jjb3

Can anyone compare the performance of the E350 v E450 based on their personal experiences? I have a 350 on order, but am fearing that I'll find it underpowered. Any insight welcome.

JTK44

There are numerous threads on this subject. Suggest you do a search and then afterwards if you have a specific question and/or concern post it.

Elvisfan0108

There are numerous reviews on both cars. Some reviews do not like the 350. It’s not just the engine. Do a search.

The G Man

I compared the E300 with the E400 a year ago, both powertrains have improve since. It really depends on how you prioritize your options as to how much you would place on more horse power. Mileage is only about 2 mpg difference, power delivery is smoother with the 6 cyl, thats not to say the 4 cyl is not smooth. I came from a 280 hp car before my E300 and before that, a bunch of 300+ Hp and 400+hp cars. The E350 feels faster than a 302 hp mid size car, no problem in highway passing what so ever. In my opinion, the 4 cyl feels lighter and more agile compare to the 6. If you like the extra power for spirited driving, towing or lots of passengers, the E450 will not disappoint.

JTK44

Again I respectfully ask that you read prior threads and afterwards if you have specific questions post them.

This has been debated back and forth: If you take out the cost savings between the E350 and E450, I doubt anyone, except someone using the car exclusively for local urban driving and where mpg is important, would ever choose the E350 over the E450: The E450 is quieter, smoother especially at idle, more relaxed at highway speed and for all practical purposes gives nearly the same mpg on the open road: On the open road at 75 mph the E450 is hardly working at all, while the E350 is, thus the mpg is pretty much the same. I consistently get between 30 and 32 mgg with cruise set between 72 and 78 mph.

When I first drove the E300 in 2018 I was coming out of an 2016 E350 - V6 non turbo. While the horsepower were similar 254 vs. 306, my 2016 E350 was much smoother than the 2019 E300. I then drove the E450, which I did get and the difference to me between the 4 and 6 cylinder was remarkable: In a lease the difference was about $50 a month, which I felt was easily justifiable.

Today KBB.com has the value of a 2019 E300 4 matic, 30,000 miles at $38,600: the 2019 E450 at $43,300: At purchase, the E450 cost about $5000 more. Normally with time, as the car ages, that premium would dissipate. However it seems that relative to the E300, my E450 has retained that premium. This would then be a case of "you can have your cake and eat it!"

Just my $.02.

tomd

The 4 cylinder E350 is no slouch but the 450 is much more fun to drive, in my opinion. With better gas mileage to boot. Opt for the 450 and you'll never regret it

CincyMBGuy

The E450 is simply the better car. The I6 belongs in a midsize sedan and handles the weight of the car much better.

When getting into it, the 4 cylinder feels strained and buzzy. I'm also not the person to shut down the auto stop/start function. The electric hybrid motor on the I6 also functions as the starter and makes it almost unnoticeable as opposed to a harsh shudder with the 4.

Souce: I've driven both models extensively.

Lanzz

I have one of each in the driveway - 2019 E300 sedan and 2019 E450 wagon. There's no comparison in terms of refinement - the 450 is smooth and feels like it has endless power. But there's something about the 300, it feels light and nimble and has just enough power to make it enjoyable. The auto start/stop on the 300 is really rough sometimes and the 300 runs out of breath if you are looking to accelerate from about 50mph or higher. But, I love them both - the two best cars I have ever owned - if you can spring for the 450, do it, if you can't or don't want to, then you will still enjoy a 350 very very much.

skytop

450 with 48 volt system exhibits by far the most impressively acceleration in its class.

W205C43PFL

Even the V6 in the pre-facelift V6 wasn't bad either actually.

The G Man

I do not have any questions and have read and written in prior threads comparing the two powertrains. If power was on top of my priority list, then I would have opt for the 6 cylinder, but after many fast cars and tickets, horsepower is not as important as some other options. I do not tow, street race or have lots passengers in my car, so the 4 cylinder gets me around comfortably with enough power. I also found the 4 cylinder to be more agile handling wise. Not sure what all the complaints about the 4 cylinder’s NVH is all about, I cannot even tell my car is on with all the windows up and the 4 banger sounds much better than most other 4 cylinder engines on the market. My brother in law has a 2014 E350 with the NA 6 and we both agree the NA 6 is smoother but the I4 turbo is more lively and handles much better.

JTK44

You are really onto something here!

WOW! Who would have thought that a "2022 E350 is more lively and handles much better" than an eight year old 2014 E350????


I wonder is it just a Mercedes or are they other cars as well than handle better and are more lively than their 8 year old predecessors!

The G Man

You are usually pretty constructive with your comments, I apologize if I steered you into the dark side. Even comparing the E300 to E400, the lighter and better balance E300 handled better and feels more agile and tossable compared to the front heavy E400. The E300 is about 300 pounds lighter in the front when compare to the the E400. The E300 with 19” wheels improves the handling even more. The E450’s acceleration is smoother and as expected, more power than most people need when coupled with the soft suspension.
I have seen many of these threads, in the old days, it was V8 vs 6 cylinders, now it is 6 vs 4 and people always get upset in these type of threads. In my opinion, 4 vs 6 depends on your needs. If you do a lot spirited driving, if you track your car, if you tow, if you have lots of passenger often or you simply just want power to spare, then the 6 cyl is for you. In my opinion, this is the best I4 implementation I have seen in a while, there is a reason the I4 engine won Ward’s best engine of the year when it was introduced and the V6 and I6 did not get the same award.