To V8 or not to V8

[choddyholder]

I'm torn between a 85 to 89, 300 or 500 sl, but am not sure weather I'm going to miss the V8 power of the 500 if I settle for a 6 cylinder 300?

Also are the 500's more desirable when i come to sell on?

can anyone help?

matt

 

[stumpy]

Drive both and see. For me I would go for the V8, but I am slightly mad. I guess it depends on the sort of driving you will do and how much you want to spend on fuel etc.

 

[100%Bitch]

Do it, you'll regret it if you don't.

 

[stumpy]

As for desirability when you sell - who cares? Its for you to enjoy now. If a V8 is less desirable because you are the enemy of the planet then it should cost you less in the first place. But then I am biased toward V8s..................It will certainly sound better anyway.

 

[choddyholder]

Nice one, thanks

 

[Dave's E55 AMG]

The V8 is the one of the worlds finest engines, why would you choose a 6 over that.

 

[Myros]

as for economy, there's not much in it

I get 22-24 out of our 500, and 25 out of our 300te, On a long run, they'll both give me
27-ish.
the v8 is like a big throbbing lion next to the 300's purring pussycat. I was spoilt as soon as I drove a v8, it was going to have to be one.

 

[MarkCL]

First V8 I ever drove is the one in my C43 - will I now be happy with a non V8 Merc? Er, most likely not. There's just something about them. Well actually there's lots about them - the fantastic noise, the instant response & torque which make for really relaxed driving..no, I'd have another in a heartbeat. As and when it comes time to replace my current car then I'm skipping straight to the C/E/S 55 AMG's depending on what I can afford at the time, for as much as I think the six cylinder (supercharged or not) motor is a peach it's still not in the same class as the V8s 8) Just love 'em to death! :twisted:

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Aussie Nick]

I would go along with Myros with some qualification. You are looking at the older style motors . These motors were designed when petrol was cheaper than it is today. Accordingly they were not as fuel efficient as the more modern counterparts. Today there is not much difference in the consumption between a 200 compressor and a 430 v8. You may in fact find that the v8 may use less fuel in certain situations such as long highway cruising.
In the earlier motors, which you are considering I believe that the six would have been more frugal than the V8. Accordingly you will have to accept the consequences of the greater power of the V8, especially one that is driven constantly in stop start traffick.

 

[Roger Jones]

Some say that the six handles better than the V8 because of the lighter engine (? Mercedes Enthusiast December 2007 ?). The six is certainly likely to be cheaper to maintain. Not sure about fuel consumption, but the difference between the W126 300 SE six and the 500 SEL V8 that I have driven is about 10%: 25 mpg vs 22.5 mpg.

 

[100%Bitch]

I must admit, my 320 does about 33mpg on a good trip. Still wish I had a 500 though.

 

[television]

I must admit, my 320 does about 33mpg on a good trip. Still wish I had a 500 though.

Yes you can get that on a 320, the 500 is down on that and a possible 29mpg

 

[stumpy]

I was hoping to put my new purchase to the test tomorrow on an economy run to Devon and back. I've heard that the 5l V8 in the 220 is surprisingly good on a run. Can't do it though as the docs are incorrect. Maybe next time. Very fast and sounds great however. I'm probably averaging early 20's from my 280, but that is mainly pottering around and I do have a heavy foot too.