E250 CDI vs E350 CDI

[anonymous-user]

Having trouble deciding between the two models. Looking at the new model and not the W212. I have a few questions and would be grateful if anyone can answer.

1. Has the PCV issue been resolved?
2. Does the E250 CDi sound like a bag of nails or is it well insulated in the cabin?
3. Does anyone know if it comes with blind spot assist as standard?

Any thoughts welcome. I have mostly driven straight six and V6 cars so the 4 pot would be a first. I am after linear power. I think the two models are not too far apart in terms of 0-62mph. The mpg seems lower for the E350 CDi.

The car would be used for an A-B road very little traffic journey. Speeds would be 30-50 mph. Most of the journey is 50mph. About 20 miles to work and take a 15 mile route on the way home. On the odd weekend it would be used for a motorway trip of 100 miles to Oxford and 100 miles back of course.

I love the coupé version and have my heart set on that.

Thanks

G

Edited by Super_G on Tuesday 26th July 19:35

[ZX10R NIN]

There will be times when you can tell the 250 is a 4pot personally I'd take the 6pot everytime it's smoother has that bit of extra shove which for me is worth the extra fuel cost.

[Jobbo]

Not quite directly relevant but I chose between a C250CDI and C350CDI in 2012; the 250 was new (204bhp I think) and the 350 was a year or so old (231bhp version). There was no comparison; 27bhp and the small difference in paper figures was dwarfed by the way the 350 felt effortless in comparison.

Economy will be worse but work out how much difference 35mpg and 40mpg would actually cost.

[JEA1K]

If the C class is anything to go by, the 250 engine does sound like a bag of nails. Had mine for 2.5 years and wouldn't choose this option again ... perhaps the newer engines and models are more refined (mine was new in Dec 13) but I would ensure you test drive before you commit.

[ghibbett]

I have the E250CDi engine in my E300 and have driven the 350CDi engine when I did >500 miles in a new S-Class.

The 350CDi engine is worlds apart in terms of refinement. Ignore the power figures too as it's much more punchy. And over the 500 miles the 350CDi was just under 5mpg worse then my (hybrid-assisted) E300. I would be going 350CDi every time.

[ST270]

I have just sold my c250 coupe - 4 pot Merc diesels i will avoid at all costs in the future! We have a DS5 in the family with a 4 pot diesel and it is whisper quiet in comparison. Whilst i ran the merc i even contemplated fitting more soundproofing but then thought "should i have to do this!?"

350cdi is closer to the 3.0 Jag diesel in terms of refinement - go for that one...

[knitware]

I have a w212 E350 Cdi estate, the 265bhp engine, I believe it's unchanged in the new E Class.

It is buttery smooth and has beautiful linear pace when needed, effortless, very quiet and a big lump or torque makes the 350 the only choice.

May seem obvious but take them for a test drive.

[st4]

I have the 2010 E350cdi with the 231bhp motor. Mate has a 2011 E220cdi (which is the same engine) as the 250cdi besides some electronicary.

The 350cdi is much much nicer. Seems good on fuel, I get 40mpg from mine average and nearly 50mpg at 80mph cruise indicated

[tonys]

You need to drive them both. I have and prefer the 350

Having said that, horses for courses etc. and different people like different things. Many people like the 2.2d Jaguar XF (a presumption based on the numbers seen on the road). I drove a demo one a few years ago, and halted the demo at the end of the dealer's forecourt as I just didn't like it. Salesman quickly found a V6, which was much better, although I didn't buy it as I preferred the E350.

[anonymous-user]

Drove them both back to back. The 250 was confusing. It sounded rough but the power was near smooth. I say near smooth as it seemed to come and go in waves. Peak torque arrived and went... Until the next gear where there was a dollop of power that went again. The 350 was the opposite and pulled like a freight train. I think I know which one I have want! Loved the Harman Kardon stereo too on the 350 it sounded like a decent system.

Thanks!

Gabrielle

[benfj180]

I bought a 250cdi sport estate about 4 months ago.........

I chose this over the 350cdi for the economy on my daily commute.

I ended up getting it mapped which brought the performance in line with the 350cdi. It gained 25bhp and over 70lb/ft torque.

The car is now amazing and returns a very healthy 47mpg on a 70 mile round trip.

THe only downside with the motor now is thew 5 speed slush box.........if only i had got one with e 7g tronic.......next time!

[Jobbo]

If you're going to have it mapped, I imagine the 350 would gain proportionately more since it's not as highly tuned as the 250 in the first place.

[ZX10R NIN]

As a rough guide it's around 270-290bhp depending on the map for the 230bhp 350 310-330bhp for the 265bhp 350

[Jobbo]

You miss my point - if you're comparing a mapped 250 with a standard 350 then why wouldn't you map the 350?

[ZX10R NIN]

No I got your point I was just showing what you'd get with a mapped 350

[ALawson]

Any more thoughts from more recent owners on these cars? I see MB seem to have plenty of E220 and lees E250/350, are they avoiding them now due to the change in perception of diesel?

[mk1coopers]

We've got a 2013 E Coupe with the 250cdi with the 204 rated engine, and a 2017 E220d, the newer 220 with the 9 speed box is very smooth, though it feels slightly less punchy than the older one (might also be the difference between the Coupe / Saloon as the Coupe is a C class underneath) I also had a 350 CLS, so it really depends on what you want the car to do, the 4 cylinder ones give slightly better MPG for the commute, but do feel harsher on acceleration than the 350 which is very very smooth.

At the moment the 4 cylinders suit for the type of commute we do, once that stops I'm going to go and get a full fat AMG so the 350 won't get a look in !

[Smokehead]

You just have to stand beside the cars at tick over. The 250 sounds like a taxi and the 350 is silent.

[yellowbentines]

Smokehead said:

You just have to stand beside the cars at tick over. The 250 sounds like a taxi and the 350 is silent.

Which is why I always sit inside mine whilst driving.....

Joking aside, the 4 cylinder diesel engines aren't the first word in refinement but what 4 cylinder diesel engine is? What Merc do seem to be good at on the E Class and CLS is minimising the intrusion inside the cabin from those engines.

[griffdude]

Thanks for the thread people. Looking at a 2/3 y/o E250/350 D to replace my Alpina D3 tourer, are there any issues to look out for? Not interested in a hybrid as I live in the sticks & seldom do any stop-start stuff. Mileage about 18Kpa.