Spoke to my dealership today and they seem very excited (enough to call me), even the service guys seem interested. I went to the MB website and gleaned the following data for the E320CDI on sale in Europe:

No. of cylinders / arrangement 6/in-line
Bore/stroke (mm) 88.0/88.3
Total displacement (cc) 3,222
Rated output (kW at rpm)2 150/4,200
Rated torque (Nm at rpm)2 500/1,800-2,600
Compression ratio 18.0
Acceleration 0 -100 km / h (s) 7.7
Top speed approx. (km / h) 243
Tyre size 225/55 R 16
Fuel diesel as per DIN EN 590
Fuel consumption (l/100 km)3
city / extra-urban / combined 9.4/5.4/6.9
CO2 emission (g/km)3 183
Tank capacity (l) , incl. reserve, approx. 80/9
Luggage capacity (l) 540
Turning circle diameter (m) 11.4
Kerb weight (kg)4 1,735
Perm. GVW (kg) 2,260

Which can be compared to the gas E320 stats:

No. of cylinders / arrangement 6/V
Bore/stroke (mm) 89.9/84.0
Total displacement (cc) 3,199
Rated output (kW at rpm)2 165/5,600
Rated torque (Nm at rpm)2 315/3,000-4,800
Compression ratio 10.0
Acceleration 0 -100 km / h (s) 7.7
Top speed approx. (km / h) 245
Tyre size 225/55 R16
Fuel premium unleaded as per
DIN EN 228
Fuel consumption (l/100 km)3
city / extra-urban / combined 14.4/7.5/9.9
CO2 emission (g/km)3 238
Tank capacity (l) , incl. reserve, approx. 80/9
Luggage capacity (l) 540
Turning circle diameter (m) 11.4
Kerb weight (kg)4 1,645
Perm. GVW (kg) 2,170

Which explains the availability of the new 3.5 liter gas engines in Europe, but not the equal acceleration with nearly twice the torque up to 2500 rpm favoring the Diesel. The Diesel must be geared for mileage (it gets a calculated 43.7 mpg compared to the calculated 31.5, using the DIN highway cycle test data noted above), and there must be a policy that the Diesel can't have stats that outperform the gas car, yet. Imagine averaging over 30 mpg and going to 60 in under 7.7 seconds. The MB site confirms the engine is an inline 6. Which is awesome. Unfortunately this car only comes with an automatic, even in Deutschland. So, another forced compromise.

Can't wait to drive one of these even withthe auto. Jim

confirmed
 

Confirmed here as well (NC) Got email from my dealer asking if I wanted to come order one.

ker-plunk
 

The sound of my car's resale value hitting the floor.

No way I can afford a new MB in today's economy, and I'm still not sure I like the W211. But I'm still glad to see the CDI making its way here.

Anyone know if the 400 CDI would come too? I would buy that car in a heartbeat...sell my house first, of course. :D

Are they all-aluminum, all-iron, or iron block/aluminum head? A non-iron diesel engine would make me worry about longevity...especially an iron/aluminum combo, like the 350SD/SDLs and others....Aluminum and Iron expand and contract at different rates....that has always seemed like asking for trouble to me. Am I wrong?

Don't get me wrong, I'm just being inquisitive and playing devil's advocate a little. I'm VERY glad that they are coming here! Maybe it will be the beginning of a LONG OVERDUE turnaround in the perception of diesel power here in the US! :D

Mike

mikemover,

From reading about the various CDI offerings overseas, it seems the in-line models are cast iron blocks, and aluminum heads. Done correctly, I believe the iron and aluminum combination can be durable and reliable. If it is not done correctly the problems become obvious. With more than twenty years of the aluminum and iron combination in service, and only the first few examples posing any problems on a consistent basis, I am a little less concerned with that. The new V-8 CDI however is all aluminum! That is one I will watch for a while before deciding I want it.

If you get a chance to drive one of the late '90's Diesels, you will have to relearn what it means to drive a Diesel. Even these units have a phenomenal torque curve, especially the turbocharged version. They are quiet, hardly smoke, etc., etc. Yet they retain great fuel economy. They have a few reported weaknesses, such as glow plug relays and glow plugs that can lead to disasters, but overall it seems they (mine at least) responds to the same feed and caring the older models want - regular and frequent oil and oil filter changes, fuel filter changes and other relatively simple checks and adjustments.

From the sounds of things, and having seen a few of the CDI models in Europe recently, they are another significant step toward high performance, with even better fuel economy. I can't wait to see them over here. Jim

Could it be an aluminum block with an iron or steel cylinder insert? I can handle that, but not aluminum cylinder walls being scraped by steel piston rings.

I've never forgotten the Chevy Vega with its all-aluminum engine.

Ken300D

I thought the problem with bringing these to the US was the sulfer content of our fuel. Has this problem been addressed? If so how?...If not why havn't we been getting these grey market for the past four years?

Also, I seem to remember several threads discussing how the TDI was not able to handle our fuel. Will our beloved MBs suffer the same fate?

mmmmm... S400 CDI...

Mmmmmmmmm Mmmmmmmmmmmm G400CDI.

Many people have an opinion on which is the last of "old world" Benzes. Built the way they used to make them. Without a doubt, the G class is it. I don't really have a use for one, but when I can afford it I will buy one anyway. Hope the 400 is here by then.

Here is a link to a previous thread that has some good information on the new 8 cylinder 400CDI engine in the W211.
www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=57663

Jim

Hmm... I know for a FACT low-sulfur fuel is availible in Nor Cal, since newer buses and trucks are now using low-sulfur fuel, I got this info from a transit agency which was required by both Cummins and the CARB to run low-sulfur fuel in their engines.

I wish that MBZ would put its coolest engines IN THEIR WAGONS as well as in their sedans. No E55 wagon, no E-class turbodiesel wagon. Sigh....

Don't give up yet, Bob. The Star reported that the E320CDI wagon will be coming over here.

Sweet. Did they say when? I'm hoping that we get the low-sulfur/high cetane diesel here soon.

That's what's keeping the most advanced diesels from coming to the USA, lack of good fuel nationwide.
Truckers will be paying a few cents a gallon more, so they've resisted over the years.

I wonder if they are going to offer 4-matic with the CDI....