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Hello all, I've been shopping for a very comfortable luxury sedan and would like to know people's opinions about the 2.0l vs the 3.0l. Not sure if the extra $8,000 is worth the extra HP and torque. Thoughts and opinions on the 2.0 of earlier years would be greatly appreciated. I don't anticipate speeding too much, and would like to know more about the air suspension option and its durability. Plan to have this car for 75,000 miles.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by SillyGoose
Hello all, I've been shopping for a very comfortable luxury sedan and would like to know people's opinions about the 2.0l vs the 3.0l. Not sure if the extra $8,000 is worth the extra HP and torque. Thoughts and opinions on the 2.0 of earlier years would be greatly appreciated. I don't anticipate speeding too much, and would like to know more about the air suspension option and its durability. Plan to have this car for 75,000 miles.
From many posts on this forum, people have had difficulty with air suspension. I have a 2019 E450 and see no reason for the air suspension.
I test drove both the 2.0 and 3.0 engines. Here is the way I found them: the 2.0l was peppy but not powerful. The 3.0 is powerful, smoother, more refined and I felt belonged in a $65,000 car. Also my gas mileage on the open road, at 65 MPH with my 2019 E450 is 32/33 mpg pretty much the same mileage that the 2.0L engine. I am glad I got the E450 instead of the E300.
Suggest you test drive both yourself and make up your mind. If you truly plan to keep the car for 75,000 miles, 7 years, the difference between the E350 4matic, $56,750 and the E450, $62,000, is $5,250. On resale the E450 should be worth $2,000 more, so the actual difference is $3,250. If you drive 10,000 miles per year, 7 years, the extra cost is less than $600 a year including the extra cost of gasoline in city driving. Mileage on the open road will be pretty much the same.
Air suspension is very expensive to maintain after the warranty expires. That's more than $2k per wheel. BTDT.
I purchased a '18 E300 before the v6 was offered. The car is OK around town but fails for highway use. The real issue is that it lacks power going from 45 mph to 65 mph. Going from 55 mph to 75 mph is a real challenge. For me those speed ranges are critical to on-ramp merging, passing and high speed avoidance maneuvers. I have restricted my '18 E300 to city operations exclusively and use an older BMW for highway trips. There are many threads regarding the E300 power issues.
There's an old saying, there's no replacement for displacement. Get the E450. A turbo 4 banger in a luxury car is almost an oxymoron. The E350 is for those who just want the Mercedes name.
Thanks for the responses everyone. Even though the exterior is nothing too striking, I am mainly just concerned about reliability as I've never tried a Benz before. Any thoughts or opinions on that as well? Compared to the new 4 series BMW (M440i xDrive is at a similar price point), the ride quality/steering/interior design especially just blows the BMW out of the water.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by SillyGoose
Thanks for the responses everyone. Even though the exterior is nothing too striking, I am mainly just concerned about reliability as I've never tried a Benz before. Any thoughts or opinions on that as well? Compared to the new 4 series BMW (M440i xDrive is at a similar price point), the ride quality/steering/interior design especially just blows the BMW out of the water.
I believe the correct comparison with the BMW is the 5 series not 4 series.
Thanks for the responses everyone. Even though the exterior is nothing too striking, I am mainly just concerned about reliability as I've never tried a Benz before. Any thoughts or opinions on that as well? Compared to the new 4 series BMW (M440i xDrive is at a similar price point), the ride quality/steering/interior design especially just blows the BMW out of the water.
Like JTK44 said, you would want to compare with the 5 series. And ride quality depends more heavily on your choice of rim size and tyres.
In terms of reliability, BMW is often viewed as the least reliable of the big 3 Germans. And I've never had any major problem (engine, electric, etc.) with Mercs. But the interior quality on Mercs and BMWs right now is simply awful, especially compared to Porsche: creaking, rattles, and flimsy bits galore. A quick search on youtube will give you a rough idea. I love the design of W213 to bits, but the rattles and creaking are annoying to the point of infuriating.
For engines, assuming that you are referring to the US models, I see that E350 still keeps the old 4 pot with 255hp rather than the new mild hybrid one with 299hp available elsewhere. The E450, on the other hand, uses the new inline 6 engine, unlike the pre-facelift version with the tarted up old V6. I think you would want to consider this and decide whether you prefer the much newer engine with better refinement or older engine whose problems are better understood.
do not get air suspension. it's a waste of money.
they sell it like you are going to drive on clouds, but i feel no difference at all between this & regular suspension
just my 2 cents, don't spend it all at once .
