W204 Supercharger or Turbocharger

[Voltan]

For a high mileage, 60% motorway use, which system has a higher life expectancy, a 2010 C200 with the Eton compressor or the new direct injection turbocharged CGI? On paper the CGI is about 5% cheaper on fuel and also is slightly faster on acceleration. I intend to keep the car for at least 8 years.

I was informed that the turbo CGI requires the much more expensive (62% dearer) 0W-40 synthetic lub whilst the compressor is perfectly happy with Mobil 1 5W-50 (MB 229.3 approved). [Why can't I use the 5W-50 Mobil 1 when the average temp here is in the 30s C?]

Incidentally the compressor version is about £2,222/- cheaper but comes without the parameter steering and without the Speedtronic version of the MB cruise control.

Your opinions are much valued. TQ.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I would say there's little in it personally. I would go for whichever you prefer driving.

 

[Voltan]

Except for small variations, both are about the same.

However, I'm trying to get to its maintainability and longevity of major components.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Traditionally superchargers have been more reliable than turbochargers due to temperatures, much higher 'spin' speed, etc. But modern turbos have come on the leaps and bounds in recent years, mainly because they're low pressure (relatively) and common place.

For that reason I don't think you'll see a difference in longevity. Just luck of the draw - pick a peach, and not a lemon!!

 

[Voltan]

Don't want to pick yet until I get enough learned advises.

I've enough turbo experience with diesel cars like MB CDi, LR Discovery and Kia Sorento. Being diesels, I think they run in cooler environment, and thus pile hundreds of thousands of miles without missing a beat.

I've no experience with the Eton roots compressor as fitted to the M271 engines, which someone mentioned are good for about 100K ?? miles. Sounds odd for somthing that only goes round and round ...

 

[momomo]

I think the compressor will last a lot longer than 100k. I normally hear of more turbos being replaced or being taken out to replace bearings, seals etc. than i ever hear of any superchargers needing replacing or taken out. I dont know if its because there are more cars out there with turbos fitted now a days as oppose to compressors. They both can give issues at high mileage, very similar really.

 

[Voltan]

Here, turbo in Mercs are rare, whilst there are so many small engined ones with compressors.

So I do hear a number of issues that mostly start with unusual sounds or engine roughness. The unfortunate thing is that they charge some £1,600 for a replacement, excluding labour.

 

[momomo]

The smaller kompressor engines are usually quite rough, thats just how they are. Where are you out of interest? Do you not have CDI's over there?

 

[Voltan]

In Malaysia. Yes there are quite a few CDi and I have a W211 E220 CDi since '05. Runs like a good Japanese watch, haha.

 

[momomo]

All the CDI's have turbos....

 

[grober]

MERCEDES are in the process moving more of their petrol engines to turbo charging from supercharging due to their inherent better emission and thermal efficiency profile. So MB themselves see turbo charging as the way forward
p.s. you may find you must run on the higher [and more expensive]98 octane (premium)petrol with the CGI engines?
AND
In the situation of kompressor or turbo failure in the longer term I get the impression that there are more third party retailers/suppliers of OEM turbo chargers which may help replacement cost?

 

[Voltan]

Yes momomo, I have confidence on CDi's turbo if it is for diesel application , but have little knowledge in the hotter petrol engine application.

I'm actually constructing a comparative costing model between the 2010 C200K (cheaper by £2,222/- to purchase) and the 2010 C200CGI by incorporating as much cost elements into it. (I hope to buy one of the two).

That's why I hope to project the anticipated service life of both the compressor and the turbo. Based on queries with a number of w'shops I think it is possible to get 150K miles from the compressor (your views are invited). But I'm quite unsure of the expected service life of the turbo in the hotter petrol environment.

As an example, for my W211 E220 CDi, my all-in-cost per mile (excluding crash repairs that's covered by insurance) is about 16.3 pence per mile.

Grober, the CGI here are tuned to run on the cheaper RON95 petrol (our premium is RON97). I test drove one and it seems perfectly happy with it, no pre-ignition nor detonation. As for OEM turbo for petrol Mercs, it may initially be a problem.

 

[grober]

A

Grober, the CGI here are tuned to run on the cheaper RON95 petrol (our premium is RON97).

Are the performance and economy figures you quoted for the CGI engine based on 95 octane fuel??

 

[Voltan]

Are the performance and economy figures you quoted for the CGI engine based on 95 octane fuel??

Affirmative RON95. However ultimate performance & economy figures are derived from Mercedes Benz official figures.

I was informed by the local dealer that for stability, the CGIs' ECUs here are programed to command the injectors to function in the "homogeneous" mode instead of the rich-lean "stratified" mode.

Past midnight now, got to break-off.

 

[st4]

Voltan,

I'd go with the supercharged engine. Its fairly proven and can serve you well upto 200k+ miles. The turbo ones are all new and are a bit of an "unknown quantity".

Personally for longevitity you need to look to a diesel car, mainly for the thermal efficiencies but really the engine speeds are lower.

Or a petrol V6 engine like a C230 (2500cc) C280 (2800cc) C300 (300cc) or C350 (3500cc). They'll go on for ages with very little work.

 

[Voltan]

Hi Steve,
TQ for your advice on the compressor. The Mercedes people here are telling that Mercedes had fully tested and qualified the turbo b4 matching it with the new M271. They seem confident that it is an improvement over the compressor. But being a potential buyer I have to double check all.

I agree with you about the diesel cars. Unfortunately Mercedes Malaysia is holding back from selling these models because our diesel fuel has 500ppm sulphur content and does not meet the Euro 4/5 standard of their cars. MB has one unit of the latest C250 CDi for their testing purposes only.

 

[VB123]

Personally, I prefer driving the turbo. As stated previously, the kompressor engines are quite rough and noisy, especially as the miles start to rack up.
Also, the kompressor is a veeery expensive thing to replace!
Go with the new technology.

 

[Voltan]

Personally, I prefer driving the turbo. As stated previously, the kompressor engines are quite rough and noisy, especially as the miles start to rack up.
Also, the kompressor is a veeery expensive thing to replace!
Go with the new technology.

Thank you for your comment.

Incidentally, is the 400K you wrote the mileage (km or miles?) driven?

What model please..