E350 vs 530d vs A6 3.0 TDI

[Lozw86]

Choosing between 2017 or 2018 E350 diesel 4matic AMG line, 530d M sport X drive, A6 3.0 TDI Quattro S Line saloons

Budget is upto £27k, which would get me cars with under 30k miles.

They all seem to be very capable cruisers. I’ve had an F30 328i 3 series and an F25 3.0d X3 so feel comfortable and fond of BMW’s but wondering whether to try something different. It’ll be a keeper for 10 years

In BMW terms I’d be looking for features such as comfort seats, reversing cam, heads up display and upgraded sound system

Any words of wisdom? I’ve been mulling over the decision for too long and it’s difficult to test drive at the moment. I gather the BMW will be most engaging to drive, the Merc most comfortable and the Audi a nice interior

[BlueJ]

I know these aren't directly comparable to your shortlist, but I recently bought a 2019 E400d estate and ran an F31 330d M Sport for 4 years / 80k in the past.

Based on my experience you have summed it up well. The Merc is way more comfortable and refined than anything I've had previously (apart from an RX450h which I hated due to the CVT gearbox), but not as engaging to drive as the 3 series.

For me it would be a choice between the BMW and the Merc, a purely personal view is that Audi interiors are boring.

[anonymous-user]

I will likely be slaughtered for the following. It’s based on my own experience though of owning all three at some point.

Mercedes. If you want luxury and to waft around.
BMW. Performance and some luxury.
Audi. Straddles the lines and does neither well. It’s an okay luxo barge but the ride in the Mercedes was incredibly comfortable. The Audi also gave me the most grief.

In order of grief least to worst:
1. Mercedes. Ad blue level sensor required at 40k miles. Usual oil changes. Nothing else.
2. BMW. EGR failed twice despite driving motorway miles. The nav also overheated and was replaced under warranty.
3. Audi. Dead glow plug in cylinder 4 at 60k miles. One injector failed at 40k. EGR failed. Suspected a chain rattle so got shot of it.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'm bias but I'd say go for the Mercedes it's the better package, the BMW is the slightly better steer & the Audi isn't one or the other BUT your budget will get a BiTDI at which point it I'd take this over the BMW.

AMG Line Premium Plus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010295...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102018...

Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102169...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011276...

BiTDI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009214...

[Lozw86]

Thanks for your replies

What do the Mercedes premium and premium plus packs get you?

[ZX10R NIN]

Lozw86 said:

Thanks for your replies

What do the Mercedes premium and premium plus packs get you?

E-Class Premium 1 Package
Parking Pilot
Near-Field Communication technology
Rearview camera
Blind Spot Assist
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Heated front seats
Keyless-Go
Electronic trunk closer
HANDS-FREE ACCESS
Burmester Surround Sound System
SiriusXM Radio with 6-month All Access trial
NFC wireless charging
E-Class Premium 2 Package
Includes Premium 1 Package
Rapid heating feature for front seats
LED Intelligent Light System
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Active multicontour front seats with massage
Air Balance cabin-air purification system
Air Balance cabin fragrance system
Power rear-window sunshade
E-Class Premium 3 Package
Includes Premium 1 and Premium 2 Packages
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
Head-Up Display
Evasive Steering Assist
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Active Lane Change Assist
Active Blind Spot Assist
Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function
Congestion Emergency Braking
Speed Limit Pilot
Surround View System
PRE-SAFE Impulse Side
PRE-SAFE PLUS
Active Emergency Stop Assist

If you want to take it up a notch, the Premium Plus equipment line for the Sport and AMG Line contains the same features as the Premium equipment line plus front memory seats, MULTIBEAM LEDs with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, and a panoramic glass sunroof & an upgraded stereo

[quinny100]

ZX10R NIN said:

E-Class Premium 1 Package
Parking Pilot
Near-Field Communication technology
Rearview camera
Blind Spot Assist
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Heated front seats
Keyless-Go
Electronic trunk closer
HANDS-FREE ACCESS
Burmester Surround Sound System
SiriusXM Radio with 6-month All Access trial
NFC wireless charging
E-Class Premium 2 Package
Includes Premium 1 Package
Rapid heating feature for front seats
LED Intelligent Light System
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
Active multicontour front seats with massage
Air Balance cabin-air purification system
Air Balance cabin fragrance system
Power rear-window sunshade
E-Class Premium 3 Package
Includes Premium 1 and Premium 2 Packages
Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
Head-Up Display
Evasive Steering Assist
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Active Lane Change Assist
Active Blind Spot Assist
Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function
Congestion Emergency Braking
Speed Limit Pilot
Surround View System
PRE-SAFE Impulse Side
PRE-SAFE PLUS
Active Emergency Stop Assist

