Ok so this thread is getting plenty of interest here, then can someone shed some light that benz should be seen as a luxo car maker per se. Then why are the leaving the inline format and getting into the V format in current models?
When BMW is still being toted as the best inline six in the world (The M3 Specifically ) for power and probably smoothness.
Is there any reason for this?
Is benz developing new technology to set the trends in the future both in packaging and design, maybe they may bring in a flat six? Wonder how that would go?
Any Ideas out there in the land of stars and stripes?
From down under sighning off!!!
BB W123 wagon & 190e

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BB
W123 280Te 1982 Modified & still going
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But in a nutshell, the M112 V6 engine is the M113 V8 with two fewer cylinders. Because they're "cast from the same block" they can share parts and act like the bobsy twins when they show up at cocktail parties together. It's a question of economics for Mercedes. The new V's aren't slouches either. They provide a little more torque and have consistently rated among the best engines in the world. The M112 has ranked among the ten best engines on Ward's list for the past three years.

Kuan

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ditto with Kuan.

the priorities for Benz are economics and packaging. For reduced manufacturing costs, they have adopted a "modular" engine design, sharing manufacturing facilities with their V8s. And V-sixes make more efficient use of the engine bay space than an inline-6.

Benz and BMW have different design philosophies. A purist like me would be attracted to the BMW's inline-6, manual transmissions, and legendary steering and handling. Benz however, tends to see its customers differently, delivering a total package consistent with its traditional values of safety, reliability and longevity. This is for customers who are more interested in the total package than the technical and engineering details.

BMW goes for more power at higher rpm, typically with a smaller engine. Benz goes for low-end torque. BMW has a chassis that wants to dance. Traditional Benzes respond with measured responses to your inputs, not unlike a butler.

these two companies know their niches and play their cards. The interesting thing is that the latest BMWs have become more Benz-like (i.e., softer), and the new C-class for example, has become more BMW-like, in terms of handling. And Benz has (almost begrudgingly) reintroduced its manual transmission.

my ideal car would probably be the C36 with a 6-speed manual. Best of both worlds.

Which is lighter?

I'd say the inline-6...overhead cam of course...single block and head and a minimum of valvetrain weight.

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