Article Comments: 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI 4MATIC First Drive

26 messages, Last post on Dec 12, 2007 at 10:28 PM

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Article comments for First Drive: 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI 4MATIC - Walk around to the front, nearer the engine, and there's the barely detectable plunkety-ping of a diesel engine. It's not any louder than the noise made by many modern gasoline engines; it's just different. (more)

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#13 of 26 Re: conundrum [wopel] by gagrice Oct 22, 2006 (6:41 pm)
Replying to: wopel (Oct 22, 2006 8:06 am) I think the premium on the E, R & ML CDI is about $1k. The diesel should get at least 33% better mileage. I'm not sure where you are. CA is notorious for high priced diesel Unleaded Premium and diesel are about the same right today. Using your price for diesel and Premium it would take you about 30k miles to pay off that premium. Experience tells me that the diesel will hold its value slightly better than the MB gasser. So if you sell in 3 years you could come out somewhat ahead with the CDI. Plus not adding near as much CO2 (GHG) to the environment.
#14 of 26 Mercedes diesels and 4th-generation 4Matic by ennnorak Oct 24, 2006 (5:59 pm)
I always wanted to own a Mercedes diesel with a silky smooth in-line 6 cylinder engine. Mercedes has disappointed me by using, instead, an inherently out-of-balance 90-degree V configuration these days. I live in a cold climate with winter storms so I need traction on all 4 wheels. I therefore drive a leased Audi A6 Quattro. I note that the 4th-generation 4Matic is now available on the S-Class but the Mercedes Canadian website states that the front differential "transmits power to the front left axle shaft by an intermediate shaft running through an encapsulated shaft channel in the engine oil sump". It is not clear whether the shaft runs through a tunnel (with air space) in the oil sump or if the shaft actually rotates through engine oil and is prevented from leaking engine oil by means of seals. Mercedes needs to provide a clear technical drawing on its website about this matter. Replies to this message: gagrice (Oct 25, 2006 6:37 pm)
#15 of 26 Re: Mercedes diesels and 4th-generation 4Matic [ennnorak] by gagrice Oct 25, 2006 (6:37 pm)
Replying to: ennnorak (Oct 24, 2006 5:59 pm) Sounds like a nightmare to work on. Why not the ML320 CDI? I would think it would be better in deep snow. The 2006 E320 CDI is still an inline 6. I agree I prefer the inline to the V.
#16 of 26 ML320CDI by ennnorak Oct 25, 2006 (7:20 pm)
I just checked Mercedes' Canadian website and confirmed that the 2007 ML320CDI's engine has a V-configuration. I recall that the last in-line 6 that Mercedes offered in North America was about a year ago in the E-Class (I should have bought one, especially since it had an iron block). I also recall that, a few years ago, Mercedes licensed the in-line 6 design to the Koreans (Daewoo I think) who intended to offer it in North America in a nice 2-door hardtop SUV called the Koranda or something like that. I don't know whatever happened to that project but the vehicle was something like what a larger, more opulent, and more modern Suzuki Samurai would have looked like today. I lost complete interest in the ML when Mercedes abandoned the separate frame and body design in favour of a cheaper unit body SUV. I sat in a 2007 S-Class for half an hour several weeks before the 4Matic version became available and then looked at both the ML and GL which were also in the showroom. After sitting in the S-Class I decided that both SUVs have seats that are much too firm. Replies to this message: gagrice (Oct 26, 2006 9:01 pm)
#17 of 26 Re: ML320CDI [ennnorak] by gagrice Oct 26, 2006 (9:01 pm)
Replying to: ennnorak (Oct 25, 2006 7:20 pm) Mercedes dealers still have E320 CDI cars for sale. They are not putting out a 2007 E320 CDI. I think they want 50 state certification and plan to bring out the Blutec in the E320 CDI next year. I think you can still get a deal on the 2006 models. That would be my choice if I was wanting a sedan. I kind of got my sights set on a ML320 CDI or the GL320 CDI when it arrives. PS Just realized you are in Canada with a lot of choice diesels. Can you get the Audi diesels up there?
#18 of 26 Diesels in Canada by ennnorak Oct 27, 2006 (8:29 am)
As far as I know, Audi Canda has no plans for 2007 model year diesels. I understand that VW brands like Passat and Beetle also do not have diesels for 2007 but the VW group will return with diesels big time in 2008. One of the biggest bang-for-the-buck SUVs I discovered this morning while ordering new tires at my VW/Audi dealer is the 2007 VW Touareg with the narrow-angle (10.6 degrees I think) VR6 engine. I'm still trying to find out the exact design details on the AWD system on this vehicle. The Touareg is a little cheaper than the Q7 but, in the opinion of many, better looking. The front end looks more like the Cayenne and I'm hoping that it uses the same Quattro that is found on the Q7. My lease expires in 2008 so I'm hoping the Touareg will get a diesel option for 2008. Replies to this message: gagrice (Oct 28, 2006 7:55 pm)
#19 of 26 Re: Diesels in Canada [ennnorak] by gagrice Oct 28, 2006 (7:55 pm)
Replying to: ennnorak (Oct 27, 2006 8:29 am) We can get the Touareg with the V10 diesel. Overkill in my opinion. In the EU they come with 2 different V6 TDI engines. They are a formidable SUV. They set a record for going to the highest altitude with a vehicle. It was a rugged climb over big rocks. There Goes the Neighborhood – A Volkswagen Touareg has set a new world altitude record for a motor vehicle of 19,947-ft. (6080m). This achievement, undertaken in a standard-engined Touareg 3.2-litre V6, has been officially recognized by the Guinness World Records Book.
#20 of 26 Touareg with V10 diesel by ennnorak Oct 28, 2006 (8:16 pm)
If it's a big V-10, that would definitely be an overkill. Furthermore, if it's not a 72-degree V-10, it is inherently out of balance and I don't want it.