jmelong

Just returned from the UK where I rented a C Class for 10 days. I loved it. While it was a bit cramped for 4 people with luggage, I loved the feel on the road as well as the power. Now I am looking at an E Class, to take advantage of the bigger cabin and improved Technology, BUT, I am concerned about the 4 cyl power plant in this heavier car. I am just not a fan of 4 bangers and wish I had a V6 option, but I don't. Those of you that have driven the V6 models (up thru 2016) and then transitioned to the 4 (2017 and on), what do you think? Is it just a matter of getting used to slightly horsepower? Is the engine smooth like a V6 at idle and acceleration. Do you have ANY complaints about the 4 cyl?

I am looking at 2017 models and would sure like to hear from those of you that have experienced the 4 cyl. Thanks for your help.

W213Sal

Unless you live close to Germany, there is no point in buying a big engine in any car, even a Golf GTI or Fiat 500 Abarth will wreck most cars on the track. So yes 4 banger is fine unless you go to the track or live close to Germany and will be going places where speed limits are scarce.

ua549

I had an E400 (333 HP) and now an E300 (241 HP). The E300 is barely adequate for city driving. There are several transmission flat spots when trying to accelerate especially from the lower gears. It is like the car can't decide if it should down shift or not. I won't take it on long trips because acceleration for passing (60 - 80 mph) is lacking leaving one stuck behind a slower moving vehicle on 2 lane roads. Unfortunately the E43 carries a five figure price premium. If you can purchase a non-AMG V6 in your market, I highly recommend doing so.

W213Sal

I have a 2005 E200K W211 (1.8L Super Charged) unless there is something wrong with the 2L Gas engine (I've only driven the 4 pot diesel and have it on order) there is no way it should feel lacking power, specially in sports+, its pretty sluggish in other modes alright. My W211 feels more powerful though, probably down to it being a supercharged rather than turbo engine and lack of anything eco.

Mbracer26

Had a 2014 E350 V6 came to the E300, and i miss my old car. The E300 is unrefined, no torque after about 40mph and just screams when you want to accelerate while driving. Recently had the E400 coupe and it was a true Mercedes, no drama quite refined engine, and could easily hit 100mph without any worries. The E300 is a harsh unrefined unfinished product with a V6 price tag, truly a disappointment. But the one part that it has a upper hand is that weighs less so the front part of the car is more nimble. In conclusion, it doesn't feel like you are driving a Mercedes, more like a Honda accord.

Forty9

The E400 wagon, with its six-cylinder engine, has all the power needed for merging onto expressways and for swift passing (or, as the British say, overtaking) on two-lane roads. On a recent trip of several thousand miles, mostly on country roads in the US and Canada, we were never at a loss for power, even when we had to pass two long trucks at a time. In fact, we made frequent use of the P3 cruise control to avoid inadvertently exceeding the speed limit. Gas mileage was around 30 miles per US gallon.

I haven't driven the four-cylinder E300, but I wouldn't want a less powerful engine.

c4004matic

I have a 43 which is obviously amply powered. I test drove the 300 and found it more than adequate. It was refined, quiet and well powered the transmission always seem to pick the right ratio. On sport plus it was even fairly entertaining to drive. Of course its not a v6 but you wont have priuses killing you at stoplights either. In exchange for less power you get excellent fuel economy. The engine is perfectly adequate as long as you dont expect it to be a hot rod.

ua549

I wouldn't call the 4 cylinder quiet by any stretch of the imagination. It sounds like diesel chatter when idling. Today I encountered another transmission flat spot when I attempted to accelerate from 35 mph. I increased the throttle by about 2 inches during a turn and there was a long pause with no response. Finally the car responded but did not change gears. IIRC it was in 5th gear. Very scary in heavy traffic.

cetialpha5

You could just wait for the E400 sedan. Still not out yet, not sure when, but it's supposed to be out for 2018. It will have a V6.

https://blog.caranddriver.com/2018-m...peed-for-c300/

The old saying that there's no replacement for displacement may still be true.

Mitch105

I am in Canada with the 2017 E400. No brainer. Get the 6 cyl unless you can't swing the money for it. The 4 cyl will disappoint you like all 4 cyl motors do.
The six is far superior in power, power deliver (bi-turbo) and smooth effortless power anytime you need and want it. Fuel economy is also excellent if that matters doesn't much to me but I'll take it.

