***Testdrove a 2001 Mercedes C270 T-Modell***

[cawimmer430]

I had to drive a used 200_ C270 CDI T-Modell to Landshut. This C-Class was still a pre-facelift model so that meant cheaper interior materials and a not so sporty drive. But the engine under the hood meant that it would be a pretty fun car to drive.



The exterior was colored in Brilliantsilber and the car was an Elegance trim level spec model: still better than Classic. On the inside, the interior was what you expected. It wasn?t as bad as the original W203 C-Class, but the materials used, both wood and plastics, were still sub-par to the ones used on the facelifted W203 C-Class. Interior space was so-so.







Initial impressions of the car were actually quite positive. It drove smoothly. That meant it was comfortable and the steering and handling qualities were decent. In fact, the steering feel was a little heavier than usual, but not as responsive as in the facelifted models. You could drive sporty and the steering and suspension were reasonably capable of taking this sort of driving. But still, not match for the newly improved C-Class. The steering feel here wasn?t as sporty as it initially felt. It did ok in almost all situations, but in tight curves, it was too vague and slow acting. Again: no comparison with the newly improved C-Class.



The 2.7-l 5-cylinder inline engine was the real joy of the car. At 177-horsepower and 370 Nm (273 lb/ft), it was pretty peppy and pulled strongly. Before the C320 CDI came along, this was the top-of-the-line C-Class diesel (excluding the AMG-tuned C30 CDI AMG). Needless to say, it pulled nicely and powerfully in the C270 CDI. The 5-cylinder diesel was a little loud though. This had always been a weakness of C270 CDI. The same engine wasn?t as loud in the E270 CDI in my experience. On the inside however, the diesel noise was reasonably isolated, but still audible. Vibrations could be felt, but in very small amounts. In the new C320 CDI, you don?t hear or feel a thing.







With that much power under the hood, overtaking was a joy and piece of cake. Midrange power was generously quick and a kickdown produced impressive acceleration. There was enough torque to shove you back in the seats. The engine was a loud when you pushed it though. A dieselish noise could be heard when you pressed the accelerator. Other than that, it was nice and torquey. A shame I had to drive back a B170 Autotronic, that thing was a slug! [:blackeye:]







The 5-speed automatic transmission was smooth as always. I engaged 2nd and 3rd gear manually and hammered the car. Nice acceleration was the result. Lovely.



The drive to Landshut was enjoyable in this car. It was very comfortable suspension wise. The seats were a bit hard for my tastes, especially after I was close to Landshut after around 50 minutes of driving. Only the cheap materials of the interior really bothered me. I couldn?t stare at them anymore because they hurt my eyes! [:P] Thankfully, this has been addressed in the facelifted C-Class.







Overall, it was not a bad car, but I wasn?t too impressed with the interior. I could live with the decent handling capabilities of the car, but the interior was too shabby looking for MB standards, especially now that they?re coming out with such beautiful quality interiors. Performance wise, the C270 CDI is pretty quick and still fuel-efficient. But I am sure glad that the awesome C320 CDI replaced it. [:sun:]  





PHOTO ALBUM: http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=2122710257

[SVT_Power]

didn't know MB made 5 cylinders

[ifcar]

We don't get them in the US, but they make them.

[TBR]

Actually, we do get a MB I5, in the Freightliner/Dodge Sprinter.

[ifcar]

I meant IN a Mercedes, but yes, we get that as well.

[TBR]

I see. In fact, I believe it is the exact same engine that is in the C270 (except tuned differently).

[cawimmer430]

didn't know MB made 5 cylinders

They've been making 5-cylinders ever since the late '60s with the 240D 3.0. Every E-Class and almost every S-Class after that has had a 5-cylinder diesel engine ever since.

E-Classes
W114 / W115: 240D 3.0
W123: 300D / 300D Turbodiesel / 300TD Turbodiesel / 300CD & 300CD Turbodiesel
W124: 300D Diesel / 300D Turbodiesel
W210: E300 Turbodiesel / E270 CDI
W211: E270 CDI

S-Classes
W116: 300SD Turbodiesel
W126: 300SD Turbodiesel / 350SD Turbodiesel
W140: S300 Turbodiesel / S350 Turbodiesel

[cawimmer430]

I see. In fact, I believe it is the exact same engine that is in the C270 (except tuned differently).

It is the same engine, except in the Dodge, I think it is detuned because of emissions. The engine has now been phased out and replaced with the badass 3.0 V6 CDI. If the Sprinter gets that engine...oh boy!    

[ifcar]

I see. In fact, I believe it is the exact same engine that is in the C270 (except tuned differently).

It is the same engine, except in the Dodge, I think it is detuned because of emissions. The engine has now been phased out and replaced with the badass 3.0 V6 CDI. If the Sprinter gets that engine...oh boy!  

There are going to be a lot of happy plumbers when that happens.  

[cawimmer430]

I see. In fact, I believe it is the exact same engine that is in the C270 (except tuned differently).

It is the same engine, except in the Dodge, I think it is detuned because of emissions. The engine has now been phased out and replaced with the badass 3.0 V6 CDI. If the Sprinter gets that engine...oh boy!  

There are going to be a lot of happy plumbers when that happens.

Maybe MB should drop the 4.0 V8 (from the E420 CDI and CLS420 CDI) into the Sprinter.    :P  

[BMWDave]

I see. In fact, I believe it is the exact same engine that is in the C270 (except tuned differently).

It is the same engine, except in the Dodge, I think it is detuned because of emissions. The engine has now been phased out and replaced with the badass 3.0 V6 CDI. If the Sprinter gets that engine...oh boy!  

There are going to be a lot of happy plumbers when that happens.

:D  

[Catman]

To the eye, the interior looks OK.  I like the diesels and wish we had more.

[cawimmer430]

To the eye, the interior looks OK.  I like the diesels and wish we had more.

I'd say the interior is decent, but I'd expect a little more from MB. Thankfully, the new C-Class has a good interior. I hope America gets the C320 CDI. That's the new 3.0 V6 with 22-hp and 376 lb/ft of torque; 0-62 in 6.9 seconds with the 7Gtronic. The 6-speed manual version has its torque detuned and does 0-62 in 8.1 seconds.