E320 straight six or v6 which one is better
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
the crank is well supported and oiled in both cases, not to mention for a 220bhp engine, you don't need an incredibly strong block.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
BTW, have you done any engine mods to your 430?
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From: San Jose, Cali
I own a 1999 W210 Mercedes.
Great Info!
WOW i actually sat here and read the whole tread! Interesting stuff from both ends. I still think we should just kick back though.... i mean we all drive W210's, just enjoy what you got! 
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Oh wow, what a thread. I just stumbled upon this after searching the archives for something unrelated.
Anyway, I thought I'd offer my thoughts on the two engines.
We have 3 W210s in our family, including one with an inline 6 ('96 E320) and one with a V6 ('01 E320).
The V6 gets better fuel mileage, but other than that, the inline 6 is a better engine. The M104 is smoother, sounds much better, and has more of a traditional Mercedes feel than the newer M112. The M112 isn't a bad engine by any means - its really a damn good one. Its just that the M104 is sublime, and it subjectively feels much better.
Also, the M104 cars are NOT slower than the M112 cars, contrary to what some others have posted on this thread. I have a large collection of old car magazines, and I have a copy of a Car and Driver test of a '97 E320 (M104 engine, 722.6 5-speed tranny) which shows it going 0-60 in 6.7 seconds. Thats faster than any time I've ever seen for an M112 E-class. I also have a Motor Trend from 1996 which shows a 7.1 second 0-60 time for a '96 E320 (with the old 4-speed 722.3). Also, after having owned both cars simultaneously, I can tell you that the M104 feels like it is a stronger engine, especially on the highway. It probably isn't, but subjectively, as noted before, the M104 certainly feels like a more stout engine.
In any case, both are fine engines and I enjoy the 30mpg that the M112 gets on the highway.
Anyway, I thought I'd offer my thoughts on the two engines.
We have 3 W210s in our family, including one with an inline 6 ('96 E320) and one with a V6 ('01 E320).
The V6 gets better fuel mileage, but other than that, the inline 6 is a better engine. The M104 is smoother, sounds much better, and has more of a traditional Mercedes feel than the newer M112. The M112 isn't a bad engine by any means - its really a damn good one. Its just that the M104 is sublime, and it subjectively feels much better.
Also, the M104 cars are NOT slower than the M112 cars, contrary to what some others have posted on this thread. I have a large collection of old car magazines, and I have a copy of a Car and Driver test of a '97 E320 (M104 engine, 722.6 5-speed tranny) which shows it going 0-60 in 6.7 seconds. Thats faster than any time I've ever seen for an M112 E-class. I also have a Motor Trend from 1996 which shows a 7.1 second 0-60 time for a '96 E320 (with the old 4-speed 722.3). Also, after having owned both cars simultaneously, I can tell you that the M104 feels like it is a stronger engine, especially on the highway. It probably isn't, but subjectively, as noted before, the M104 certainly feels like a more stout engine.
In any case, both are fine engines and I enjoy the 30mpg that the M112 gets on the highway.
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From: Südflorida
'99 E430, '05 ML500, '15 GLK350
How come no one mentioned that an I6 has perfect primary balance?
Also, did anyone point out that MB's decision to move to the V was in large part driven to commonize the assembly line with the V8?
Also, did anyone point out that MB's decision to move to the V was in large part driven to commonize the assembly line with the V8?
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Yes
and Yes.
and subjectivity is just another word for butt dyno,and having raced both models side by side the M112 car flat out wins in an objectivity based world
More torque,sooner torque,flatter torque curve,longer torque,breathes better,lighter.
Both well balanced engines, equally.
And the last time I raced magazines side by side down a drag strip the covers blew off and the pages got ruffled well before I got to 60 mph,so the tests of magazine 0-60 times were inconclusive
Now let this old thread go back to sleep.
and subjectivity is just another word for butt dyno,and having raced both models side by side the M112 car flat out wins in an objectivity based world
More torque,sooner torque,flatter torque curve,longer torque,breathes better,lighter.
Both well balanced engines, equally.
And the last time I raced magazines side by side down a drag strip the covers blew off and the pages got ruffled well before I got to 60 mph,so the tests of magazine 0-60 times were inconclusive
Now let this old thread go back to sleep.
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Agree to disagree
I have both, and I'm telling ya, the M104 is better.
With that being said, our other W210 - an E430 - will happily run circles around both 320s all day long
I have both, and I'm telling ya, the M104 is better.
