Dhalver Xeno

What's the general consensus on this? I did a quick search on the board and saw someone mentioning MY 2007... What year is the next schedule complete redesign vs. the current face lift?

Thanks,
I'm a long time BMW owner but a Mercedes newbie looking at getting a benz for my wife.

jrct9454

Well, I don't know that there is a consensus. My sources at MBCA and in the print media seem to think that the switch to the 4-valve heads [which will also result in new displacement alternatives in our market] for the V6s are not likely to happen in the C-Class before '06. I would not be surprised if the '06 model year brings a C300 and C350 as the V6 alternatives, and the current supercharged 1.8 carrying on as the "C230". To wait for the next-gen [W204?] C could put this off until late '07, and I'm not sure MB wants to carry on with the 3-valve family that long.

Many times in the past, new engine types have been introduced into existing chassis that have only a couple of model years left in the cycle at Mercedes. If I had to wager, I'd bet that they won't wait for the next-gen C to make the new engines available.

CitronC230K_03

i personally think any new engine changes wouldnt come out until the W204's arrive in 2006.

Rick

The engine isn't new...exactly....
They've offered the 3.7 "350" in the ML class for a full model year, the SLK ships with them currently, so the C is sure to follow. This may be delayed until the refresh in 06/07....or as soon as they run out of 3.2 liter engine blocks (shared by Crossfire, E, C, SL and S worldwide)

CitronC230K_03

i realize the engine isnt new and won't be if and hwne it is installed. personally i just don't see a change coming until the new body style. just me thugh. could be like when the replaced the E420 with E430. it could happen. just my $.02.

MB-JIM

My opinion is that the 300 & 350 CGI engines will be in the C Class sometime next year (CY 2005). I don't think there is any balance of 3.2 engines that need to be sold. Remember that Mercedes usue "Just in Time" production so there should never be a surplus of 3.2's . The other factor is that there is "Economy of Scale" so that it is more economical to produce large quantities of a single model rather than continuing with several models.

amdeutsch

Actually that is a different engine. The 3.7 you are referring to in the ML is an evolution of the 3 valve 3.2. The 3.5 in the new SLK is new and is 4 valve.

GDawgC220

The new 3.5 Litre engine in the SLK is a totally new design, from scratch. 4 valves / cyl, variable valve intake, etc.

The 350 on the ML is just a redesigned 320 engine, still with the 3 valves / cyl.

Bobdole

If there is any left over 3.2's the can all go into the Crossfires

CitronC230K_03

i thought the crossfires weren't selling too well. i read that somewhere.

Outland

Not totally new. The bottom end appears to be similar, and the cylinder bores are on the same centers. Doesn't matter really, the new motor is what MB has needed for about four years now.

Quote:

The 350 on the ML is just a redesigned 320 engine, still with the 3 valves / cyl.

I believe its just an overbored 3.2.

Outland

Lets be honest here...there is no 'stash' of 3.2's in a warehouse...this motor is still in production. Why, is another matter.

Depends on where you read for when the 3.5 hits the C. THe euro mags say this summer/fall. Some of the US mags are clearly clueless, as they say the 168HP weezer known as the 2.6 is the "optional" v6 in the coupe....um, yeah.