E400 Driving experience feedback
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
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From: Louisiana
2013 E350 Bluetec Sport
E400 Driving experience feedback
I am in the process of acquiring a 2015 E400, with Sport Package. I have been driving a 2012 E350 Bluetec for the last 1.5 years. Am hoping the E400 has similar driving characteristics.. ... Haven't gotten to drive it yet due to being 350 miles away. Wondering if it has that "sled" feeling... .like it's prowling down the street... or if it's just a perky little v6... We have a 2014 E350 Luxury, wifey loves it...but it's a totally different driving feel from the E350 Sport... Any thoughts? TIA...
Last edited by swilkins56; Oct 13, 2019 at 07:29 PM. Reason: grammar correction
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From: Virginia
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
I previously had (well, still do) a chipped E320 W211 Bluetec. I've put a BMS JB4 on my E400, so the torque figures are technically the same once both are tuned (~450ish), but the low end torque on the bluetec still feels more punchy at low speeds. That said, this car with a JB4 is about a 4.5 second to 60 vehicle, which is about 1.5 seconds faster than the tuned bluetec on her best day, so it definitely is a lot faster. It's just that the low-end torque on the bluetec somehow feels faster at low speeds. I'm quite happy with the car though.
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 62
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From: Louisiana
2013 E350 Bluetec Sport
e400
Thats great feedback. Thanks!!
I might need to get a link to your supplier. The first searches only referred me to BMW units. Maybe they are interchangeable, but it doesn't seem logical to me. Feeling better about it, now.
I might need to get a link to your supplier. The first searches only referred me to BMW units. Maybe they are interchangeable, but it doesn't seem logical to me. Feeling better about it, now.
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,319
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From: Virginia
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Purchased from here: https://burgertuning.com/collections...-mercedes-benz
They developed the product for the BMW N54 TT inline 6 and became really popular in that scene. There was enough of a demand that they put something together for the 43AMG engines (identical to our engine with a different ECU tune). They have a good support forum for our engine here: https://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28003 Biggest bang for your buck tune you can get for this engine, and the app allows you to monitor and change things on the fly. I've been able to get away with Map 5 without any supporting mods, but have since backed it off to Map 2 just to be safe.
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Virginia
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Also, should mention: If I put the E400 in Sport mode, the transmission is aggressive enough with the gearing mapping that it does kinda feel close to the bluetec on the low-end. However, I like to leave it in E for daily driving because the other aspects of S mode are overly aggressive.
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
Not sure about driving characteristics, but as you’re comparing a turbo diesel to a turbo gasser, with a non-turbo also on the garage, I suspect the 400 will feel more like your diesel than the other one, simply for the fact that a turbo adjusts the torque curves to put more torque lower down on the rpm curve. That alone is a notable difference as it makes the car feel much less labored to get moving and puts a little more kick in the butt feeling. Mine is a normal 350, but my other car is a 2.0t VW. The VW definitely feels faster to me and if I’m to be honest - a lot more peppy and fun to drive - but doesn’t cruise as nearly as nice as the MB (it’s a GTI). But in reality, I believe the MB is as equally fast even with the “tune” I have on the GTI. The turbo just makes it launch faster, but the MB catches up pretty darn quickly, just has to be higher up on the rev curve.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 62
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From: Louisiana
2013 E350 Bluetec Sport
I go to pick this lil whip up tomorrow... I'll update on the comparison from the 5 hour drive home. After reading the input, I'm more hopeful than I almost dare to be. I'm looking forward to that "riding on rails" feeling again.
Last edited by swilkins56; Oct 16, 2019 at 11:43 PM. Reason: added a comment
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 62
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From: Louisiana
2013 E350 Bluetec Sport
Also, should mention: If I put the E400 in Sport mode, the transmission is aggressive enough with the gearing mapping that it does kinda feel close to the bluetec on the low-end. However, I like to leave it in E for daily driving because the other aspects of S mode are overly aggressive.
Examples of the overly aggressive aspects of Sport mode?.. handling? ride? acceleration?... enlighten, please... thanks.
How many miles have you driven with the tuner kit? Is there much risk for an early demise of the power train as a result of up-tuning?.. I've heard a couple of horror stories from some who did... maybe it depends..
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 22
From: Houston TX
2015 E400
My wife have a '15 E400 sport sedan.
Most of the time in the Eco setting, it'll drive nicely with good acceleration & nice torque feel.
I'm on my 5th V8 2-seater sports car, so can't ever imagine driving a 4 cylinder large heavy sedan like E-series, so the E400 Bi-Turbo V6 drives pretty decent.
Highly recommended...
Most of the time in the Eco setting, it'll drive nicely with good acceleration & nice torque feel.
