i just brought home my first diesel car---a '97 e300d---had it a couple of days. i just parked it in the garage and went back out about an hour later and i noticed that the hood and front grille are still hot.
is this because diesel engines burn hotter than gasoline engines, or should i be concerned that there is a problem?[/align]

 

You need to provide add'l info, e.g., what part of the country are you in (i.e., is it unusual to feel the heat or is it because you're in the South, where heat is greater than up north? I've been driving MB diesels for 20+ yrs (and love 'em) and don't recognize extra heat. I have a '97 E300D that I haven't been very happy about, but I can't say I've noticed extra heat. I'd say just watch your temp gauge. If it's not out of line, things should be OK.

 

I live is central NY and while today was in the mid 80's, it was far from hot. The car sat outside during the midafternoon while we attended a fair. Then we drove home. It's now three hours since we got home and when I just popped the hood, the engine block is still warm to the touch. Not burning hot, but certainly not fully cooled. The only other piece that may be relevant is that I bought the car this past Friday and drove it approx. 240 miles home. It was sitting on the lot for approx. 3 months.

Although it's a bit late for me to reconsider the purchase, I'm curious why you were disappointed with the '97 E300D?