280cdi vs 320cdi

[oscarisapc]

Hi folks
I am considering a new(ish) C class or E class diesel estate and am puzzled by the difference between the 280 and 320 models - I am told they have the same engine but when you take the difference in spec into consideration, there is still about £2.5k price difference between them. Is this just marketing and all the difference between them is in the engine management chip, or is there a real difference between the cars?

I have got a 2002 C220cdi which has been absolutely transformed by a Tunit chip so I am aware of the differences a good chip can make to a car. Even with the insurance loading (insurers seem to think that anyone with a chipped engine is a boy racer - at my age??) it could be a no brainer to go for the smallest engine and then chip it.

Any advice and comments would be welcome.

Thanks

 

[verytalldave]

There isnt a 280 C class diesel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_C-Class

There IS a 270CDI which has a 5 cylinder 2.7 litre engine (168bhp)
The 320CDI is a V6 which is 3.0 litres (221 bhp)

So, as you can see, there is a significant difference in engines between the two cars.

According to those that know all things diesel (I dont) the 320 is the one to go for (no need to chip) as it goes like a steam train out the box.



HOWEVER..........

It seems that there is both a 280CDI and a 320CDI E Class which share the same engine and both are V6 and 3 litres.
See here......
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W211
The difference lies in that the 280 is a lower state of tune than the 320.
There may be other differences as well. For example, its possible that the 320 has a 7 speed gearbox, whereas the 280 might have to make do with a 5 speeder (but thats a guess).
Others will come along I am sure to give you a definative answer.

Welcome BTW..................


.

 

[1998K]

There isnt a 280 C class diesel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_C-Class

There IS a 270CDI which has a 5 cylinder 2.7 litre engine (168bhp)




.

here in Italy my C270cdi W203 was rated 170HP and same engine into W211 (pre restyling of course) was tated to 177HP

 

[Mactech]

Hi folks
I am considering a new(ish) C class or E class diesel estate and am puzzled by the difference between the 280 and 320 models - I am told they have the same engine but when you take the difference in spec into consideration, there is still about £2.5k price difference between them. Is this just marketing and all the difference between them is in the engine management chip, or is there a real difference between the cars?

I have got a 2002 C220cdi which has been absolutely transformed by a Tunit chip so I am aware of the differences a good chip can make to a car. Even with the insurance loading (insurers seem to think that anyone with a chipped engine is a boy racer - at my age??) it could be a no brainer to go for the smallest engine and then chip it.

Any advice and comments would be welcome.

Thanks

I think that there is a small physical difference between the 280 and the 320 CDI V6, I understand that the injectors are smaller on the 280.
The maps are of course different.
I bought a 280 estate and went through various forms of 'chip tuning' before getting a Superchips re-map. This is by far the best route.
You get the slightly more power than the 320 and a motor, that in my opinion, is slightly sweeter than the 320. (I have 2x 320's at the moment!)
For and E Class estate my advice is to buy a 280, a superchips re-map and pocket £2k.

http://www.superchips.co.uk/curves/merc280cdi.pdf

 

[kwakdonut]

here in Italy my C270cdi W203 was rated 170HP and same engine into W211 (pre restyling of course) was tated to 177HP

Correct - the 270 was produced in two slightly different states of tune - 170 and 177

 

[Adam230K]

Buy a 280 and get it remapped to give you the same (or better) power than the 320.

job done!

welcome btw

 

[wemorgan]

What about the refinement and longevity of the V6 vs the 5-pot engines?

 

[Gareth]

i have the E280 CDI 3.0 V6 and it has a 7 gear gearbox, i'm told with the car being late 2005 (end of December) it has the new V6, although I don't know whether that's true or not.

 

[kwakdonut]

What about the refinement and longevity of the V6 vs the 5-pot engines?

Haven't driven a 6, but the 5 is pretty smooth and refined considering its odd number config. IMHO much better than the 4 pot 200/220.

 

[Rory]

It's entirely possible that the turbo is different between the 280 and 320 - it is on the C200 & C220.

 

[jeremytaylor]

i have the E280 CDI 3.0 V6 and it has a 7 gear gearbox, i'm told with the car being late 2005 (end of December) it has the new V6, although I don't know whether that's true or not.

'Tis true. All 280s are V6.

 

[Peter DLM]

i have the E280 CDI 3.0 V6 and it has a 7 gear gearbox, i'm told with the car being late 2005 (end of December) it has the new V6, although I don't know whether that's true or not.

Lift the bonnet and have a look?

 

[Mactech]

I think it's fair to say that the engines become more refined as the the number of cylinders increase.
If you have any doubts over the durability of the V6, have a look here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNIYgrzK-c

 

[crockers]

I have the C320 cdi - done now just over 60k miles and still grin when I need to use the oommph...

 

[Gareth]

Lift the bonnet and have a look?

I'm not doubting its a V6, it most definitely is, I was told it was the NEW V6 and its that I'm unsure of.

 

[Peter DLM]

I'm not doubting its a V6, it most definitely is, I was told it was the NEW V6 and its that I'm unsure of.

I getcha. I thought all the large capacity diesels changed from straight 5s to V6s.

 

[Dieselman]

Straight 5 and straight 6 to V6.

I hope it's the 'New' V6 as the old one was petrol...

 

[Gareth]

well this was from the same salesman who said it was a 6 gear gearbox, he obviously can't count.

 

[Dark0]

I recently bought the c320 estate,and have to say is simply brilliant.If you can find one mate,don't hesitate.BUY IT!
Only down side is , they are a little thirsty,but so am I on a sat night:bannana:

 

[davidjpowell]

I recently bought the c320 estate,and have to say is simply brilliant.If you can find one mate,don't hesitate.BUY IT!
Only down side is , they are a little thirsty,but so am I on a sat night:bannana:

Used to get up to 45 MPG from mine on a long run. Thought that was quite tbh. Not the best around town though.