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Comments
Re: The NAV, I find it more difficult to use than the ones in Acura and Lexus. Nevertheless, I'd much prefer to have one. It's nice to just see where I am.
I live in Portland, OR, so climate is relatively mild, although can get just below freezing in winter for relatively short periods of time.
Perhaps I'll just have to think of more driving to do each morning- how about that for a reverse economy?
As for NAV.. I got it on both my E's and love it, well worth the $1400 or so. Sirus not worth it for me, and I got leather on on car, and MB-tex on the other, and can't tell the difference.. so that's a tossup. I hear the MB tex is more durable. Parktronic is a great feature, I have on my E350 and may retrofit to my CDI.. Avoid the DC Air suspension, due to complexity, and avoid drive dynamic seats as my E350 with them at only 3400 miles had one fail... imagine how it's going to be at 50001 miles when you have to plop down $1500 for a new seat!
The MB's are basically sound mechanically, and engineered like tanks when it comes to safety.. they drive every bit as good as Audi and BMW, but unlike Lexus, they don't do high-tech very well, so avoid the worthless high tech features.
Disappointed to hear about the drive dynamic seats- I was actually seriously considering that option. What do you think caused yours to fail? Are they pneumatically controlled or electronically controlled? And, does the seat feel that funky if the air "dynamic" is non-functional? (just wondering about the seat if it does fail, as you say, at 50001 miles!)
I was also considering just doing the MB tex seats- good to hear your experience.
Thank you!!
E300 diesel which was a 3 L. engine with out put of 170 HP. Somehow that was the only car I kept for over two years so far as MB is concerned. I keep telling mysel I will keep a good car for a longtime, and this CDI might make me keep my promise! I got good and bad experinces from the Touareg V10 tdi, and absolutely the good taste on 04 & 05 Passat tdi 2 L. inline 4. I don't understand why VW wouldn't bring more tdi in V6 or V8 forms. For 05 VW has no V10, and Passat gets no tdi in 06. The best carmaker to turn to now is the MB E320 CDI before the less durable V6 comes in with the more maintenance particles trap.
http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/users/artists/willie.shtm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2005/05/11/DI2005051101010.html
Indianapolis, Indiana: Pat, if you were a car ... what car would you be and why?
"Pat Goss: I would be what I drive. A 2005 Mercedes Benz E320 CDI. It's a diesel, it's unbelievably powerful, it's comfortable, it's quiet. And I love the 30-40 miles per gallon. And 6-700 miles between fill-ups.'
Thanks!!
('06 doesn't have as many options available. However if I don't find what I want then I"ll just do a Euro dely '06)
Back to the S320 in europe, I was a front seat passenger in this beauty for 3 days before I was informed it was a diesel! It really pushed you back in the seat and according to my embassy driver was very frugal. Oh, to have the ability to purchase such a car in the states. Why are we so penalized here. The worst part of going to europe is seeing all of the automobiles available over there that the "experts" won't allow us to have here.
Thanks for the info....
Highest, 35.5 mpg calculated (33.3 mpg per onboard computer), 552 miles mostly highway between Houston & Dallas, Tx.
Lowest, 18.75 mpg (18.7 mpg per computer), Houston.Tx driving. Please note that I am not the best driver for good mpg as I tend to be fast start and fast stop! However, on the highway I try to stay close to the speed limit (mostly 70 mph) by using the cruise control.
best regards, folks!
The real question is whether this new engine will meet US environmental standards required for a tax credit under the new Energy bill signed by the President this summer.
Anyone have any thoughts?
M
City - 26.7 mpg
Extra urban - 47.1 mpg
Combined - 37.2 mpg
a top speed of 155 mph, does 0-62.5 in 6.8sec, and meets EU4 environmental standards.
Am I missing something, or are those mpg figures significantly better than those of the 2006 in-line 6 CDI now on sale in the US? Due to the new transmission and its effect on highway mileage?
Any idea whether passing EU4 means it will also pass the Energy Bill tax credit standards?
If these suppositions are correct, sounds like a good idea to wait for the 2007.
M
I think you may have mentioned this 2007 facelift for the E class, but the dealerships locally have both indicated this will be in '09. Do you have a source for your comment? Are we talking significant change in appearance?
I haven't yet purchased my CDI. Have been thinking I'll do it any day because am wanting to have the in-line 6, but am open to considering the V6 if there is evidence that it will match reliability of the inline6.
:confuse:
Thanks!!
