Why is it not possible to purchase a new diesel in CA?

[JTMarlinCeo]

I visited my local dealership today to inquire on purchasing a new Diesel. I was told that the E320 Bluetec is only available to be leased brand new without the option to purchase at lease end. He mentioned that if I wanted to purchase a Diesel I would have to purchase a Pre Owned one with a minimum of 7,500 miles on the odometer. He stated that it's a state regulation and that the diesel Mercedes cannot be sold as a brand new vehicle.

Can some one shed some light? =)

[Untertürkheim]

The E320 Bluetec poses a huge threat to the hybrid BS that other automakers are pitching. California emissions legislation (most probably due to extensive lobbying by Toyota and other hybrid manufacturers) was changed one day before the Bluetec was to be sold in 50 states as a 2007 Model (which is why the Bluetec model was brought to replace the CDI in the first place), timed so that there was no opportinity to repeal or modify the car to meet regulations.

There are ways around this if you really want a diesel, I am currently circumventing the insane ban.

[MB Fanatic]

Unterturkheim, hit it spot on. Do what I did, buy out of state, register out of state for 7500 miles or whatever and then transfer it over.

Screw the state of California, CARB, BAR, and others who impose such useless legislation.

[Untertürkheim]

This should make it even more interesting, here is the transcript and video of Arnold at the LA Auto Show, welcoming several cars as the future of transportation, on 30 November 2006.

Arnold says about the E320 Bluetec specifically:

"The next I would like to have come out is Dr. Herbert Kohler, the Vice-President of DaimlerChrysler. He’s going to talk a little bit about the Mercedes E320 Bluetech Diesel. This is a very special car that has 20 percent lower emissions than gasoline, so of course we welcome that, so thank you very much."

Link to Arnie's official webpage, with transcript and video:

http://gov.ca.gov/speech/4825/

Makes you wonder how much the hybrid makers paid for the ban.

[Wolfgang]

On MBUSA's preowned site there are about 200 diesels listed at present, many of which with 7500 miles on the odometer, so that they qualify for import into California.

http://www.mypreownedmercedes.com/matrix.php?

109 E320 CDI starting from around $28,000
50 ML320 CDI
21 R320 CDI
13 GL320 CDI

[MB Fanatic]

All politicians are the same. Say one thing yet do another. We will only see the Bluetec once AdBlue is implemented.

[Alan Smithee]

Originally Posted by MB Fanatic

Unterturkheim, hit it spot on. Do what I did, buy out of state, register out of state for 7500 miles or whatever and then transfer it over.

I did the same two years ago. Glad I did...it's been a fantastic car.

That said, the upcoming 2009 BMW 335d w/AdBlue sounds even better...slightly better mileage figures and significantly better performance than the E-class diesels.

[MB Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Alan Smithee

I did the same two years ago. Glad I did...it's been a fantastic car.

That said, the upcoming 2009 BMW 335d w/AdBlue sounds even better...slightly better mileage figures and significantly better performance than the E-class diesels.

Yeah, MBZ should have implemented two turbos instead of one variable vein turbo.

[harkgar]

Originally Posted by MB Fanatic

All politicians are the same. Say one thing yet do another. We will only see the Bluetec once AdBlue is implemented.

P = politicians

in case you think it is something less rude.

Arnold drives a Hummer and he talks about diesels not clean enough?

[240D 3.0T]

Originally Posted by MB Fanatic

Yeah, MBZ should have implemented two turbos instead of one variable vane turbo.

Incorrect, two turbos are old technology. VNT technology is superior in most every way.

Diesel cars cannot be sold in CA because they set NOx emissions levels far below what is physically possible to achieve in a Diesel engine without very expensive exhaust after treatments.

Engine makers are resorting to drastic design changes that hurt engine technology progress. All makers are lowering compression ratios and using an EGR which both hurt efficiency and torque. They are using small and highly responsive turbos to make up for the lack of natural torque and reduced exhaust volume. Toyota is even going to use 50% exhaust recirculation (half the exhaust goes back through the intake) on their upcoming diesels!

The Diesel engine by nature cannot meet the stupidly low emissions goals set by the anti-diesel Nazis of CARB.

[harkgar]

Originally Posted by 240D 3.0T

Incorrect, two turbos are old technology. VNT technology is superior in most every way.

Diesel cars cannot be sold in CA because they set NOx emissions levels far below what is physically possible to achieve in a Diesel engine without very expensive exhaust after treatments.

Engine makers are resorting to drastic design changes that hurt engine technology progress. All makers are lowering compression ratios and using an EGR which both hurt efficiency and torque. They are using small and highly responsive turbos to make up for the lack of natural torque and reduced exhaust volume. Toyota is even going to use 50% exhaust recirculation (half the exhaust goes back through the intake) on their upcoming diesels!

The Diesel engine by nature cannot meet the stupidly low emissions goals set by the anti-diesel Nazis of CARB.

I suspected that all along. If you set the new limits low enough arbitrarily as it is the case in California, you will eventually kill these wonderful engines.

Remember in the early 1970s when catalytic converters first appeared in gasoline engines? They were supposed to save the world. Now it is ultra low emission and soon "zero emission". It makes no sense. People wanting to commit suicide by breathing exhaust smoke can be sitting in the garage all night until he runs out of gas (as pointed out by P. J. O' Rourke).

These people are anti-car Naderites. Luddites. They must be resisted at all cost.