http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=4024643

I found this an interesting read...anyone out there own one of these yet?

Drove one last year. I believe it is the same thing except that this new one has BLUETEC. Seemed OK for a turbocharged car but if you factor that in when you compare it to the gas model, it doesn't seem that amazing to me. I have to question whether it would feel as good vs a gas model if they were both playing on a level playing field. IOW, if both were turbo models or both were NA.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

I found the 700 mile per tank estimates a nice feature...especially after just paying $2.85 us a gallon of premium today..it's not even summertime yet..

I also wonder if MBZ is devoloping solar technology for the future...that would be something IMHO...

I have (33 mpg X 24 gals) 792 mile range on my tank so how impressive is 700?

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

I do not have a diesel so for me it is interesting..I did once upon a time own a 85 E300D..it was too stinky and loud for me.

I like that they seem to be getting quieter and more effecient than the earlier models..

BTW, I am rated at 26mpg city and 36mpg highway, IIRC. I got 33mpg doing 85 with the cruise control. 26 mpg city and 27 highway rating. As Shania Twain sings "That don't impress me much."

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

You have the larger tank option too, eh? Most I have dared squeeze out of a tank was 714 miles--when I filled up I had less than a gallon remaining. Pure Interstate at 80+

I don't know about that. I do know that when I fill it up it is probably pretty low. Plus I get 3 more gals by playing with it and teasing the fuel into the tank. Also a little shake and bounce to burp it. I have gotten 24.1 before. Usually I am by myself when I do such things since the wife gets nervous once the warning light comes on. I run it till it gets to the "E" mark then start looking for gas stations.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

You better tell the owner where you filled up with 24.1 gallons to have his pump calibration checked. According my my owners manual the tank capacity for your car is 21.1 gallons or 80 liters.

We both have the 23.5 gallon optional tank.

Well, I don't know. I have been to many gas stations and if I run on "E" for a while I can have 23-24 gal so it isn't just one gas station. When I fill it, I jounce the car and fill it till I can see the fuel in the filler area and can't fill any more no matter how hard I bounce the car.

I have option code 915 on the Datacard. Fuel Tank with Larger Capacity.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

700 mile range here, on my two ~20 year old S-Class diesels. No problem.

I love how all the articles for new diesels tout how superior their new engine design is compared to diesels of the past.

If the diesel is well designed and turbocharged, they are not as they describe. Heck, Mercedes diesels of the mid '80s to late 90s will run 130 mph all day long. Whisper at idle. And return fuel efficiency in the low to mid 30s. This was achieved from an IDI design, to boot. EPA numbers are identical just about between the CDI and the E300 turbodiesel.

I'm just tired of the false propaganda most articles on new diesels publish (slow, smelly, noisy, etc). They couldn't be further from the truth. All diesels that fit into the category they suggest were not properly maintained.

I've seen, witnessed, and driven many CDIs before. With the sound insulation, they are very quiet (similar to a gas car, but they vibrate through the wheel and accelerator pedal). With the insulation removed, they sound like small diesel trucks. They do have damned impressive bottom end thrust for a diesel. Enough to invoke ESP, and chirp a rear tire in a straight line. No diesel made before by MB can compare with that.

I suppose we need to define what the meaning of the word "superior" is.

What does that sentence mean?

My 99 C280 is definitely quieter than the 99 E300. I have heard other E300s and they all sound louder.

As to slow and noisy, they definitely are. Comparing a turbo with a non turbo is kinda like apples and oranges. In 210s, mine is about as good as the gas models. However, when you take into account that it has a turbo, well, I had to chip mine to get it somewhat better than the gas models. Smelly, well, it depends on your perspective. I don't like the smell of diesel as much as gas, if I had to choose so yes, it would be more smelly. Someone could like it better and say it is less smelly. Matter of opinion. And yes, I do maintain mine as good as it gets within reason.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

$2.85/gal ? You really must buy your fuel someplace else, besides on the key. That station across from the Benz dealer usually has decent prices.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Larry, I know the one...A BP I believe...take a look just south of Dutch Valley for some Super today if you get a chance..

PS;
bring a piece of wood to bite down on