Both cars will last well beyond 10 years, don't worry!

While your generalisation is true if all other things are equal, all other things are not equal between the V6 and M111 4 cylinder. The latter is reputed to be one of the best and most reliable of Mercedes engines over the long haul. The V6 is probably good too but overall I'd say there'd be no significant difference in reliability between a stock supercharged M111 and a M112. BTW, the M111 blower only puffs at 0.5 bar, very light pressure.

The M271 is a different matter - it's a new engine design and its long-term reputation has yet to be built. Plus its blower is cranked up a lot higher so the combustion pressures are a ways higher than those of the M111.

The V6 is - I'll write it again - a compromised design, what with its 90 degree cylinder bank spacing and afterthought balance shaft that aims to recover some balance in this inherently unbalanced engine. The Vee series M-B engines are going to be replaced by a new generation of engines in the coming couple of years anyway...maybe M-B will get their next V6 right and it'll have a 60 degree design. I'm not holding my breath though...

 

You're preachin' to the choir, here. Amen, Brother.

 

But it's only warrantied for 4 years and I think it would be risky to own an MB without a warranty, parts are expensive, labor is expensive and the cars just don't have a rep for being very dependable. I am worried!

 

No need for you to worry, Carl. You'll be driving a Mustang convertible by then.

 

it's clear that you need to buy a Hyundai for it's 10 year warranty, so you can stop complaining.

 

Woohooo! Wait a minute, what about the free car washes?

 

so which cars have that 60 degree design you are talking about

 

Whadda ya want? 390 Hp and reliability or free car washes?

 

That's a tough one! Good thing I don't have to decide for a year.

 

I'll take free carwash in a blink of an eye. :p

 

seriously are you that lazy where you cant travel more than 2 miles from your house to go to a dealer or put time to wash your own car?

 

It would appear that way but I enjoy going to the dealer a mile away for my free car wash. I read the newspaper, have a cup of coffee, meet up with people, check out the new iron (they had the new 2004 CLK convertible, talk to my favorite salesman. Also I have 3 other cars that need attention too. For example, I helped my kid clean her car out (I did 99% of the work) and that took 3 hours (it was a total mess). After that I would have been too tired to wash my own. Also have you tried washing a black car in the heat of summer, not fun. If it wasnt' for the free car washes I never would have gotten black. If my next car is not an MB it will will silver or white, something that is lower maintenance.

 

The free car wash thing on a weekday is amazing. I could not believe the number of hot ladies on a Tuesday in Newport Beach for their free car wash. A Starbucks inside the waiting room is way cool, and FJ had lots of MBs to drool over.

It is a 48 mile trip to me, so I typically wash and wax my own. Besides I clay my cars every 6 months and wax fairly often. But I do hate the stock brake dust. That will change when I get my C32 brakes front and rear.:p

 

Now if you lived 1 mile away, wouldn't you be there at least once a week?

 

Twice a week, like I said HOT women, dripping class All ages all very nice. All were nice to talk to, very friendly people.

I also noticed a lot of men getting their cars washed, the yacht club types. Or perhaps they were bird watching like I was. My Lincoln Mark VIII LSC cost a lot more than my coupe, but I have never visited a Lincoln dealer nearly as nice as the MB dealers I have been to. Never saw one hot lady in any of the dealer visits (a lot).

 

People on the forum just dont' get it, it's more than just a wash. That's why it would be tough to decide to leave the MB clan. I may have to get an SLK when the '05 comes out.

 

Almost all of them that are not based on a V-8 design for reasons of economy of scale.

Nissan, Toyota, GM, Renault, even Peugeot (who, with Renault and Volvo had a 90 degree V-6 for years), actually practically everyone has 60 degree V-6 engines.

 

so these engines are better then my C320?

i also have V6 camry and i assure you that it doesnt come close to the benz when it comes to smoothness

 

I don't much care for the Vr6, and would happily take the 1.8 anyday. Only thing I might take the VR6 for is if it were in a Passat with an automatic...the 1.8T when its attached to the auto takes a noticeable amount of time to spool up. Its disconcerting in my friends Passat...then again, chicks usually don't care about those kinda things.

I think the whole issue of smoothness and refinement is so oversold...I recently had a Chevy Impala as a rental on a business trip, its so smooth you can't tell the engine was on, at least inside the car at idle or under power. Outside they make noise.

I could definately tell the weezer in the C240 was running( and straining) when underway. At idle it was happy. I'm not saying that I'd take the Impala or that I like the car as a whole(I don't), but all this buzz about smoothness and refinement seems nothing but fluff.

 

Wait just one second... we get free car washes?! Is this only if you bought it at the MB stealership? BTW, I bought the C240 for two reasons, one I liked the smoothness of it. Two, it didn't have that tacky looking "Sport" on the sides ;-) Maybe I'll have to put a Carlsson super charger on it eventually...

Mike

 

Yes - Me too - Nice and smooth & ultimately have proven tough as nails. Also loves to be revved. It's refinement compared with an M111 is legendary. The M111 is a lawnmower engine built in a shed at the bottom of your garden.

This thread is a blast from the past - the crap about Merc 90 Deg engines being a compromise is so much nonesense. They have proven ultra reliable mechanically over huge mileage. A few sensors, coils & wires require replacing from time to time but if my friend in Malaysia keeps going with his one in taxi service - now over 800,000Km - It would suggest that someone might get one to do a million Kms. Our E240 office taxi now has 650,000Km on the clock & runs beautifully.

The 90 Deg V gives you a nice low center of gravity in the car.

Enjoy!

 

glyn, that made me smile, i do hope my c240 will last more than 200,000 miles. am at 65,000miles now.

as for the e240 that you own, have u open the engine? every how many miles do you change the oil? what were the parts that were replaced?

 

Never touched my engine. Car only has 60,000Km. All that has ever been done to the car are 2X Castor bushes that were a known problem. One transmission plug 5 cent washer due to a very slight oil weep & one brake lamp. Otherwise perfect.

I change my oil every 15,000Km or 9300 miles as recommended outside the USA. The E240 has had regular servicing at 15,000Km's, lots of brake pads & tyres. No mechanical repair at all. A new set of spark plug wires. That's all. Even has original CPS.

All W204 in the US have moved to 10,000 mile drains.

 

This thread goes all the way back to 2003..

 

My lawn mower runs nicely.....Wait, I'm in need of a fuel pump!