The G Man

On thing worst for gas mileage than stop and go city driving is stop and go highway driving.

ua549

My car is in excellent condition with ~22k miles since new in August 2017 with annual service performed by MB. Fuel wise I used to use only Shell V-Power NITRO+, but all Shell stations were purchased by Circle K that uses generic fuel. They are not Top Tier rated. Now fuel is hit or miss because unbranded fuel is all that is available near me. Where I live the AC runs most of the time. Auto start/stop rarely functions. It is in the 90's now and will probably stay that way until October. Overnight temps are in the 70's. AC is still required due to the high humidity along the coast. The car has the Acoustic Comfort Package (PAF) and insulating glass all around (596). Engine Noise over Speaker (B63) is listed on the data card but during the rigorous acceptance inspection I required, the dealer's shop foreman didn't know what it was, if it was installed or how to disable it. My solution is to turn on the entertainment system when I get tired of the

The G Man

So you have the acoustic package and the car is still too noisy? I have my AC on here in the Northeast about 6 months out of year here and honestly with the AC on, I cannot tell when the engine is on at a red light until the auto start stop reminds me. I would imagine driving in Florida is a different animal. City driving is stop and go up to 50 mph and highway up to 90+ mph. With AC on and outdoor temp 90+. Not too many engine work in peak condition under those circumstances.

ua549

The 4 banger engine rattles like a diesel at idle. If you can't hear it you must have other distracting noises such as the entertainment system of discourse with passenger drowning out that engine rattle.

The G Man

If your 4 cylinder sounds like diesel truck, there is something wrong with your car, get it check out. Why pit up with an engine you hate so much, why not just spend another $10K for a I6 engine and your blood pressure will thank you.

ua549

When I purchased the E300, MB did not offer a 6 cylinder in the W213. Being retired on a fixed income from savings and meager SS, I can't justify purchasing another vehicle on any kind. Like it or not, it is my last and final car. My blood pressure is excellent at 110/52.

I suggest that you visit a dealer and listen to a new 4 banger with direct injection at idle. I does indeed rattle like a diesel engine. That is what direct injection sounds like.

The G Man

I am quite familiar with the DI noise, my first BMW 325i with an I4 from 15 years ago was much louder than my current E300, even the 6 cylinder E400 I test drove makes a ticking noise, especially when the engine is not warmed up. some of the ticking noise are from short skirt piston which make a lot of noise when cold. I am guessing this is your first 4 cylinder turbo engine with DI. These are hard working engines that run hot, in the Florida heat, it has to work even harder. If the noise bother you that much, you should trade the car in for a 2016 E350 with the non-turbo 6 cylinder engine. that powertrain is a bit quieter and less ticking noise even with DI.

Keith66

Agreed, MB electronic injectors make the engines sound like they're out of oil or a diesel.

Nice numbers. Here's to hoping we both live long enough to get screwed by another trade-in.

The G Man

I am guessing you guys mean something like a VW Jetta diesel, not a Dodge Cummins Diesel. Honestly, if I have to buy a last car due to retirement, it would not be a Mercedes with its high maintenance cost and unreliability, not to mention the 4 cylinder noise that drives you guys nuts.

ua549

FWIW I have had zero maintenance issues and routine costs are comparable to other makes. I have had zero repair costs. The car is close to 7 years old. I've owned many cars since I retired 26 years ago - all Mercedes E class or BMW 5 series. Based on my 65+ years of vehicle ownership my country of origin ratings from most reliable to least reliable are: Germany, Korea, Canada, US, Italy, Japan and France.

The G Man

This goes to show how a small sample size can skew one's opinion from facts.

JTK44

There is an old adage: "The exception to the rule"

You are it! Happy for year.

If you look at Consumer Reports and other consumer surveys, Mercedes ranks at the bottom for both reliability and cost of maintenance. This is a known fact and one of the reasons why Mercedes and other luxury brands do not hold their value.

ua549

Consumer Reports has an unusual perspective on ranking cars. They view cars as a necessary family tool for very basic transportation. They ignore things that make a vehicle experience rise to the top such as such as leather seating and trim, interior and exterior color selection, vehicle handling and acceleration, ... If a product or service is highly rated by Consumers Union, it is something I'll avoid.

Keith66

I've had both the MB I4 and V6 and both under the hood sound like a combination of a small-block Chevy with excessive valve lash and some old clocks.

I'm sure MB service departments are tired of telling people it's normal and just the injectors.

