MotorWeek & Blutec V6 MB E Class

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:12 am

MotorWeek stated 32 average overall on new engine and that ratings were 27 City/36 Highway for the car and the engine was $1000 option and they thought everyone should buy the diesel for the 35% better fuel ecconomy at that price. They also liked the 0>60 of 7 sec and 1/4 mile time of 15.4 @ 92 mph with the 7 spd slect shift tranny and the 60>0 braking of 124 feet average for this 2 ton car. The engine was rated 208 hp and 388 lb-ft torque, the engine was so smooth and quite that most owners would not care what was under the hood.

europachris · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:19 am

I saw that, too, yesterday! Very nice, positive segment on the diesel.

Now, just give me a wagon with a 6-speed manual and I'd be happy.

Oh, yeah, forgot, M-B is in bed with DCX. Wonder who's quality problems came first, DCX or M-B? I've heard HORROR stories of late model M-B reliability.

Now if only BMW would bring over some of their SWEET diesel wagons they sell in Europe I'd be all over that.

Chris

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:28 am

europachris wrote:

I saw that, too, yesterday! Very nice, positive segment on the diesel.

Now, just give me a wagon with a 6-speed manual and I'd be happy.

Oh, yeah, forgot, M-B is in bed with DCX. Wonder who's quality problems came first, DCX or M-B? I've heard HORROR stories of late model M-B reliability.

Now if only BMW would bring over some of their SWEET diesel wagons they sell in Europe I'd be all over that.

Chris

The quality control problems of the 90's seems to have been addressed as of the last 3 years or so from what I have read. BMW actually had a bigger problem with QC durring that same period then MB, VW was right there with the those two with quality problems about the same time.

europachris · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:49 am

The other issue is that the vehicles have become horrendously complex with every imaginable electronic doo-dad, and face it, the Germans haven't had the most stellar record with electrical reliability. I used to have to kick the fusebox while driving on my 1980 Rabbit to keep the headlights on. 22 years later, VW still hasn't learned - glowplug harness, coolant temp sensor, and a few other electrical gremlins I've exorcised from my Jetta.

I still love that German engineering, though.

Chris

vtdog · **Joined:** Fri Sep 30, 2005 11:27 am **Posts:** 640

I saw the show as well. The important fact to remember, I think, was that the dielsel only cost a $ 1,000 premium over the gas engine.

Marlon_JBT · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:15 pm

vtdog wrote:

I saw the show as well. The important fact to remember, I think, was that the dielsel only cost a $ 1,000 premium over the gas engine.

They'll make their money on the Chrysler Group side of the field.

In the GC, the 3.0L Is a $2,000 option.

KJMedic · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:26 pm

Marlon_JBT wrote:

vtdog wrote:

I saw the show as well. The important fact to remember, I think, was that the dielsel only cost a $ 1,000 premium over the gas engine.

They'll make their money on the Chrysler Group side of the field.

In the GC, the 3.0L Is a $2,000 option.

Are they out yet? I have not seen one.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:41 pm

Ready to ante up 45 grand for one of those? I would have to be smoking something after my Liberty CRD experience.

offroadsubaru · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 2:42 pm

On the Jeep website, the HEMI is still showing as the only engine option for the Overland.

retmil46 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:53 pm

Noticed that it said on the sticker "4 SPEED AUTOMATIC". Guess my friend down in TX was right, he said he'd heard they weren't using the 5A580, but the older J500 MB tranny.

Well, at least it's an MB tranny. :roll:

But I quite agree, I'd have to be seriously medicated before popping $46 grand for ANY vehicle, previous CRD experience not withstanding. Even without the diesel option, the base price was $42,690. I'd pretty much figured they'd be asking around $40K for one of these, looks like I underestimated them.

Kniggit · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:05 pm

Personally I put 90% of the blame of the 545 failures on the pump not being large enough, or flowing enough, I would be willing to put money one it that if you upgraded the front pump and used the stock converter and the original 01/05 programing that the converters and pumps would have survived and all you expectations would have been met with flying colors. But thats the subject of another thread.....

K

Edit: the reason I jumped on the CRD when I did was that I knew the new emissions requirements were going to require DPF's and even more emissions equipment to go bad. I fully expected the emissions system to be a little problematic at first, and it has been for everyone before me, and hopefully with all the flashes and the advent of ULSD the problems with mine will be minimal.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:08 pm

You need new eyes you young whiper snapper, it say 5 spd tranny but does not say it is the W5A MB tranny. So it is probably same tranny we have, and that engine with 388 ft-lbs of torque will eat a 545 for lunch unless they did some redesigning or it is a different trans then the one we have.

Kniggit · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:11 pm

Where is Mr.Mopar to weigh in on this when you need him? Not that he should be our go to guy every time we have a question, just I know he had a little experience with these.

Stan Wright · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:27 pm

In the 'Parts Content' box it says the transmission was made in Germany. Would the 545 be American?

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:29 pm

The Mercedes 320 SUV gets the 7-speed Automatic...DC and History are probably going to repeat themselves again...

KJMedic · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:29 pm

In the Fuel Mileage Information window it says "4 Speed Automatic"

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:31 pm

Stan Wright wrote:

In the 'Parts Content' box it says the transmission was made in Germany. Would the 545 be American?

Nope, the 545 is all US made. Not even made in Canada. So it must be the German tranny. I may be trading in the spring if they come out with the diesel in one of the lower trim model. One of these in about a $32k price range would be nice, otherwise they won't sell very well would be my guess.

retmil46 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:56 pm

Could be a misprint on the window sticker.

Under the Base Price, listing standard equipment, it does say 5 speed tranny. But in the EPA Fuel info box on the other side, it says 4 speed automatic. And it lists the tranny as being German made.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 5:07 pm

retmil46 wrote:

Could be a misprint on the window sticker.

Under the Base Price, listing standard equipment, it does say 5 speed tranny. But in the EPA Fuel info box on the other side, it says 4 speed automatic. And it lists the tranny as being German made.

MB hasn't offered a 4 spd auto tranny for about 8 or 10 years if I am remember correctly. My guess would be a misprint for the EPA box. Heck the W5A/NAG-1 only requires a software upgrade to be six speed tranny, so who knows.

rs4mtnitro · **Posted:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 5:32 pm

retmil46 wrote:

Noticed that it said on the sticker "4 SPEED AUTOMATIC". Guess my friend down in TX was right, he said he'd heard they weren't using the 5A580, but the older J500 MB tranny.

Well, at least it's an MB tranny. :roll:

But I quite agree, I'd have to be seriously medicated before popping $46 grand for ANY vehicle, previous CRD experience not withstanding. Even without the diesel option, the base price was $42,690. I'd pretty much figured they'd be asking around $40K for one of these, looks like I underestimated them.

It has a 5 speed. I saw it at the NAIAS and that is way to much money. I would buy a chevy duramax first. Around $33k with employee discount and I could haul the world and the famly to in a 4 door.

MotorWeek & Blutec V6 MB E Class

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