There are small group of Benz owners in MBWorld that are constantly asking what the damage is if they use regular grade gasoline, all to save a few bucks. I don't get a kick out of filling up at $55 bucks each time for premium gas for my mere CLK430, but I don't want to know what engine trouble would cost on my car either a few years from now.

I think Mercedes and BMW are really in the right place with diesels here now. You want performance and efficiency go for one of the BMW diesels, you want efficiency and comfort or towing (GL/ML) then you go for a Benz. By this time next year we'll really know if America has accepted diesels on a large scale. I'm particularly interested in seeing how BMW markets their diesels. The 335d could be part of a brilliant marketing campaign, I'm looking for it to be a bit hit...if marketed right. Performance + efficiency = the ultimate, guiltless, efficient, driving machine...or something like that. This can work.


M