My Impressions of E200 Kompressor

VBlaster SG

Was looking to upgrade from my pevious gen Cefiro V6 2.0 and tested BMW 520i, Audi A6 2.4, Jaguar S Class 2.5, and Volvo S80. I ended up with Merc E200 Kompressor.

BMW 520
Very nice driver's car. I was actually set on getting this. Handling was great along the bends behind NUH. But the interior is very simple and not as luxurious as expected. Legroom was so so.

Jaguar S Class
Good engine and nice retro looks. Interior is luxurious and very British. Too retro and British for me... so

Volvo S80 2.0
Good 5 cylinder ligt pressure turbo engine. Interior is no nonsense, but not really luxurious. Handling was not as good as the rear driven options from Germany. Value for money option.

Audi A6 2.4
Just heard it's in this weekend, but I don't want to wait anymore. I like the looks of the A6, ad I'm sure it's a good choice.

Merc E200 Kompressor
I always thought Mercs design and drive were dated. I went to the showroom on the insistence of my wife with a bias against Merc, but surprisingly, I was slowly won over. First tried the facelifted C Class C200K, and its adept handling pleasantly surprised me. Next, we tried the E200 K. Legroom was generous, interior was luxurious, elegant and modern.

Drive was a tad below BMW 520 (IMO), but much better than the S80. The Kompressor engine, although only 1.8l, is supercharged to give power and torque of a V6 2.4 engine. With Lancaster balancer and twinpulse, it's pretty quiet, although there is a sporty rumble from the Kompressor when pressed.

Having driven it for a while, the drive is getting better. Probably it's adapting to my way of driving. Very Happy

The irony? I'm paying less road tax and fuel consumption than my old Cefiro V6 2.0![/b]

TwinTurbo_Supra SG

wads the E class' FC? Smile

Jerry2308 SG

wats the diff btw the E200 and the E240?is the E200 powerful enough when seated full load?

VBlaster SG

E200 K has higher bhp and torque than Accord 2.4. It has about the same bhp as Cefiro V6 2.4, and higher torque.

So yes, it has more than enough power to pull fully loaded. Of course, don't expect white knuckle driving experience as it's not meant to be that way Wink

E200K (1.8l supercharged engine)
Power: 163 bhp 120 kW (5500 rpm)
Torque: 240 Nm (3000 to 4000 rpm)
FC: 11.6 / 6.1 / 8.4 litres/100km (city, extra urban, combined)

E240 (2.6l V6)
Power: 177 bhp 130 kW (5700 rpm)
Torque: 240 Nm (4500 rpm)
FC: 15.4 / 7.4 / 10.5 litres/100km (city, extra urban, combined)

What you'll notice is that the 1.8l supercharged engine produces very respectable output, and more importantly, is able to produce its max power and torque at relatively lower rpms (the more useful range that we use day to day anyway).

Also, FC for E200K is very good...

ben1406 SG

Before getting the Saab 95, I did test drive the E200 kompressor ! No doubt it had the class and all but I didn't find it a comfy car. Take note, I was driving the previous model of the E200 Kompressor then.

I do remember that I pushed in alittle more gas during the test drive to see it's pickup but wasn't too impressed with it. Test drove alot of other makes and ended up at Saab (Trans Eurokars) show room.

The cars they had didn't really impressed me much at the 1st glance at them. Then, i found the cars oddly shaped until i test drove it. Can't match the Mercs in the interior design but the power of the turob engine made me trade in my ol car for it !

TwinTurbo_Supra SG

so kompressor means supercharged?

ben1406 SG

Yup ! Its MERCs Version of a supercharger !

TwinTurbo_Supra SG

no wonder lah... dunno y ppl wanna buy the E240... waste money only...

ben1406 SG

Unless you want a V6 engine then its worth getting the E240.

TwinTurbo_Supra SG

i'd rather have a supercharged engine than a V6... Mr. Green

VBlaster SG

The previous E200 K had a 2.0l supercharged engine that is pretty rough. The new 1.8l has the same bhp and better torque at lower rpm. It also has 2 new features: Lancaster balancer that balances the vibrations inherent in a 4 pot design, and twinpulse (2 sparks per cylinder for better combustion).

Build quality of the new Merc E200K (and also the face lifted C200K) is impeccable. There are many subtle quality touches that grow on you. Like soft glow puddle lights on the door when opened, cabin lights that fade gently on and off, auto rain and lighting sensors that actually work well, soft ambient and floor/foot lighting... and I could go on for a long time...

One point to note is: the system will adapt to your driving. The test car is probably not very responsive as it would undergo many different driving styles, with most being conservative as most test drivers are careful and not likely to floor the car. After 1 week of driving, my E200K is definitely more responsive, and kicks in easily when I prepare to overtake.

VBlaster SG

The power of V6 comes in the form of the soon to be introduced E350 - based on Merc's new 3.7l V6 (4 valves per cylinder vs the older 3 valves in their older V6). That'll be one fierce E series to get... (not counting those that are priced way above us, like the E500 and E55 AMG...) Smile

The E240 doesn't offer much over the E200K, except slightly quieter engine, especially when idling and you're outside the car. When you're inside, the Merc's sound insulation is so good, you can hardly hear any engine noise anyway Mr. Green

VBlaster SG

From the onboard computer, I get anywhere bet 8.5 to 11 litres per 100km, which means depending on driving and traffic conditions, it's really 9 to 12km per litre. Most times, its 10~11km per litre.

Very good FC for such a large car.

TwinTurbo_Supra SG

cool... my dad's s class did 8km/l... thought it was gd for a 3L car until i saw a zonda... 6.5km/l frm a 7.3L car... Shocked

VBlaster SG

U saw…. Zonda…wow…

TwinTurbo_Supra SG

i got meh? i saying abt the FC of zonda lah... Laughing

VBlaster SG

Very Happy When you stated you saw your dad's S Class FC, and then you saw Zonda...I thought.... wow.... Shocked