Downsizing from a BMW 523i - Which (non-C250) C class ?

[kwakdonut]

When you say the diesel will "pull much stronger", is that at particular speed ranges or generally and can one feel it, or does one need a stopwatch to measure it ? I should probably have said at the top of the post that I drive an automatic.

Oh no, don't get me wrong - these big diesels are very powerful! My 320 (the older inline 6) is only 204bhp but has 500Nm of torque, as much as an AMG!! (almost!!). The newer V6's are 220bhp+. The acceleration is swift and will easily beat a comparable petrol although you put up with the usual diesel 'noises' but they are nice cruising, especially on the motorway and will mile munch quite happily. The V6 diesel is slightly less economical than the older I6 because of emissions (Euro 4 etc) but you should still see 40mpg without much trouble.

 

[st4]

Oh no, don't get me wrong - these big diesels are very powerful! My 320 (the older inline 6) is only 204bhp but has 500Nm of torque, as much as an AMG!! (almost!!). The newer V6's are 220bhp+. The acceleration is swift and will easily beat a comparable petrol although you put up with the usual diesel 'noises' but they are nice cruising, especially on the motorway and will mile munch quite happily. The V6 diesel is slightly less economical than the older I6 because of emissions (Euro 4 etc) but you should still see 40mpg without much trouble.

The later V6 diesels refinement wise are a big jump on the I6 engines. They are v.quiet and virtually on a par with a petrol, and initial acceleration is greater due to the low down slug of torque.

Having been a passanger in a E320cdi V6 its very smooth and rapid, and driving a C320cdi V6 204 its a very rapid, quiet and smooth drive, not as nice a sound as a petrol, but quiet and refined.

I suspect the diesel will be better on fuel in town, but they dont like short journeys etc. Given the OP's v.low miles a used c350 petrol would probably make a better buy, a nice low miles 2/yr old car would be ideal.

 

[FF99]

I suspect the diesel will be better on fuel in town, but they dont like short journeys etc. Given the OP's v.low miles a used c350 petrol would probably make a better buy, a nice low miles 2/yr old car would be ideal.

I did not realise that diesels don't like short journeys. Is that general or specific to these V6's ?

Also why would you recommend a C350 in preference to a couple of years old C280, for my driving profile ?

 

[st4]

I did not realise that diesels don't like short journeys. Is that general or specific to these V6's ?

Just in general, applies IMHO to any turbo charged car but diesels in specific as they take an age to warm uo

Also why would you recommend a C350 in preference to a couple of years old C280, for my driving profile ?

C350 petrol isnt much less economical than a c280 petrol and a fair bit more powerful (for that occasional run down the m4 at speed). When you come to sell it you'll find it easier as its the flagship petrol engined C class bar the C63 amg model.

There is a new C350cdi (diesel) that replaces the C320cdi (diesel) but both are pretty good.

Test a C class V6 petrol (C230, 280, 350) and the v6 diesel (320cdi, 350cdi) and see what your personal preference is, but given your low miles/short journey profile a petrol engine is the way to go.

 

[FF99]

Just in general, applies IMHO to any turbo charged car but diesels in specific as they take an age to warm uo



C350 petrol isnt much less economical than a c280 petrol and a fair bit more powerful (for that occasional run down the m4 at speed). When you come to sell it you'll find it easier as its the flagship petrol engined C class bar the C63 amg model.

There is a new C350cdi (diesel) that replaces the C320cdi (diesel) but both are pretty good.

Test a C class V6 petrol (C230, 280, 350) and the v6 diesel (320cdi, 350cdi) and see what your personal preference is, but given your low miles/short journey profile a petrol engine is the way to go.

Thanks for all this really helpful practical knowledge. I am going to try a C280 and a C320 tomorrow morning. I was really just trying to identify which cars to try out, in order not to have try out the dealer's whole fleet of cars ! As it is, I have my eye on a very nice high spec C280, which has pretty much everything I want. The advice on here suggests that is going to be a better bet than a C320. I have not yet looked at what C350's there are on offer.

 

[Iain]

I did not realise that diesels don't like short journeys. Is that general or specific to these V6's ?

Also why would you recommend a C350 in preference to a couple of years old C280, for my driving profile ?

But a petrol needs to warm up before it starts to become fuel efficient. A diesel is efficient from the 1st turn of the key!

 

[HowardD]

I had a 1999 523i auto for 6 months in 2000 - 2001. It managed to be thirsty and gutless at the same time.

I had a W204 C220CDi sport, which we sold earlier this year and it felt a lot more powerful in comparison.

HD

 

[NewMB]

On several occasions I've had a W204 C280 petrol as a loaner from local dealer.

Great engine. Wisper quiet, smooth, fast and actually really good on fuel too! I avg about 34 mpg.

 

[FF99]

By way of update I test drove a C280 and a C320 CDI this morning and concluded that, actually, neither was as smooth or seems to have quite as much effortless pull in the lower speed range as my old BMW 523i. I suppose that the engine is just one part of the picture and that the way the auto gearbox is set up, the overall transmisison structure, wheels, tyres and all the rest are another signifcant factor. Anyway, I am just going to have to get over that !

Of the two, I felt the petrol was quicker off the lights and was quite nippy with the 'agility' mode set to sport, although less so when in normal drive. The diesel seemed a little sluggish off the lights, but once it had got moving accelerated like a rocket. As a non-diesel driver, I have been given to understand that this is quite normal, especially for engines like the 320 with a very high torque.

Having now driven these and decided I am still a petrol man, I now need to decide whether I can make the effort to try a C250 CGI again, as its a few weeks since I last drove one and decided I was not that keen on it .... Oh dear !

 

[st4]

Both cars should be significantly punchier than a 523i. Maybe not as smooth as the Beemer has a straight 6 engine, those MBs are V6 engines. Again it will be throttle mapping that will be the cause of this. Just a merc thing.

I think the C250CGi will be a big come down after the C280. I'd try a C350 for reference as well.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

I'd sugest trying a C350 too.

Suprised you didn't think much of the C320 CDI, however I'm sure you'd like the C350 petrol...