FireFox31

The Mercedes trend of increasing engine size over the past 15 years or so is disturbing me for two reasons - consumption and strata. It seems they are using engine size to indicate improvement from previous years. ie: "300" 3 Liters of the early 90's are not as good as "320" 3.2L of recent years, which are not as good as "350" 3.5L of today. (do note, this post comes from an E-class perspective; maybe it's different for other models)

This does "not scale well"; won't last over a long period of time. 3.0L in ~1986, 3.2L in ~1995, 3.5L in ~2004. So, then a 3.8L in 2013 and a 4.1L in 2022? I'm talking about the base engine size (in America) for many models. These are quickly becoming gas guzzlers, which seems disproportionate for the base engine option.

But worse, the different strata within the model are clashing; base (V6), mid-range (V8), and high end (AMG, V12). I feel that the 1995-2002 W210 E-class strata are well spaced: 3.2L V6, 4.2/5L V8, 5.5L AMG. Now, the facelifted W211 E-class is upsetting that: the mid-range V8 is 5.5L, an engine size widely associated with 90's AMGs. It's disturbing to see a mid-range 2007 E550 have the same engine size as "the beast" W210 E55 AMG of years ago.

What's worse, the current W221 S-class doesn't have a base (V6) engine size (in America, that I've seen). The lowest option is S550; the same size engine as the previous "biggest of the big dogs", the S55 AMG. The current "base" engine size is only .5L away from the previously regarded monster 6L V12.

Since "base" and mid-range have past previous AMG sizes, who are the new top dogs? 6.3L monsters. Goes back to my first point; these engines might as well hook up directly to an oil well because of their consumption.

What do you all think of this trend? Maybe they'll restart a strata for smaller V6 (in America, I'm aware they exist in other, gas-conscious markets). Maybe they'll break the association betwen model name and engine size (ie: S65 AMG with a 6.0L V12). Dailmer Benz has put themselves in a bind indicating improvement with engine size bound to model number.

AsianML

The newer bigger engines have newer technology making them lighter, stronger, and more efficient.

I believe the 3.5 engine in the W164 ML350 is more economical than the W163 ML320, even though it's more pwoerful. Partly because of engine design/technology, and the 7G-tronic transmission it's coupled with.

gangrun

I pretty sure that if you look at gas/oil consumption from the older Benz cars and then look at todays cars youll find that they(new Benz) are much more economical.

eddietr

But the increase in displacement hasn't necessarily meant increased consumption. A new E350 probably gets better real world mileage than my 300E, while being faster, bigger, more bells and whistles, etc. For that matter my S550 gets only slightly worse real world mileage than my 300E and of course it's in a completely different planet as far as performance, size, comfort, etc.

And, as you point out, you're only looking at engines available in the US. Mercedes has a very nice range of engines in other countries. The choices we get here are unfortunately driven by demand and competition. Looking at other cars in the $50k price range, it would be hard for Mercedes to get away with anything less than the E350 in this market.

As for the old normally aspirated AMG 5.5L engine, I would agree that current 550 engine has caught up or even surpassed it, years later. Fortunately for AMG fans, the supercharged 5.5 and the NA 6.3 are a step above that.

It's just progress. Even the Euro ///M engine in the E36 M3 has been surpassed by "normal" BMW engines. Even the E46 M3 engine, which was the pride of the ///M division in 2000 has been caught now by the "normal" 335i in the showroom. Again, for ///M fans, you've got the new 4.0L V8 in the M3 to look forward to.

Just normal engineering progress.

BTW, if you're worried about fuel efficiency (and there's nothing wrong with that), Mercedes has a wonderful offering in the E320 CDI.

DarkOne

the new version of my car, the CL550, gets better gas milage than my 1985 500SEC even with a bigger engine. Also, it has a ton more HP which is what My generation of Americans are looking for. The CL600, with MORE than twice my HP, gets about the same as I do. We are entering into the new muscle car era. It's been too long. I'm diggin it.

Yacht Master

It is not the size of the engines as much as the numbers of engines.

Crush a $100 car today!

johna1

One interesting thing is that the current V6 diesel is actually 3.0 litres but it is still badged as a 320. I imagine this is because they didn't want people to think it's not as good as the previous 3.2 inline six.

So, in theory we should be back to an E300 etc.

It is important to remember that the engine sizes you are seeing are only the US ones. I saw a chart of the engine sizes shipped in the w211 prior to the changes, and the vast majority were <3 litres, either the 220 or 270 diesels or the small petrol ones - none of which are sold in the US (or here), and probably wouldn't be popular anyway.

In Europe you can drive for 30 minutes and cross three countries so engine size isn't as important, especially when gas is taxed so heavily to pay for all the socialist government.

alpinweiss

Gasoline prices are on the verge of setting an all-time record here, so I can understand the concern about larger engines. This is before we even consider the environmental implications.

The comments above are correct; engines are a lot more efficient than a few years ago. That said, I was specifically searching for a car with a small economical engine when I bought my C230k. It is actually a 1.8 liter four cylinder with a supercharger, and EPA rated at 23 and 32 mpg (city and highway) with the six-speed manual.

l48512069357629

ive read somewhere there was an SL73 mercedes with 7.3 liter engine? is this true? also, will MErcedes in a few years start going to S700 or S75 AMG?? wouldnt that be the next step on the ladder?

AsianML

There was a limited few during the R129 period. Although the R129 is no longer in production, the 7.3L AMG engine is still used by Pagani for the Zonda.

TREZ63

I personally like to measure my fuel usage by the number of baby seals that have to die per gallon for me to drive my car.
Who gives a **** dude, fossil fuel is fossil fuel, it'll run out eventually anyway, wether it happens tomorrow or in 50 years is of little consequence to me. now raise the price of oil to over $10/gallon and I'll change my tune slightly, but until then I WOT !!!!

TREZ63

Dude what the F kind of user name is that ****? What are you a bar code?

bfnnrgn

No such thing as too much power, thats what LSDs are for.

l48512069357629

"What are you a bar code?"

what kind of name is TREZ? a bich's name:

The Rectum Eating Zygote

how many rectums did u eat so far? did yo momma forget to abort your ****** zygote?

mannnu81

AsianML

You won't last long...

waybomb

Can't wait for the upcoming AMG 8.2 V12 quad-rotor-supercharged model with optional nitrous.

Keep 'em growing.

l48512069357629

"AMG 8.2 V12 "

do u have any pics or news areticles on it?

AsianML

In the future...