I'm on my 5th V8 2-seater sports car, so can't ever imagine driving a 4 cylinder large heavy sedan like E-series, so the E400 Bi-Turbo V6 drives pretty decent.
Highly recommended...
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 725
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From: Chicago area
2015 E400 and 2015 GLK350
I've had Gonzo (my E400) for just over 4 years now. The prior car was a Lexus LS430, which was a 290 HP V8, with 275 lb-ft of torque. The E400 is most definitely faster than the V8 Lexus was at any speed below 100 MPH. If you are accelerating from 100, the Lexus might be a tad faster. The E400 has just a ton of torque, starting at very low speed (just above idle). It is highly capable, but I have to say that it was very difficult to learn to drive it smoothly. It wanted to either mope along, or to fly. In between, it surges and lugs. Once you learn how to modulate the throttle, though, it is a great daily driver. It does sound like a six-cylinder - not an eight. But it is a very responsive six.
P.S. I named my E400 "Gonzo" after the Muppet character. He is sort of blue-grey color. His nose is longer than his tail, and he will do some really freaky things if you press his buttons. . .
The E400 is a real sleeper. Put it into "Sport" mode and they will never see you coming.
P.S. I named my E400 "Gonzo" after the Muppet character. He is sort of blue-grey color. His nose is longer than his tail, and he will do some really freaky things if you press his buttons. . .
The E400 is a real sleeper. Put it into "Sport" mode and they will never see you coming.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 62
Likes: 12
From: Louisiana
2013 E350 Bluetec Sport
e400
I go to pick this lil whip up tomorrow... I'll update on the comparison from the 5 hour drive home. After reading the input, I'm more hopeful than I almost dare to be. I'm looking forward to that "riding on rails" feeling.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 62
Likes: 12
From: Louisiana
2013 E350 Bluetec Sport
e400
UPDATE: After a 5 hr drive home, Im as pleased as Id hoped to be, and more than I expected. The curve is so smooth..one would hardly know its a 6. Everything proffered has proven out. Its not quite the "sled" feel of the diesel, and it obviously winds up quite a bit more, but without whining or straining. A short trip in Sport mode was really a whole different experience... it was really wanting to go... busted 115 quicker than I could imagine.. I prob ought not to get the plug-in power boost... I would end up in jail...despite my LEO status. Thanks for the feedback...glad I followed up. These lil whips will earn their creds... in time...no doubt.
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 725
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From: Chicago area
2015 E400 and 2015 GLK350
So. . . you've figured out that the people who say that "S" mode means "sport" have it all wrong. It really means "Stupid" mode for that big stupid grin it pastes on your face when you push "S" and floor it.
The first time I punched it in 1st gear in Sport mode, I almost tail-ended the car in front of me.
The first time I punched it in 1st gear in Sport mode, I almost tail-ended the car in front of me.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 62
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From: Louisiana
2013 E350 Bluetec Sport
e400 driving experience
[QUOTE=SteveE400;7881314]So. . . you've figured out that the people who say that "S" mode means "sport" have it all wrong. It really means "Stupid" mode for that big stupid grin it pastes on your face when you push "S" and floor it.
The first time I punched it in 1st gear in Sport mode, I almost tail-ended the car in front of me.
Youre not wrong about the "S" mode... a couple of years ago, I tested a BMW740Li, partly by seeing what it could do on a particular on-ramp.. it hit 105. Tonight, I had to back off before the end of the ramp to avoid a rear-ender...at 95+. Had to wipe off the Stupid grin, for sure... so dang smooth, too...Wow!!
The first time I punched it in 1st gear in Sport mode, I almost tail-ended the car in front of me.
Youre not wrong about the "S" mode... a couple of years ago, I tested a BMW740Li, partly by seeing what it could do on a particular on-ramp.. it hit 105. Tonight, I had to back off before the end of the ramp to avoid a rear-ender...at 95+. Had to wipe off the Stupid grin, for sure... so dang smooth, too...Wow!!
