E320CDi vs E280CDi

[Benzowner]

Just been looking at the Mercedes web page and noticed that both of these cars are effectively 3 litre V6's. Is the E320 therefore a chipped version of the E280 and how can Mercedes charge over £2000 for a chip? The 280 is a 2987cc 140kw output, the 320 is also a 2987 with a slightly higher 165kw and obviously a bit more torque.

 

[Dieselman]

Probably a bigger intercooler and maybe turbo as well. As you say the upgrade is what people will pay not the actual uprade cost.

 

[Brian WH]

Probably a bigger intercooler and maybe turbo as well. As you say the upgrade is what people will pay not the actual uprade cost.

The 320 has a Turbo, that's the difference and a whole lot more power/torque.

 

[jaymanek]

all CDi's are Turbo im pretty sure

 

[Rose Chap]

Probably different spec inside. Leather? Better stereo? Fewer option boxes on the 320?

 

[blassberg]

I think same engine and turbo

 

[jeremytaylor]

Intercooler on the 320? As well as different engine mapping?

You pays yer money and takes yer choice!

 

[Flash]

All CDIs have turbos.

There is not a lot of difference in performance between a 280CDI and 320CDI on paper in 0-60MPH times etc. but obviously teh 320 is always going to have more torque.

Same applies to the W203 - C180K/C200K/230K share the same 1.8L engine but are just tuned/mapped differently. However, there is a price difference of just under £2K between some of the models.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

There may be some internal changes, not sure. But ignoring oily bits, what you're really getting for your £2k extra is more reasonable if you consider the alternative of buying a 280 and modifying it:

• Remap from a tuner like DMS (£1k?), Kleemann (£1.5k?) or Brabus (£1.5k?) - estimates only;
• Cost of extra insurance for having a modified vehicle;
• Cost of any parts due to warranty being void due to modifications; and
• Missing out on premium paid by second-hand buyers for 320 (as 320s tend to be most sought after).

£2k doesn't seem so bad afterall? ...even if it is just for having 0's and 1's in a different order on a chip!!

 

[Rory]

Just been looking at the Mercedes web page and noticed that both of these cars are effectively 3 litre V6's. Is the E320 therefore a chipped version of the E280 and how can Mercedes charge over £2000 for a chip?

"Chipped"? All engines these days have chips - the chip in the 320 might have a different map to the 280 but, whatever else is different, the ECU will almost certainly be exactly the same hardware, but with different software.

It's quite conceiveable that's the only difference - however I think on the 200/220CDi the turbo size is different and it may well be on 280/320.

Nothing unusual in this - BMW's 3 Series (same doesn't apply to the 5 - the 2.5 really is 2.5), the 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 diesel engines are all 3.0 with (of course) corresponding differences in price.

I don't suppose the 1300 engines of old Ford Escorts cost anymore than 1100's (same block etc) but of course they sold for more.

 

[gotamerc]

when my 320cdi was remapped the guy told me that the 280cdi engine was identical to mine, he remaps both models exactly the same.

 

[Mactech]

The 320 and 280cdi differ in three areas:
1. 320 has slightly larger and different spec injectors
2. Different ECU map
3. Different badge

The perfomance is almost identical up to 2000rpm, the 320 pull harder after that.

 

[Rory]

when my 320cdi was remapped the guy told me that the 280cdi engine was identical to mine, he remaps both models exactly the same.

Mind if I ask how much, and who did it? I'm betting it's not as expensive as some of the figures suggested earlier.

 

[evdok]

Who chipped your benz Gotamerc? any probs?