M Class Opinions - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Gilly · #31 08-20-2002, 10:50 PM

I believe the Sprinter IS being sold as a cargo van, you say they don't. I believe this is the new van that Fed EX is using, I have seen a Mercedes Star on the front of some Fed Ex vehicles. Not as a passenger vehicle though, I agree with that. i think they do say "Sprinter" in the lower corner of the grille.
It almost sounds like the passenger version must be somewhere between a large SUV (Suburban/Expedition/Excursion class) and a mini-coach. Is there room for luggage storage besides the 10 passengers?

As a side-note, I did ask a salesman about the ML350 and he says that yes the 320 will be changing over to 350 and that the displacement is a little larger than 3.5L, more like 3.7L. I t is essentially a large displacement M112 V6 gas engine and replaces the 320 motor.
His info on future Diesel models pretty much mirrors what I have been hearing in that they won't be coming here anytime soon without cooperation from the fuel industry and the EPA. Not unless MB changes it's mind about having only 1 emission-type for the whole country (No California versions, etc).

Gilly

ML320 · #32 08-21-2002, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gillybenztech
It almost sounds like the passenger version must be somewhere between a large SUV (Suburban/Expedition/Excursion class) and a mini-coach. Is there room for luggage storage besides the 10 passengers?

Gilly,

yes, FEDEX bought about 2000 Sprinter cargo vans, and Freightliner now sells both cargo and also passenger Sprinters. The largest Sprinter passenger van sold in the USA has about 6 feet of storage behind the last row of seats (four rows, with 2, 3, 2, 3 seats). They also offer two smaller passenger versions, which have only 2 feet behind the last row.

As for the next Mercedes diesel engine to come to the USA, I think MBUSA/David Schembri made the right decision. As far as I know MB is developing a new 3.0 liter OM 642 V6 with the US market in mind. Not much is known officially. It should have a 75 deg V-angle and third generation direct fuel injection at 2000 bars, much higher than the present direct injection diesels with 1350 bars, which are already very clean, complying to Euro 3, much better than the last US E-class turbodiesel in 1999. Higher pressure usually allows more precise control at the nozzle, and finer droplet formation. Besides higher pressure MB also has a few more aces up the sleeve, like a new oxygen sensor for diesels, a particle filter, a new NOx diesel catalyst, which are only possible since they chose common rail injection early on, and not pump-nozzle injection as some competitors. IMHO, pump-nozzle (VW) will top out, and be not as clean in the end, since it's much more difficult to control.

Just last week MB introduced a new direct injection diesel, a 3.2 liter inline six, the E 320 CDI, 1600 bars, second generation direct injection. They also hinted that this engine is only available in very limited quantities, which lead us to suspect that the new V6 is already further progressed than previously thought, and may appear as early as fall of 2003, for a MY04 E 300 CDI.

We'll see what happens...

Wolfgang

Gilly · #33 08-21-2002, 11:33 PM

Quote:

now sells both cargo and also passenger Sprinters. The largest Sprinter passenger van sold in the USA

But I thought MB doesn't sell the passenger version in the US?

Gilly

ML320 · #34 08-22-2002, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gillybenztech

But I thought MB doesn't sell the passenger version in the US?

Gilly

Gilly,

that's right. MB doesn't sell them in the USA, but Freightliner does. And rumor has it that Dodge will sell them starting next year. With 260" length it's even longer than the Dodge RAM 3500 Quadcab w/Cummins.

Wolfgang

Gilly · #35 08-22-2002, 08:50 PM

I guess what I meant was I didn't think Daimler-Chrysler sold them in the US, I thought it was just cargo versions in the US.
I can see where something that size would be more appropriately marketed at Freightliner. I haven't seen a passenger version yet. It really does sound more like a mini-coach than something an individual would purchase, more like a small tour bus than a grocery-getting mini-van.

Gilly

ML320 · #36 08-23-2002, 07:47 PM

Gilly,

just got some internal specs about the new inline six diesel which will be released in October. I thought it may be interesting. That's 204 hp, 369 ft-lb and 7.4 seconds for the 0-60 MPH. The new V6 diesel may not show until 2004.

Wolfgang