With that being said, our other W210 - an E430 - will happily run circles around both 320s all day long
Last edited by Nabeel; Oct 30, 2008 at 09:39 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 597
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From: Monterey, CA
'97 E320
The V6 gets better fuel mileage, but other than that, the inline 6 is a better engine. The M104 is smoother, sounds much better, and has more of a traditional Mercedes feel than the newer M112. The M112 isn't a bad engine by any means - its really a damn good one. Its just that the M104 is sublime, and it subjectively feels much better.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 56
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1999 E320
v6
I have a lot of experience driving v6 engines so far they are best of the best for everyday use.
-nissan infiniti qx4 V6
-pathfinder 92 (original engine and transs. sold at 370 000 km)still running
-e320 v6 ( a lot of power....and good on gas)
I like v6 better than L6 (even bmw got some engine,still I my hart is on V6)
even if both are the strong engine I will always choose V6 (to many things to list why)
-the worst c class 230 1998 assembled in Mexico rust ,oil leak electrical issues....etc etc.
-ML stay away to much headache (if you need truck go for infiniti qx4 )
beside that I do agree that Chrysler put some influence on MB design (i do not like Chrysler it is very ugly design and everything they make looks nonsense.(cheap cheap cheap) please if you wont to waist your time check line of their cars it is a joke .)
the biggest problem on new MB is body RUST RUST RUST RUST ...older MB are still in "like a rock" shape.
interior is great I am happy with e class VIVA E320 V6666666666 !!!!!!
p.s. I think the best years of car industry are between 1996 and 2000 including 2000,after that everything is just money issue ,mass production and cheap material.Simple design use clips not screws in case you want to replace it you will break it.Order new clips ..... etc.
............bottom line e320 V6 engine very user friendly it will get you from point A to point B very safe.PERIOD.
-
-nissan infiniti qx4 V6
-pathfinder 92 (original engine and transs. sold at 370 000 km)still running
-e320 v6 ( a lot of power....and good on gas)
I like v6 better than L6 (even bmw got some engine,still I my hart is on V6)
even if both are the strong engine I will always choose V6 (to many things to list why)
-the worst c class 230 1998 assembled in Mexico rust ,oil leak electrical issues....etc etc.
-ML stay away to much headache (if you need truck go for infiniti qx4 )
beside that I do agree that Chrysler put some influence on MB design (i do not like Chrysler it is very ugly design and everything they make looks nonsense.(cheap cheap cheap) please if you wont to waist your time check line of their cars it is a joke .)
the biggest problem on new MB is body RUST RUST RUST RUST ...older MB are still in "like a rock" shape.
interior is great I am happy with e class VIVA E320 V6666666666 !!!!!!
p.s. I think the best years of car industry are between 1996 and 2000 including 2000,after that everything is just money issue ,mass production and cheap material.Simple design use clips not screws in case you want to replace it you will break it.Order new clips ..... etc.
............bottom line e320 V6 engine very user friendly it will get you from point A to point B very safe.PERIOD.
-
Member
Joined: Sep 2003
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Mercedes Benz
Cheers,
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 56
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1999 E320
I do hope...
this forum will be around for a while and you will see which engine will last longer.
V6 for sure, but everyone got their opinion.
just wait and see for your selfv6 v6......
engine in line
v6 against inline
V6 for sure, but everyone got their opinion.
just wait and see for your self
v6 v6......engine in line
v6 against inline
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2014
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e320, crossfire
My 98 e320 has 240,685 and counting.
I opted for the V6 over the inline because of the head gasket issue.
My crossfire also has the m112 and that's at 190k.
I fully back the m112 over the m104.
And my preference would have been an inline design, but a bad design is a bad design head gaskets like it's cool is not for me.
I opted for the V6 over the inline because of the head gasket issue.
My crossfire also has the m112 and that's at 190k.
I fully back the m112 over the m104.
And my preference would have been an inline design, but a bad design is a bad design head gaskets like it's cool is not for me.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2022
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s600
You know what the DTM is right? these vehicles are supposed to be relatively "cheap" to build. Most manufacturers don't even utilize parts from the factory (transmissions, rear ends etc) as the development costs for purpose built parts for this particular event, would not make much sense. Are you honestly arguing that your SOHC V6 motor is superior to a DOHC V6 design? you can't be serious. Your m112 is better than the M272?
Last edited by rkh; Sep 5, 2022 at 04:53 AM. Reason: typo