M
Aah! That clarifies things. Where do you get your "inside scoop"? Is there info out there on which options they'll be adding? (I will miss the rear heated seats that my Audi A6 has! Keep hoping that will come along in the E-class.) Will new headlights likely be more similar to the S class? I'm sure that MBZ doesn't want this info out before the models are nearly out because it wants to keep the selling fever high for the current year, but...
Thx
Generally they produce a model for 7 years with a facelift coming for year 4 or 5 and generally a new engine only comes during or after a facelift, or in some rare cases they will introduce a new car and engine at the same time, but that doesn't happen very often.
Once a new engine debuts in the lineup, like the new 3.5L V6 it is just a matter of time before every other V6 Mercedes gets the new engine, usually within 6-10 months. Now for 2006 every MB (except the outgoing S350) has the new DOHC V6 in either 3.5L, 3.0L or 2.5L guise.
This new V8 in the 2007 S500 will be present in every other Mercedes with a "500" badge by the 2007 model year, though they'll stagger the introductions, but you can bet that the current 3-valve SOHC is outta here.
The facelifted E-Class will likely be shown at the Geneva auto show in March 2006, on will go on sale here like in July/August, but the diesel might be a little longer since clean diesel isn't law until Sept 2006.
M
I was even starting to think about just waiting and getting the V6 diesel in the E class, but I also read that they are adding a particulate filter which seems to me like another maintenance expense/potential problem area, as well as less tried & true technology, so am bumping up my time frame to accomodate somewhat.
However, I think these filters are already in place in EU?
Yes they are, and they work fine from everything I've read on other boards. Gagrice is right about them when it comes to why they aren't the current U.S. market E320 CDI, they'd have to be changed way too often. Once clean diesel is mandatory, the filter change can be done at the same time as the regular service is performed.
M
One of my business partners is a Mercedes diesel guy. Drives a 2005 CDI that he traded in his 1999 E300TD for. Still has a 300D that he passed down to one of his daughters in college. Blew up an old 240D because he was too cheap (his words) to buy a new thermostat and it overheated or he'd be pushing 400k miles in it.
I have great respect for him - he's the best partner I've ever had - but I have a different opinion on what I like to drive. Other than his old 240D, he has never owned a stick. He enjoys driving my 2003 M5 on occasion, but would never be considered a driving enthusiast. I have to remind him that 4000+ rpm doesn't blow up a BMW engine. I am very comfortable as a passenger in his car, but I would find it far less fun to drive on a routine basis than a 530i 6-speed.
With respect to the points you made on the benefits of the E320 CDI vs. 530i, I would point out the following: (1) Both engines will probably last longer than 95% of buyers would likely keep the car. The I6 BMW is good for 200k miles+ with proper maintenance. (2) The rest of the car is what I would consider. My partner's 16 month old E320 CDI has been back to the shop more than my 3 Year old M5. Your anecdotal evidence regarding reliability appears to be the rule, not the exception, comparing the current E class to 5 series. If you think a new Mercedes diesel will be as "frugal" to keep on the road as an old 240/300D, think again. (3) Fuel efficiency differences (between 530i and E320 CDI, not my M5) are small dollars in the overall scheme of things with $50k+ vehicles. Do the math and it probably works out to about the difference between BMW still giving you free maintenance and Mercedes not. (4) 600+ mile ranges are great for Montana, but I assume you live somewhere where thery have running water and gas stations? My orthopedic surgeon has a poster in his office with recommendations for keeping ones body and joints healthy. I believe item #3 is to never drive more than 2-3 hours without stopping, walking around and stretching.
I am not trying to talk you out of an E-diesel and into a 5-gas. I'm just suggesting that the driving differences are apples and oranges, especially with a 5-series manual / sport package car. That, IMO, should be the primary basis for your decision.
Are there many discounts on E300 cdi like this available. how does one located a loaded cdi with large discounts. live in nashville.
i've been a long time fan of MB diesels having bought my first ( a 1983 300D ) in 1982 and special ordered an 1987 300 SDL from the factory in1986. My 300D is now up to 361k miles with only minor problem and is still going strong as is my 1987SDL.
But i wanted to cover my bases and I figuring diesels would be in short supply plus not being pleased about all of the negative quality reports about mercedes, last year on impulse i bought an 2004 Passat tdi. It just isn't the same as the benz. i frankly like my old 300d better, but it can't last forever.
I gather form this site i should be able to get top dollar for the 2004 tdi in Ca. It only has 3k miles and stays garaged. How would one go about selling a diesel car like the tdi in Ca if it isn't legal in Ca.?
And where can i find discounts on a 2005n or 2006 cdi like the ones mentioned.
Thank you any input or guidence
bill owen
Mercedes doesn't offer the free service anymore, so I see no reason why you should be anxious about buying out of state.