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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedans
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I am thoroughly impressed and once the finances are sorted out, I am placing my order for European delivery. Was hoping to get feedback and a revived discussion regarding the E320 CDI. Moderator where are you!?
Dudleyr, I agree, but please remember that the 300C and the Magnum R/T get far better mileage than you might think due to cylinder deactivation.
The engine in the E320CDI and the cylinder deactivation in the HEMI really prove that DCX has the right technology at the right time to really profit from rising fuel prices. They just need to offer it in more of their vehicles.
I would agree that the CDI is, IMO, the only E class to get, short of the $80k+ E55. It doesn't match the E500 in performance, but the difference is not that great. And if I thought I'd be driving upwards of 30,000 miles a year, I likely would have gone for it.
I hate to state the obvious in a way that sounds disrespectful of US manufacturers, but I can't believe that too many prospective buyers trying to decide between the various Mercedes E-class models would give a Chrysler brand product any consideration. Not that they shouldn't, but I just don't think it happens in the real world. The 300C may have S class rear seat room, but so does a Crown Victoria.
There are a lot of negative reports on Mercedes decline in product quality over the past several years, from Consumer Reports to JD Powers to almost all of the major industry reviewers. It is my understanding that the new E-class is an improvement. But any link to "Chrysler", even in name only, reinforces an image problem that Mercedes now needs to combat. We kept hearing that the merger would not affect Mercedes status or product quality, but the coincidence is too great to be ignored.
So, for now at least, the E320 CDI is the only "luxury" class diesel automobile sold in the US that has the additional appeal of great mileage and impressive performance.
That is part of the appeal of the 320 CDI, not just the economy, but the potential for total independence from imported oil. We are, after all, the breadbasket of the world, why not grow our fuel, instead of paying farmers to not grow anything.
However, the automotive press reports that the 300C is attracting some MB, BMW, Cadillac, and Lincoln trade-ins. For DCX, the excitment in North American is currently centered on the 300C and Magnum (introduction 6/17).
It is a shame that they only plan to import a few of the E320CDI cars, and that they are not (yet) offering diesel engines in all of the DCX cars sold here.
I won't post here anymore, but hope everyone has a good time with their new cars.
One small issue was that both vanity mirror covers broke off during warranty. Just the other day the passenger broke off again. These are made pretty cheap. Now that the car is out of warranty, I'll have to cough up the $200 (?). I only have 26,000 miles, how many times has this thing even been opened in 55 months... I can probably count on two hands!
I saw a 2005 E320 CDI on the lot and I was really shocked at the fuel mileage...27/37. This particular one listed for $56,000; had heated seats and the rear shade plus a few other options. Very tempting! When I went back a few days later to check the lot again, the CDI was gone. Someone snapped it up pretty quick!
I hope that Mercedes goes back to the old braking system, why mess with something that works perfectly?
Mark156
In Europe they're paying $4.+ per gallon for gas. New diesel and hybrid designs come about because gas is expensive. Our dependence on foreign oil will continue until we bite the bullet and force more conservation and stimulate use of alternative energy sources. Is driving Hummer and gas guzzling sports cars worth the cost to our economy, environment and political sub servitude to oil nations who hate and exploit us?
I never understand MB logic; why's wrong with conventional brake. Also I can't figure it out why E320 CDi has inline 6 and E320 has lousy 90 degree V6?
E320CDi will definitely replace my 1989 W124 300e which is unfortunately still running strong.
Throw out all of the above. The Mercedes E320 CDI I just bought leaves everything else in the dust (including their gas model 320).
Not only is it in less than 2 weeks the greatest car I have ever owned (out of 500 throughout my life), but it is the best performing too. It is everything you have read plus more!
Based upon my "limited" experience, I'd agree with you on the E320 CDI. Although, from what I understand, the 8 cylinder CDI engines that are due to make their way into the E, S, and M class are even more impressive.
I shouldn't throw stones, living in DC, but you Californians out there should be questioning the sanity of your state. A responsible citizen cannot purchase a 35+ mpg E320 CDI, while Governor Arnold is driving around in a 9 mpg Hummer H1 that qualifies for a 100% tax write-off. And, if he wanted, he could be driving in a diesel version that gets about 35% of the mileage of the E320CDI. No wonder so many people in the rest of the country think California is rear-end backwards.
Just think how much oil we could conserve if everyone drove a 320CDI sedan or wagon.. Our legislators may wake up some day, but I'm not holding my breath waiting for my 320CDI...
Example, the Honda Civic today is significantly larger than the original Honda Accord. Back in 1978, I bought a Datsun B210 GX that weighed 2,100 lbs. The Honda Civic was even smaller. About the only car you can buy in the US today that weighs that little is a Lotus Elise. The BMW 5 series today is bigger in all dimensions than the BMW 7 series of the early 1990's. The BMW 3 series of today is bigger than the 5-series of the early 90's. And, in just about every case, the larger cars of today get better fuel economy than thier smaller ancestors.
