I don't care if they put an M-B diesel in the RAM

[jsimpson]

I had to use a fair amount of footand boost to keep up with a Sterling dump truck with a mercedez diesel engine and automatic from a stoplight. That's the fastest dump truck I ever encountered. If they dump the Cummins and put in a Mercedes engine, I may be the first in line to get one! Never been real big on brand loyalty anyway. iI Ford had a better engine than he Cummins, I'd be driving a Ford!

 

[Crunch]

I had to use a fair amount of footand boost to keep up with a Sterling dump truck with a mercedez diesel engine and automatic from a stoplight. That's the fastest dump truck I ever encountered. If they dump the Cummins and put in a Mercedes engine, I may be the first in line to get one! Never been real big on brand loyalty anyway. iI Ford had a better engine than he Cummins, I'd be driving a Ford!

Question is, will the Mercedes engine used in a Dodge Ram Heavy Duty be the same engine that was in that dumper? Interesting obervation you made too, because every dump truck I've seen was geared so low a moped could take it from a line start.

 

[DPKetchum]

Use sure it was a M. B. diesel. The few Sterlings I've looked at were all Cat power.

 

[HBarlow]

MB offers several diesel engines for various applications. I think all Freightliner trucks are now equipped with MB engines, no choices offered. The new E series MB sedan can be bought with a turbodiesel engine that outperforms the optional equivalent gas V8 engine. The MB cargo vans badged MB, Freightliner, or Dodge Sprinter that are popping up on the highways like weeds all use a MB five cylinder (I think) turbodiesel. They are reported to be economical although not very powerful. I've seen a couple of them with some miles on their odometers idling in Flying Js smoking from their crankcase breathers. I've talked to a couple of drivers who own Freightliner business class tractors with MB engines. They report modest power and unimpressive fuel economy. MB is a fine, old company that builds fine products. I'd love to own a new MB turbodiesel E series sedan but for me, the Cummins ISB has proven itself very strong, very reliable, very forgiving of hotrodder's modifications, and very durable. It is the only million mile light truck engine on the market. I know it is coming but being, old, old-fashioned, and resistant to change I will hate to see the day that DC decides not to renew the contract with Cummins. In my opinion, the old adage about a bird in the hand beats two in the bush applies here. If I don't already own a relatively new truck at the time I hear a MB diesel will replace the Cummins in all Dodge Rams I will be on the phone to Tomeygun to buy the last Dodge-Cummins available.



Harvey

 

[scootergmc]

Never been real big on brand loyalty anyway. iI Ford had a better engine than he Cummins, I'd be driving a Ford!

Exactly...

 

[Bill Stockard]

MB offers several diesel engines for various applications... MB is a fine, old company that builds fine products... the Cummins ISB has proven itself very strong, very reliable, very forgiving of hotrodder's modifications, and very durable. It is the only million mile light truck engine on the market. I know it is coming but being, old, old-fashioned, and resistant to change I will hate to see the day that DC decides not to renew the contract with Cummins. In my opinion, the old adage about a bird in the hand beats two in the bush applies here. If I don't already own a relatively new truck at the time I hear a MB diesel will replace the Cummins in all Dodge Rams I will be on the phone to buy the last Dodge-Cummins available.



Harvey

Yep, my sentiments too. In fact, I'd be very tempted to buy a Toyota dually(if they ever build one) if it had a Cummins ISBe in it!



Bill

 

[Tim]

Made in USA or not, I just couldn't buy a Toyota, even if it did have a Cummins.



When I want a new truck, I'll go with whatever has the most power, a solid axle front in the 4x4, and the most attractive looking (inside and outside) to me, and offers a manual transmission that is tolerable. Other than that, I don't care what brand it is. I have my Dodge only because the 7. 3 was discontinued, but I am learning to love it.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

You better be damn happy with the out-the-door power from your chosen MB, cuz power upgrades will range from horribly expensive to non-existent...



