4 or 6 pot ?

[maf155]

hi all, i am suffering a midlife crisis and for some strange reason found myself wanting an auto. allways liked the c class 1998/9 model so i thought what the heck......
so i need some advice on which engine variant to go for, 2 litre 4 pot or 2.4 v6 . now i do like v6s but what are they like ? would the 2.0 be potent enough and how does it drive compared to the v6 ?

thanks, matthew.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Why not go the whole hog and get a V8...

 

[anubis]

hi all, i am suffering a midlife crisis and for some strange reason found myself wanting an auto. allways liked the c class 1998/9 model so i thought what the heck......
so i need some advice on which engine variant to go for, 2 litre 4 pot or 2.4 v6 . now i do like v6s but what are they like ? would the 2.0 be potent enough and how does it drive compared to the v6 ?

thanks, matthew.

I just bought a 4 pot c class (albeit new), love the car but wish I'd got the v6 for the growl.

 

[b1g1an]

Why not go the whole hog and get a V8...

Beat me to it...if it's not a V8 it's not a midlife crisis. Apparently I'm going to live till I'm 100

 

[John Jones Jr]

Get a 2.8 V6, wouldn't bother with a 2.4 and the 2.0lt is just o.k..

 

[maf155]

i have an alfa which is my main hobby (track car / weekend toy)
so just want something with a bit of go.. not mental. allways liked 90s cars, esp touring cars / saloons so a merc fits the bill.

is the 2.0 underpowered ?

 

[del320]

Mince or steak?

 

[grober]

The V6 is smooth and rapid but likes a drink if you cane it. 2.4 or 2.8 both pretty bullet proof engines if fed the right oil at regular intervals and has had the crankshaft damper[ = composite front crank pulley-- disintegrates with age] replaced - 2 spark plugs per cylinder 12 to change - so often neglected /put off for a rainy day. Invest in a set of iridium tipped ones if you have to change em. If you can afford the fuel go for it. The real sleeper in that model was the kompressor 230- very rapid in original manual gearbox guise

 

[maf155]

The V6 is smooth and rapid but likes a drink if you cane it. 2.4 or 2.8 both pretty bullet proof engines if fed the right oil at regular intervals and has had the crankshaft damper[ = composite front crank pulley-- disintegrates with age] replaced - 2 spark plugs per cylinder 12 to change - so often neglected /put off for a rainy day. Invest in a set of iridium tipped ones if you have to change em. If you can afford the fuel go for it. The real sleeper in that model was the kompressor 230- very rapid in original manual gearbox guise

thanks for the input... i did think about the kompressor but i probably wouldnt be able to resist tuning it. i would keep the car pretty standard. more money for the alfa that way

 

[John Jones Jr]

Do consider the Kompressor but if you're specifically after an auto as per your post it would be the V6 for me, and I've had both manual & auto 2.0ltr's.

The Kompressor I reckon (guess work on my behalf) is best as a manual. I'm in the process of 'tuning' mine and if all goes to plan, I reckon an extra 30-35BHP will cost only £400. So, worth considering. Honestly, don't think you can go wrong with the V6, at the end of the day you'd end up with an auto cruiser & a track car.

Good hunting.

 

[tonyc280]

Well i have a 1998 C280 V6 and its auto too and i love it. Auto box amazing and seamless. Plenty of power (197) BHP when needed. Totally silent cruising. Zero rust too. Had a C200 2 litre W202 before but but although was a lovely drive it was under powered for such a heavy car. I'm getting an average of 26 MPG from my V6 although i do have a light right foot. Hope this helps. Tony.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

I had the 230 Kompressor under the bonnet of my old CLK. It was a very efficient engine with a reasonable amount of readily available power. BUT, in the ten years I had the car my only regret was not having an extra two pots for the superior feel and sound. You can live with 4 if you've never tried 6, but let's face it you could live with a Ford if you've never tried a Mercedes!

 

[C63]

Prefer the V6 although no experience on this particular one. Had the 3.5 unit before and it was silky, electric car like at low speed. Then you still have a bit of growl above 3k rev

 

[maf155]

seen some nice 2.0 about .... looks like am leaning towards v6 tho lol.
i`ve never owned an auto ( hence needing the advice ) . most modern trucks are autos these days and i`ve been driving them alot at work ... quite like em too now where as before it was manual all the way.

 

[deian]

I've had a V6 auto car before (not a merc tho, a xantia v6), and that was wondeful, i've also had three 6 cyl bmw's, and now i'm on a 5 cyl mb c250td.

Out of all the cars, the mb c250td is the best, followed closely by the xantia v6, then by the e30 325i, the bmw 5 e39 5 series manual was (sluggish).

Reason why people go for a 6 cyl is as knightterrant said, once u've experienced one you know better.

If you want the feel of a quick car a turbodiesel won't go amiss, petrols are nice too, they wind up nicely, but if you go for say 220cdi or even like mine a 250td, then you'll feel more instant power than a v6 i think.

other than that, i nearly went for a c280 auto.

 

[tonyc280]

Go for the V6 then Buddy.

 

[deian]

Go for the V6 then Buddy.

... unless you care about the mpg.

 

[BAZZER1]

Why not go for a 320cdi 6, they are reliable, economical, I get around 45-49 mpg out of mine and pretty damn quick, ask any good Indie
BAZZER1

 

[Dryce]

Why not go for a 320cdi 6, they are reliable, economical, I get around 45-49 mpg out of mine and pretty damn quick, ask any good Indie
BAZZER1

The 6 pot petrol is more refined than a diesel. And they tend to be cheaper because they are less desirable given the modern diesel's combination of performance and economy.

 

[E55BOF]

Just bite the bullet and go for an AMG. Go on, you know you want to really...