MLicious

Folks,

I’m debating between a 2018 E400 coupe and an Audi S5 sportback. The interior of the E400 is so damn alluring, but I finally test drove tonight and it seemed underpowered. I’d like to rationalize that it was partly because the car is so smooth, but just not sure. I’m coming from a 2011 M37x, which moves pretty good for a big car.

I’d love to hear from actual owners what they think of the performance.

dudley07726

The_Judge

Love my 2018 E400 Coupe! Trust me — the power is there when you punch it, and IMHO there's no comparison when it comes to aesthetics. Although it's not a race car, its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 churns out 329 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Unless you're still into the juvenile "mine's bigger than yours" view of life, that's more than adequate for the real world.

Grey.Coupe

My sense is that it's plenty, with the wide torque curve, and a generous right foot. No sports car, AMG, or track car, but more than adequate for fun driving. I think the trick is they have mapped the fuel injection and transmission to work very, very well together. Mine's new, but I think I will really enjoy the car.

SteveBC16

Perhaps I'm partial and inclined to lean towards MB, but in over 40 years of owning their cars, my new 2018 E400 is a marvel of technology. In comparing the specs, the Audi's higher HP probably contributes to the 0 - 60 MPH, 4.5 sec performance; only 1 second faster than the E400. Forgive my preference for Mercedes but I am totally satisfied with the styling, the build quality, the safety technology and the performance of the car. Good luck in your decision.

iridium18

Hey MLicious - I also have an '18 E400, the Cabriolet. Looking at the specs on both, you'll notice the MB has a 1.9" greater wheelbase, is 2.9" longer and is 1.8" taller, with a 1.5" greater driver headroom. It is a somewhat more substantial vehicle than the Audi. Interestingly, I moved on from my '14 Corvette to the E400 for all the reasons above, in addition to the build quality, the amazing technology and ride. I don't miss the hp. When evaluated in total, the new '18 E400 is an excellent automobile. Good Luck and let us know your decision. Steve

MLicious

Thanks for the responses, folks. To me, performance is a safety feature so good to hear you haven't had an issue with the performance. It's crazy to think they'll probably come out with an E43 that could exceed $90K.

fvc

Very different cars, I would say. I am positively in love with my new E400, but if it was my only car, I'd want something a bit smaller and more nimble. I wouldn't call the E400 under-powered by any means, but it is a big car!

Grey.Coupe

I don't get comparing A/S5 and the E coupe.

As above, "Very different cars" I do say. S5 is an Audi tuner, and would therefore compare with AMG versions. The size, inside and out make A5/S5 kin to A4 Audis, but neither are mid-size and so both are more comparable to 3/4 series BMW, and C series Mercedes. Audi S5, while a very pretty car, has more horses in a smaller car, so hotter performance is to be expected.

This new coupe a member of MB's middle class, E. I know the Germans are a bit odd with their nomenclature, but I've owned a couple 650i BMW's and find inside a closer comparison with the E400. And the 6 to use for the comparison would be 640i.

No middle sized Audi coupe...BMW has closed out
the 6 series coupe. . . clever, those Benz product managers.

4MaticCoupe

Speaking strictly in terms of HP ...

A5 is to C300C4 as S5 is to AMGC43 as RS5 would be to AMGC63 (although the Audi loses this HP war by a larger factor than does the S5/C43 comparo). The S5 out horses the E-Class ... has since the B8.5 model was introduced as a '13 model ... by around 25 HP. Opinion cited by fvc is exact reason I opted for the S5 in the fall of '12 ... just more 'fun' factor than I suspected I'd see in the E. Personally prefer the slightly larger E, and since its power has 'almost' risen to that of my S5 it is getting renewed consideration. Unfortunately, need to wait and see what the E53 looks like a year or (most likely) two, if it ever comes to be.