Is anyone disappointed with the power in their 4 cylinder E Class? I had a BMW 5 series with a 4 cylinder and missed the smooth power of the inline 6. That's what we have in our X5. Isn't the gas mileage only a couple MPG less in a 6 cylinder E Class compared to a 4 cylinder?

 

Nobody here will be able to convince you, you should test drive it and see for yourself. I think the sound of the 4 cal is its greatest weakness. I personally dont think smoothness is an issue as the E class is pretty good at isolating NVH. As for power, she has some pull down low and also getting up to freeway speeds. At 75mph+, she looses steam.

 

I agree. I do need to take some test drives. My biggest concern is vibration and noise. My neighbor just bought a CPO 2017 E300 Luxury model, white/Nut Brown. Beautiful car.

 

Just my $.02:

I have driven both: to me the 4 is "peppy but not powerful ": the 6 is smooth, quiet and powerful.

I had the same reaction when I had the 5 series BMW's. I also went to the 6 over the 4.

I also felt at this price point, the 6 is a much more appropriate for an E Class. Of course in Europe almost everyone drives a 4, but their trips are shorter and gas much more expensive.

As I lease, the monthly lease payment was about $100 a month extra for the 6 vs.4. Buying there is a much greater difference between the 6 and the 4, so keep that in mind.

Mileage: As a loaner my dealer has given me the GLC with the 4. In town I was getting about 25 mpg vs. 19/20 in my E450. So if most of your driving is local the 4 has an advantage. On the other hand if most of your driving is local the total mileage will not be that great to begin with so the extra mpg, may not be significant.

On the open road at 75 mph, I consistently get 30 mpg plus. At highway speeds the extra power of the 6 vs. the 4, I think eliminates most of the advantage of the 4.

So as others have posted, drive both, weigh the cost differences and then decide.

 

There are several acceleration flat spots when negotiating traffic. The one that is most bothersome to me is when going from ~35 mph to ~45 mph without downshifting to 4th or 5th gear either manually or by flooring the throttle. In the default comfort mode at 35 mph my E300 has auto shifted into 6th gear. At 40 mph it is in 7th gear. I believe those shift points are set for US mileage ratings not drive-ability.

 

I've driven a 2017 4 cylinder E300 / then had a 2019 E450 wagon / now in a 2020 GLE350 - so, like others here, I have experience with both.

"Peppy" is the right word for the 4 - even in the GLE, it feels lively and responsive around town - less so when accelerating from 50 to 70mph on the highway - still adequate but not "fast." The start/stop functionality is less smooth on the smaller engine.

The V6 in the 450 (can't speak to new inline 6) just plain feels fast - it pulls strongly even 60 to 80mph and feels like there's plenty left. ( must be getting old because it felt like overkill for me ) Start stop is much less noticeable.

The effortless power of the 6 is definitely a luxury - but the 4 is still a good choice and it is by no means a punishment to drive every day.

 

There'd be no question at least for me to get the V6. Well worth the extra $$$. I have it in my E450 Wagon and I've had E300/350 loaners and am really glad when I get back in my car.

 

Since they force you to get 4matic on the 450, I think 7K is a steep price. Of course if money was no issue, this would be a no brainer, but 7K buys a lot of interior options which I value over the power. I had a previous "350" in the C class, that 3.5 NA engine made 268 horsepower. The 4 cyl feels just as fast if not more so at low speeds. The only vibration issue is the start stop. Otherwise, cruising around town or even at idle, I cant feel any vibration through the steering wheel or the seat

 

Can the start/stop function be disabled with a button like on my SL?

 

Yes, there is a button next to the Comand touch pad.

 

Agree.
That's the main difference according to me. But nothing that bothered me.
I put all money on equipment. THAT was important.

 

I just spent 9 days with a 2020 GLC with the 2.0 liter engine. The start/stop feature was remarkably pleasant. And I say it as a person that A is not a fan of start/stop and B someone who ordered the part to allow me to permanently disable it in my W213. Secondly my only complaint with mine E-class is the sound of the first start up of the day. I've developed a habit of making sure everyone is inside before starting to minimize queries related to the sound it makes initially. The 2020 GLC also didn't have the same harshness at startup.

I've never had any complaints about the "peppy"ness of my E-class. We're only a 1/4 mile or less from the interstate which is the primary way to town/shopping/meetings etc. The speed limit is 75 MPH on the interstate and I've never noticed any issues. My leadfoot days are past, but the driving on the highway is quite good by all measures. Both my brother-in-law and my nephew have driven the car and they both assumed it was rated around 300 HP. On the few occasions when I wanted to really hammer it, I switch to sport and I've been more than satisfied. BTW this is the same technique I used with the 6 cylinder BMW 328 coupe I had a few years ago.

Although it has been sometime since I had a 2005 E320 which had a v6 rated at 220+ HP and 232 ft lb torque, but this new car clearly performs better all around -- acceleration, passing, the ride -- than the W211. If the question is: Is more power better? The answer is yes. If the question is: Is the 4 pot strong enough? The answer is yes.

