Mercedes-Benz wealth isn't the same as Rolls-Royce wealth. See, the simple fact that Mercedes-Benz executives know that their customers desire financial savings via fuel economy suggests very strongly that these people, though richer than the average new car purchaser, aren't in the uber-prosperous crowd.As a result, there is one diesel engine (in two states of tune) offered by Mercedes-Benz in North America capable of providing serious savings at the pump. Because this diesel engine is offered at the low range of four model ranges, reasons for choosing diesel don't have to revolve around the loveliness of torque as is true of BMW's no-money saving 335d.
With the 3.0L, 24-valve Bluetec V6 diesel which can be found under the hood of the E-Class, GL-Class, M-Class, and the Bad 8 Supersize-losing R-Class, Mercedes-Benz makes as strong a case for value as can be made by a company that routinely charges $700 for illuminated door sills. In typical Monday fashion, The Good Car Guy looks at the facts of Bluetec diesels before offering up a five-point need-to-know section known here as the Lowdown.
MERCEDES-BENZ'S FACTS
1 - In the U.S. Benz lineup, only the GL-Class offers the Bluetec diesel as the least expensive engine in the range, $1000 beneath the GL450. The R-Class Bluetec is $1500 more than the base car; the E-Class Bluetec is $1000 more than the base car; and the Bluetec version of the M-Class is $1500 more than the least expensive 4Matic SUV.
2 - In each vehicle, the 3.0L Bluetec diesel is labelled as if its a 3.2L. That being said, only in the E320 Bluetec does the diesel make 400 lb-ft. In the other 4Matic vehicles, there's only 398 lb-ft of stump-pulling twist.
3 - How does Mercedes get by stringent American emission laws that make certifying a diesel so difficult? By injecting AdBlue, "Bluetec can reduce smog-causing NOx to its harmless nitrogen and water essentials," says the Bluetec website.
4 - The 7-speed automatic transmission that's paired with the 3.0L Bluetec V6 every time plays a major behind-the-scenes role in the performance/efficiency tag team. Closely-knitted gear ratios help acceleration, while two overdrive gears allow the revs to plummet on the highway.
5 - Even with an inherently economical diesel engine, the Good 12 Supersize-winning GL320 Bluetec only does as well on the highway (23 mpg) as the E320 Bluetec does in the city.
GOODCARBADCAR LOWDOWN
1 - Gas prices in New York City are between $0.50-$1.00 lower than diesel prices. For those accustomed to horsepower (268 in the E350) and not torque (400 lb-ft in the E320 Bluetec), paying the extra $1000 for the diesel would require some serious mathematical equations and prophecy to determine whether Bluetec made sense or cents.
2 - Mercedes believes the E350 would see you from 0-60mph one tenth of a second quicker than the diesel alternative. In real-world driving, the diesel car would forge ahead on two-lane backroads where extra torque for passing slower cars is a constant benefit.
3 - In the UK, Mercedes-Benz offers three different diesel engines in the C-Class alone. In fact, diesels in the huge S-Class can top 30mpg. We are missing out.
4 - Conservatively estimated, the E320 Bluetec has a theoretical range of 650 miles. Fill up in Dallas, Texas and drive to Albuquerque, New Mexico without stopping - assuming your bladder holds.
5 - Why Bluetec? One would assume it has something to do with not actually being green - efficient diesel engines still use unrenewable resources. Besides, electronically controlled ultra-high-pressure Common-rail Direct Injection, otherwise known at Mercedes-Benz as CDI, doesn't sound cool at all.
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Bluetec is a great car. We just love the features of it.
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