Diesel Drive: Mercedes planning to launch several models as other automakers weigh options for U.S.

AutoWeek/Automotive News ^ | 6/20/05 | Richard Truett

[Uncle Fud]

Diesel is about 8% more expensive than petrol where I live. Now assuming 12000 mi/year and 25mpg/33mpg for petrol/diesel, you will save a whopping $1.49 per day. I'll bet the price premium for these new Mercs is way higher than that.

[B Knotts]

Depends on where you live. Some places, it's cheaper. But there are many other advantages, including increased durability and fuel flexibility. If biodiesel becomes more practical, you're ready for it.

[jamaksin]

Still holding out for the B-Class diesel ... four-cylinder, high mileage, ...

[Slip18]

I bought a brand new Mercedes 240D in 1980. I drove it for ten years and then sold it for $2000 less than I paid for it. It was a POS. It took 60 minutes to go from 0 to 60 mph. The carpeting from the garage into the house became black in a couple of years, and it would never come out. It also had mushrooms growing in the diesal tank that would clog the engine. That happened at about the 8th year.

I would never own another Mercedes.

[B Knotts]

Some people don't like the B-Class, because it's not very sporty. But, it seems to me they miss the point. It's not supposed to be sporty; it's a mini-minivan.

[jamaksin]

FYI ... my 1984 M-B 190D, purchased new, and now with 460+k miles, gets 44-46 mpg ... and has year in and year out ...

The B-Class diesels gets 50-55 mpg.

[dts32041]

Yup been driving a TDI for over 3 years, never passing gas again.

[B Knotts]

First of all, you got a pretty good deal if you sold it for only $2000 less than you paid.

Secondly, the 240D was very slow, but that was then. There were faster diesels available then, and the ones today are almost an entirely different technology, as they are clean and fast.

I have an old 300D (Turbo), and while it is not blindingly fast, it has sufficient power to get on freeways.

The new ones are faster than the gas-powered muscle cars of years past.

[GOP_1900AD]

RE: M-Class and G-Class SUVs

Hmmmm! Very interesting!

[Leto]

The Deisel E class ia about the same price as the Gasoline version. AWD is not available however. The Deisel gets 37mpg Highway as opposed to 27 mpg for the gas version.

I have a friend with an older Benz Deisel, it has >450,000 miles on it.

[HamiltonJay]

When Congress mandated reduced sulfer Diesel hits the market they will meet the CARB standards with no modifications.

Congress not settling on its standards is why more eco friendly diesel is not yet on the market.

[B Knotts]

Really? I thought they would need particulate filters, at least, and that they are waiting for ULSD before they can do so.

[HamiltonJay]

I don't believe so... I think its the damn standards they are waiting on for lower sulfer fuel specs... I could be wrong.

That decision has been holding up all sorts of diesel stuff.

[sheik yerbouty]

Californistan should be reminded it is part of the Us, but on the other hand...