And after the warranty expires, you'll hafta offer the mortgage on yer house as well as your firstborn to be able to afford repairs on one...

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Gary is right. I went and investigated a Sprinter with the MB. Got my backpacking buddy who is a van nerd convinced to buy one. They get around 24-30 mpg.



Options are very expensive and to fix anything would cost your first born. Plus, the fancy smancy electronic gizmos to tell you what to do and when are enough to instantly give EBottomly (sp?) a coronary infarcation :-laf

 

[jsimpson]

Use sure it was a M. B. diesel. The few Sterlings I've looked at were all Cat power.

said so on the badge,,,

 

[jsimpson]

MB is a fine, old company that builds fine products. I'd love to own a new MB turbodiesel E series sedan but for me, the Cummins ISB has proven itself very strong, very reliable, very forgiving of hotrodder's modifications, and very durable.

Harvey

As a matter of fact, M-B has more experience building diesels than all the rest combined. There are loads of mercedes diesel sedans running around with over a million miles on the drivetrain.

 

[jsimpson]

You better be damn happy with the out-the-door power from your chosen MB, cuz power upgrades will range from horribly expensive to non-existent...



And after the warranty expires, you'll hafta offer the mortgage on yer house as well as your firstborn to be able to afford repairs on one...

The same people who make the power upgrades for the Cummins will be making them for the M-B. ALL diesels cost an arm and a leg to repair - gassers too!

 

[jsimpson]

Made in USA or not, I just couldn't buy a Toyota, even if it did have a Cummins.

Now that's logic I just cannot understand. My Dodge is made in Mexico, offering employment to thousands of mexicans, and the corporate profits go to fat cats in the US and Germany. My Toyota is made in the USA offering employment to thousands of fellow Ameicans, and the corporate profits go to fat cats in the USA and Japan. Please explain to me why you would prefer to employ Mexicans rather than Americans?!

 

[jsimpson]

If I don't already own a relatively new truck at the time I hear a MB diesel will replace the Cummins in all Dodge Rams I will be on the phone to Tomeygun to buy the last Dodge-Cummins available.



Harvey

... and when the last Cummins powered Dodge is gone, you'll be driving an M-B Dodge just like everyone else on this board, discussing twin-turbo applications, stacked boxes, and monster exhausts...

 

[scootergmc]

That's so true, and they'll be discussing how much better the MB is than everything else, even the ol' Cummins. The aftermarket will come...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

... and when the last Cummins powered Dodge is gone, you'll be driving an M-B Dodge just like everyone else on this board, discussing twin-turbo applications, stacked boxes, and monster exhausts...

Not a chance!



I bought my '02 specifically to AVOID the DC changes to the later engines and drivetrain - and totally REJECT the notion that just because M-B makes it "it has to be a winner"...



We have, and WILL have a number of other available diesel alternatives - some great, some mediocre - and quite likely some that WILL be better than what DC will use as a substitute for the current Cummins, and at the same time be better supported by the aftermarket industry.



You guys can drool and lust after a Cummins replacement if it makes ya feel all warm and fuzzy inside - but I seriously doubt *I* will ever be part of your parade!

 

[DPKetchum]

Well I hope M. B. diesels have evolved into something better then yester year. Yes M. B. diesels are long lived but were known for being very heavy and even with a turbo SLOWWWWWWW!

 

[jwilliams3]

I'll take the truck with the Cummins in it.

 

[BILLUA]

I'll take the truck with the Cummins in it.

ME 2!!



Cheers, Bill

 

[HBarlow]

... and when the last Cummins powered Dodge is gone, you'll be driving an M-B Dodge just like everyone else on this board, discussing twin-turbo applications, stacked boxes, and monster exhausts...

No, I don't think so. I'll be 63 this month. I'm not going to need many more new trucks. Who knows? . . . the one I've got with 217,xxx on the odometer might last me a "lifetime. "



Harvey