We have an SUV and we do like having the hauling capacity. Yet, in spite of my Republican tendencies, I'd accept SUV's being subject to gas guzzler taxes and being included in the CAFE requirements. I have absolutely no doubt that the manufacturers, if forced to, could produce 20-25+ mpg SUV's. And I would gladly consider an E320CDI Wagon over a SUV if they didn't, rather than pay a $2,500 gas guzzler tax.
P.S. I ended up buying an Acura TL. The friend that recommended it is 6'6" and 235. His daughter sits in the rear seat behind him without any problem.
P.S. How old is your tall friend's daughter & how long is the trip? I've been in the back seat of a car for a trip to pick up my car at the dealer's svc depatrment, or for ice cream, laughing & chatting all the way. I wouldn't want to ride for more than 1/2 hour though.
As for "cars havent gotten any smaller" compare the dimensions of a 1966 Chevy Impala 2 door sport coupe, which lucky teenagers cruised around in after school, to todays Chevy Impala. I'm not talking about minor inch and a half changes here.
I think it started when I made the case that it seemed strange that the E320CDI, the most fuel efficient full size sedan in the U.S. market, is banned in 5 states, while the 10 mpg Hummer qualifies for 100% accelerated tax writeoffs and is exempt from paying the a gas guzzler tax. The same $2,100 tax a friend of mine paid when he bought a BMW M5 in 2002 (which, by the way, gets about 24 mpg on the highway). I stand by my opinion that this is [non-permissible content removed] backwards.
There are plenty of good reasons to buy an SUV and we ourselves have found enough of them to likely replace our Trooper with another one in the near future. However, you hardly need to strip one down to get better fuel economy. SUV fuel economy has lagged, in my opinion, compared to the advances in passenger cars. Our 2004 3,500 lb 270 hp Acura TL is rated at 30mpg on the highway, compared to my 1995 3,000lb 190hp Maxima rated at 27mpg. There simply hasn't been much incentive, until the recent gas price spike, for the manufacturers to push SUV fuel economy. If any vehicle would benefit from the E320CDI engine, with 200 horsepower and 370 ft lbs of torque, it would be a 5,000 lb SUV. And if someone (myself included) wants to buy a 450 hp Porsche Cayenne Turbo capable of outaccelerating most sports cars, then they/we can afford to pay a gas guzzler tax and forego the 100% "business" acclerated write off. I am all for business, just not monkey business.
P.S. Sounds like we're both old enough to recall how that 19 foot long 1966 Chevy Impala handled. Right neck and neck with the Love Boat. Those might have been the glory days for teenagers needing a 6 foot wide back seat for large parties, but not for driving the family around on today's highways and beltways. Those were also the days when 60,000 people a year died in highway accidents with roughly 40% of the number of cars on the road as today. Sorry, off track again.
Even the largest desk type computer and a 19" CRT will fit into a trunk of Crown Vic. Granted, a large screen TV won't, but that's what delivery services are for.
We have an RX330 because my wife likes to sit up high and it's easy to put stuff in and take stuff out of the back. There is no reason not to require all SUVs to comply with the same emission and gas mileage requirements of sedans.
I live in the Northeast. A dealer has offered to sell me an 01 E 430 4 Matic with 37k miles, certified, for 33k...Assuming the VMI shows no crazy warranty work, what you guys think..Thanx...
1. Extremely comfortable. A family of three in extreme heat and it was an absolute joy.
2. Good gas mileage, but much less than I expected for the diesel. Got about 35 mpg on nearly 100 percent highway driving. (My Saab 9-5 did nearly as well on the highway).
3. Felt very good about driving a MB despite the fact I was a little uncomfortable being one of those guys. Got a million looks at the small towns thru Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Washington where in the small cities there is nary a benz. Now Seattle is a different story.
So far so good. I traded up from an Acura and Saab to the MB and while the MB does not have as many goodies as the Acura, it simply drives better thus far.
I should add that this is the first rear wheel drive car that I have driven (hard to believe) and it really feels different, especially at acceleration.
As always, once you locate a specific vehicle, get the service records and give significant thought to an extended warranty.
MB (and BMW) parts and service are extrordinarily pricey and plan on frequent maintenance of even fairly recent (2000-2003) used ones.
Good luck
Watch your mileage climb as the engine is broken in, which takes considerable time. My VW TDI's mileage was still climbing slightly at 75,000 miles. It has over 100,000 now and is flattened off.
Most of your gains will show up in the first 30k miles.
But 35 MPG in a car like that is nothing to sneeze at, especially with an automatic transmission!
The '98 had to have the entire transmission replaced - under warranty. Other than that, a few minor problems and ran great for 5 years.
The '01 (I bought an addl. 4yr extended warranty when new) 3 years running no problems. Only oil changes.
Thanks,
Jack
Have fun!