Diesel MB in the US? WHAT WHEN HOW?

jinstall · **Posted:** Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:43 am

I just checked the MB site and the 2008 GL, ML and R all come with 320CDi now! When did thia happen? 7200lbs towing on the ML. I have to look at some financing rihgt now and see about dumping the CRD for the ML320 CDi. Maybe I can find out if the 420CDi is coming as I would rather have it over the 320.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:18 am

For me...until something comes out the "eclipses" all the attributes of the KJ CRD...I am keeping my JEEP. I guess since the Liberty CRD does everything I ask of it...I am a happy urban assault, offroad venturing, ample towing, mpg attaining, happy camper

jinstall · **Posted:** Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:02 pm

I have rented several 2 week+ ML's over the past 5 years. I have to admit it would be the only ting I find interesting to have other than the CRD. The wider wheel track is a HUGE plus for me. The 7speed auto is nice as well. It is NOT an off road machine. 9hrs, 3 tow trucks and a 40 ton backhoe later a friend found this out. I ma not a big MB fan but I do like this vehicle along with the C 280CDi.

chrispitude · **Posted:** Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:10 pm

DarbyWalters wrote:

For me...until something comes out the "eclipses" all the attributes of the KJ CRD...I am keeping my JEEP. I guess since the Liberty CRD does everything I ask of it...I am a happy urban assault, offroad venturing, ample towing, mpg attaining, happy camper

We're holding out for the V6 TDI Touareg. Better fuel economy than the CRD (based on those who have driven test mules in the US using our crappy fuel), gobs of torque, a nice wide track, and a 7800lb tow capacity. You sure do pay for it though, it's not cheap.

- Chris

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:43 pm

jinstall wrote:

I just checked the MB site and the 2008 GL, ML and R all come with 320CDi now! When did thia happen? 7200lbs towing on the ML. I have to look at some financing rihgt now and see about dumping the CRD for the ML320 CDi. Maybe I can find out if the 420CDi is coming as I would rather have it over the 320.

Ya, they've been availible for awhile, MB is even advertising them on TV.

Still cant get the Gelandewagen with the diesel though. And I'm pretty sure the 420 is not coming out.

See in the 2007 models of the MB and the Jeep GC, you could get a GC CRD for about 44k, or get the ML320 CDI for about 47k.

At least in the 2008 models you can now get the CRD in the laredo packing, making it slightly cheaper.

jinstall · **Posted:** Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:21 pm

The ML comes better equipted than the GC and has 4 wheel independent suspension to boot.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:29 pm

jinstall wrote:

The ML comes better equipted than the GC and has 4 wheel independent suspension to boot.

Correct it does.

However I am seeing that the WK CRD is still for around 36-38K new, instead of the 44K sticker. And used I am seeing 4x4 WK CRD's sell between 30-35k, with a few dipping below 30k already.

I think in just a little more time more 4x4s will be dropping below the 30k mark in the used market.

I like the Ml, and have always been a MB diesel fan. But I think I would much rather have the WK CRD.

Also, the new bluetec cars are being sold in all 50 states, so they are actually available in california.

Threeweight · **Joined:** Mon May 14, 2007 5:57 pm **Posts:** 679

Sir Sam wrote:

Also, the new bluetec cars are being sold in all 50 states, so they are actually available in california.

Yep, you can buy the bluetec diesel 320 sedan in California right now, meets the very strict CARB emissions regs. I did a cars.com search a few weeks ago and found a dozen of them in a couple hundred mile radius of LA.

What is kind of funny is that in the next year we are going to see several competing manufacturers turn out a half a dozen or more different vehicles all using the bluetec V6. Jeep GC CRD, Sprinter CRD, Mercedes 320 and SUV variants, VW Taureg. I'll bet the 3.0 shows up in the Audi suv that is based on the Taureg, and the Porsche Cayenne as well.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:58 pm

Threeweight wrote:

Sir Sam wrote:

Also, the new bluetec cars are being sold in all 50 states, so they are actually available in california.

Yep, you can buy the bluetec diesel 320 sedan in California right now, meets the very strict CARB emissions regs. I did a cars.com search a few weeks ago and found a dozen of them in a couple hundred mile radius of LA.

