brand new ML270 CDI
 

I passed a car hauler today (headed towards Savannah, Ga) on the interstate loaded down with ML's tagged - ML270, CDI. I did not realize they were putting this engine in the ML. Will they be available in the US? I would like to have an engine/tranny out of one:).

Here is as good as I could do on the pic. I have some good/big ones but they won't fit.

Bound for outside US
 

Good eye, and good picture.
My guess is that the ML's you saw are being transported to a port for shipment abroad.

The picture indicates that the rear tailgate has the long rectangular license plate frame for European/Asian number plates.

Also, as far as I know, the ML270CDI is NOT sold in the US.

They were headed east on Interstate 16 through rural Georgia. I suspect on their way to Savannah, Ga.

Here is another shot. Wish I could have gotten the truck driver to stop to test drive one;). I'll bet he wandered what was taking the 300SD so long to pass - we (10 yr old son and I) were taking pictures.

Privacy Glass
 

What also is interesting, is that the white ML in the picture does not have the Privacy Glass on the rear doors and cargo area as do most every ML that is sold in the USA. I wonder if this option is not as popular in Europe as in the USA?

Hello,
Privacy glass is illegal in many countries, in Malaysia something like a 30% tint is allowed, that means 70% light transmission. There is testing equipment that is used by DMV and traffic cops.
That does look like an export car, the long license plate recess is a dead giveaway.
I was under the impression only the Americas were supplied from Tuscaloosa, and Graz, Austria supplied the rest of the world.
Have a good week.

I heard Graz plant no longer makes ML's and all worldwide production is out of Alabama now.

PS: I used to live in KL - UK Heights specifically. Great city.

Figured out today that
 

I live real close to the route (Hwy 96 to I16) that these babies take from the factory in Alabama to the port (Savannah, Ga). There were TWO truck loads of them on the main highway real close to the house. Everyone of them were ML270 CDI's. If I ever see one of these trucks stopped nearby I am going to try to take a look inside to see if there are manual a/c controls and manual gearboxes:). Will be interesting to see what the sticker price is too. Wonder if I could get one of those truck drivers to swing by the house and swap out one of the engines for a 617;).

CDI motor
 

"Walking back the Cat"

"Somewhere in a U.S. port near you Mercedes is IMPORTING
C.D.I. motors"

I'll check!

Savannah, Brunswick, Charleston,...(?Jacksonville?)

ML's
 

Originally, we heard the urban rumor, that M.B. opened the
production plant in europe because they couldn't sell the
M.L.'s out of the Tuscaloosa plant to Europeans and Asians
because of the Q.C. problems .

B.M.W. has imported the "straight six" diesel installed in the
X-5 to the Greenville plant for years.

If one were to "grey market" one of the diesel X-5's back
into the U.S. (Circus of self punishment with E.P.A. + D.O.T.)
from say... Hamburg ... North American B.M.W. would extend
a courtesy warranty of one (1) year. Per B.M.W.NA

Grey Market any Mercedes and you'll be lucky if your picture
isn't posted in every parts department in every M.B. dealer
in the Americas (? Don't you just LOVE the guys in N.J. ?)

C.D.I. motor(s) in M class
 

The M class vehicles for export depart through the port of
Savannah.

The 2.7 C.D.I. motors are imported through the port of
Charleston(I don't know yet if they come up "17" through
the Lowcountry to I-16 westbound to Tuscaloosa.)

An interesting note: If M.B. has stopped production of M
class vehicles in Graz, it is entirely possible that some of
the M's built for export in the U.S.are ALSO fitted with the 400 C.D.I.(Quadruple cam,twin turbo,V-8) . That motor
would almost make the rest of the M's peculiaritys a non
issue.

Hey jim...
 

I see those things all the time on transporters stopped near my office (you know how I'm close to the freeway). Did have a neat surprise a while back though as I followed an ML 400 CDI into the Wendy's parking lot. Had an Alabama plate, and turned out to be an off duty AL law enforcement officer. They apprently are getting these trucks from Vance to use in their work . Now that's a cool diesel! And no, we won't be getting any of them....

Allen, next time you can get a close look at one (out of curiosity) see if they have manual windows/a/c controls and try to see what the sticker price is.

The one that I saw...
 

had the same style HVAC controls as the current US model. I suspect that the 400 is quite expensive in any country, so they would want the best level of trim. This one was already in service/on the road, so no window sticker. Stay in touch. BTW, Jim, know anybody who need a great 300E beater? I just got one in that lloks/drives excellent, with a good body and cold AC. Needs a couple things, but a great value at $3500...call when you can.
AA