Did they let you drive a similar car, as suggested in an earlier post?I took it to the dealer and no surprise..they said that there is no problem and the noise level is what they would expect.
Regretting New 220CDi Coupe What to do
- Thread starter latent
- Start date
-
- Tags
- 220cdi coupe regretting
It will not matter how many different cars you drive they are all shockingly noisy. Mine is a 250 and its terrible. I just cannot see how the a180 cdi is so much better, i had it for 2 days and would have done a swap there and then.
Maybe tyre manufacturers should make silver coloured 60 section tyres that have a thin bit of black rubber at the circumference, then we'd have a decent ride and so called cool looks of low profile!
To be serious, everything you mention can be at least partially fixed. As others have said, smaller wheels with deeper section tyres would help the ride massively - then the seats won't feel so hard too. The noise... well on the outside I agree it is unpleasant, but inside should be ok as soon as the engine has warmed up - are you waiting long enough before passing judgement?
The other foibles you mentioned are all stuff that all cars (and any other designed machine) will have - design flaws! Some are minor, some annoying, some idiotic. But they are also subjective and impossible to avoid because no designer or engineer is allowed to spend 10 years thinking through every conceivable design solution. The question to the designer "Is it ready yet?" has to be answered with either "yes" or "nearly", not "we really should try and find a better solution than this, **** the accounts/sales/shareholder's opinion, we're engineering artisans here!".... perhaps that was the case in the 50s, if so I was born too late...
The other thing is that having spent a big bit of saving/loan, you are now paranoid that you've messed up the choice. I would say relax, there is no perfect choice, so just try and enjoy the bits you do like.
To be serious, everything you mention can be at least partially fixed. As others have said, smaller wheels with deeper section tyres would help the ride massively - then the seats won't feel so hard too. The noise... well on the outside I agree it is unpleasant, but inside should be ok as soon as the engine has warmed up - are you waiting long enough before passing judgement?
The other foibles you mentioned are all stuff that all cars (and any other designed machine) will have - design flaws! Some are minor, some annoying, some idiotic. But they are also subjective and impossible to avoid because no designer or engineer is allowed to spend 10 years thinking through every conceivable design solution. The question to the designer "Is it ready yet?" has to be answered with either "yes" or "nearly", not "we really should try and find a better solution than this, **** the accounts/sales/shareholder's opinion, we're engineering artisans here!".... perhaps that was the case in the 50s, if so I was born too late...
The other thing is that having spent a big bit of saving/loan, you are now paranoid that you've messed up the choice. I would say relax, there is no perfect choice, so just try and enjoy the bits you do like.
My experience is different: my 2013 C220 Exec SE - ie poverty spec - isn't noticeably noisy at all - it's my 3rd diesel, previously Saab ragtop, and top spec Rover 75, and it's no more noisy than either, hence my question.
Malcolm
Berkshire Rich
Active Member
I am sorry for you as I have posted before, but I dont think you are right. Just just on this forum alone there have been a host of C250/220 cdi MY13 buyers (check the earlier pages of the new W204 thread) and they have posted very positive feedback. I think you have been one of the unlucky few with an unusual fault, which is obviously unacceptable but there is no evidence it is widespread.
I drove a brand new E250 cdi last weeks and yes it was not as bad however its still a very very rough engine.
Having driven 2 x c250, 2 x e250 and the a180 i think i have a fairly good idea what is good and bad. I have had multiple bmw and Audi 4 pot diesels and none have been a noisy as the merc. My car is worse there is no doubting that however after driving a brand new e250 cdi i still say the engine is not good. Read all the reviews on the 250, they all say how ruff and noisy it is.
Having driven 2 x c250, 2 x e250 and the a180 i think i have a fairly good idea what is good and bad. I have had multiple bmw and Audi 4 pot diesels and none have been a noisy as the merc. My car is worse there is no doubting that however after driving a brand new e250 cdi i still say the engine is not good. Read all the reviews on the 250, they all say how ruff and noisy it is.
