durability vs. displacement

[city lights]

Is durability affected by displacement? And if it isn't anymore until which year was it supposed to be? I guess durability of 2.2 liter engine from 2008. containing 200 hp is not affected by the size of displacement but what about the engines from the beginning of 2000s?

Some say that if there's 'a lot of HP on small displacement' the engine's more likely to weaken it's durability.

Talking about the engines, I got C200 CDI from 2001. with 6M gear shifter and I wanted you to compare it to C220, 270 and C320 CDI from the same period, or any other petrol from W203 series. Which one do you think has proven to be the most durable and which one of the mentioned diesel (or petrol) engines would you recommend?

The one I got has 116 PS and it is quite good, but at some points it doesn't deliver as much power as it takes to 'glue' you to the seat, unless you drive at 3000rpm in the 3rd gear. It seems to have lack of that kind of power while driving in the 2nd, even if it is at 3000rpm.

I would also like to know how more stabile is W203 C 320 CDI 4 MATIC, considering the 4 wheel motion system?

 

[Doodle]

We never got the 4-Matic system in the C-class here, so comment on that might be thin on the ground.

As for displacement affecting durability, I would say that maintenance and owner treatment is a far bigger factor.

 

[lynall]

I think engines are fascinating sad i know, but you get any engine from a few years ago and it doesnt matter how powerful it was a newer smaller one will beat it hands down and be more reliable.

Thing on top gear last week old episode a big jag and a roller i think jag is 6 litre and roller 6.75 litre against a std honda accord 2.4 not s or r type just the normal version and the honda blew them both away hands down.

The trucks i service seem to get more power and torque and pull so much better than the previous model, no need to thrash them to get the power down as opposed to the older engine, when i say old i mean 2006 backwards so not ancient.



Lynall

 

[Stratman]

Evos and WRXes (300+bhp from 2 litres) need servicing every 3000 miles. That should tell you something

 

[lynall]

Trucks need oil change 150k that should tell you something

I was talking about std engines, plus subarus always blow up.



Lynall

 

[wemorgan]

Some bus/truck/plant companies use tribology to have the engine & gearbox oil analysed. This then tells the owner when the oil needs changing. This is beneficial compared to fixed service intervals and also, as I understand it, to ECU derived variable service intervals.

 

[grober]

The 4matic system will improve both traction and stability especially on wet roads or those effected by snow and ice. Front engine + rear wheel drive cars are not so good in winter conditions compared to front wheel drive so you would notice a marked improvement. In terms of durability all things considered the larger displacement engine should last longer than a smaller engine in the same size of car. Assuming there is limit to the speed the car is normally driven at then the larger engine will be generating the same power as the smaller one at lower revolutions. Since wear is going to be related to things like mean piston speed etc the bigger slower revving engine should last longer. In terms of mercedes latest fashion of uprating diesel engines of the same cubic capacity by altering their fuelling and turbocharging boost pressure to yield engines with different power then less boost pressure is going to less thermal stress on the engine which again should mean it lasts longer. Having said all that proper engine design and modern material science should mean they all last for 100,000 miles + easily.

 

[city lights]

I have W124 250D 2500 cm3 94 PS, I felt it is not so stable as W203 considering the rear wheel drive, sometimes it 'dances with the rear part' when you have steering wheel turned aside and trying to go suddenly.

Anyway, it has proven to be one of the most durable Mercedes engines ever?