E-class coupes?

[Mabozza]

Probably one for ZX10R NIN!

for some reason unbeknown to me, I'm looking at e class coupes on AT etc at the moment (2015 onwards and up to £20K)
As most of these run on the black stuff, what are they like for refinement?
I expect the E350 3.0 V6 diesel will feel refined and powerful enough, (I currently have a Cayenne 3.0d and love its refinement and effortless power), but what about the 4 pots?

I expect the E220d will not feel powerful enough, Ideally a E350, E350 CGi or E400 petrol would be the choice, but petrols re a bit thinner on the ground
E250d is 204bhp and they seem more plentyfull in decent spec and miles - do they feel underpowered/unrefined or the opposite?

thanks

[GriffoDP]

I have a 2011 E350 diesel coupe. I think it's a similar if not the same engine (I believe later on it gets ULEZ compliant but haven't looked any further than that).

I was a petrol petrol petrol boy but as you found, petrol ones are quite rare.

Anyway, to subjectively answer your primary question: When it's pulling away - especially when cold - I am reminded it's a diesel. But it sounds much much nicer than my friend's slightly older C class 2.0d 4 cylinder. My car does sound like something a bit nicer. When it's moving I tend to forget, and enjoy the torque.

I do catch myself having set the car search filters to petrol E classes a fair bit though. I'd like to try, as you say, a 350 or 400 petrol and find whether the different stats and delivery make for more or less enjoyment/effortless ride.

[ZX10R NIN]

The E350cdi is a good unit refined with a nice amount of go the E400 has the same engine as the C/E43, they're hard to find BUT with that budget you could step up a class & go for a CL500.

You'll get a 2014 CL500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212052...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301133...

[Scrump]

E250d feels very rough compared to the e350d.

[irish boy]

I like these myself but has to be the facelift. The early/4 lights are dated now.

The 350 is a lovely engine, but a friend has an e220 similar 2015 vintage and it’s surprisingly nice. You’d need to test drive it to see if it’s up to what you need/expect.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mabozza said:

Probably one for ZX10R NIN!

for some reason unbeknown to me, I'm looking at e class coupes on AT etc at the moment (2015 onwards and up to £20K)
As most of these run on the black stuff, what are they like for refinement?
I expect the E350 3.0 V6 diesel will feel refined and powerful enough, (I currently have a Cayenne 3.0d and love its refinement and effortless power), but what about the 4 pots?

I expect the E220d will not feel powerful enough, Ideally a E350, E350 CGi or E400 petrol would be the choice, but petrols re a bit thinner on the ground
E250d is 204bhp and they seem more plentyfull in decent spec and miles - do they feel underpowered/unrefined or the opposite?

thanks

I forgot to say given your budget the four pots wouldn't get a look in, I'd look for an AMG Line Premium with the 9 speed box:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209179...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206237...

[Mabozza]

thanks for the replies. only having 4 seats would be an issue for the time being. I think I'll stick with the cayenne a bit longer and revist the E400 petrol in future.

[CT05 Nose Cone]

Scrump said:

E250d feels very rough compared to the e350d.

I found that as well, fine in terms of economy and performance, but feels like something from a Talbot van on startup and doesn't improve much as it warms up. Other than that, nice seats, comfy, reliable, column shift on the steering wheel frees up a lot of space, the pillarless design makes it feel airy and is surprisingly practical (I'm managed to carry large items by putting the sides down and pulling them through). Only issue I've had was the auxiliary battery, which took all of 5 minutes to swap out.

[sideways sid]

Not driven one but a 400d Coupe has a certain appeal.

IIRC they're comfy on air suspension, quick (5 secs to 60), and near-silent on the move. Any owners confirm?

[cerb4.5lee]

sideways sid said:

Not driven one but a 400d Coupe has a certain appeal.

IIRC they're comfy on air suspension, quick (5 secs to 60), and near-silent on the move. Any owners confirm?

I can't speak for a 400d Coupe, however I do have a GLE400d with the same engine with air suspension and it is a very nice thing to travel in I think. The engine is genuinely lovely for a diesel, and I highly recommend it. Quiet/smooth and with a lovely turn of pace when needed, plus I imagine it to be immense in the 400d Coupe because it is a much lighter car.

[jason61c]

sideways sid said:

Not driven one but a 400d Coupe has a certain appeal.

IIRC they're comfy on air suspension, quick (5 secs to 60), and near-silent on the move. Any owners confirm?

I had it in a e-class estate, the e400d is a brilliant setup.

[SmithCorona]

We had a convertible one for a few years, AMG edition in "Brilliant Blue" - I still think they look excellent, though the track is slightly too narrow from the front.

The V6 350cdi is smooth and refined enough. The ride was reasonably compliant but I thought the OEM continental tyres were awful. Seats were good in the front and basically pointless in the back. No real quality issues, though it does feel like the tail end of late 2000s Merc rather than the beginning of the 'new era'.

I wouldn't not buy one today - but would rather a 640d. The underpinnings are a five and the engine puts out another 60hp, whereas the E is a rebodied 204 C and disappointing power from a 3.

Also, ours was worth 16.5k when traded in in 2018 (2.5 years, 20k miles), so there is still a way for some of these to fall.

[Mouse Rat]

During lockdown I bought a 2016 E350 coupe from Rylan on the internet.
Only ever driven 2lt diesel and AMG mercs.

The 350d engine is a peach. Not lightning off the mark but 60-120mph its fast and has all you need. 70mph is around 1200rpm in 9th. Much quicker than the numbers suggest over the 220d

They are great value cars, old school merc quality, I love the interior which is so much nicer than the latest E class. The facelift model still looks fresh and have great presence.

Few things.
Premium pack is a must! But the sunroof reduces headroom. Drinks add blue like Russian sailor. 19" wheels look great, but makes the ride hard which is inconsistent with the wafty setup. Squeaks from the rubber seals in the sunroof and frameless windows at times, needs regular lubrication.

Recommended.

[Canon_Fodder]

CLS 220d is worthy of possible consideration at this price point

[Macron]

ZX will defo know this, on this car

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023010930...

The alloys, surely they're not original?

And, odd q perhaps, can you fit a tow bar?!

[SmithCorona]

Alloys - no.
Tow Bar - yes.

[Macron]

Ta,

My Google fu failing, some E400's are advertised as a 3.0, with 333bhp. Some are advertised as a 3.5 "E400 V6", also with 333bhp. Same 2014-16ish vintage as that one.

Did Merc really sell two variants concurrently? Or do people not know what they're selling?!

[ZX10R NIN]

Macron said:

ZX will defo know this, on this car

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023010930...

The alloys, surely they're not original?

And, odd q perhaps, can you fit a tow bar?!

The alloys are aftermarket but suit the car & yes you can fit a tow bar,

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 5th February 20:13

[FourGears]

Imho the 250 is not worth it over the 220

9 speed is great if you do lots of motorway driving otherwise dont see the benefit

350 is a proper smoker!

[Portofino]

Had a 350 for 4 years & enjoyed the smooth powerful delivery, it even sounds good!

My dads 250 is powerful enough but you can tell it’s a 4 cylinder.

IMO in a car that looks this good and it’s design brief, you need the better engine.