Advice on E Class Range - best engine size ??

[abc_nottingham1]

Hi there,

What is the Best engine size and spec to buy in the Eclass range?

I am looking for Diesel, E220 or E270 and feel that E320 will be to
bad on economy.

I want the w211 model around 2003 - 2004 year.

Doest anyone know if Panaramic roof is an excellent advantage or not?

Many Thanks :bannana:

 

[kbhogalW126]

Personally I would recommend the 270 cdi engine.

I have a CLK 270 CDi Avantgarde and a C270 CDi Avantgarde.

I find the engine to be superb (in my bodyshells). I get 50mpg on a good run (sheffield to scotland/london/brum) if i stick it into cruise at about 71-75 mph.

Its torquey enough for me and the best balance.

I've driven the E220 CDi (W211) as a courtesy car for a week and hated the lack of power.

I've also driven my old MD's E320 CDI (W211) and loved it.

Personally I beleive the 270CDi or, if you can stretch a bit further out, the 280CDi would be the best all round option for economy and performance.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

KJ

 

[Roger Jones]

I see so many reports of trouble with the M648 3.2 engine that I would be wary of it. I've seen plenty of people singing the praises of the M647 2.7.

On economy, it's often the case that larger engines show little or any difference from the smaller units in the same chassis.

Isn't the W211 prone to electrical gremlins or are those reports exaggerated?

Neat summary of engine codes:
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/downloads/merc_models.pdf

 

[timskemp]

They're all good. I'd go with whichever is going to suit your driving style and budget, all are capable of 40mpg driven gently, 35mpg day to day driven enthusiastically but I wouldn't take a 220 on a trackday.

220s tend to have the smaller fuel tank, 270 /320 have an 80l monster - hence my upcoming attempt at Lands End / John O Groats on one tank.

270 is the noisest of the three when cruising. The bigger engines are heavier and thirstier in town.

All work well with the autobox, I don't like any diesel manuals (too much gearchanging when making rapid progress).

 

[Robbo]

I see so many reports of trouble with the M648 3.2 engine that I would be wary of it

Have you? I haven't!

I thought both the straight 6 and V6 3 litre common rail diesel engines were pretty good.

 

[timskemp]

Have you? I haven't!

I thought both the straight 6 and V6 3 litre common rail diesel engines were pretty good.

Only problems I've heard are common to all the CDis, glowplugs and injectors seizing / self destructing on removal...

Just had all my glows done...

 

[Robbo]

exactly!

The only time I have read of other problems with these CDI engines is turbo oil seals on 270CDI engines.

 

[DieselE]

Hi there,

What is the Best engine size and spec to buy in the Eclass range?

I am looking for Diesel, E220 or E270 and feel that E320 will be to
bad on economy.

I want the w211 model around 2003 - 2004 year.

Doest anyone know if Panaramic roof is an excellent advantage or not?

Many Thanks :bannana:

I've had an E320CDI for coming up to two and a half years and have covered 34,000 miles. Overall fuel consumption in that period is 38.4mpg. I avoid using it for local trips to the shops which will help on the fuel consumption front. Best result so far is 42.74mpg over 357 miles. About the only thing I favour in the EU is the 130km/h motorway speed limit so I tend to set my cruise control at 81mile/h in sympathy. Obviously, I don't think the fuel consumption is bad.

On the other hand, the car has mid-range overtaking ability to die for. This gives you many more safe overtaking opportunities than a less powerful car.

You asked about the Panoramic roof. The W211 comes with climate control. It's very much up to you if you want to keep turning that off to get fresh air through the roof or want the additional light of a glass roof.

Try to go for a 53 reg at the earliest and perferably 04 or 54. As long as all the recalls have been done, this will make sure that you maximise the standard "goodies" count and avoid the troubles associated with early models.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

We have the 270 in our ML, and it isn't the most refined engine - certainly in the W163 ML chassis - probably better insulated in the W211 E chassis. I would imagine it will always be slightly less refined that the 220 and 320 though, due to being an inline-5 cylinder.

I have driven the E220 CDi and E280 CDi. The 220 was a great car, and for cruising would be great. If you like to occasionally stretch your right foot when it's safe to do so, or like to know that "it can if I want to", I would suggest a 280 CDi or 320 CDi.

