Just got an email from MB that MBUSA will reintroduce the diesel engine in the 2005 model E320 CDI. Why does it take so long for the US to get the hint that diesel technology had advanced significantly. I live in Germany as an federal contractor. I see a diesel option for just about any car model.

 

There is no need for diesel vehicles here in the U.S., and they had not beena big market here also.</P>


In the U.S.we have very cheap gas prices, and fuel consumption of a vehicle usually isn't a big deal. So thats why the U.S. is full of trucks and SUVs where in Europe its mostly fuel efficient vehicles such as hatchbacks and diesel vehicles. </P>

 

True. The gasoline is perhaps $500 to $2000 more each year compared to a similar diesel here in the US, especially given the price difference between premium and diesel. Oh, and a diesel sells for quite a bit more, perhaps 2 to 4 thousand more, as a used car. Perhaps those that wish to keep their Mercedes for a long time and/or long miles like them too.</P>


There should be a rush to buy the 2005 CDI if only to avert a potential gas price increase and to drive a better engine as far as torque, longevity, and quietness.</P>


I have one on order and it will join my New Beetle TDI. Great!</P>

 

One other problem is the emission standards, where European governments are in favor of diesel vehicle, so automakers and the governmentscould work together to find ways that benefits both sides. </P>


But as European (diesels)vehicles travel across the ocean, its a totally different situation. California doesn't like diesels, and many other states follow the laws of California. As the E320 CDI won't be available in all 50 states, and if Mercedes doesn't come up withne waysto pass CA's emission, diesels will be in the history books of MBUSA, again...</P>

 

True. but California's rules may not jive with what is known about the efficiency of diesel from refining crude oil to way less evaporative emissions than gasoline, not to mention the much lower CO2 emissions.</P>


<FONT color=#800080>Mercedes-Benz is the First Car Manufacturer to Offer a Combination of EU 4 and Diesel Particulate Filter</FONT> describes the direction MB has gone in to satisfy EU4 requirements.</P>


Combined with ultra low sulfer fuel required by 2006 and newer technology, diesels may come a long way even for CARB in the future.</P>

 

Diesels suck. Every time I am running late and trying to make up time on the freeway, some old MB diesel (usually sitting uneven due to worn or broken springs) isin front of me going about 20 MPH slower than everyone else, but desperately trying to go faster as evidenced by the huge cloud of black diesel smoke pouring out the back end - which is stained black from years of smoke pouring out. Then when I finally pass the guy it is invariably some left wing Ted Kennedy gray bearded 60's hippie left over EPA tree hugger who mistakenly believed that diesel is somehow better for the environment than gas. </P>


I hope some of you see the humor in this - and bits of the truth too. </P>

 

Uh, well, I guess that hippie was having more fun than the nut that rushes around like a chicken with his head cut off...</P>


Diesels havethe advantage except NO2 emissions which will improve with ULSD in 2006. The refining process uses asignificantly lower amount of energy in distillation and it has much less volatility when exposed to the air, causing fewer hydrocarbon emissions than gasoline.Converting discarded cooking grease or soybean oil into biodiesel can offer realistic, achievable environmental and political advantages for diesel. If all of the discarded cooking grease was used for biodiesel, the entire USfleet of public transportation buses could be fueled.</P>


Modern diesels are so far removed from the old sooty ones, it is not even a fair comparison. Its not unlike comparing a gasoline car of today to one from the 60s when the belching smog machines made your eyes water.</P>


I like diesel because I'm just cheap and enjoy going longer and cheaper on a tank of fuel and expect higher resale value which more than makes up for the extra cost of a diesel engine up front. I love to have the technical/ economic/ social advantage if I can with whatever I do, and diesel gives me a buzz.</P>


Edmunds has a web site that describes an 11c/mile advantage of a New Beetle GLS TDI over a 1.8 turbo version. That is a lot of money saved on fuel and depreciation/maintenance. See http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/tco/2...whatsnew.tco.4.*</P>


<IMG src=smileys/smiley2.gif border="0"></P><edited><editID>Tin Man</editID><editDate>38064.0171412037</editDate></edited>

 

I drive a C220 CDi in the UK and easily get 45 miles per UK gallon (about 40 miles for each of your American gallons). It also has quicker 50 to 70 mph than the C280 gasoline engined C class which does 28 mp(UK)g. With gas and diesel costing the equivalent of $5.61 per US gallon here, there is no choice, unless somebody else is paying for the fuel !

 

I would consider diesel if,
1. Price advantage over gasoline (in my area, diesel price can be higher than premium)
2. Offered at EVERY gas station (many of them don't offer diesel here)

I won't expect diesel vehicles to have a higher resale value in the U.S., because more than 99% of the people don't want diesel (less than 1% of all cars / trucks sold last year were diesel).
If you are a diesel guy, that is good, because you get big discounts when buying new.
But when you want to sell the car, hm...

 

Text Pat: Show me a gasser that old and we'll both laugh. Yes, they're smelly, sooty, broken down, and ugly. But they are running! And they've gotten better mileage than a gasser since day one. And cheaper to maintain, etc... Old diesels are a pain. But the newer ones are not. They start in cold weather, they don't smoke, they're quieter, more economical, and they last forever.