What's the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class like with the smaller engine?
Hi, I would like to know what you think of the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class with the 2.0-litre diesel engine.
I would also like to know if you have heard anything about BMW bringing out a 2.5-litre diesel version of the X5 in 2014. What do you think in general of both SUVs that are available at the moment and which do you prefer?
Thanks for your help.
Ann Bourke (Limerick)Feb 2012 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ann,
Our writer Kyle Fortune drove the new ML 250 CDI so I've passed the question to him for answering. This is what he said:
"The base 250 CDI engine in the ML is actually a 2.1-litre turbodiesel mated to a seven-speed automatic to best make use of the engine's torque and power spread. It works relatively well too, so long as you remember you're shifting quite a lot of bulk without masses of power. That said it's got a sizeable 500Nm of torque generated low in the rev range, so the ML 250 CDI is rapid enough in town traffic. It's only out of town - on a motorway slip road when you push it - that you'll perhaps be a bit underwhelmed by the performance. It's all about expectations though, and really, it's a credible performer.
As to the BMW? It's difficult to comment on a car that doesn't exist, but experience of BMW's small capacity turbodiesels does suggest that they typically over deliver on expectations - the 520d for example feels very rapid given its size and weight. How that will translate to the bigger, weightier X5 is questionable, though BMW is unlikely to release a product that's not at the top of its game. We've not heard anything about a 2.5d X5 (officially or not), but it's quite possible given the prevailing economic climate and the ever tightening quest for economy. Downsizing is common so it stands to reason that BMW might be considering it for the X5."
Feel free to come back to us if you would like to know more.
@Shane_O_D