Re: [MBZ] 2008 Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI Test Drive: Torque-Rich Euro Diesel Scores 41 MPG

2008-01-31 Thread Hendrik & Fay 
I think the original rant was about the exchange rate of Euro vs dollar.
I know back in 97 we went to the UK and then the exchange rate was 33 
pence to the Oz. Problem is that people in the UK get paid in pounds 
pretty much the same as what we get paid in Oz $'s.
Say $30,000 is the average wage, that means that when we get to the UK 
we got 10,000 pounds compared to the average wage over there of 
30,000pounds. I think fuel is about 1.5 pounds per litre, which is 
$4.50/liter to us but to a pom it is only 1.50. That's where we get screwed
However yes fuel is taxed a bit more in Euro land.

Hendrik
who is as confused as you

Allan Streib wrote:
> "Walt Lasher" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>
> [...]
>
> Nice review, thanks.  From the "comments" section:
>
>   
>>  In Germany, your lowest octane rating is 95. Our highest is 92,
>> the lowest being 87. So the extra cost you're paying for fuel is
>> because you're getting better fuel.
>> 
>
> Like everything else, europeans meaure octane differently than we do
> in the USA, using the "Research Octane Number" which is a a higher
> number by 4 or 5 points than the numbers we are accustomed to in the
> states.
>
> The real reason for higher fuel costs in europe is mostly taxes.
>
> I hope that wasn't too political a cooment.
>
> Allan
> --
> 1983 300D
> 1966 230
>
>   

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Re: [MBZ] 2008 Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI Test Drive: Torque-Rich Euro Diesel Scores 41 MPG

2008-01-31 Thread Allan Streib 
"Walt Lasher" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

[...]

Nice review, thanks.  From the "comments" section:

>   In Germany, your lowest octane rating is 95. Our highest is 92,
> the lowest being 87. So the extra cost you're paying for fuel is
> because you're getting better fuel.

Like everything else, europeans meaure octane differently than we do
in the USA, using the "Research Octane Number" which is a a higher
number by 4 or 5 points than the numbers we are accustomed to in the
states.

The real reason for higher fuel costs in europe is mostly taxes.

I hope that wasn't too political a cooment.

Allan
--
1983 300D
1966 230


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[MBZ] 2008 Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI Test Drive: Torque-Rich Euro Diesel Scores 41 MPG

2008-01-31 Thread Walt Lasher 
Re-posted from www.popularmechanics.com

(http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4246024.html#comments
)
January 23, 2008 
2008 Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI Test Drive: Torque-Rich Euro Diesel Scores 41
MPG 


PARIS - A standard-issue hybrid might be the weapon of choice for
stop-and-go commuting in the United States, but clean diesel is coming soon

. And it's hard to beat diesel's efficiency for longer, high-speed
hauls-especially in Europe, where some of the limits are well north of even
our speediest 75-mph interstates. So we decided to see what a modern clean
diesel could do on its home turf, landing here in France and grabbing the
keys to a Euro-spec 2008 Mercedes-Benz
  C220 CDI. 

The C220 CDI model, which is not yet available in the U.S., uses a
turbocharger and a common-rail, high-pressure fuel injection
  system to produce
a compression ratio of 17.5:1. Its 2.2-liter inline Four pumps out 170 hp,
but that lackluster number is countered with an impressive torque figure:
295 lb.-ft., which peaks at a mere 2000 rpm. That's more torque than the top
(non-AMG) 3.5-liter V6 we get in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class here. 

During startup, the Benz gives you a touch of that "knock-knock" diesel
noise if you're standing outside the car. But slide inside, and all is
quiet. Europeans don't have to deal with annoying legalese agreements on
their nav systems like we do. The systems just work the moment you twist the
key. And unlike the sometimes dubious traffic updates we get in the States,
the system on our Benz could fairly accurately foresee major highway delays.
Torque picks up almost immediately from idle. And our CDI's smooth-shifting
six-speed manual didn't spend long in each gear, since the engine is
happiest at lower rpm. 

After 10 days of city and highway driving, we got an appreciation for why
the C-Class is Mercedes-Benz's top-selling model. The nav system worked
seamlessly in Paris's complex network of bridges, back streets and
turnarounds. Hill Start Assist made stop-and-go driving on hilly areas like
Montmartre a breeze. And unlike some manual transmission
  cars, we never
wished for an extra leg for the brake pedal. 

Once we hit the smoothly paved autoroutes for the south of France, the
C220's autobahn-bred road manners revealed themselves-so much, in fact, that
we were nabbed by BMW motorcycle-riding gendarmes and slapped with a 90-euro
fine, which we paid on the spot in cash. This experience certainly
discouraged us from further testing the limits of the car. But the stability
of this Benz at triple-digit speeds made temptation tough to resist. The car
was at such ease covering long distances that it inspired an impromptu
cannonball to Barcelona, Spain, for a quick hit of tapas and Gaudi. Yes, the
food was worth every mile-and every liter of fuel burned. 

Speaking of fuel economy, the C220 is rated to consume 6.1 liters of fuel
per 100 kilometers. That's 39.2 miles per gallon. We actually averaged a
rather incredible 40.9 mpg over nearly 1500 miles-an impressive feat
considering our high average speed. Our only gripes with the trip, in fact,
had more to do with the stumbling economy than the fuel economy: The brutal
euro-to-dollar exchange rate made for pricey tolls and fuel bills. But the
fuel economy made us all the more excited to see this clean diesel
stateside. Stay tuned. -Basem Wasef
SPECIAL REPORT: The Case for Diesel



Reader Comments 
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7. RE: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI Test Drive: Torque-Rich Euro
Diesel Scores 41 MPG
In Germany, your lowest octane rating is 95. Our highest is 92, the
lowest being 87. So the extra cost you're paying for fuel is because you're
getting better fuel. Besides, there are a lot of "benefits" in Europe that
we don't have here (thank God), so having lower fuel prices doesn't mean
we're getting off cheap and easy for other things that you do.

6. RE: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI Test Drive: Torque-Rich Euro
Diesel Scores 41 MPG
Lets get the Diesel revolution going. Fill the small and mid size
trucks with them as well as the cars. Amen to diesel

5. RE: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI Test Drive: Torque-Rich Euro
Diesel Scores 41 MPG
I have a VW Jetta TDI and get 40 to 57 MPG My MB ML320CDI gets 20 to
30 MPG My wifes HiHy (Highlander Hybrid) gets 23 to 27 If the U.S. only
drove vehicles with these types of engines, Fuel would be $1.50/gal because
of a fuel glut like what happened in the 80s when reagan deregulated the
price of domestic oil.