The E-Class is a great car though, and I'm sure whichever you pick will be a belter.

 

[Satch]

Hi there,

What is the Best engine size and spec to buy in the Eclass range?

I am looking for Diesel, E220 or E270 and feel that E320 will be to
bad on economy.

I want the w211 model around 2003 - 2004 year.

Doest anyone know if Panaramic roof is an excellent advantage or not?

Many Thanks :bannana:

Think that must depend on how you will use it.

As stated, the E320 is really not intended for urban or around town use. Natural home is on the autobahn or open roads where you end up with the huge torque flattening out uphill stretches even when fully loaded and the abilty to overtake with the greatest of ease. Oh yes and you can upset so many pushy BMW owners

I count on 28-30 mpg town/semi rural traffic, 38mpg "normal" motorway long journey use and 40-44mpg on open A roads/slower motorway. Overall, taking into account daily use is a series of 10 mile journeys (engine only just gets fully warmed up) and a number of long weekend trips interposed with short town journeys, average MPG over last 12,000 miles was 34mpg which from a large estate which usually has a fair load on is good.

E220 is equally at home on the open road but takes a bit longer to get to your chosen velocity and obviously has less urge. So could consider it to be an urban & general purpose engine producing excellent mpg, hence to be found as a German Taxi favourite.

E270 sits between the two and does most things well. That said impression is to have read of more tales of woe than the other two engines, quite a few turbo & EGR issues IIRC.

 

[glojo]

I see so many reports of trouble with the M648 3.2 engine that I would be wary of it. I've seen plenty of people singing the praises of the M647 2.7.

You can't just say that and walk away There are a good many owners of vehicles with this engine that frequent this forum. I would respectfully suggest that complaints regarding reliability are no better, or worse than any of the other rock solid Mercedes engine. I am aware oif a member's car breaking down in France. I believe the vehicle was just out of warranty, but the repair was done free gratis?

My advice would be go for what you can afford to both run and service, the bigger the better

As an aside the 320CDI is now being used by a number of the emergency services. They tend to perhaps use these vehicles in ways we would never dream of doing, plus these vehicles are retained for approximately 300,000 miles.

Again if you can, I would recommend one with a full, complete main dealer history. The early 211's had problems with radiator seepage getting into the transmission. If you are a half full type of person then it is reassuring to know that when your 211 goes in for a service, the main dealer SHOULD carry out a free qualkity control inspection (checks ALL the electronics and replaces any problem parts) The 211 is an excellent vehicle but I have no experience of the panoramic roof.

Good luck.

John

Don't forget parameter steering is a cost option on the 270 as are a few other items

 

[Roger Jones]

Who's walking away? This is an interesting thread. I have no axe to grind and I simply spoke of what I found. If others have better information, I welcome it, and that's what boards like this are for, aren't they?

This is but one source of info, the Car-by-Car Breakdown section of http://www.honestjohn.co.uk.

"Rear seat not as wide as previous E class and centre rear seat not comfortable. High number of electrical and electronic faults reported across the range, spoiling what would otherwise be one of the World's best cars. Strange "burping" noise reported by RHD E240 owner from Sensotronic brake unit, apparently due to the length of a hose in LHD to RHD conversion. Reports of leaking high pressure diesel pumps on 320CDIs. Fluid leaks onto cooling system pipes which then also need to be replaced. Tinkling sound which rises with revs on 320CDI is from ceramic matrix of catalytic converter. Also starting problems with 320CDIs. Can suffer battery drain down when left in airport carparks unless upgraded battery pack specified."

 

[glojo]

Who's walking away? This is an interesting thread. I have no axe to grind and I simply spoke of what I found. If others have better information, I welcome it, and that's what boards like this are for, aren't they?"

Thanks for the quick response, I think most of the problems are not engine specific, the electrical faults are well documented and there have been service upgrades to help resolve them.

When choosing our vehicle the reason why we opted for the 320 was simply noise levels. Please do not think I am suggesting the 270 is a noisy engine. It is not the noisiest diesel by any stretch of the imagination, but the 320 is quieter. When looking at a biggish engine range we were not that concerned with the difference in fuel consumption, my own very personal thoughts were the other reasons outweighed the performance ones.