 

In the not too distant future I plant to test drive a 4 cyl. and a 6 cyl. to judge for myself the difference in the performance of each model. NVH as well as power are factors in my choice. The difference in gas mileage is not important as we are not driving near as many miles since retirement and of course, the friggin pandemic. Hopefully it won't last forever but I am preparing myself for a long slog. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

Hi Randall,

Ex Navy guy here (Engineer Nuclear Submarines) so won't steer a fellow service guy wrong.

Had many fast cars: Corvetts, Ford GT40, 427FE powered Shelby Cobra and of course the 2015 and now 2018 SL550 so I know what "performance" feels like.

My daily driver is the 2020 E350 replacing a 2017 E300 and prior to that lots of "E" class cars with a 6 cyl

For daily driving the 4 cyl E350 is great...I can easily enter highway traffic with no effort, pass slower moving cars no problem and great gas mileage.

Also the cost of ownership original and residual if lease is better with the 4 cyl. so for regular driving why want or need more?

Real proof is:
I have removed the trunk badges so no one knows it is a 4 cyl and surprising to me many of my friends and clients think it has a big engine; also as most MBs now look alike without the trunk badges many think it is an "S" class (not that I'm "posing" because I'm not badging as an "S" but, interesting how models look so much alike to many only the badging differentiates.

Bottom line is one should drive both. I do agree the 6 cyl is more powerful but, for my daily driver I don't see the advantage.....maybe if I only had 1 car I might get the 6 cyl but, really I'm so pleased with the 4 cyl performance I think not.

Performance of the engine and transmission combo was well thought out....AND...if you want a kick going to "sport" will liven things up !

Bottom line try them both BUT, do a real road test (highway and back roads) then try "sport" mode in BOTH settings.

Let us know what you think after your test drive and what you decide.

Steve

PS: If we want to compare MB models I/we have a 1986 560SL with 30K original miles (we bought new) and IT is the ultimate in a "solid feel"that we don't get today with any newer MB. It is "solid", doors close like a vault, and is "planted" when driving. MB really lost that "feel" with newer cars.

One more thing:
For 1'st time on an "E" class I went with the 'acoustic" package and I"M SOLD on it. Lot's less road noise AND really solid feel over bumps ect vs the car without it....in my opinion really worth it for the "FEEL" it affords the E

 

Thanks for the informative post, Steve. You make a lot of good points. I will definitely drive both but it is my understanding that if we decide on a wagon they are only available as a 6 cylinder. If my wife keeps her RX we won't need a wagon and we'll go with a sedan.

My SL has the TT V6 and is has all the power I need. I traded a C7 Corvette for it and admit that anything over 400 HP is unnecessary unless you live in Germany or like to drag race.

I'm actually more concerned about ride quality so I want to compare a Sport model and a Luxury model to see if there is a noticeable difference in ride quality and interior noise level.

 

Randall,

Regardless of what you do heed my suggestion and order with the "acoustic" package. I am convinced this offers a substantial improvement to "ride quality" (sound deadening AND vibration/shock dampening).........side benefit some improvement in solar loading.

 

Roger that.

 

Can you post a video?
My E-class has same sound each time I start the car.

 

Just my $.02:

You buy a Mercedes for its ride and refinement. It is already one the quietest cars, if not the quietest mid size car you can buy.

I have the the E450 Luxury Styling with the standard 18 inch wheels. I do not have the acoustic package

On this board I have seen over and over again people complaining about ride and road noise - something that really surprises me. Turns out that those who complain almost always have the larger tires or sport suspension.

I am not saying that the acoustic package will not make the car quieter - what I am saying is that the incremental degree of quietness is not worth the cost.

 

Interesting, they can't detect the 4-pot on the sound either?

 

Obviously this entire site is based mostly on opinions and I respect yours. However, I believe the Acoustic Comfort Pkg. is worth its weight in gold. I feel the same about Air Body Control and would not want my E450 wagon without either option. I completely agree on wheel diameter and feel that 18” is the largest that should be on a W213, if ride quality is a concern.

 

How would you compare your E450 with acoustic package and Air suspension and V6 to your S560 in terms of quietness, ride comfort and refinement?

 

+1

If you live in a warm climate the accoustic comfort package is a must unless you want to install window film (repeatedly BTDT) that costs about as much. I can't imagine the engine noise levels of the 4 banger without the acoustic comfort package. With it the noise levels are still almost excessive. My E55 was much quieter. My neighbor's BMW cycle is quieter than my E300 when sitting in the driveway with the engine idling.

 

The wagon is SO quiet that I sometimes wonder if the S is more so. The ride of the wagon, to me, is simply amazing, but I do know that I’m riding on an air suspension and not on MBC. Overall, I would still pick the S as more comfortable and more refined, but the wagon is right up there, it really is.

On a side note, I drove a Bentley “New” Flying Spur a few months ago and did not care for the ride of their air suspension as I thought it too billowy, for lack of a better term. That car sort of floated over the road. The wagon has none of that and really has a good road feeling, while still being very insulated from road imperfections.

 

I went to the Mercedes Benz USA site and configured both an E450 sedan and wagon. I saw the air body control option, $1900, but did not see the acoustic package.

Is the acoustic package still available?