Volkswagen is selling diesel bugs and jettas in CA. I saw them at the San Luis Obispo Mercedes VW dealer. So, I guess they have somehow complied w/ Ca smog.

Well, what I am waiting for is the S Class AMG Diesel. Until then I will keep my S-350.

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1995 S-350
370K + SOLD
1952 220B Cabriolet
39K kilometers + SOLD
1998 E300D
310K +
2012 E350 BlueTec
120K

VW sells all their models with the option of a TDI engine. Not just bugs and jettas. From what I hear, they are amazing. Fast, reliable (somewhat) and they get close to 50MPG! Hopefully the CDI engines will be this great. Can't wait to see (not that I could ever afford a new benz).

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Sean Roland

2004 Saab 9-5 AERO 138k (for sale)
2000 VW Jetta GLS TDI 215k (sold)
1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 - 132k (sold)
1999 Saab 9-3se -- 84k (sold)
1986 MB 190e 2.3 16v -- 221K (sold)
1985 MB 190e 2.3 16v euro -- 145k (junked)
1992 Saab 9000t 5sp. -- 142k (sold)
1994 Subaru Legacy -- 264K (sold)
1998 Audi A4 1.8TQ -- 102k (sold)
1983 MB 240D stick -- 160k (sold)
1988 Saab 900SPG -- 156K (sold)
1983 MB 300D -- 270K project or parts (sold)
1986 MB 280SE Euro stick -- 150K (sold)

I CANT' WAIT! DIESELS WILL RULE ONECE MORE IN US!

The VW TDi engines are very nice. In the US, you can get the New Beetle, Jetta, and Golf with the 1.9 liter SOHC direct inject turbo/intercooled 4 cylinder. No Diesel is currently offered in the Passat and Eurovan though.

This engine does not yet use a common-rail injection system, so the VW still has to get along with an actual injection pump (though it is electronically controlled).

Lots of sound deadening along with precise injection control yields an exceptionally quiet engine. Fuel economy is miraculous, thanks again to the direct injection.

The engine produces a crapload of torque, and it peaks well below 2000 RPM. Rev limiter is 4700, but the engine runs out of steam at around 4000. Acceleration is very respectable, and overall the car feels very "peppy".


Now for the Chrysler stuff--I'm not which engine they were planning on using for the "NS" chassis, but I'm fairly certain it was to be coupled to an M-B A-class transaxle.

For the "BR" chassis (the Ram series truck), they are supposed to eventually offer an M-B truck engine as an optional upgrade to the "normal" Cummins engine. I heard this at a product meeting about 2 years ago, when the redesigned Ram series was still in prototype form. They were uncertain back then, but I think they wanted to wait a year or two after the intro of the redesigned series--I don't know why exactly.

PE,

Part of the reason that you cannot work on these later cars is the complexity...these newer cars have more safety and convenience features than the older cars........so I guess you have to decide how important the 8 airbags,ABS,ESP etc is to you when you are driving.....also things like the drivability....smoothness acceleration etc...and little things like a good stereo(FINALLY!!)

I,for one think that the just the added safety makes the new cars more desirable as I value my life a lot more that $70-130 per hour


Warren
1992 300SD
Columbus Ohio

Turnne1,

Well my '87 300SDL has an air bag ( 2 when my wife is in the car) and anti lock lock brakes. But I wonder if isn't too complicated and too new for me. I can't see I'd ever be getting a newer one.

The older 300SDs suit me just fine and I can maintain them myself. I have 3 of them and they all have over 200,000 miles. I don't worry about them possibly being not as safe as the newer ones. I don't even use the safety belts. In about 700,000 of driving, I never needed them. I know you say I am due, but stastically not any more than you are.

I think that the amount that repair shops charge is an out right ripoff. So the only way to beat them is to not use their overpriced services. But with the newer cars you are at their mercy. They have you by the balls and they know it and they like to squeeze. Where else can I make $50 and up an hour tax free by repairing my car myself?



