E350CDI Coupe vs A5 3.0TDI

[SRLA]

Hope this is the right subforum.

Like the title says, around 2010 cars, both are around £5k. Which would you pick and why?

[Robertb]

The ride on my A5 was awful. Looked good and I liked the tdi engine and being in it. In the end I got fed up with crashing and banging along in it.

Merc… I now have a 350d Shooting Brake. Not driven an E but I imagine it’s quite similar. The interior on the Merc is fabulous quality.

Again, ride is a bit harsh on occasion despite the air suspension on mine, because of the stupid wheels and 35 profile tyres (why??). It was even worse on the AMG Sport CLS 250cdi I had before, but still much better than the A5’s.

I think the 3.0 Audi engine sounds better than the Merc’s.

Have you considered a late BMW E46 Coupe? The 330Ci Sport I has was lovely.

Just some random thoughts. I’d drive both and see what you think.

[SRLA]

I'll try to drive both but it's hard to find them for sale nearby so any viewing is usually a whole Saturday out (the Welsh only buy stboxes, apparently).

E46 is an old car and are way overpriced for their age (especially the 330Ci), plus I'm kinda tired of the BMW ownership experience with always something to fix (will be selling my E92 335i and this is the main reason). I'm also tired of dealing with rust and I bet any E46 that doesn't cost an arm and a leg is gonna need just about everything under the car replaced because of it. Ride on BMWs is also way too harsh for these roads and I'm thinking the Mercedes' must be better, Audi is at least no worse? I believe the A5s came with runflats but that would be the first thing to go.

Edited by SRLA on Thursday 28th November 23:20

[Wills2]

I have a 2016 e350d cab, some things to note, the engine isn't great quite thirsty and not very fast (I'd say it has the consumption of a 3.0l petrol with the performance of a 2.0d) the gearbox is hesitant and the mapping seems at odds with the engine it's fixed to, it either lugs the engine at less than 1000rpm or jumps to 3000rpm when you ask for more, throttle response is woeful as well, it's a pretty dreadful powertrain.

Not in the same league as a BMW set up, can't speak for the 3.0tdi Audi but I doubt it's as bad.

[123DWA]

Wills2 said:

I have a 2016 e350d cab, some things to note, the engine isn't great quite thirsty and not very fast (I'd say it has the consumption of a 3.0l petrol with the performance of a 2.0d) the gearbox is hesitant and the mapping seems at odds with the engine it's fixed to, it either lugs the engine at less than 1000rpm or jumps to 3000rpm when you ask for more, throttle response is woeful as well, it's a pretty dreadful powertrain.

Not in the same league as a BMW set up, can't speak for the 3.0tdi Audi but I doubt it's as bad.

It sounds like yours may be broken? I've had a few E350 and always managed 35-40mpg out of them and certainly never struggled for power.

[Robertb]

SRLA said:

I'll try to drive both but it's hard to find them for sale nearby so any viewing is usually a whole Saturday out (the Welsh only buy stboxes, apparently).

E46 is an old car and are way overpriced for their age (especially the 330Ci), plus I'm kinda tired of the BMW ownership experience with always something to fix (will be selling my E92 335i and this is the main reason). I'm also tired of dealing with rust and I bet any E46 that doesn't cost an arm and a leg is gonna need just about everything under the car replaced because of it. Ride on BMWs is also way too harsh for these roads and I'm thinking the Mercedes' must be better, Audi is at least no worse? I believe the A5s came with runflats but that would be the first thing to go.

Edited by SRLA on Thursday 28th November 23:20

Fair enough on the E46s. Seems like yesterday I bought a new one, but that said, I bought it when my daughter was born and she's turning 22!

The ride on the A5 was worse than the Merc. In fact, when I px'd it for a 996 C4S a friend who came along for the trip on collection day remarked the ride in that was better! Mine did not have funflats, was the usual rubber-band profile and 19s that Germans seem to favour.

123DWA said:

Wills2 said:

I have a 2016 e350d cab, some things to note, the engine isn't great quite thirsty and not very fast (I'd say it has the consumption of a 3.0l petrol with the performance of a 2.0d) the gearbox is hesitant and the mapping seems at odds with the engine it's fixed to, it either lugs the engine at less than 1000rpm or jumps to 3000rpm when you ask for more, throttle response is woeful as well, it's a pretty dreadful powertrain.

Not in the same league as a BMW set up, can't speak for the 3.0tdi Audi but I doubt it's as bad.

It sounds like yours may be broken? I've had a few E350 and always managed 35-40mpg out of them and certainly never struggled for power.

Likewise... the engine and transmission in my CLS 350d work nicely, and averages around 36mpg in a big lump like the CLS in rural use, over 43 on a run and it is fast when asked. Generally operates in the 1500-2500 power band very unobtrusively. It is quite lazy-feeling in the default E mode, but I guess that's the point.

[junglie]

Agreed, late 30s on a motorway run and early 30s combined is car I see in my 2012 E350 cdi estate.

I would expect a coupe / convertible to do slightly better.

Not as refined or economical as a BMW 3.0 but still a good piece of kit.

[BornRageFree]

I spent a couple of years in an A5 with the same engine - mine was a 57 reg but the same car effectively. Ride can be harsh on 19s as said, but they did not come out of the factory with runflats - mine had a space saver under the boot floor. The engine is a peach and by that time most real issues had been ironed out by VAG. MPG was easily high 30s/low 40s on a M'way run. Mine was a manual, if I had the option again I think I'd go auto, would suit the car better (plus 1st gear was comically short!) No experience with MB so can't comment on comparison I'm afraid.

