What’s are the Merc hybrids like to live with?
What’s are the Merc hybrids like to live with?
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eltax91

Original Poster:

10,755 posts

235 months

Friday 31st July 2020
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Was chatting to a mate earlier. It’s approaching time to retire his 10 year old Passat TDi, ideally he wanted to go full electric, but those cars are currently out of budget. He’s considering the merc e300 for a 3 year proposition, to then switch to his ultimate end game with an all electric car when the one he wants drops into budget.

He can’t get his head around the diesel, electric and how they work together. I can’t give real world advice as I don’t have one, the mrs hybrid ioniq is entirely different, so I said I’d canvass for opinion on here.

So, anyone who has one, how do they feel to drive? How do they deliver their torque/ power? Is he going to press the go pedal at a roundabout and feel like it’s devoid of all power? It’s close on 2T after all.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

littleredrooster

6,357 posts

225 months

Friday 31st July 2020
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Comfortable, quiet, economical if kept plugged-in, but best of all they absolutely go like the clappers from 50 - somewhere naughty mph in Sport-Hybrid mode. Monster torque in the mid-range. Turn the auto stop-start off or they are very tardy away from a standing start.
Love them, but wouldn't want the big bills that the air-suspenders can bring when a few years old, anecdotally.

ZX10R NIN

30,514 posts

154 months

Friday 31st July 2020
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As above they're simple to live with.

quinny100

1,012 posts

215 months

Friday 31st July 2020
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I had a C350e petrol, but the instant torque from the electric motor means they feel very sharp and responsive from a standing start or at low speeds - even in E-Mode which is electric only.

The electric motor is less effective at higher speeds and none-existent above about 80MPH. I found it would beat a 330d off the line up to 60, but 60-100 the 330d will pull away.

The only thing I didn’t like was town driving when the battery was flat. The engine cuts in and out constantly. You can force the engine to run constantly, but it’s better to just make sure there’s charge in the battery. Whilst charging from the engine isn’t particularly efficient, it’s worth it if you know you’re going to need to crawl through traffic later in the journey.

eltax91

Original Poster:

10,755 posts

235 months

Saturday 1st August 2020
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Thanks both. Any other opinions out there?