The G Man

Consumer Report is not a good source for performance ratings, magazines such as car and driver or Motor trend are better for performance review. For most people such as myself, our Mercedes is just a form of transportation. I do not need to be the king of the drag strip or the fastest off the line. However, I do like to be comfortable with tons of tech and safety features. Generally, I look at reviews from both Consumer Report and Car and Driver along with JD Power and other auto magazines to get an overall picture of the car before buying.

Pierregirard

If you like to avoid big initial depreciation, then it's smart to go for cars that are 2-4 years old. So, looking at models from 2020 to 2023 makes sense.

ua549

I've never purchased a used car and never will. Depreciation doesn't matter to me especially when I keep a car for a decade or more.

ua549

Excellent handling is of primary importance to me. That is something I learned during a 7 day tactical driving course I took for an employer many years ago.

Povitica3

I have MB's new ultra modern I4-turbo motor in my W206 and yes, it is peppy, sounds rough at idle sometimes, but less so when warm... little intrusion into the car at WOT...woot woot!! but actually, not much noisy while just cruising. Me likey very well. I have said it before, this motor is a perfect fit for the smaller C-class... Not any more noisier than a typical 2L turbo I4 (had similar motor in a 2012 Audi A4 as well), but has more torque and more power from such a small motor...

I have MB's old-block V6 3.5L motor (M276) in my R172 which is wonderful and another perfect motor fit into the size of this car. High on Hp (302Hp) but not much on torque (273Ibft) almost same as what the newer I4-turbo does. Love this car/motor and MB got it darn right mating these two together, except that buyers have more choices in the class and the SLKs are now history...

I have the v6-turbo in the W213 which is just a fantastic engine... i mean, it sounds a little rough at idle, but once warm it isn't discernible at all. I have the Acoustic Comfort Pkg also which may play a role in me not hearing any engine noise in the 450 cabin.

The G Man

You sum up the 3 engine really well. The new I6 engine is a gem, as smooth as the legendary BMW I6 engines. My brother in law has a 2015 E class with the non-turbo 6 cylinder engine and my 4 cylinder E300 is as quick as his 6 cylinder and a lot more fun to drive.

TennesseeZ4

Our last three MB vehicles have been CPO vehicles. One with 15K miles, one with 12K miles, and one with 3K miles. The warranty for a CPO is exceptional, and provides a level of comfort for us. Typically we keep a car ten+ years, so we focus on what will not only fit our lifestyles, but also what is a solid driving experience. We both enjoy the drive, my wife with the top down most of the time. I got my boy racer out of my system racing SCCA for almost two decades, however I still enjoy a bit of a run at times. Bottom line, buy what you want, you will enjoy it from the day you purchase the vehicle. We can all provide recommendations, and reservations, but the decision is yours. Drive what you want, and enjoy the miles and the smiles.

The G Man

Regarding the 4 cylinder's engine note, I must say, even today's new V8 do not sound like the V8 of the old, the new V8 engine do not have that deep note, same with the 6, I am sure it has something to do with fuel efficiency. On the other hand, some new 4 cylinders actually sounds better than the old 4 cylinders, car manufacturers are making improvement in today's 4 cylinder's noise and vibration. Engine and exhaust note will not mean much in the future, even now, most of the engine note is fake and comes thru some sort of audio system. In the future, when we accelerate, all we will hear is the electric motor whirling away.

YYC53

Interesting review on the engines. I feel we've just passed the turning point where the early adopters of EV's are missing aspects of propulsion with personality...and the others were never interested for a variety of reasons.

EV makers are contemplating putting engines in their cars to make them saleable if sentiment changes. I know when you look at KIA EV's there's definitely a place for personality...er and engine in there should one come available. Mercedes and a lot of automakers are sharing what they see in their sales.

When I bought an E53 I was coming from a supercharged 5.0 V8, it was hard to give up the characteristics, and character of the engine. Still is, haven't sold it yet. But, the '20 E53 I-6 had a surprise, one of my favorite engines ever is my Triumph 955i. In a bike (still haven't sold it) it's the perfect blend between a farty twin and a spinny 4 cylinder. Strong in the mid range...a bit soft on the bottom, revs wells and punches in the middle of the range where you actually drive it. The AMG I-6 tune/exhaust gives you that same character. It lacks muscle but engages in a way that I'm afraid a new I-4 E63 never will.

Ferrari just released a, for Ferrari, reasonably priced naturally aspirated V12. Gordon Murray has produced a thing of beauty with the Cosworth V12. Enthusiasts aren't going to enthusiast over drab fake cylinder poor offerings. Automakers already know.

I rank mass reduction, cylinder deactivation, advanced supercharging and mild and light hybrid (Mazda I-Eloop anyone?) way beyond EV/Plug-in EV in appeal and relevance.