ngerstman

The 0-60 specification is only one element of engine performance. The "feel" of the drivetrain is important as well as well as the myriad other performance issues such as highway passing power, hill passing power, etc. I've recently rented a Ford Fusion with a turbo four, quick off the line but lacking in acceleration at speed, not quite there. Same for a Kia Optima I rented. They've geared the e300 to be quick off the line but it will not do in many situations what the outgoing 306hp six could do or feel like. Doesn't make it bad, it is what it is, a great turbo 4 in a medium heavy sedan. Regards. Ned.

ua549

I compare it to my 3 liter V6 W212 E400 0-60 time of 4.9 versus the W213 E300 time of 6.3. The W213 E300 requires 29% more time to reach 60 MPH than my W212 E400. From my perspective the E300 is grossly under powered. It needs another 75 to 100 HP.

c4004matic

Most independent testing has shown the E 350 to be a smidgen faster than the e300 (< than half a second) 99% of people can't tell the difference. The biggest difference in the perception of acceleration is torque which is the same between the 6 and the turbo4. You could also probably tell the difference at speeds over 85mph where higher HP is more important than high torque. In normal city driving the new car is probably a little quicker under foot since its peak torque is so low and the additional cogs can make the best of that fat torque. Again, despite being a gear head I thought that the 4 cylinder turbo is much more than adequate for normal driving, its even up for little fun when pushed around. The E 300 is no way dull or underpowered. You have nothing to fear from the overwhelming majority of cars on the road or passing a semi on a 2 lane road. I think MB looked at its intended market, which is in its 50s and made an excellent choice for the base engine.
Furtheremore, the E 43 is another excellent idea, if you want a significantly more powerful model they're asking for 20K more, a lot of it going straight into profit given that in the E43 a lot is "packaged" in and the a la carte menu is greatly reduced. DO I want a fragrance dispenser???? NO!!!! But I get one anyway! However, will I sacrifice a little $$ to have a car that has all the virtues of the 300 plus a lot more scoot and even better handling???? Absolutely. For 99% of Eclass buyers the E63 is a car they would never drive, its loud, hard and has brutal acceleration. Definitely the car for a romp on the circuit during the weekend but a car few would ever want to drive on a daily basis.

Mike450

This E300 would completely obliterate an W212 E250 diesel in terms of acceleration.

It's a base model E class petrol engine, it's not meant to perform, it's meant to be adequate for the 90 percentile. Just as the E350 was and is. Neither is a performance sedan.

15 years ago people laughed at 6cyl E class. Times are changing again.

davidjohnbamber

M-B has to comply with CAFE standards here in the US just like every other car/truck manufacturer. IMO everybody ought to hug a GLA owner, as their cars are raising the CAFE to allow M-B to sell V8 TT to HP enthusiasts. To quote Bob Dylan "the times they are changing". This includes drivelines in todays cars.

beejAMG

its not the power, its the mere fact that some has a hard time accepting that their beloved V6 (not like theyve got a V12) is being replaced by a smaller yet better all around performer. yes the V6 has a tad more power, but is that worth the savings you get on petrol?

its not like you track or race their V6 coz itll be so funny. a 4 banger turbo is MORE than adequate to use as a daily, which btw, is what its intended for. if you have the extra money, get the 43 or even the 63. if you dont, stop looming over the 300 just to make you feel good about your precious 6 when the real truth is you cant afford to get a new car.

EDIT: with regards to the OP, 1guitar. i understand that you didnt have much basis when you got the E so i can see where youre coming from, i think. but apparently you whine about your S as well. next time. just take the bus mate. i reckon that'll suit you better.

threeMBs

Where did you pull this 4.9sec 0-60 for W212 E400 sedan from? The official number for lighter E400 coupe is 6.1sec (that's a bit too slow, but that's what posted on mbusa.com) and for CLS400 5.3sec (that's IMHO a bit too quick, but is also posted on mbusa.com). (Just for comparison, the official '14 E550 4matic was listed at 5.2sec and '14 CLS550 at 5.1sec.)

Disclaimer: I feel that both numbers for E400 coupe and CLS400 are incorrectly posted (E400 is quicker than 6.1sec, while CLS400 is slower than posted 5.3sec). But 4.9 for W212 E400 sedan? What are you on? I'd like to try it too.

ua549

The numbers came from Car and Driver for MY 2015 E400 as reported here. I listed the spec for the coupe. The sedan is .1 second slower.

threeMBs

Aha. Then I'd like to try what they used while "testing". Do you really think your sedan can do 5sec 0-60? Get real.

davidjohnbamber

Car and Driver reported 4.3 seconds 0 to 60 for a 2012 W212 E550 sedan. M-B had 5.1 seconds 0 - 60 MPH for a 2013 E550 sedan. The 2014 E350 4matic had a 5.9 second 0 - 60 MPH on the M-B website. IIRC. As far as a W213 E300 2 liter I4 T with a very broad torque range, and a 9 speed automatic goes: This is the future, like it or not.

ua549

That is why I'm no longer a prospective W213 customer. I want smooth handling with an excellent power to weight ratio without the harsh ride and sports gimmicks that come with the AMG badge. In other words a luxurious grand touring sedan that retains its performance in the 75+ mph envelope.

ngerstman

And why after being a Mercedes customer since 1988 am now an Audi s8 plus owner, how's that for a violent over-reaction! Regards. Ned.

ua549

I'm seriously looking at the 2018 BMW and Audi line. That said, I'm hoping Mercedes will introduce the new 400 hp I-6 without an AMG badge within the next 6 months. Rumor has it that the new I-6 S400 will be out in late summer.

ngerstman

Did you ever consider a 2015 cpo Audi s8? I've seen beauties with 15,000-20,000 for $75,000 plus or minus. That would satisfy your lust for power in a large sedan that handles like a class lower. Regards. Ned.

ua549

I will never buy a used car! It is all my wife can do to force me to buy a used house.

Mike450

You do realize there will be other W213 models, correct?

Oh, and the base 5 Serise and A6 models also use 4cyl turbos...lol

ngerstman

The Audi and BMW have base fours but both offer a six option at a reasonable cost as upgrade without the need to buy ton of other stuff like Mercedes has done with the e43. If one needs a car now and want a six in e class size, Mercedes has no basic option. Regards. Ned.

c4004matic

Not to worry there are plenty of other cars to choose from! Its nice to have choices. Im sure that BMW Audi or any other brand will be very happy with your patronage😉
BTW the E400 sedan is on its last year everywhere, the E43 will be the 6 cylinder sedan option in all markets. If things go as planned that will also be true of the wagon in a year or 2.

davidjohnbamber

Patience is a virtue (yeah right). If you want something other than the base model offered, then WAIT! It will happen (I believe sooner or later. Like maybe a E400????

gooner

The

The e400 lives on with an in line six replacement and I believe it is also coming to the US.

the I4 e300, V6 e400 and e43 are currently all available in Canada as well as every other country in the world except the US.

In the final years of the w212, my market had 3 choices of v6s, same engine in different states of tune: E300, E350 and E400 in addition to 2 I4s and the V8 so it would be ludicrous to have the E43 as the only 6 cylinder in the E in the US market.

mjsbenz

I am wondering why the two of you continue to bash the E300 in virtually every post you make. Read your posts from the last three months and it comes across as non stop critical and filled with your personal opinions (which you are entitled to) and often factually incorrect. For me, and I suspect many others on this forum, it is getting to be a bit much.

We all know you do not like the E300. We all know that you are upset that the E43 is priced in a way that you have to pay a $20k premium. We know you are protesting. We know you voted for Clinton.

The vast majority of us really like the new E in its various forms. It is a great car designed in today's environment and it is a winner in my book.

ngerstman

if you read my posts, I have not bashed the e300, I have been generally complimentary of its many virtues. as you pointed out I have been more upset and frustrated by Mercedes not having a regular six upgrade, that's all. This is after all a discussion forum so we discuss. I recently retired so I need stuff to fill my day so get used to it, time is on my side, I most likely have more time to kill than you do! Maybe more so than the lack of regular six offering was the fact that I couldn't get a better deal on an e43 in a money grab by Mercedes and the dealerships, saying that it is a special amg when it really isn't and is a basic production vehicle. Nothing off after being a customer for almost 30 years, I'm pissed and expressing my thoughts. Anyway enjoy the e300, I know it's a great car but also don't tell me you wouldn't be happier with a nice three liter turbo six with 330hp. Regards. Ned.

ua549

I love the E Class except for its lack of power. I would not buy an E43 at any price because of its ride and sportiness. This is no place for politics, but I'm sure that are a Damnocrat.

Cao Black

But you are bad- mouthing the E300. You ( and others) keep repeating your claim that it is under- powered. As compared to what? Certainly not the W212 E350. Whether on city streets or the freeway at 75 - 85 mph that simply isn't true for the vast majority of drivers.
You want something faster. That's cool, but don't take it out on the E300.

gooner

I drove BMWs for years, one of the attractions was the silky smooth I6 engines, it's part of the BMW DNA. BMW know this which is why they will never drop the I6 despite offering 4-cyl to appease the green lobby. I can perfectly understand the frustration of not having a regular 6cyl engine yet for the E-class. Right from the W123 all the e-class models sold in the US had always been 6 cylinders or at least the best seller was a 6 cylinder offering.

Though prevalent in many parts of the world I personally don't understand the concept of a luxury vehicle with a 4 cylinder engine...leave that crap for Toyota and Honda I say. In places where 4 cylinder Mercs are prevalent, they are also used as taxis.

BTW from a stereotypical veiwpoint, I reckon you are more likely to find it's the Hilary supporter ditching traditional ways of doing things and embracing the "New changing green conscious world" of a 4 cyl E-class