For me I'm sticking with the larger engine until a good electric option takes over.

c4004matic

Use sport mode and your flat spotting is solved.

ua549

I think the transmission is easily confused with quick throttle changes such as when making a turn and a traffic hole momentarily opens. I don't normally use sport mode with passengers because the ride is too harsh.

Mbracer26

Since the E300 is good in sports mode, we can trade our cars and you can drive it as much you want in sports mode.;-)

BF3PDZ

If you are after smooth and effortless performance like driving a traditional MB should then get the 6 cylinder, the 4 cylinder can pull but it has to work for it.

c4004matic

Sure as long as you show up with an additional 40k we have a deal! I just find it really confusing that someone would drop 60k on a car they feel doesnt meet their acceleration expectations. I liked the 300 just fine though I personally wanted sport car thrust levels thus I spent the additional $$$ to do so. All E class competitors have a base car equipped with a 4 turbo. Given that the v8 e class goes for 125k a v6 for 72k is a bargain.

davidjohnbamber

I had a S213 loaner for 3 weeks last June. I was more than impressed by the transmission/engine powertrain. I had my E550 in for service yesterday, and I asked about the E400, with the sales staff. They told me that they expected them to arrive around Jan. 1st. I had an E300 sedan for a loner. IMO, lacking compared to the V6. YMMV

nashvilletn

am i the only one that has NO issue with the "4 banger"?

i think you guys are too wrapped up in numbers and forget that 15 years ago, v-8's were producing 250hp.

Wig

It's not so much that the 4 banger is under powered, it's the fact that it's noisy, unrefined and isn't too far off feeling like a diesel.
I have the engine in a C-Class. The car is quick enough, but I hate the engine sound. Never again for me.

Wookii

I own a 2013 S212 v6 and have borrowed the C300 a few times. Immediate impression is that the 4cyl is noisy from inside the car and sounds like an angry sewing machine. It feels high strung and spends a lot of time in the higher revs to gain and maintain speed. The transmission also shifts a lot in order to find the right gear for the 4cyl small power band. Acceleration is good enough in the C, but again...comes with a lot of bad sounding engine noise. The same engine in a bigger heavier car like the E will be even more taxed. Driving the v6 felt smooth as butter after experiencing the 4cyl. Best of luck!

Yidney

FWIW from a guy who has not driven either, I don't think the flat spots you encounter when trying to accelerate quickly from about 35 mph after the car has settled into a higher gear has anything to do with engine size. My car has a V8, 382 hp and 391 ft/lbs of torque, and that flat spot is the thing I dislike most about the car. I once wrote a funny post about how the engine has to buy a stamp and mail a letter to the transmission asking it to shift down. I was told by people I trust that it is more less a common Mercedes trait.

ua549

I've been driving Mercedes for over 50 years and this is the first model that I've found serious acceleration flat spots. I'm not saying there weren't any. I just never drove one.

c4004matic

On the E the engine is mostly silent inside the car it doesnt make itself noticed till higher revs. The whole discussion is circular a circular argument, if you are used to driving high powered v6 and v8 cars the 4turbos in any brand will be a let down. After test driving the GLS 550 the Q7 with the twin turbo v6 felt like a limp noodle. Its all about expectations.

zorz

So! Here’s the skinny:

The 4cyl transmission is mapped for a good mid-range grunt, mostly for freeway on ramps and a decently quick acceleration from a stop. However, top-end power is lacking and it struggles to overtake. The reason is that in the US most applications of power are for those few instances.

The 6cyl E400 is designed for a much broader application of torque and a very wide powerband available at all times. This isn’t necessarily for super-sporty driving however. It was actually made for European roads where high motorway speeds and rapid overtakes are actually more important than on ramps or 0-60. In fact, the transmission mapping is *worse* imho for 0-60 than the 4cyl!

The basic question you should answer is which is more important? Efficiency and a little bit of zing, or refinement and a hugely broad power band that’s always on?

E43uk

Buying a car is such a personal thing and the reason manufacturers produce a range is to give customers choice....if you consider a car to be just a means of getting from A to B in comfort and without any drama (or rush) then I’m sure a 4 cyl. would more than satisfy your needs....personally I love cars and enjoy driving, my E43 puts a big smile on my face every time I get in it...would I be happy with a 4 cyl.?....ABSOLUTELY NOT...but that shouldn’t sway your decision, if having driven the car of your choice it fits your needs and budget go for it.....just be careful, don’t spend the next 3 years wishing you’d bought bigger....I find that the pain of handing over the cash soon disappears, the car on your drive doesn’t.

Mitch105

Well said. In other words get the 6 cyl.