squid23

Anybody directly compared E350 to E400?

How are they? Pull a bit better in low rpms? Any lag? Sound change?

petee1997

They are great. The new 3.0L has more torque, power and is quieter than the NA engine. I have not compared fuel efficiency but it is supposedly better. There is absolutely no turbo lag.

YYZ-E55

The 400 is a solid improvement over the 350, especially at highway speeds. It's not night-and-day by any stretch, but good. No noticeable lag and no sound change in my opinion.

I find the 400 is more responsive in the C-Class and CLS than it is in the 212 chassis E, which I assume is due to more conservative/relaxed transmission programming.

Russ103

Considering the E400 is meant to replace the E550 I would expect it to be a leap above the E350. Though from what I've heard, it's nowhere near the 2014 TT V8 E-550...

squid23

To me it looks like MB's strategy is more one of making people buy the CLS or the E63 instead of the E550. I heard people were already doing that anyway (E550 sedan sales low) but overall I find the whole thing to be a bit "off".

I always found the V6 without the turbo to be an engine that was just lacking something, especially compared to the BMW i6 turbo. IMHO MB should have just upgraded the non-turbo to the turbo to make it pull a bit better, especially from low rpms, and just rate it as a car improvement.

Turning this into an upsell strategy feels like the wrong move when looking at it in the competitive environment.

Jeffy

Its really just a replacement/improvement to the 3.5 NA. Its not even close to the power, torque and noise of the V8 BiTurbo.

Russ103

The DI 2012+ V6 is a great everyday motor, but it is lacking in top end power. I find it's low and mid range to be the best of any NA V6 out there, top end plus AWD bogging it down leaves a bit to be desired though.

I agree with you about the upsell strategy on the E400 but what do we know? I suppose the price of the E-550 was put it in a demographic of customers who could buy/lease the CLS-550 or E-63. You have a point there.

cocobeex

Thats why I traded in my E350 with a E550 recently before they phase out.

J.Raymond

Not an exact comparo ..

Drove a new E350 coupe a few hundred miles on the coast, some fast backroads and then highways. Took the same route a day later in the E400 sedan.

Not sure about weight or gearing differences.

The E400 certainly pulls better everywhere. Engine is smooth and throttle response good - no appreciable lag. The engine sound is subdued - perhaps quieter than the E350. Fuel mileage for 300 mile loop was better in the E400 - both cars driven much the same way in the same conditions.

It's also interesting to compare the E400 3.0 liter V6 TT 276 DELA 30 to the current BMW E92 N54 3.0 liter I6 TT stablemate. Haven't run them head-to-head - but it feels like the E400 wouldn't be shamed by the lighter coupe in the straights - maybe.

Fuel efficiency remains impressive - better than the lighter BMW.

Wil do a more detailed review sometime soon.

J.

PS: First MBZ - seems to be a great start.

petee1997

In Canada, the E400 replaces the E350. We still have the E550. Go figure.

Something I forgot to mention is that the CLS400 4matic cruises at 70mph at only 1750rpm. That's only 1000rpm above idle. That's what torque does.

Munich77

Another one had the same thought....my 2008 535 xi was driving me nuts so in November of 2013 I ended up with an E550. I do no regret that decision at all .

As for the E400 - I am looking forward to a comparison test between the BMW 535, the Audi A6 3.0 T and the E400. I think the engine on paper sounds great - but it should have replaced the E350.