P E H

Well PE thats is good to hear that you are satisfied...in the past I have owned a 1985 300SD and a 1992 300D 2.5...both cars were at the 200K car when I sold them....the 300D was vastly a greater car than the SD in regard to driveability...I actually could pull a good hill with the AC on with a carload of people and not really have to gas the car anymore than normal
In regard to airbags,my car has two ,even when I am driving alone ,...but I can say that I can really see the merit in the door bags as well asitems like the newer headlights(Xenon) that are much more bright..and therefore safe....
I am not sure what you mean when you say that I am due..?

I don't agree with the rates that the shops charge...however..I could argue that point about many things...prices of cars..real estate..college tuition..etc ..etc..etc

bottom line ..are the newer cars more sophiticated and safe.?.I don't think anyone would say they weren't....but if the old technology fits your needs and you choose to even drive without the use of your safety belt...then so be it....different strokes as they say I guess....

Warren
1992 300SD
Columbus Ohio

The reason why no E320 CDI for the US yet is that they are developing a V6 version to replace the straight-6 version I have.

I take issue with the "cannot work" on them school of thought.

If you want to everything is accessable.
There are computerised diagonstic and reset systems that will work on a laptop available now.
Expensive at the moment but prices will fall.

At the end of the day it is only a car. The principals are the same as any other and so is the work.

Regards

Mike

http://www.uk-commerce.com/temp/mb_banner1.jpg

PEH: Well said. I agree that ease of ownership is greater when you can do many of the diesel car related (1985 and before) items yourself, or can take it to someone you trust won't rip you off. I would love a newer S-class benz. But if it needs serious attention im afraid i couldnt afford it. There is a big difference in costs ive read on here from maintaining a early 1980s diesel benz and a early 1990s one.

Turnne1: Cars have improved in safety and in some cases driveability. But let me point out a well-known GM report on saftey over 15 yr ago that when two automobiles are in a collision, it is the weight of the car not size,technology,and safety features that predominates your safety. Put all the airbags and seatbelts you want in a smaller car, but when a car 75% heavier than yours hits you offset front, id rather be in the heavier car. No so much of technology you see, just raw weight. I feel safer in my 4300lb seville than i would in a brand new C or even E class.

PEHlease wear those belts dude! Air bag or not.

Jeepboy,

In terms of safery I don't think anyone could argue that cars have gotten safer in the last 15 years..in terms of weight I agree with you...I feel very safe in my 5000lb 300SD..but as an extra added feature the multiple airbags and the traction control in the car give me piece of mind.......I would have further pice of mind if my car had the side impact airbags as I hace been told that 1/3 of all accidents involve side door intrustions....
In regard to driveability ..I have owned a 1985 300SD and I now own a 1992 300SD and all I can say is that compared to the 1985 you would not know the 1992 car was a diesel..much quieter,much more powerful and all with about the same MPG figures.....and as the 1992 weighs about 800lbs more than the 1985 did thats an extra added feature of safety

Warren
1992 300SD
Columbus Ohio

I was disappointed after approaching my dealer, RE: E270 CDI. They had no knowledge of the article in Euronews, so I send it to them.

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Barker

I was in an accident when I was a teenager, I wasn't wearing a seatbelt and got hurt. I don't think the seatbelt really helped cause I totaled my dads car and figured I'd have been hurt either way

Good news about the possibility of diesels returning . . . Does anyone know where one can get more technical details and discussion about the design of the current European CDI's? I'd like to know the principles behind the CDI design, turbo or not, common rail vs. injector pump, etc. Materials used, aluminum vs. cast iron, etc.

I clicked through the MB global website and was able to find only basic product specifications.

UK - can you tell us a little about the ownership experience of your E320 CDI Estate? Mileage, subjective performance feel, comparison to older models, etc., would be interesting to hear about. Sounds like a great vehicle!

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04 GMC Yukon XL Denali, Black, 12k
02 New Beetle, TDI, Reflex Silver, 24k
89 300TE, Arctic White, 214k

90 300E, 142k (sold)
87 300TD, 128k (sold)
83 300D, 314k (sold)
79 300TD, 266k (sold)

Share your knowledge -

Wayne

What about the S Class diesel in 2012.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran