Mercedes S350 or S320 CDI: Which is better?

[cawimmer430]

From Auto Motor und Sport.

Easily, the S320 CDI wins. It can almost travel 1000 km on one tank of diesel (957 km to be precise, 647 km for the S350) and also has the better initial performance than the S350 though the S350 catches up at higher RPMs. However it cannot beat the S320 CDI for midrange punch and acceleration.

The S320 CDI is also significantly cheaper than the S350 in base price costing 69,675 Euros compared to the 73,066 Euro price tag of the S350 - both in base form. The S320 CDI has the lower maintenance and fuel costs. On average, an S320 CDI will consume 8.3 L / 100 km while an S350 needs 10.1 L / 100 km. In a rural setting, the S320 CDI only requires 6.4 L / 100 km, the S350 7.7 L.

If you're in Europe and drive a lot, or just want an enjoyable S-Class, the S320 CDI is an appealing package. If you're in Singapore, like Mirage77, looks like you're stuck with the S280/S350.


http://img129.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mbs350vss320cdigv2.jpg

 

[Tarek]

I know u loved every bit of that test chris

 

[cawimmer430]

I know u loved every bit of that test chris

Well I think of myself as a sensible guy who likes to keep it real and the S320 CDI is just so much more appealing than the S350. You get the same performance but better fuel economy and the extra torque is good for overtaking and quick acceleration. Furthermore it's a very quiet engine too. What's not to like about the S320 CDI?

 

[Zafiro]

if you drive on autobahn, you see a lot of small cars and a lot of dieselcars. At least the impression I got when I've been there.

 

[Tarek]

Well I think of myself as a sensible guy who likes to keep it real and the S320 CDI is just so much more appealing than the S350. You get the same performance but better fuel economy and the extra torque is good for overtaking and quick acceleration. Furthermore it's a very quiet engine too. What's not to like about the S320 CDI?

You are right about how the S320 CDI compared to a S350,but i don't i never liked diesels don't know why actually!

 

[LaArtist]

in sweden the petrol is better..cause retarded swedish gov will tax the diesel at super high prices..
if you live in a place where this is NOT the case.. go for the diesel..in every damn situation..for all damn cars..all classes.. expect performance oriented modells or cars..
wich i belive will also change sooner or later..lol

Diesel ROCKS

 

[cawimmer430]

You are right about how the S320 CDI compared to a S350,but i don't i never liked diesels don't know why actually!

I think you need to try one first. Once you do, you'll be hooked. The feeling of low end torque push is awesome.

 

[Mr. M]

If you're in Europe and drive a lot, or just want an enjoyable S-Class, the S320 CDI is an appealing package. If you're in Singapore, like Mirage77, looks like you're stuck with the S280/S350.

DAMN YOU CHRISTIAN!

 

[hannaz]

I believe the S320 CDI is the best & value for money

 

[Tarek]

I think you need to try one first. Once you do, you'll be hooked. The feeling of low end torque push is awesome.

I tried a few actually but none was premium mostly seat,skoda and VW and still didn't like it,maybe i only get to rev it till 4 rpm but as u said the low end torque was much more pulling that petrol engines of the same size for sure

 

[cawimmer430]

DAMN YOU CHRISTIAN!

It's not my fault that you live in a developing country!

j/k

 

[cawimmer430]

I believe the S320 CDI is the best & value for money

It pretty much is in Europe. I mean in all seriousness, How much performance does one need?

The S320 CDI is quick and frugal on fuel and very refined. It would be my choice hands down.

 

[cawimmer430]

I tried a few actually but none was premium mostly seat,skoda and VW and still didn't like it,maybe i only get to rev it till 4 rpm but as u said the low end torque was much more pulling that petrol engines of the same size for sure

When you drive a diesel you shouldn't expect it to rev high in the sense of a gasoline engine. The fun when driving a diesel really comes from the power surge you experience and in some cases the engine note.

Seat, Skoda and VW make decent diesels. I drove a 100-hp TDI and 130-hp TDI Golf and they both felt wicked!

 

[ree]

It pretty much is in Europe. I mean in all seriousness, How much performance does one need?

The S320 CDI is quick and frugal on fuel and very refined. It would be my choice hands down.

It would be also my choice - or I would go for the S 420 CDI, but it has to be a diesel...

 

[cawimmer430]

It would be also my choice - or I would go for the S 420 CDI, but it has to be a diesel...

IMO the S420 CDI is overkill.

I saw an E420 CDI in Munich yesterday. The engine sound under throttle sounds like a V8 muscle car. The guy hammered it at a stop light!

 

[ree]

IMO the S420 CDI is overkill.

I saw an E420 CDI in Munich yesterday. The engine sound under throttle sounds like a V8 muscle car. The guy hammered it at a stop light!

I had an Audi A8 4.2 TDI in front of me, when I travelled to the Baltic Sea - The Audi was fast - and I mean fast - The car did more then 250 km/h and I was impressed by it's perfomance......my only thought was - damn, you need a 420 CDI...
...nevertheless our E 280 CDI is driven into now! I reached 252 km/h (that's 11 km/h more then the official top speed of 241 km/h), when I followed the Audi...

 

[cawimmer430]

I had an Audi A8 4.2 TDI in front of me, when I travelled to the Baltic Sea - The Audi was fast - and I mean fast - The car did more then 250 km/h and I was impressed by it's perfomance......my only thought was - damn, you need a 420 CDI...
...nevertheless our E 280 CDI is driven into now! I reached 252 km/h (that's 11 km/h more then the official top speed of 241 km/h), when I followed the Audi...

Damn!

Your E280 CDI is faster than our E320! Mercedes claims a top speed of 245 km/h for the 224-hp 3.2-l V6 E320 but I maxed it out at 247 km/h once! 2 km/h faster than the official top speed.

 

[Kowalski]

The S350

Nothing wrong wtih the S320 CDI, though. It's just that bottom of the range diesels doesn't suit very well with big luxury saloon cars. It's not much a technical issue and more an image issue if you know what I mean.

 

[Mr. M]

It's not my fault that you live in a developing country!

j/k

First world mate, first world.

I'll take the S320CDI in a heartbeat.

Whatever it is, it's great MB offers options like these. S320 CDI for the pragmatic buggers and the S350 for the image conscious. Unlike Lexus which offers either petrol or hybrid...

 

[cawimmer430]

The S350

Nothing wrong wtih the S320 CDI, though. It's just that bottom of the range diesels doesn't suit very well with big luxury saloon cars. It's not much a technical issue and more an image issue if you know what I mean.

I understand you. Some people still feel a diesel is a poor choice for a luxury car of this class. Perfectly understandable.