Test drive: Mercedes E320 CDI
Sunday April 10, 2005
I just spent an enjoyable (and very inexpensive) day with Mercedes' turbodiesel-powered E320 CDI. If everyone had a chance to try this car, I bet public demand for diesels in the US and Canada would go through the roof. The CDI averaged about 28 MPG in mixed driving and 33 on the freeway -- not bad for a 3700-lb car with an automatic transmission that goes 0-60 in about 6.6 seconds! The diesel isn’t much louder than your run-of-the-mill 4-cylinder family sedan and only makes itself known at idle and during low-speed acceleration. My one complaint relates to the Benz's funky electronic throttle; you can accelerate from a stop smoothly or quickly, but not both. Diesel technology has been roaring ahead in Europe, and the CDI shows how far it’s come -- and why diesel really ought to be the fuel of the future. Check out Tropical Bob’s E320 CDI test drive. -- Aaron Gold
I agree. My first exposure to modern diesels was in Italy during 2000 – 2002. An Alfa 156. It was smooth, quiet, smoke and smell free and fast. On top of all that….I averaged 44mph on the autostrada at 90 mph. I now am back in the States and have a ‘06 Mercedes Benz E320 CDI…….fantastic!
what’s a good pricer(US) for a 320 cdi 2005