NYC-Style

Just test drove the E this week and I was surprised how much it did get up and go...especially when I put it into sport mode. I'm looking to trade in my '15 C-400 and after driving the E...the engine is a non-factor.

Lazarus Long

Lack of power is only part of the story, refinement is also a big reason. 4 bangers aren't as smooth as a 6, and much less smooth than an 8. I won't buy a car that sounds like a lawn mower. 4 bangers are fine in a Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla. Not in a luxury Mercedes.

shortspark

I bought a new car a few weeks ago and during the process I test drove an E class. What you said (and what I have said earlier in this thread) is precisely the reason I had to move from the E class to the CLS550 - and I have never looked back! This CLS is the most fun I have had in 50 years of driving cars, except perhaps for my 1972 Firebird Formula stick - but that, in part, I may have to attribute to youthful abandon!

a100steaksauce

What's crazy is those Civic's and Corolla's in city driving will have an advantage over the big body baby motor E class.

ngerstman

I wouldn't do it. You'll miss the bigger engine let alone going to a much smaller engine in a larger car. Get an e43 or wait for more engine options in the e. Regards. Ned.

mjsbenz

Not sure how you can compare the engine in the new E to a Civic/Corolla.

The comparison of the E212 6 cylinder (as my old 2015 E350) to the new the E needs a little more analysis. Torque is the same with the two engines but with the E212, the torque of 273 comes on after 4K RPMs while the E213 4 cylinder has 273 torque at 1300 RPMs. That is a huge difference.

Bottom line is counting the number of cylinders (and hp) is only part of the equation.

Full disclosure....I just ordered a new E300 after lots of seat time with the engine.

ngerstman

The smaller engine had to come with compromises versus the 6. They geared it to be quick off the line but the 6 will wipe it on highway passing power and general smoothness and perhaps longevity. Given the decision to go with that engine as base, I guess they went with right tradeoff, but who wants tradeoffs in a $60,000 car. Thanks. Regards. Ned.

joshg1001

Its really funny how long this discussion continues to carry on.

Yes, ideally, the E should have more than a 4 cyl 240hp engine. but this is what we have to work with. We can argue endlessly about whether it is enough power (which it should be in every day driving) or whether such engine should be allowed in a luxury car at this price point. Those who can deal with it will buy it regardless. Those who can't, you have other options available to do you. Let's just leave it at that instead of saying the same thing over and over again.

PeterUbers

Because to the guy showing up in five minutes... it's a new discussion to him

do you know how many thousands of rants there are on eco auto-start-stop? Each person starting the thread thinks he is the first to rant about it lol

and discussion is good ... and bending over and accepting a pos four banger is not good

PaulE550

+1

ngerstman

Obviously I share this general sentiment. But what do you do if you need to buy a car now and can't or don't want to pay up for the e43? Do you buy the long in the tooth BMW or Audi? I suppose with the Mercedes you at least get a current state of the art vehicle with a gorgeous interior with an engine that we all agree could be better but is at least geared to perform in the low end rather well. We should all be furious with Mercedes for not at least offering a 6 along side the 4. So are we all supposed to protest and take our business elsewhere, including those of us who have been pushed to buy the e43 like me? I would have been perfectly happy with a new 2017 e350 sport for $65,000 loaded. I think we have been getting a bit unkind. Sorry. Regards. Ned.

Lazarus Long

Define 'need'. Is it 'need', or 'want'?

I bought a CPO 15 GLK 350 in January. I looked at a GLC and passed because I won't pay that kind of money for a 4 banger. Toys or 'state of the art' is irrelevant to me. I'm more interested in performance.

I was looking at an E550 back in 2011, when it still had the excellent NA V8. Didn't get around to it and missed the boat when it was downsized and turboed. Still kicking myself for not getting a Merc with the NA V8 when they were more reasonably priced. Or the Jag XF when the base engine was a 5.0 V8.

My GLK replaces a 97 Chevy Tahoe, with a 350 V8. I'm keeping it though. When the rest of the world is stuck with dreary 4 bangers, I'll still have my V8.

I bought my Tahoe new in 97. I didn't 'need' the GLK. I 'wanted' a new car with a decent engine before they were gone. I'll keep the GLK until something better comes along. Which is unlikely. I hope to keep it for a long time.

And yes, I will, and did, pick a 'long in the tooth' model rather than the newest in order to get the better engine.

The turbo 4 has a slight torque advantage because it hits the peak sooner, but it isn't a very big advantage. The v6 torque curve is very flat and has no turbo lag. The GLC is slower than the GLK in every performance test I've seen, and the same for new vs old E.

