I had always assumed my next ride would be a E320 CDI, now I'm not so sure. Given my life, all that space and the all wheel drive are pretty sweet. I forget what the EPA figures were, but I think it was something like 23 around town and 28 on the highway. Pretty amazing for something with that many seats! Once it's broken in, I bet you could see 30mpg on the highway. If you need a "big rig," the R320 CDI deserves a serious look.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
Thanks . .
At approximately 1000 pounds heavier than the E-320 Bluetec
sedan, can you imagine how quick the car really is ?
Not only that, but 27 mpg city and 37 mpg highway as opposed to 27 mpg highway for the R-320.
sedan, can you imagine how quick the car really is ?
Not only that, but 27 mpg city and 37 mpg highway as opposed to 27 mpg highway for the R-320.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10
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From: Newburgh, Indiana
1987 Mercedes 300 SDL
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5
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Worried about putting petrol in a diesel?
Aren't the nozzle heads different for diesel vs. petrol?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Run a diesel purge through your system. Get your injectors pressure tested. Check your injection pump timing. Inspect the exhaust.
Idle from inside cabin should be smooth as a gasser (tachometer at idle is the only clue to its activity).
I'm glad we finally have more than one choice for Merc diesels in the US. Looking forward to future updates of owner experiences with all of these cars.