No, I havent driven another car from the dealer, well not a recent MB anyway. It makes me wonder just what to try. All the other C class 4 pot diesels would probably be the same. Maybe i should try a petrol, though the dealer said they sell very few and don't get many in as demos. Maybe, i should be looking at another car in the MB range that is quieter and a ride that soaks up more bumps?Only thing is.. if something else seems much better for me, I am going to get stung in the pocket.
I think you may have misunderstood, the suggestion is to try another example of the same model and spec, to see if yours is as "that's what they all do sir", or whether there really is something wrong with yours, not to just try a different model.
Malcolm
V12
MB Enthusiast
The same engine in the E class is hushed down a fair bit when I compared 2011/2012 models.
kinaero
Active Member
Agreed! I recently moved from C250 to E220, basically the same engine, but much quieter, probably better chassis design and better insulation, not to mention the ride is exemplary
gIzzE
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2004
- Messages
- 5,736
- Location
- Norfolk, UK
- Car
- BMW F11 Touring + Porsche 911 Carrera S + Toyota Alphard Camper
There seems to be a fair difference between the C200, C220 and C250 engines.
Same with BMW with the 16d, 18d, 20d and 25d, all the same 4cyl 2 litre but in different states of tune.
Same again with the Audi 2.0tdi with the 143hp and 180hp designation, the 143 is noticeably quieter too.
When I had an adjustable tuning box on Fiona's X1 18d you could adjust it and hear the thing get noisier or quieter depending where it was set.
I have yet to here a 4cyl engine that doesn't sound like a bag of nails, but you do get used to it, but depends what you have come from I guess.
Even a 6cyl diesel sounds rough as compared with a petrol, but many of us have not owned a petrol for years and forget just how smooth and quite they are.
Same with BMW with the 16d, 18d, 20d and 25d, all the same 4cyl 2 litre but in different states of tune.
Same again with the Audi 2.0tdi with the 143hp and 180hp designation, the 143 is noticeably quieter too.
When I had an adjustable tuning box on Fiona's X1 18d you could adjust it and hear the thing get noisier or quieter depending where it was set.
I have yet to here a 4cyl engine that doesn't sound like a bag of nails, but you do get used to it, but depends what you have come from I guess.
Even a 6cyl diesel sounds rough as compared with a petrol, but many of us have not owned a petrol for years and forget just how smooth and quite they are.
flat6buster
Active Member
There's no getting past the fact that diesel engines aren't that nice to sit behind at idle or when accelerating. OK if you are at a steady state cruise, but starting up and accelerating they feel like something from Massey Ferguson.
I have not had a four pot that was nice in those situations, the six pot in our old e320 was a lot better and the 420 in the ml was better again but still not as nice as the 5 litre petrol we also had.
Diesels just aren't as nice and I only have one because of the mileage I do at the moment, otherwise it'd be petrol all the way.
My current e class is not amg spec and I have to say in all fairness the ride is pretty good considering its on 45 section 17 inch wheels.
OP I think you may get used to the noise. As others have said, ride can be ameliorated by smaller wheels at a cost that could be all but recouped when you sell the car eventually.
I have not had a four pot that was nice in those situations, the six pot in our old e320 was a lot better and the 420 in the ml was better again but still not as nice as the 5 litre petrol we also had.
Diesels just aren't as nice and I only have one because of the mileage I do at the moment, otherwise it'd be petrol all the way.
My current e class is not amg spec and I have to say in all fairness the ride is pretty good considering its on 45 section 17 inch wheels.
OP I think you may get used to the noise. As others have said, ride can be ameliorated by smaller wheels at a cost that could be all but recouped when you sell the car eventually.