Germancar1

This is the correct article:

http://www.autonews.com/article/2016...ncentives-down


M

pamiboy

There is nothing like "need to buy a car soon". You can always do monthly rentals for cars till you get one you want. You can also test different cars while you are renting and settle on one for longer time if you prefer it. The monthly payments will definitely be less than a payment for a Mercedes and you can always return the car when you finally get your car.

The article posted by M is precisely the reason we should wait before buying the E300. If sales are up they won't feel the need to offer anything new engine wise. Mind you that there is only a small fraction of people who are on this forum complaining. The vast majority are completely oblivious and would simply buy an MB because it's an MB.
Therefore it is in our interest to complain to MB in a way that they listen (the best way is to stop buying until they have what we want).

ngerstman

I meant need, as in your lease is up and time to move on or you totaled your car or I just moved to the burbs and need a car. There are many people in that situation, so what's a buyer to do? The new e is stunning in most respects save Mercedes horrible decision to not offer a basic 6 along side the 4. Many will bite the bullet and buy the new e, but I would agree with you, if you don't "need" to, you could hold off and see what a year down the road brings. Thanks. Regards. Ned.

listerone

From what I've seen and heard I'd be very tempted by the W213 except for the fact that there's no diesel.For me,no diesel = no W213.

mjsbenz

Ned....you are making an assumption that when I (or anyone) ordered an E300, I am settling and accepting "Mercedes horrible decision to not offer a basic 6..."

I may be in the minority but I am not settling. Whether it had my old E350 motor or the new E300 either motor would not change my expectations and driving style. If I was coming from a E550 (the E400 was not much better than the E350) or AMG E63, and I thought powering through some mountain roads in a 2 ton family sedan is fun, then I would have purchased the S550. The CLS 550 would never be on my radar. I prefer the 650xi.

Before ordering the new E300, I had 175 miles of seat time in a loaner for 4 days and that was a nice extended test drive. The car drove great; technology was impressive and the performance from a seat of the pants basis, feels no different than my 2015 E350 which was not a high performer.

Welcome to the new world of driving turbo 4s. It is just fine.

PeterUbers

The new Benz inline 6 variety will be impressive... 2017-2018 will be gray times for new car shoppers in the market for the e class as you will be limited on options between a four banger and a pricey e43 turbo six

NYC-Style

All great points...now to get back to the original post. Has anyone that's purchased been given any discounts from the dealership?? I'm well aware of the USAA discounts but has anyone been able to negotiate any more than that?? I'm looking to buy soon and the dealer is currently looking for a car for me....everything they have on the lot is in the natural wood grain...I'd prefer the burl walnut...

MDMercedesGuy

Bingo.

There are those of us who won't own a V6. I could not be more thrilled by Mercedes bringing the 4 cylinder over in the E - like the rest of the world.

Americans need to get rid of this obsession with displacement and needless waste. In Germany you see E220s doing 125MPH on the autobahn and dragging trailers around. You don't hear them needlessly complaining about a lack of power.

The car hits 60 in 6.5ish seconds and is vastly quieter than the prior E350 with a lower torque peak and flatter torque curve than that engine. There is not a driving situation one will find themselves in legally in the US where that engine would not be more than sufficient.

ua549

Except passing on a very busy two lane road where 50 mph to 70 mph acceleration times are critical. That is where the E300's lack of power fails.

ngerstman

Can't argue with you, you drove it for a bunch of days in I'm sure all sorts of circumstances and found the car not wanting. It is no doubt the most most impressive interior ever in this class of auto! Hopefully all the technology doesn't get in the way and is intuitive to use. The nature of these forums is that they attract auto enthusiasts who at times can act like spoiled, entitled jerks, including me, that for some reason feel the need for speed, hence my 2011 e550. Did I need it no but I got it. I'm sure the e300 is just fine but obviously the need for speed entailed crowd here is disappointed and just throwing a hissy fit. We'll get over it eventually. Enjoy the e! Regards. Ned.

axhoaxho

Since the E300 (P3) we ordered is on the boat now (ETA mid-November to dealer), we assume there is a batch of E300's on the same boat as well. When they arrive, hopefully there will be more E300's at the lot, and dealers will offer deals to move them (around the Winter Sales Event timeframe.)

For the longest time, there was a delay of the head-up display production on the P3 package (hence some early E300's had the Q3 package, which was P3 minus head-up, etc.) Hope the production catches up, and more cars will arrive soon.

LAC300

deleate

MDMercedesGuy

If you put yourself in a situation where this car does not have the power you need, you need to evaluate whether the car or your driving style is the problem.