Views on the 280 and 350 V6 Engines?

[whitenemesis]

As fitted to the 209.

What are the opinions of these two very similar petrol engines? How refined and reliable are they? Is there a significant difference in drive-ability between the two?

 

[Simon_M]

I have the 280 in a 209 Sport. Are they not the same engine but in different states of tune?

The 280 is very smooth, but with the 7G gearbox feels quite lazy even in sport mode and doesn't want to be revved hard. The trouble being is doesnt have the torque to suit that kind of driving style. If you do work it then it is plenty powerful enough and sounds great.

I am not particularly impressed with the economy either, can be around 18mpg in town or 28/29mpg on the motorway, compared to 16 in town and 23 motorway for the C63 which has over twice the capacity.

My car is a cab by the way, so is heavier which probably explains some of the laziness.

But put it this way, I imagine a 4 pot engine would struggle in the same car.

Simon

PS had a few problems with pulleys and tensioners making squeezing noises in damp weather too.

 

[redbaron]

The 280 isnt that powerful... the 350 however is a bit of a weapon...

 

[Simon_M]

That would go with my thoughts. There was however a recent used buying guide for CLK cabs in AutoExpress and they said the 280 was the pick of the bunch.

S

 

[whitenemesis]

I believe the 280 is 3000cc and the 350 ups it to 3500cc

The 350 is 268 BHP and 258 ft/lbs 0-60 6.5sec
The 280 is 228 BHP and 222 ft/lb 0-60 7.5sec

But as we all know figures mean little in the real world!

 

[grober]

You don't put a date on the engines but the [E28] 280 was originally a M112 3 valve twin spark plug engine whereas the later [E35] 2004 onwards was a M272 4 valve single s/plug 90 degree v engine or later still M276 [direct injection 60 degree V- no balance shaft?] My guess is the early 3 valve engines were more robust than the later 4 valve engines which had balancer shaft problems. The latest B/shaft-less? M276 engines have perhaps not been around long enough to have a track record?
see here and follow the links - all wikipedia caveats apply List of Mercedes-Benz engines - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[whitenemesis]

Mmm...

The 280 badged C209 is listed by MB as 2996cc, so I'm thinking both engines will be the M272? The C209 finished before the M276 come out.

 

[whitenemesis]

Any other owners care to share their experiences with these engines? Good or bad?

How about our independent specialists? You must have worked on them?

 

[mika]

I had the use of a v6 350 for about 4 weeks a few years back
i remember thinking it had lots of power in fact perhaps too much for a c class
it was great in a straight line but felt a bit nervous around bends

but i enjoyed driving it

how refined ... i thought it was extremely smooth

 

[redbaron]

Had 203 and 209 350's at various times when worked at Merc... as I said earlier... if you want a fast car buy a 350.. the 280 is ok ish in the coupe but the cab doesnt feel that special...

Now in the SLK the 280 is a hoot especially a manual on 16" wheels with the TC off

 

[Colin_b]

My SLK has the 350 engine. Smooth, reliable and effortless. Not hugely economical, but that isn't unexpected 25MPG average over the last 4 years, mostly urban driving.

I had an SLK 280 briefly, which was nippy, but lacked the enthusiasm of the 350.

 

[jaymanek]

Very good engines but they suffer from balance shaft sprockets wearing.. big job if they go.