2017 Mercedes E300 P3, Sport, Pano, Air Body Control, 12.3" Display, Acoustic Package
I agree with others, do not get the air suspension. I had it on my 2017 E class and did not order it on my 2021 E. Too many problems. I had only 27,000 miles and it has been at the dealership 4 different times for extended periods for various air suspension issues. Twice the car left me stranded.
Hello all, I've been shopping for a very comfortable luxury sedan and would like to know people's opinions about the 2.0l vs the 3.0l. Not sure if the extra $8,000 is worth the extra HP and torque. Thoughts and opinions on the 2.0 of earlier years would be greatly appreciated. I don't anticipate speeding too much, and would like to know more about the air suspension option and its durability. Plan to have this car for 75,000 miles.
Test drive both. I notice you have a Porsche Cayman. While I find the 2.0L Turbo to be quite adequate for my driving (good fuel economy also), you may have a different opinion when compared to the Porsche. Just saying...
We have owned MB's with V6, V8 and the new I6. Never had an engine issue since 2004. Change the oil when it is required, do the maintenance and you should not have any serious problems. I will say, that I6 in our 2019 CLS450, is a sweetheart of an engine. Smooth, powerful, tons of low end torque and when the EQ hybrid electric unit, I don't think anything beats it. However, their interiors lately have become a bit of a nuisance in terms of squeaks and minor rattles.
I think for a long time the step up was the better engine. Back to the E550 vs E350. And before that E500 and E320. You always had the option of getting more power. It’s no different then today. The E450 is the more powerful engine. If you want it then pay the extra money. The E450 will get into the 70k mark very quick vs E350 which can be had lowly optioned for low 60k’s. So it depends on your budget and desires. Good Luck!
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by mobster600
I think for a long time the step up was the better engine. Back to the E550 vs E350. And before that E500 and E320. You always had the option of getting more power. It’s no different then today. The E450 is the more powerful engine. If you want it then pay the extra money. The E450 will get into the 70k mark very quick vs E350 which can be had lowly optioned for low 60k’s. So it depends on your budget and desires. Good Luck!
Just priced out a 2021 E450 on the Mercedes web page: MSRP $62,000
Silver metallic $720
Exterior lighting package $900
Grey MB Tex interior
Burl Walnut
Heated Steering wheel $250
Premium pkg. $2,300
Driver assist pkg. $1,950
Total, out the door, $68,120.
This is actually $2,085 less than my 2019 E450 with the exact same equipment!
E450 rules. I just came back from a trip to Northern Ca to TEXAS and ran mostly in the 80-85 mph range with exceptions to spots in New Mexico. Using gallons into miles traveled I got b/t 28-29 mpg. The trip meter wasn't far off which means to me the factory is getting better at this item.
Lots of good things to say about posted speed limits in Texas. Posted 80 mph just after Odessa to about twenty miles from El Paso, Texas. Run five over the speed limit works for me.
The seats in my E450 wagon are.......marginal compared to S class or Porsche Panamera 4S.
2019 Dune Silver Metallic E-450 Mercedes Cabriolet NEW Mercedes 2020 GLC300 graphite gray SUV
E450 hands down. You'll appreciate the engine smoothness and power in the long haul. Why would you buy a Mercedes and skimp on the Engine? I know, personal preference and budget. But if you can swing it, don't cut corners on the engine.
From: Fremont California in the San Francisco Bay area
2024 Mercedes E450
The E450 gets slightly better gas mileage because of the new hybrid engine design. And the new engine design adds to the smoothness of every part of the driving experience. Compare the the overall performance (not power) of the two engines and I think that you will select the E450 like I did.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by jime
The E450 gets slightly better gas mileage because of the new hybrid engine design. And the new engine design adds to the smoothness of every part of the driving experience. Compare the the overall performance (not power) of the two engines and I think that you will select the E450 like I did.
I have the "old" engine in my 2019 E450 - the non hybrid V6: On trips, with the cruise control set at 73 mph, I consistently get between 31 and 33 mpg.
Do not yell and scream: I use regular not premium gas!
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
We have a 2019 E450 Wagon with Air Suspension that my wife drives. It drives like a dream! The V6 is as smooth as silk, with plenty of power. Anyone who says they can’t tell the difference between a car with air suspension and one without, doesn’t appreciate ride quality. The difference, in my opinion, is DAY AND NIGHT! In addition, if the air suspension is maintained properly, it should perform, trouble free, well beyond the warranty time & miles. If you are treating yourself to a new MB, my advice is to order one just the way you want it. Good luck!
Stay away from air suspension unless you do not keep the car out of warranty! I love air suspension, but out of warranty repairs start about 2 days after the warranty expires. Repairing just one corner costs several thousand dollars. BTDT
Because I typically keep cars 6 years / 25,000 miles air suspension is not something I want.
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