Start drooling everyone. The Diesels are coming! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 05-16-2002, 12:15 AM

You folks may have seen this already, but for those that haven't, a ML400CDI has been spotted stateside.

http://207.182.236.112/default.asp?id=1&ACT=5&content=8&mnu=1

#2 05-16-2002, 12:26 AM

All I can say is........................ AWESOME!!!!!

engatwork · #3 05-16-2002, 06:21 AM

I can see Mike Tangas talking to the procurement group now

joegolden · #4 05-16-2002, 11:32 AM

Did you guys notice there is negative legroom in the back seat of that ML. I guess all prisoners lie down in back.

later,

mplafleur · #5 05-16-2002, 12:39 PM

I just spoke to a co-worker here in the diesel group that test drove an MB S400 CDI in Chicago not too long ago. He said that the power was great and the response was quite impressive. He also said that the car was quieter than our gassers.

oldsouth · #6 05-18-2002, 01:36 PM

So much for the "it's our fuel" excuse why they are not here already!

JimSmith · #7 05-18-2002, 03:07 PM

Hate to put a damper on the excitement but the latest STAR magazine says the Daimler Chrysler Chairman was misquoted or something like that and the Diesels will not be coming until the fuel is cleaned up. That would suggest the sightings were vehicles used for demo purposes (the ML and S class units with the 400 CDI engine) are not certified. Manufacturers get some experimental and test evaluation exemptions, but they are not able to sell them to the public.

The reason cited is the catalytic converter used in the European models can not survive with the sulphur content of our Diesel fuel. So the units seen do not have these catalytic converters installed and they will not meet our or the European emissions standards without them. The engines will run fine, the emissions will be more like the 1999 E300D Turbodiesel. Which will not meet the next round of standards. I hope this is wrong, but the Star is connected to MB internal information sources. Jim

#8 05-18-2002, 03:28 PM

How can the exhaust of a 97-99 E300 NOT meet any standards? From what I see, you don't smell them and I see no visible exhaust. Are you bringing the E300 to the meet?

#9 05-18-2002, 04:32 PM

Thats strange. From the most I have seen, I don't see any smoke from them on the highway or accelerating.

I did see one 96 or 97 white E300 that took off from a stoplight with 5 people in the car, it fogged out all of the people behind him, but it was also a couple blocks from the local mercedes dealer, so I think it was sick.

oldsouth · #10 05-18-2002, 06:34 PM

After disconnecting the EGR on my S-350, I have almost no smoke whatsoever passing or full throttle. Before, it would put out a lot of soot passing.

JimSmith · #11 05-18-2002, 07:17 PM

Turbodiesel,

Yes, I will bring the E300D TurboDiesel to the meet. I just turned 48,000 miles today.

That car hardly makes any stink or smoke when idling, but it is clear to anyone that listens or knows Diesels that it is a Diesel. Under full throttle after a week or so of stop and go, low throttle and low rpm (this thing runs at 2400 rpm when you drive 70 to 75 mph, so it spends a lot of time at low rpm) operation it will chuck a cloud of stuff I can see in the rear view mirror for a hundred yards, and then it kind of fades out.

It accelerates like no other Diesel I have ever had, and I get the little warning triangle lighting up on the dash that tells you the anti-wheel spin feature is intervening whenever I punch it from a stop.

I did not mean to cast any aspersions on the car, or its environmental friendliness. It just does not meet the next generation of US or European emissions limits. I am certain it meets the current ones, and that is what irks me about MB not selling the CDI's here for the last few years - they could have met the requirements with the 2.7 CDi and the smaller ones and put them in the C Class and E Class cars for three or more years. Imagine a C Class that performs like the 2.3 Kompressor version with a mileage of 40 mpg or so, or the E with a 2.7 CDI that gets near 40 mpg!

The rationale MB uses is self serving in this question, not a technical issue. Jim

Gilly · #12 05-18-2002, 09:41 PM

Iwas told in training that MB now refuses to bring in any more vehicles which are not 50 state vehicles. In particular the loss of the ability to sell a vehicle in California is a big loss, as the California market is the largest percentage of all the states. Until the US in general and California in particular get their emission requirements stabilized (what's legal this month is illegal the next) I don't plan on seeing any Diesels being sold in the states.
It's just too much expense to get an engine certified, only to have the rug pulled out from under you, especially if the engine won't sell terribly well as compared to the gas engine.
Gilly

engatwork · #13 05-19-2002, 08:29 AM

It is my opinion that you will see them in Dodge SUVs or trucks within the next year or so.

Capt Kirk · #14 05-19-2002, 10:19 PM

I heard from some one that MB wasn't too willing to put the heart and soul of a Mercedes (the engine) into a Dodge....

#15 05-20-2002, 12:59 AM

I doubt that this is the case. There was ALOT of discussion in regards to MB replacing the beloved Cummins with a Mercedes diesel. In this case, this swap would have resulted in a major loss of sales. Most of the buyers, myself included, bought the engine. The truck itself pretty much just happened to be built by Dodge. If DC were to install some of the Mercedes diesels in some of the Dodge and Chrysler models sold here, I would be giving them a second look. I personally like the PT Cruser, and would be thrilled to have a diesel option. A super multiuse vehicle with an engine capable of running the distance that I need 'em to.