What is kind of funny is that in the next year we are going to see several competing manufacturers turn out a half a dozen or more different vehicles all using the bluetec V6. Jeep GC CRD, Sprinter CRD, Mercedes 320 and SUV variants, VW Taureg. I'll bet the 3.0 shows up in the Audi suv that is based on the Taureg, and the Porsche Cayenne as well.

Yes, I am liking the bluetec engine because I think it will see widespread use and end up with more support than our VM28.

Though I think the people who end up pushing the aftermarket support for it and are likely to end up tweaking it, will be the jeep owners, out of all the vehicles that will use it I think the Jeep owners will be the type to really want to mod it.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Mon Jan 14, 2008 5:22 pm

FYI - I saw a news blurb that said BMW was planning on selling diesels in the US - no models or timeframes - but that could also be interesting.

calcrd · **Posted:** Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:53 pm

I attended the San Jose Intl Auto Show over the weekend. The diesel Jetta sedan and wagon will be available in mid 2008. The V6 Touareg diesel in 2009 at $50K+. They had all these VW diesels in exhibit at the show

Now for the not so good news. The Touareg, as well as those other vehicles with the Mercedes Bluetec 3.0L, will require the urea system for meeting emission stds. According to VW the urea tanks will need to be refilled at the same time of the oil change. Extra expense plus one more system to fail. This plus the price of admission ? No thanks. I will keep my CRD for now.

FYI, I heard that some upcoming japanese diesels models will not require the urea system.

Threeweight · **Joined:** Mon May 14, 2007 5:57 pm **Posts:** 679

calcrd wrote:

FYI, I heard that some upcoming japanese diesels models will not require the urea system.

Correct, Honda is saying the diesel Accord will not need any injection system to meet CA emissions.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:03 pm

Honda has a Catalytic "type" setup that can handle NOx without injection to meet EPA standards. There will be smoother and more powerful Diesels available...but none at the price we got our CRDs at :wink:

I just hope the small eco Diesel cars make the cut here...I would add a small diesel Econo Car to the driveway for sure at 65+mpg.

DocB · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:33 am

Yep, with all these new models in diesel coming out you can bet your stupid the price of diesel will even go up higher!

jinstall · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:08 am

ATXKJ wrote:

FYI - I saw a news blurb that said BMW was planning on selling diesels in the US - no models or timeframes - but that could also be interesting.

It was announced 2 weeks ago. X5d and the 335d, autos only and no AWD for the 335.

The diesel market will explode in 2009. Honda news is old as they announced this the sametime MB annouced they had Bluetec. No one believd Honda though. Like I have told people before the european market is FULL of diesels. Very few cars are made without a diesel option.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:19 am

jinstall wrote:

ATXKJ wrote:

FYI - I saw a news blurb that said BMW was planning on selling diesels in the US - no models or timeframes - but that could also be interesting.

It was announced 2 weeks ago. X5d and the 335d, autos only and no AWD for the 335.

The diesel market will explode in 2009. Honda news is old as they announced this the sametime MB annouced they had Bluetec. No one believd Honda though. Like I have told people before the european market is FULL of diesels. Very few cars are made without a diesel option.

Oh, I dont doubt you, I know how many diesel are sold there. And it pains my heart, like chronic heartburn.

Reflex · **Joined:** Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:48 pm **Posts:** 567

I'll believe the Honda claim when I see it, and when I see it proven over time. The urea system does indeed require refilling, however its a fairly cheap solution and is just basic chemistry, nothing terribly complicated about it. I don't know about Honda's cat's, but I know that Toyota's are problematic, so as I said, I'll believe it when I see it. Whats the point of 'saving' on urea when you have to replace the cat twice as often with how expensive those things are?

danoid · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:08 pm

Piss on urea. That's the first mod - how to disable that system...

jinstall · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:32 pm

Honda has been on cutting edge for some time now, for alternate fuels.

kjfishman · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:58 pm

jinstall wrote:

The ML comes better equipted than the GC and has 4 wheel independent suspension to boot.

Give me solid axles any day, less to break.

Diesel MB in the US? WHAT WHEN HOW?

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