[Wills2]

123DWA said:

Wills2 said:

I have a 2016 e350d cab, some things to note, the engine isn't great quite thirsty and not very fast (I'd say it has the consumption of a 3.0l petrol with the performance of a 2.0d) the gearbox is hesitant and the mapping seems at odds with the engine it's fixed to, it either lugs the engine at less than 1000rpm or jumps to 3000rpm when you ask for more, throttle response is woeful as well, it's a pretty dreadful powertrain.

Not in the same league as a BMW set up, can't speak for the 3.0tdi Audi but I doubt it's as bad.

It sounds like yours may be broken? I've had a few E350 and always managed 35-40mpg out of them and certainly never struggled for power.

Nah it's got a clean bill of health, I think I'm just used to better and Mercedes really aren't that good, BMWs 3.0l diesels and ZF8 are so far ahead of Mercedes efforts, I doubt the Merc will last until the summer on my drive, but I guess it's all relative if you've not driven a well set up car.

Edited by Wills2 on Friday 29th November 22:44

[Rob 131 Sport]

Wills2 said:

123DWA said:

Wills2 said:

I have a 2016 e350d cab, some things to note, the engine isn't great quite thirsty and not very fast (I'd say it has the consumption of a 3.0l petrol with the performance of a 2.0d) the gearbox is hesitant and the mapping seems at odds with the engine it's fixed to, it either lugs the engine at less than 1000rpm or jumps to 3000rpm when you ask for more, throttle response is woeful as well, it's a pretty dreadful powertrain.

Not in the same league as a BMW set up, can't speak for the 3.0tdi Audi but I doubt it's as bad.

It sounds like yours may be broken? I've had a few E350 and always managed 35-40mpg out of them and certainly never struggled for power.

Nah it's got a clean bill of health, I think I'm just used to better and Mercedes really aren't that good, BMWs 3.0l diesels and ZF8 are so far ahead of Mercedes efforts, I doubt the Merc will last until the summer on my drive, but I guess it's all relative if you've not driven a well set up car.

Edited by Wills2 on Friday 29th November 22:44

I know what you mean. I took a 2013 (facelift) E250 CDI from 6 months old to 5 years and 70k miles, and whilst it was a great motorway cruiser including many trips to southern Europe, it’s driving dynamics on the twisties were somewhat lacklustre and not helped by the auto box. I think the following model was much better.
I went back to BMW (G30 530d M Sport) because of this. I would however consider a Mercedes in the future as there were so many aspects of the car that I liked.
In your case if you want a more sportier drive and don’t mind a firm ride the Audi A5 would be the one to go for. They still look great in 2 door form and I’m sure the V6 engine compliments it well.

[politeperson]

Sold our E350CDi recently after doing 100,000 miles in it from 2018 to 2023. They are a lovely car, fast, reliable and it averaged 42mpg.

Nothing really wrong with an A5 but problem around here is that all the drill loving weed-farming enthusiasts in tracksuits love the A5, so it would be the E350 for me.

I would say avoid silly large wheel options. AMGs can have a hard ride.

[ZX10R NIN]

I#d say the E350d mine was a good car (you can reset the gearbox so it can get used to your driving style) mine was in the mid to high 40's.

If you can find one with the pan roof it's a nice bonus, you can add carplay/android auto.
They're great mile munchers not as driver focused as the 3/6 series but it is a better place to be on a long run.

E350:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409113...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411156...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411106...

265 model:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410265...

[Mouse Rat]

I've driven a number of A5s and had a E350cdi coupe sandwich between 430d and VW with the 3.0tdi.

I thought the 350d was a smoother engine than either the Audi or BMW. Although the BMW sounded better. Not as nice as the JLR 3.0 though.

While the 430d and A5 will be quicker off the line, the E350d felt fastest. 70-120 mph is ballistic. The E was a smooth drive. The E felt heaviest and the 19" AMG wheels made it a walfty cruiser contrasted with a hard ride. Worst of both worlds.
Also watch out for the Pan roof as it reduces head room.
I averaged 43mpg over 2 years.
If you want sportier drive with 4wd traction go with Audi. The Merc is better especially on motoway and long journeys.

[SRLA]

Was that the 231hp or 265hp 350? I assume there would be a noticeable performance difference.

How did the Mercedes' gearbox compare to the Audi's?

[politeperson]

Ours was a Silver 18 plate E350 AMG Line D 4-Matic Estate. I bought it in 2019 with 5,000 miles on the clock for £23,000 and sold it in 2023 with 90,000 miles on the clock for £18k!

It averaged 42MPG which was good for a quick car.
It was also loaded.
It had a 9 speed auto gearbox, It would do almost 100 mph at only 1,600 rpm. Crazy.
You could not discern the gear-changes which means it was a very good gearbox indeed.

Power 254 bhp
Top Speed 155 mph
0-60 mph 5.8 secs
Torque 620 Nm, 457 ft-lb
CO2 Emissions 174 g/km
Miles Per Tank 609 miles

[SRLA]

Different car mate.

[ZX10R NIN]

SRLA said:

Was that the 231hp or 265hp 350? I assume there would be a noticeable performance difference.

How did the Mercedes' gearbox compare to the Audi's?

The gearbox is a very good & robust unit & imo has the better response & smoother,

The 265 just has more go everywhere but like all things it's about buying the best car you can find.