Godfrey
Active Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2013
- Messages
- 165
- Location
- North of Aberdeen
- Car
- 211 320cdi Elegance estate, Soon to be sold RR Vouge, Defender, Triumph Daytona and Thunderbird
Yup, got an 2013 E250 cdi sport saloon on loan while my E320 cdi is being repaired. I do like it as it's like my 3 series beemer in that you can treat it a lot like a go-kart around a roundabout but it is more a driving car than a comfort car. It's very noisy although kids tend to give me the thumbs up as I pass- which doesn't happen in my estate
kinaero
Active Member
My brother recently bought the latest A180CDI, the engine noticeably quieter and smoother, albeit a very short drive.
Overall the 4 cylinder diesel Merc engine is pretty cr4p.
Overall the 4 cylinder diesel Merc engine is pretty cr4p.
SmartMAC
Active Member
Not true at all. I came from the 120D BMW and the 250 CDI Merc is way more refined and a better engine in my opinion.
It's true to say its not petrol refined but that is because it's a diesel.
V12
MB Enthusiast
I've heard this for years, but generally the mb units are more powerful and more reliable.
As stated further up, the units in a higher state of tune definitely seem rougher.
HumberMart
Active Member
kinaero said:
So my 4cyl CLS250 does 150mph, 60 in just over 7 secs and 44-50 mpg. Pulls like a train, smooth and quiet. A crap engine I don't think so.
I've owned and driven 220s, 250s, 320/350 diesels and similar spec petrols.
I'd never buy another 4 cyl petrol, they're far too lethargic. True the V6 and V8 petrols are great but you do pay at the pumps.
I drove a new B180CDI over 1,000 miles in one day. Got nearly 60mpg and the engine noise wasn't noticeable.
My new CLS is as refined as the S350 I swapped it for IMHO in most circumstances. Ignoring cold starts and assuming you use stop/start at idle, you have to nail it in low gears to hear the engine at all. Routine journeys and motorway cruising are as quiet as could ever be expected. The Pirellis the only thing that tries to spoil to peace on concrete surfaces.
I almost consider myself to be OCD when it comes to in-car noise. I'm also as fond of petrol as diesel. I've had BMs and Audis. So it just amazes me that some complain so bitterly about the new 4 cyl Merc diesels. Sure, I hated the old 2L diesel in my wife's previous B Class, but the latest generation diesels are fine by me.
I also agree that the small French 1.6 diesels are smoother and quieter than Merc versions. Plus I've had good reason to fall out totally with the MB brand in recent months, but I still can't understand all this current banter about how crap the 220/250 diesels are. I didn't like the latest e250 despite its similarity to the CLS, but it was the tyre noise and poor steering that got to me.
One man's meat and all that..........
gIzzE
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2004
- Messages
- 5,736
- Location
- Norfolk, UK
- Car
- BMW F11 Touring + Porsche 911 Carrera S + Toyota Alphard Camper
Well to be fair there isn't much he can do about that.
You tested the car, liked it and ordered it.
I have done it before, bought something and really not liked it, you have two choices, maybe three.
1) Lump it.
2) Sell it and take a hit, a massive hit depreciation wise.
3) Change it as much as you can. In your case going to a different wheel combo, 17" sport wheels that are not shod with Continentals* for a start would make a huge difference. And add some sound proofing under the firewall carpet and the bonnet for around £100.
*I don't know if it has got Contis's, but they are a hard and noisy tyre so I am just guessing.
QUOTE 3) Change it as much as you can. In your case going to a different wheel combo, 17" sport wheels that are not shod with Continentals* for a start would make a huge difference. And add some sound proofing under the firewall carpet and the bonnet for around £100.
*I don't know if it has got Contis's, but they are a hard and noisy tyre so I am just guessing.[/QUOTE]
So what what make of tyres would be better than the Continental in this regard?
*I don't know if it has got Contis's, but they are a hard and noisy tyre so I am just guessing.[/QUOTE]
So what what make of tyres would be better than the Continental in this regard?