On the new E-class I would give serious consideration to the 280, but on older models the big engine is a good 'un You have opted out of that option so go for the 270.

 

[timskemp]

On the new E-class I would give serious consideration to the 280

I'd disagree with you there. The new 220 is 170bhp and really very good, the new 280 feels very petrol like to drive and is very thirsty in urban driving - I had one for three months and it averaged under 32mpg overall, my 270 is averaging 35mpg (I drive quite hard, a recent trip from heathrow was showing 31...)

The 280 feels like it's been tuned to feel like a petrol engine - no diesel style torque peak at the bottom end of the rev range, but no real economy advantage over the 320 (which I had for a week in a CLS) and the 320 is a world apart for overtaking.

 

[glojo]

I'd disagree with you there. The new 220 is 170bhp and really very good, the new 280 feels very petrol like to drive and is very thirsty in urban driving - I had one for three months and it averaged under 32mpg overall, my 270 is averaging 35mpg (I drive quite hard, a recent trip from heathrow was showing 31...)

Well said and thanks for the figures. How noisy is the new four cylinder range compared to the older 5 cylinder 270? I enjoyed reading your remarks regarding the 280 vs 320 and now await any replies

John

 

[DieselE]

I'd disagree with you there. The new 220 is 170bhp and really very good, the new 280 feels very petrol like to drive and is very thirsty in urban driving - I had one for three months and it averaged under 32mpg overall, my 270 is averaging 35mpg (I drive quite hard, a recent trip from heathrow was showing 31...)

The 280 feels like it's been tuned to feel like a petrol engine - no diesel style torque peak at the bottom end of the rev range, but no real economy advantage over the 320 (which I had for a week in a CLS) and the 320 is a world apart for overtaking.

Heathrow to Hull 31mpg. I would regard that as a disaster in my E320CDI (not that I've done that particular trip). The 500NM of torque available in the bigger engine means it can get back up to cruising speed after any interruption very quickly and without large throttle openings. On long journeys I think for the same journey time the bigger engine gives you as good if not better fuel consumption.

 

[timskemp]

Well said and thanks for the figures. How noisy is the new four cylinder range compared to the older 5 cylinder 270?

The new V6s are unbeleivably refined, better than the current BMW engines and from inside the car as quiet as most petrols.

The 4 cyl seems very smooth, vibration and noise free, better than the old 5.

Of the old engines I think the 6 is the smoothest and quietest, and the 5 the least, though it is the best economy / performance compromise. I've had 5 cylinder cars before (Volvo S60) and they benefit from being less complex (4 cyl needs dual balancers for smoothness) so more revvy and efficient, but with less fuel overhead at low revs / idle.

If I were buying new I'd skip the 280 and either get a 220 or 320 depending on budget, if you can afford a 280 go for a used 320 instead...

 

[timskemp]

Heathrow to Hull 31mpg. I would regard that as a disaster in my E320CDI

Let me put it this way, my Volvo would have been doing 17-18mpg at the same speeds. I consider the 270 very economical (my friend Dave who was at the Harrogate GTG with me drove it to york and got 45mpg).

Last normal speed London run (hull / woolwich /hull) showed 38mpg sticking to speeds in the 80-90 region.

 

[DieselE]

The new V6s are unbeleivably refined, better than the current BMW engines and from inside the car as quiet as most petrols.

The 4 cyl seems very smooth, vibration and noise free, better than the old 5.

Of the old engines I think the 6 is the smoothest and quietest, and the 5 the least, though it is the best economy / performance compromise. I've had 5 cylinder cars before (Volvo S60) and they benefit from being less complex (4 cyl needs dual balancers for smoothness) so more revvy and efficient, but with less fuel overhead at low revs / idle.

If I were buying new I'd skip the 280 and either get a 220 or 320 depending on budget, if you can afford a 280 go for a used 320 instead...

Compared to the new V6, around town the straight six is a noisy old beast. Above 30-40 mile/h tyre noise takes over and you only hear the engine on wide throttle openings. Driving an E320CDI with the throttle wide open can be interesting and is not something you do for very long at any one time.

 

[DieselE]

Last normal speed London run (hull / woolwich /hull) showed 38mpg sticking to speeds in the 80-90 region.

That, or a little bit more, is about what I would expect in the E320CDI.