no_clue

I wonder why C32/SLK32 AMG engine never make it out to "higher" class?

Is it a bad engine? I don't see many engine capable of achieving 100hp/L.

amdeutsch

At that time it was an on purpose built engine by AMG for smaller models. Why would you want 2 different AMG engines in the upper model range where you, at that time, found NA V8s with similar potential and most likely cheaper than the limited production FI V6s.

no_clue

actually I was thinking if they dump the 3.5L and use that 3.2L engine.

I am not familiar w/ production cost and etc. Would it really be that much more costly by using that AMG 3.2L in mass production and forget about that AMG badge?

amdeutsch

You thread title is based on the 3.2l and your second posts now adresses the 3.5l.

Yes, completely different internals on that. Emissions most likely figure into here as well as additional parts count.

lkchris

Believe it was briefly available in E-class Europe prior to intro of E55.

Marketing, you know--want a V8 AMG, get an E-class, otherwise settle for C-class with V6.

Even today, the C63 gets less horsepower than the E63.

no_clue

I am not addressing anything wrong w/ 3.5L.
I am simply trying to answer your "why need two AMG engines".

It seems MB, Lexus, BMW are playing this "badge number games"? And I only curious why they didn't continue that AMG 3.2L into mass production and toss away the AMG badge?

amdeutsch

They did - crossfire srt

no_clue

But not on E.....
this is just depressing.........


Also wouldn't it be cheaper for the company if they make fewer selection? Instead have 3.0L and 3.5L, just have one 3.2l?

lkchris

You're posting in the W211 forum--there has never been a 3.0 engine available in USA for E-class.

The 3.5 is a completely new engine (M272) that replaced the 3.2 (M112).

The 3.0 available now in new C-class (which is really 2.8 liters) is also M272--it's REALLY easy to change bore/stroke.

The C32 AMG engine was based on the M112, just "tuned up" by AMG. This engine indeed "made it" to the E-class, just not in AMG tune.

AMG E-classes are all V8s, first the E55--based on the M113, which is the V8 version of the modular M112/M113 family, and now the E63, which is indeed the first AMG engine not particularly based on a "normal" Mercedes engine.

no_clue

LOL, you missed the whole point here..

i12flytoday

I agree... but I think the big issue he is saying here is like the C230 - C320. I think he is asking if the C32 AMG engine should have been the entry level engine for the E320. I have the E320, and I love my little 3.2l. Great fuel mileage, and reasonable power. I am in the process of having ECU tuned (shipped it off today, should be back thurs-fri, then I will do a writeup on it). Not because I felt it needed it, but because I like to play with stuff.

I actually priced the components to put the C32 supercharger on my car, with the associated air box changes and such, and I found the price to be right about $5000. So the poster above is probably correct regarding cost. Why spend so much extra on and engine when you can just put a bigger engine in for less money?

AsianML

There really would have been no point to the E500 with the AMG 3.2 then.

It probably would cost more to use the AMG 3.2 since it starts out as a regular M112, then it gets tuned by AMG. Keep in mind the M112 is a naturally aspirated engine whereas the AMG M112 is supercharged.

AMG is theoretically the top-of-the-line model for that particular class so it would make absolutely zero sense to have the "E320" with the AMG engine for the base model of the class.

AMG also tries it's best to remain exclusive/high performance among the rest of the model lineup, so it go against what AMG stands for to "just" put the AMG engine in a normal E-Class body and call it a day.

lkchris

I think not. There is no need for a supertuned 3.2 V6 in the E-class.

That smaller engine is confined to the cheaper C-class, and the more expensive E-class gets the more expensive V8.

There has never been and likely never will be a Mercedes chassis offered with more than one version of AMG engine, save for top end stuff offering both V8 and V12 motors. E-class and C-class and V6 motors ain't the top end stuff.

Your wild speculation certainly fits with "no clue."

no_clue

Thanks for your comment.

RLE

<<The 3.0 available now in new C-class (which is really 2.8 liters) is also M272-->>

No, it is not. 2996 to be exact. Elsewhere, W204 with this engine is labeled C280 as in the W203. Only MB understands this.

Germancar1

Gladly and finally MBUSA has decided to go with the actual displacement in labeling on most new models from now on. Hence we have the "550" models while they're still "500s" in Europe. For 2009 the SLK280 is now the SLK300 as is the C300 for 2008.

M

Ted Baldwin

.........I didn't see an answr to your question so I gave it a shot.

.........FI cars are more problematic to mentain. Intercooler pump failures, belt slippage, overheating, s/c clutch not engaging etc. Would be cost prohibitive from a warranty standpoint to to have the C32 engine in high volume MB cars such as E320/E350.

............secondly, by the time the C32 engine makes it to heavier chasis, it will still be 100hp/L but the hp/wt ratio will prove not be worth the trouble.

.........There are supposedly European pedestrian laws that are making the use of s/c's and front mounted intercoolers as designed in the C32/SLK32 not able to meet the new laws requirements for front impact seafety foe pdestrians. This may explain(but I'm not sure) the unusual placement of the turbos on top of the engine in the new BMW TTV8 engine.

Ted

no_clue

I see!!! I didn't think from the maintaince point.

And it does make sense about the top placement on the TTV8. (That could be a good news for those who want to replace their own bigger turbo)