ML320 CDI - This Engine Is Really Something !
 

If more people knew about or would test drove this car (MB calls it a "light truck"), diesel engined vehicle sales would skyrocket in the USA. :ukliam3:

The engine is quieter and smoother running than my G500 and has more torque. It starts in an eyeblink (no long glow plug wait) and there is absolutely no diesel exhaust smell. I'm getting 20-22 mpg around town in a 4800 lb curb weight vehicle. An absolutely great vehicle. I am 110% pleased with my decision to buy!

Agreed. I've driven the E320 Bluetec sedan. It is amazing how smooth and quiet the engine runs. I could not tell the difference from the M112 I usually drive. Still has all that diesel torque, though - more than ever.

I also drove a 2006 E320 CDI this fall. That one has a good amount of diesel rattle just off idle. I think it's noisier than the OM606 turbo that I owned.

- JimY

Hopefully the Grand Cherokee will mainstream it! I think DaimlerChrysler could use this to turn around the US business. Could you imagine a Chrysler 300 cdi, Dodge Magnum, or Charger CDI. Those would probably be badged CRD.

Short for "CRUD"; or perhaps CRDI for "CRUDI". :silly:

I had a dream last night. My 92 300D was parked beside a beautiful black ML320 CDI. Oh wait that wasn't a dream but I did wake up from it :) It did look good though.

Heard that the fuel is not available in all areas - have you experienced this?

I have driven GA, FL, TN, KY, IN, MI, ON, NY, PA, WV, VA, NC & SC; and I've never had a problem finding fuel.

No.

Dutch,

Welcome to diesel paradise! 70% of private motorcars sold in Spain today are diesels, of similtar technology to your ML320CDI. Downside is that diesel used to be priced at the pumps at 70% of the price of gasoline and nowadays its price is about to overtake that of gas. :confused:

Dutch, I see that you've had your ML320CDI for a year now; could you give a brief report on your experience? Is it still as satisfying as when you first picked it up? How's your fuel mileage been?

I'm heading down to the local dealer to check out their inventory today, I may end up buying one of these beasts.

Good luck finding one in inventory. I hear they sell just about as fast as they're made.

I'm pretty much pleased with the vehicle, with the exception of the problematic AirMatic compressor. I also don't think that MB really has a handle on making the 7G-Tronic work well. I still have hard 3->2 and 2->1 downshifts often enough that it's irritating; and it has all the latest flashed software and other iterations - but that's not related to the engine.

25-26 mpg at 80 mph highway driving with power to spare is everything I could want in an engine. I just wish MBUSA would offer this engine in a G.

If, and that's a very big IF at this point because of very poor dealer service, I were to buy another MB product, it would have this engine.

That's interesting re. the transmission. Yours was a relatively early one, I wonder if they've overcome that by now?

I checked at my dealer the other day, they have two on the lot, a white and a verde metallic (greenish black, looks decent). Both have heated seats and Premium I, which has everything I really want, but without the expense of the Airmatic suspension; I guess theyve determined that's the favored spec around here (they also have running boards, which I wouldn't have ordered, but whatever...). The dealer claims in its Autotrader ad to have 18 in stock; I think that's an exaggeration, but I'm sure they do have more that aren't on the lot.

my parents put 23000 miles on their ml320CDI and decided it was time to go big or go home. GL320. i liked driving the ml a lot more b/c of the sports car feel compared to the bus, but ya. great engine.

There are still some stations in PA that don't sell ULSD (15 ppm sulfur) but rather LSD (500 ppm sulfur). Maybe one in ten still post 500 ppm, and some very scummy looking pumps have handwritten scrawling rather than a sticker of any kind identifying sulfur PPM. A Valero station in Delaware had both 15 and 500 ppm stickers on it ... :confused:
Note also that several of the more liberal US states don't allow the 320CDI's to be sold due to NOx emissions. For the 2007 model year there were 5 such states; for 2008 they added 4 more including PA :(
That said, my 2007 R320CDI is going strong; I like getting 350-400 miles between fillups (not liking the $72 fillups @ 3.599/gallon but prices have dropped a dime or so this past week)... I average around 19 mpg in hard rural hilly driving but I've seen 27-29 mpg several times on longer flatter stretches of driving. Compared to the 16 mpg I got with a 1991 300TE wagon, it's an improvement in both fuel cost per mile as well as range.
I have had to glow it for a couple of seconds (!) on 15 deg F mornings but no problems starting, and that is without any additives (MBUSA says not to use them.)