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
I’ve not driven a 400 before, but as a 350 owner, the thing that really impresses me about this engine and I suspect the transmission in concert with the engine, is the torque application. I’m driving at 60 mph, car is in 7th gear, in “e” mode, and need to accelerate. I can feel the car easily starting to run up towards 70 quickly, and amazed the car is still in 7th gear the whole time. Even more amazed that the engine isn’t spinning above 2,000rpm in general the whole time. It feels like it has a little turbo influence on it naturally, like it spooled up to accelerate the car, even though no turbo on mine. MB knows how to use torque! I can only imagine how incredible that same engine must be like with an actual turbo charger bolted to it!
and since you have a turbo, although I don’t know for sure so I can’t speak with knowledge, but I can assume the options to “tune” the engine computer mapping means the opportunity to adjust the boost metrics for some serious horsepower gains if you wanted. In VW land, there are a few, and it’s insane. On a 2.0t 4-banger, which is the engine in my GTI, just a reprogramming of the engine computer increased the HP from around 210 to nearly 320! Torque from around 250 to nearly 390. On a car that weighs slightly more than a case of beer, it’s like having a 10,000 watt stereo when you really just use and enjoy 200 watts, but every now and then on that downward on-ramp with no traffic and nobody watching - Spinal Tap time to “11”. On your E400 - I’m guessing it goes to 15!!
and since you have a turbo, although I don’t know for sure so I can’t speak with knowledge, but I can assume the options to “tune” the engine computer mapping means the opportunity to adjust the boost metrics for some serious horsepower gains if you wanted. In VW land, there are a few, and it’s insane. On a 2.0t 4-banger, which is the engine in my GTI, just a reprogramming of the engine computer increased the HP from around 210 to nearly 320! Torque from around 250 to nearly 390. On a car that weighs slightly more than a case of beer, it’s like having a 10,000 watt stereo when you really just use and enjoy 200 watts, but every now and then on that downward on-ramp with no traffic and nobody watching - Spinal Tap time to “11”. On your E400 - I’m guessing it goes to 15!!
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Posts: 1,319
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From: Virginia
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
It is highly capable, but I have to say that it was very difficult to learn to drive it smoothly. It wanted to either mope along, or to fly. In between, it surges and lugs. Once you learn how to modulate the throttle, though, it is a great daily driver. It does sound like a six-cylinder - not an eight. But it is a very responsive six.
.
.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 251
From: Virginia
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Do you keep the tuner set to 2 at all times?
Examples of the overly aggressive aspects of Sport mode?.. handling? ride? acceleration?... enlighten, please... thanks.
How many miles have you driven with the tuner kit? Is there much risk for an early demise of the power train as a result of up-tuning?.. I've heard a couple of horror stories from some who did... maybe it depends..
Examples of the overly aggressive aspects of Sport mode?.. handling? ride? acceleration?... enlighten, please... thanks.
How many miles have you driven with the tuner kit? Is there much risk for an early demise of the power train as a result of up-tuning?.. I've heard a couple of horror stories from some who did... maybe it depends..
Last edited by DubVBenz; Oct 19, 2019 at 10:29 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Chicago area
2015 E400 and 2015 GLK350
nc211 - I'm one of those guys who keeps the car stock. First, I'm afraid of dealers voiding warranty coverage if a claim arises. Second, I'm a recovering gearhead. I've been modding cars since way back when you had to do your mods with wrenches and you got your hands dirty. Back then, any mod you did had a desired effect, and it also had some number of undesired effects. If you did something like changing a camshaft to give the car more high-end horsepower, it lost an amount of low-end power. If you did something to improve cornering, the cost was in harsher ride. We believed firmly in the TINSTAAFL principal (There Is No Such Thing As A Free Lunch). I am no longer driving my cars in competition, so I appreciate the wonderful balance the engineers have designed into these drivetrains. I don't want the extra power bad enough to risk any other undesired side-effects.
That said - I love to read about what can be done and the results others have with their mods. Who knows? Maybe some day I will break loose and get back into it.
That said - I love to read about what can be done and the results others have with their mods. Who knows? Maybe some day I will break loose and get back into it.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 133
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From: New York
E400 GLE350 C63
Recently bought a used 2016 e400 sedan. So far love the car inside out can’t get over how good it looks. It was quite the upgrade from my old w204 c300. The only complaint I have is the turbo wastegate rattle you’ll get when accelerating in low rpms hopefully a fix comes out soon. But besides that this car is pretty quick when getting off the line and the best part is literally no one expects a non e class amg to pull the way this does. Once my warranty ends in a couple months I’m looking into a jb4 tune and upgraded weistec turbos as well as small things like bms cold air intake/exhaust. My goal is to get around 500-600 hp out this sleeper but I’m still contemplating as I’m scared the engine/trans may not be able to handle the power but we’ll see...
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
I do not have this or any noise on my 2015 E400.
ONly thing I find annoying is Direct Fuel injectors click pretty loud while idling.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 133
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From: New York
E400 GLE350 C63
From what I’ve heard on the forums it’s a pretty widespread issue on the m276 biturbo. It usually only happens when you give half throttle you’ll hear a rattling sound but this is only with the windows downs. Once my windows are up you could hardly hear it. Mercedes came out with a software update but from what a member said on here it doesn’t fix anything it just introduces a hiss as well.
