[Nick the Greek]

On the Autobahn late last night, quiet and dry, had an interesting experience with a couple of Merc c350cdi, one saloon, one coupe. Right on my tale flashing lights, even though I was baulked by slower traffic. Once this cleared I gassed it from around 80 kph to in excess of 220 kph. Was very easy pulling out 15 -20 car lengths. Happened time and time again until the Merc driver began to regret his choice of engine and he gave up. Wierd thing was about 20 clicks up the road exactly the same scenario except the saloon model.

Spec was definately 350cdi as I read the badge on the back as I initially passed them. Both very recent cars and checking the spec Merc quotes 261bhp. So is this overstated or are BMW being very coy about the output of the 328i!?

[stefan4]

Yeah but isn't the 328i 247bhp? So BMW notoriously under rate turbo powered cars and then I'm not too sure about weights but at a guess the the engine in the Merc will weigh more. So I could quite easily see how the 2 are at least comparible

[ukbeemerboy]

Diesel verses Petrol will always give different results on the road due to the different characteristics of the engines and gearing....

[bwrlane]

Originally Posted by stefan4

Yeah but isn't the 328i 247bhp? So BMW notoriously under rate turbo powered cars and then I'm not too sure about weights but at a guess the the engine in the Merc will weigh more. So I could quite easily see how the 2 are at least comparible

I have heard that the true output of the 328i is 270bhp.

[RobH72]

Had a similar experience yesterday morning...
Following a Brabus D6S c-class, he booted it from 60 to "70 ish" (lol) and I easily kept up until I chickened out due to needing my licence...

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by bwrlane

I have heard that the true output of the 328i is 270bhp.

Get it on a rolling road!

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by RobH72

Had a similar experience yesterday morning...
Following a Brabus D6S c-class, he booted it from 60 to "70 ish" (lol) and I easily kept up until I chickened out due to needing my licence...

What car do you have?

[RichardM]

I changed from a CLS350 CDI (latest model) and never felt that car lacked power. The 330D doesn't feel any quicker really but the gearbox on the F3x is much much better.

[Nick the Greek]

That may be it Richard. Perhaps the Merc gearbox is shitty. My car is manual. The 330d on paper has a performance margin on the Merc, perhaps the excellent gearbox on the BMW masks the speed?

[RobH72]

Originally Posted by dopper99

What car do you have?

I've got the 330d Sdrive Msport

[d4springer]

Originally Posted by Nick the Greek

That may be it Richard. Perhaps the Merc gearbox is shitty. My car is manual. The 330d on paper has a performance margin on the Merc, perhaps the excellent gearbox on the BMW masks the speed?

I think the diesels are generally 7 speed (engines are V6), also less torque than the equivalent 330d. A mate of mine has a 350cdi and it doesn't seem to accelerate in the same manner as my Beemer, doesn't seem to kick down when you give it some welly from say 50 to 70.... essentially not a sporty gearbox

[Nick the Greek]

Love your dog Mr Springer!

Yes I believe the Merc is 7 speed auto. Perhaps I was expecting more but guess the C class is getting old and the horses are tired.

[Tengocity]

Why were you stopping at 220kph?
Surely there was another 30kph in there?!
If you have a manual and were using all your revs then you should be pulling out that gap with a similar powered petrol v diesel. Until it was remapped our 330d was no faster over that kind of increment than our Z4 30sdrive, if you're prepared to use the all the gears in the Z4. It's quite conceivable that the average Merc diesel auto driver isn't going to resort to the flappy paddles to eek out the last bit of performance.
I still prefer the easy torque and auto box of the 6 cyl diesel over the Z4 on the motorway... getting back up to 130 on the autobahn after slowing for trucks is effortless, and you still get reasonable mpg. That speed in the Z4 is in the teens!

[ll71]

Mercedes are very accurate with their power outputs. My S65 was putting out 631 hp vs 612, and my current SL63 is within a few bhp of it's 530 (537). Generally in the non AMG models, the average BMW is going to be quicker than the average Merc, Mercs are generally more laid back in nature, especially the gearboxes which are designed for smoother rather that sportier gearchanges. Also be aware there have been three revisions of 350 CDI engines, and some of them do not put out 260+ bhp.

[Nick the Greek]

Also be aware there have been three revisions of 350 CDI engines, and some of them do not put out 260+ bhp.

That's right and I'm pretty certain that these were late model and therefore the 261bhp spec.

[ll71]

Looks like there is a 205 KG weight difference between C350 sedan auto and 328i.. thats where the difference will be + the box.

[rich1068]

Ha ha. I've not read one of these "Lamborghini? I was on full boost and left him standing" threads for ages!

[Quakered]

I expect the Merc fare asked him slow down when he say how fast the meter was clocking up his money.....

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by bwrlane

I have heard that the true output of the 328i is 270bhp.

Yep, it's been 'dynoing' around the world between 265-275hp.

That and us 328i'ers have a weight advantage.