Why did Mercedes switch all of there formerly Inline 6 models over to V6 (mainly the E class)?

From my personal experience, the Inline 6 has been and always will be the better engine. The longer crankshaft means more torque. Isn't it a simpler design too?

Anyways, if you have any ideas, post.

Thanks!

 

Its cheaper to build?

 

This has been discussed before...the V6 (for all 1998 V engines in the States) is better all the way around. Just to name some:

Puts out similar power (even with 3 valves)
Torque comes on lower
Much Lighter
Less strain on the crank
low emissions
no gasket problems
More mods (now)

The new line of engines has also won Mercedes numerous awards.


There is alot more, some engine expert explained it in a thread (long time ago), if I find it I'll post the link.

 

Can the V6's (M112) stay at high RPM's all day on the autobahn like the M103 and M104? Just want to know if it's as durable.

 

It was for cost when MB made the switch to the modular engine family. The new engines cost MB almost 50% less to produce the the previous DOHC 4 valve design.

 

Isn't "doing it cheaper" what got Mercedes in quality trouble in the first place? Now I've driven both engines: my 95 280 and my sister's 99 280 Sport. I much prefer my engine to hers. The only thing better on hers is the transmission. Plus ALL her interior parts FEEL so cheap! If you look at the pricing I'm sure it's not that much different for a 95 to 97 C-class loaded with the same/similar options as a 98-00 model with the V6. My reasoning being that if your gonna pay the same amount, why not get the more expensive engine? Just my opinion.

 

Heh, I guess I just thought an Inline 6, rear-wheel drive, etc.. were some of the unwritten rules/charachteristics of a German car.

The V's aren't that bad, I'm sure everyone will get used to them over time, but I just loved the I6...

 

The new 3.5 MB V-6's are vastly improved over the 3 valve ones...can't wait for the new V8's.

 

I forgot about those...

 

Cost was a factor only in the sense of having 2 assembly lines. A V6 engine will cost more than a I6 for one, because the V6 will have more moving parts, Read here:

"On the other hand, 90° V6 has a decisive advantage in production point of view - it can be machined in V8뭩 production line because both of them are 90°. (unlike V6, V8 can only be optimised at 90°) This save a lot of production cost. An example is Mercedes� supersmooth 2.4 to 3.2-litre V6s, which share the same architecture with V8s but added with a balancer shaft. "

http://autozine.kyul.net/technical_s...ne/smooth3.htm

as far as comparing a 1997 I6 to a 1998 V6, I'm sure the V costs a lot more to make (the I6 has an iron block) and there is way more engineering in the new engines. Of course the new Direct Injection engines will be like comparing the I6 to the V6...the newer, better engines will be more expensive but will have major advantages.


It a great site for all kinds of engine info:

http://autozine.kyul.net/technical_s...tech_index.htm


[More:]

"Mercedes 3 valves V6, one of the Ten Best Engines in AutoZine's engine award."

http://autozine.kyul.net/technical_school/engine/petrol1.htm#Mercedes'%203%20valves%20approach


More good stuff:

"Mercedes Debuts New V6 Engines for the 21st Century"

* 40 percent cleaner
* 20 percent lighter than competitors
* 13 percent more fuel-efficient
* Optimised torque from 2500rpm

http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_50105/newsarticle.html

[Impressive]

"The combination of dual ignition, lightweight design and low-friction construction help the new V6 achieve fuel economy figures up to 13 percent lower than the previous straight-sixes making it one of the world's most efficient six-cylinder petrol engines.

The all-alloy V6 produces the same 3 1 5 Nm torque as the previous in-line six. But importantly, the V6 achieves its maximum torque performance lower in the engine revolution band at 3OOOrpm (against 3850rpm for the in-line six).

And because of the new engine's brawnier torque pattern, around 95 percent of the engine's available torque is on tap from just 25OOrpm.
The new V6 produces 165Kw power (up from 162kW). 90 Degrees

The new V6 is designed to a 90 degree configuration and uses a balancer shaft in the crankcase to minimise noise and vibration. The shaft rotates in the opposite direction to the crankshaft at the same speed compensating for the free vibrations normally found with V6 engines. The result means the new V6 can match the former straight-six for its smooth power delivery refinement.
The 90-degree configuration is also more rigid in design and installation producing lower vibration than similar in-line sixes.

Engineers concentrated on noise reduction in the critical 500-1500 Hertz band - the frequency which is the most sensitive to the human ear."




Althought inline engines might be "better" in many ways, I think they are a thing of the past other than inline-4s in econo cars.


I can't wait for the new engines to come out! BMW look out!

 

Thanks for the great articles!

 

Another factor not yet mentioned is that the V6 is shorter and lower. This makes more aerodynamic body shapes easier to acheive (consider that the 2000 update of the W210 E-Class featured a 25mm lower hoodline - made possible when they dropped the I6 gas and I6 diesel engines). Also, the much shorter length of the V6 allows more crush space at the front crumple zone. In other words, there were many factors.