If you want to take it up a notch, the Premium Plus equipment line for the Sport and AMG Line contains the same features as the Premium equipment line plus front memory seats, MULTIBEAM LEDs with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, and a panoramic glass sunroof & an upgraded stereo

That list is miles off - some of that is standard, some is part of other packages and it a US spec list anyway!

On a 2017-2018 E Class, Premium adds Keyless-Go, Memory Seats and Panoramic Roof. Premium Plus adds Premium kit plus Burmester stereo and Multibeam LED lights.

Things changed 2019 onwards. Premium changed to Memory Seats, 360 Camera, Multibeam LED Lights and Wireless Charging/NFC. Premium Plus added Premium kit plus Keyless Go, Burmester Stereo and Panoramic Roof.

Other options were:

Airmatic Air Suspension
Lane Tracking Package - Lane Keeping and Blind Spot Assist (Standard from 2019)
Widescreen Cockpit (Standard from 2019 on AMG Line)
Driving Assistance Plus - DISTRONIC Adaptive Cruise, Drive Pilot automatic steering, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist and a few other bits.
Night Pack - Dechrome and black mirrors, grille and black accents on the wheels
Air Balance - Air freshener dispenser in the glove box
360 Camera
Soft Close Doors

2017 Brochure: https://www.mercedesonlease.co.uk/wp-content/uploa...
2019 Brochure: https://www.mercedesonlease.co.uk/wp-content/uploa...

OP - If your budget can stretch, get an E400d rather than the 350d. It's a far newer engine and 4Matic is standard so you should have more choice. They are just starting to become available under £30K

Edited by quinny100 on Monday 1st March 09:53

[Lozw86]

Thanks for the suggestion, I can see a few E400d’s that are in budget. The extra power is tempting. Are they reasonably economical fuel wise? Is 40mpg realistic with mixed driving?

[Monkeylegend]

If you are going for diesel I would do a bit of reading up on the bluetec problems with Mercedes.

There are issues with the adblue system and NOx sensors plus oil dilution caused by regen issues.

This is worth a read.

http://www.stephensservice.com/bluetec-diesel-issu...

[snowandrocks]

I'm not sure on the exact suspension setups on the model you're looking at but I would try and avoid AMG line "sports" suspension if you can.

We had 2 W212 E350s for a while, one was in SE spec and the other in AMG - the standard suspension combined with smaller wheels to give a much smoother and quieter ride. The AMG still handled like a wheel barrow on a twisty road so unless you really just want the looks I never saw the point. Both were reliable until well over 200k miles.

[BlueJ]

Lozw86 said:

Thanks for the suggestion, I can see a few E400d’s that are in budget. The extra power is tempting. Are they reasonably economical fuel wise? Is 40mpg realistic with mixed driving?

I'm only about 800 miles into ownership and have been enjoying the performance, but 40mpg + is easy on a motorway run, I see low 30's around town or on shorter runs. Average since buying is 39.2.

[jason61c]

I've just got an e400d.

Previously had an a6 bi-tdi and a 640d.

The e400d is just better all round. I've done 1100miles, averaged 41.7mpg over that, which with an estate, 4wd and 340bhp is amazing. its about 10-20% better on fuel than the previous cars. on a motorway run, it'll do 45mpg at 80mph. On a cross country blast across the moors(a+b roads), it'll do 36mpg at a pace an b7 rs4 couldn't match and where that car would be doing 13mpg.

the drive train is smoother than anything audi or bmw, its a totally brilliant engine.

I went for the all terrain as its the only eclass with full air suspension, its like an s class on the motorway.

The new IL6 is a good few steps on from the e350 engine, you wouldn't have to move your budget much to get in a e400d spec car. it'll hold its money better also.

Edited by jason61c on Wednesday 3rd March 12:08

Just checked the app, 1065.9 miles, average of 46mph and 41.5mpg.

Edited by jason61c on Wednesday 3rd March 12:11

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you're enjoying you E400 Jason.