Mercedes W246 - using the turbo

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Following on to my initial review:
(http://peteswrite.blogspot.sg/2017/02/mercedes-w246-b180-facelift-review.html)
It's taken me about 2 months to reach the 1000 miles mark, and I finally got to really drive it in anger over the weekend..
122 horses doesn't seem like much when you mention it like that. Even some Korean and Jap cars have more horsepower, but behind that is a small light pressure turbo and that makes all the difference...
This turbo kicks in early at about 1250 turns, so it does not take a big squeeze of the pedal to invite the whoosh to come on. Then it becomes a lot more frenetic.
The lag time is not too bad, although it's not instantaneous. If you are already moving on the highway at a decent clip, you will find overtaking an effortless affair. You will drop a few gears, down to D4 or D5 and the revs go up, and viola, the car is ahead.
If you are using the Eco mode, it is more reluctant to rev up, but if you step firmly, it will get the job done nicely too.
It's not an all or nothing like the traditional turbos, but you do get a nice shove in the back, and before you know it, you are going at 3 digit figures on the highway. The car behaves very well at such speeds, very stable and not floaty at all. However road noise does get in, yet, it's a lot less than the Jap car I used to drive. Tire roar is not so great, partly due to the insulation or insufficiency of it, and partly due to the tires themselves. Nevertheless when you spin up the turbo, it's great nice.
The engine sound is not going to be remembered as one of the best, and coming from a VTEC, which sings like a soprano when you get it going, but it's more meaty, and yet it's still less engaging at higher speeds spinning around 3-4000 rpm with the turbo than those naturally aspirated Honda engines, which thrive on revs.
Still, I look forward to my first Malaysian drive 👏

Comments

  1. Andrew1 January 2020 at 23:17

    Hi Pete

    I chance upon your blog while searching for B180 reliability. I am considering a late Jan 2018 registered B180 that has 40,000km on the odo. I just wanna check with you how's your B180 so far? in terms of reliability, how is the engine and the DCT gearbox? Did anything broke? Pardon me as this is my first time considering a merc and my mechanic (those old school workshop at kaki bukit) is advising against conti car. Yeah if you been to those old school workshop they will give pretty standard replies "Aiya conti car don't buy lah! spoil and spoil!"

    Appreciate your reply and thank you in advance.

    Andrew

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pete4 January 2020 at 15:30

    German made Mercs are a little different from your average conti car, but even so, parts and maintenance are a bit more costly than your average Asian made no frills budget car.
    You choose features, safety and some power or you can choose something with less functions, less power and space.
    How much does your car cost?
    Suggest you pm me and I can share more..
    All the best

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew4 January 2020 at 18:35

      Thanks for your reply Pete. I tried to find but i have no idea how to PM you.

      A friend of mine wants to sell his B180 that's why i am considering it. I currently own a late 2016 K3 SX now.

      Delete
  3. Pete5 January 2020 at 13:03

    Try asking on this forum:
    https://www.mycarforum.com/forums/
    https://www.mycarforum.com/forums/topic/2703413-mercedes-owners-thread/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew8 January 2020 at 19:21

      This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete

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