German diesel power gains favor with U.S. car buyers - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Oldwolf · #1 04-28-2010, 10:04 AM

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-04-27-dieselcars27_ST_N.htm

Yea!!

Jim B. · #2 04-28-2010, 10:27 AM

I actually saw in person, in 2008, a new W210 E350 Bluetec at the San Francisco International Auto Show, on display.

I thought it was the best car in the whole show, better than even the Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, Lotuses, Audis and the Japanese cars, or anything else that was there.

Afterwards, I went to and called up different Mercedes Benz dealers and none of them even knew what they were, much less in stock, so I gave up...

About a year later, though, I tried again.

This time they told me that in the State of California, the California Air Resources Board -- "CARB" had allowed 28 of them into California and that they could be LEASED ONLY, and for just ONE YEAR, after which they would need to be returned to the Mercedes Benz dealer, that would have to send them out of state.

But none of the Mercedes Benz dealers I called about this, the scond time, even then, had one yet, although some of them had heard about it.

So I looked into buying one in another state, but Cali residents can't, but they could IF the car was a used one with over 7,000 miles and I looked around but could not find any like that, for sale anywhere, so I just gave up.

It's been another year later, but I gave up, and have a 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis for a daily driver now.

I still love the idea of one of them now --- a nice new quiet clean fast Diesel engine in a W210 E class, with the car keys to it in my hand..

But it's too late.

I can't afford one any more, and I don't like the looks of the new E class, anyway.

Plus,

I heard about the QC -- from a Service Mgr at a MB dealer in LA that said all the Mercedes for the last 10 years are junk and neither he nor not ONE of his techs that work on them would ever buy one, they are such trash.

And anyway, it is, as I said, way late for me now, as I have 2 cars that will last me for 500,000 more miles at least, if I take care of them, and I WILL, and probably won't have time to drive them that far.

I guess if one of my cars got burned or wrecked, then, I could go look for a second tier dream car: A 1980-1981 for a full on, mint condition, Euro Spec non turbo 300D with a manual transmission.

Now THAT would be a good second choice of a car. The true comfort of the familiar comfort and reassurance of the old "klatta klatta", and the legendary longevity, quality, durability, and "cost no object" engineering excellence built into them.

I will take my W123 in in white, please!!

Feel better now.

HuskyMan · #3 04-28-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

I actually saw in person, in 2008, a new W210 E350 Bluetec at the San Francisco International Auto Show, on display.

I thought it was the best car in the whole show, better than even the Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, Lotuses, Audis and the Japanese cars, or anything else that was there.

Afterwards, I went to and called up different Mercedes Benz dealers and none of them even knew what they were, much less in stock, so I gave up...

About a year later, though, I tried again.

This time they told me that in the State of California, the California Air Resources Board -- "CARB" had allowed 28 of them into California and that they could be LEASED ONLY, and for just ONE YEAR, after which they would need to be returned to the Mercedes Benz dealer, that would have to send them out of state.

But none of the Mercedes Benz dealers I called about this, the scond time, even then, had one yet, although some of them had heard about it.

So I looked into buying one in another state, but Cali residents can't, but they could IF the car was a used one with over 7,000 miles and I looked around but could not find any like that, for sale anywhere, so I just gave up.

It's been another year later, but I gave up, and have a 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis for a daily driver now.

I still love the idea of one of them now --- a nice new quiet clean fast Diesel engine in a W210 E class, with the car keys to it in my hand..

But it's too late.

I can't afford one any more, and I don't like the looks of the new E class, anyway.

Plus,

I heard about the QC -- from a Service Mgr at a MB dealer in LA that said all the Mercedes for the last 10 years are junk and neither he nor not ONE of his techs that work on them would ever buy one, they are such trash.

And anyway, it is, as I said, way late for me now, as I have 2 cars that will last me for 500,000 more miles at least, if I take care of them, and I WILL, and probably won't have time to drive them that far.

I guess if one of my cars got burned or wrecked, then, I could go look for a second tier dream car: A 1980-1981 for a full on, mint condition, Euro Spec non turbo 300D with a manual transmission.

Now THAT would be a good second choice of a car. The true comfort of the familiar comfort and reassurance of the old "klatta klatta", and the legendary longevity, quality, durability, and "cost no object" engineering excellence built into them.

I will take my W123 in in white, please!!

Feel better now.

funny you should mention this. I"ve been hearing a lot of things about California's over regulation of all things relating to business and none of it is good. several major corporations have ceased operations in California due to over regulation. if they keep it up, they will continue to drive the good money making businesses outta there into the hands of low regulation, low tax states who will be happy to take them.

In addition, I keep hearing stories of people who are tired of the California shake down who simply sell the house, pack up the car and kids and LEAVE.

on the other hand, it is a wonderful place to visit as a tourist. lots of nice and interesting places to visit in a mercedes W123 and then proceed to cross the state border before they decide to write up a $500 ticket for excess smog, washing the engine in the car wash, or for merely existing.

SirNik84 · #4 04-28-2010, 04:24 PM

Jim, in 2008 I was driving down Sunrise Blvd in Fair Oaks, about a block a head of me was a new e-class. I sped up to catch it. I came screaming up from behind and caught up with him in the middle of the bridge, I saw it was a new bluetec diesel. I slid into the slow lane beside the guy and gave him an approving nod. he smiled and then he slid back a bit, looking at the back of my car. then came along side me, gave me an approving nod, then floored it and was again like 2 blocks ahead of me.

It could have been a Mercedes ad.

Jim B. · #5 04-28-2010, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirNik84

Jim, in 2008 I was driving down Sunrise Blvd in Fair Oaks, about a block a head of me was a new e-class. I sped up to catch it. I came screaming up from behind and caught up with him in the middle of the bridge, I saw it was a new bluetec diesel. I slid into the slow lane beside the guy and gave him an approving nod. he smiled and then he slid back a bit, looking at the back of my car. then came along side me, gave me an approving nod, then floored it and was again like 2 blocks ahead of me.

It could have been a Mercedes ad .

For * EITHER * his car, or YOURS.

Or *BOTH *

< high fives you >