S6 E320Cdi (5 speed) versus V6 E320Cdi (7 speed)

[Satch]

Anybody driven both and in a position to compare & contrast?

 

[Vips]

Yes I have....But only in my dreams

 

[jeremytaylor]

Before I bought my S6 estate I tested a V6 estate at Merc Direct that had done 10,000 miles. Only a short test, mind.

The V6 is unsurprisingly smoother, but more noticeable is the extra responsiveness (if that's the right word) to throttle inputs. Maybe this is because the 7 speed is more likely to be in the optimum gear at any given time. I didn't have any issues with the gearbox not deciding which gear to be in, as has been mentioned in some reports. The V6 clearly has greater bhp and torque, and has been uprated again for the imminent facelift models. The economy of any V diesel seems to suffer in comparison to straight engines.

What swung it for me was the much better deal I got on my 300 mile pre-registered 1 month old S6 rather than the price Merc Direct wanted for their 8 month old 10,000 mile V6 (which was also Elegance spec without the Xenons). Yes the V6 was better, but not THAT much better (£7,000 disregarding the mileage difference).

 

[steve.link]

I have driven both and the V6 is both smoother and more powerful but unless you drive them back to back its not really noticeable.

Like Jeremy I got the S6 as there were much better deals. I saved about £7k against a V6 and I got COMAND and a TV in the package as well!

 

[DieselE]

The economy of any V diesel seems to suffer in comparison to straight engines.

I wonder how much of the difference is down to the fact that the V6 is EU4 compliant?

 

[RichardM]

I wonder how much of the difference is down to the fact that the V6 is EU4 compliant?

The later S6's were too.

 

[jeremytaylor]

The later S6's were too.

Yes, my S6 is EU4 compliant. According to the figures there's no difference in performance although the economy suffers a little. I've not driven a S6 EU3 so can't tell, but I suspect the differences are so slight that it is largely down to whether the engine is 'good' or not.

The only issue I have with the EU4 is the availability of engine oil (MB 229.31 spec.)

 

[steve.link]

Mine is EU4 as well. I have averaged 33.9 mpg over the first 4000 miles. this is an even mixture of city and motorway driving.

Given the size/performance of the car I think this is OK

 

[DieselE]

Over the same distance (first 4,000 miles) mine averaged 36.5mpg. Approaching 10% difference in fuel consumption is what was forecast between EU3 and EU4 320CDI engines when the change was first proposed. Over the first 20,000 miles that average has risen to 38mpg.

When my car was ordered it was going to be EU4 compliant but when it arrived it was EU3. So I got £600 back and the car runs in a lower road tax fund category. It is also more greenhouse gas friendly if you believe man is contributing to global warming.

 

[jeremytaylor]

When my car was ordered it was going to be EU4 compliant but when it arrived it was EU3. So I got £600 back and the car runs in a lower road tax fund category. It is also more greenhouse gas friendly if you believe man is contributing to global warming.

... but less pedestrian friendly if you believe that particulates cause or exacerbate respiratory problems.

 

[prprandall51]

... but less pedestrian friendly if you believe that particulates cause or exacerbate respiratory problems.

Interesting dilemma... Do we save the planet or the human race (based on all those particulates clogging up the lungs of city dwellers mostly).

All those particulates emitted by EU3 engines helped to ward off the effects of Global Warming by filtering the sun's rays (global dimming). Personally, I would rather choke a few pedestrians and reduce my CO2 emissions.

And save myself £600 plus about £200 a year in fuel charges.

It seems bizarre to me that the government legislates our cars so heavily but happily promotes the building of airports so we can all fly around pouring emissions out by the tonne.

Philip

 

[jeremytaylor]

Not forgetting all the CO2 produced by ships transporting all those oh-so-virtuous Japanese hybrid cars around the world.