Citroen Xsara 2003 vs Mercedes E class 2002
| Body: | Estate car / wagon | Sedan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The wagon generally has more cargo space due to a larger trunk door opening, a roof that extends as far back as possible, and the ability to convert the rear of the passenger compartment into cargo space. Sedans tend to be quieter than wagons due to a more isolated rear area. | |||
| Gearbox: | Manual | Manual | |
| Engine: | 1.4 Petrol | 1.8 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing belt | Timing chain | |
| Timing belt usually needs to be replaced more often than the chain, but it is usually significantly cheaper. Timing belt motors are generally quieter and less vibrating than chain motors. | |||
Performance | |||
| Power: | 75 HP | 163 HP | |
| Torque: | 120 NM | 240 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 13.2 seconds | 9.6 seconds | |
|
Mercedes E class is a more dynamic driving. Citroen Xsara engine produces 88 HP less power than Mercedes E class, whereas torque is 120 NM less than Mercedes E class. Due to the lower power, Citroen Xsara reaches 100 km/h speed 3.6 seconds later. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 6.7 | 8.4 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 6.8 l/100km | 9.0 l/100km | |
|
The Citroen Xsara is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification Citroen Xsara consumes 1.7 litres less fuel per 100 km than the Mercedes E class, which means that by driving the Citroen Xsara over 15,000 km in a year you can save 255 litres of fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, Citroen Xsara consumes 2.2 litres less fuel per 100 km than the Mercedes E class. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 54 litres | 65 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 800 km in combined cycle | 770 km in combined cycle | |
| 1000 km on highway | 1060 km on highway | ||
| 790 km with real consumption | 720 km with real consumption | ||
Drive type | |||
| Wheel drive type: | Front wheel drive (FWD) | Rear wheel drive (RWD) | |
| Front-wheel drive cars (Citroen Xsara) have better traction on slippery roads and when climbing hills, better fuel economy, and are less expensive to purchase. On the disadvantage side, FWD cars usually have less towing capacity, poorer acceleration and harder handling. Rear-wheel drive cars (Mercedes E class) have better handling on dry roads, better acceleration, more even weight distribution and more fun to drive. RWD is also better for towing large loads. The cons of rear-wheel drive are less interior and trunk space and more difficulty maneuvering in wet and snowy conditions. | |||
Engines | |||
| Average engine lifespan: | 280'000 km | 440'000 km | |
| Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used, but under equal conditions the average life of a Mercedes E class engine could be longer. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 13 years | 13 years | |
| Engine spread: | Installed on at least 5 other car models, including Peugeot 307, Citroen C3, Peugeot 206, Citroen Berlingo | Installed on at least 3 other car models, including Mercedes C klase, Mercedes CLK, Mercedes SLK | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. Citroen Xsara might be a better choice in this respect. | |||
| Hydraulic tappets: | no | yes | |
| The Mercedes E class engine has hydraulic tappets (lifters), providing quieter operation and no need for periodic adjustment, but they are more complex in design and can cause serious engine damage in case of failure. | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.37 m | 4.82 m | |
| Width: | 1.70 m | 1.82 m | |
| Height: | 1.42 m | 1.45 m | |
|
Citroen Xsara is smaller. Citroen Xsara is 45 cm shorter than the Mercedes E class, 12 cm narrower, while the height of Citroen Xsara is 3 cm lower. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | no data | 540 litres | |
| Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down |
no data | 540 litres | |
| Turning diameter: | 10.7 meters | 11.4 meters | |
| The turning circle of the Citroen Xsara is 0.7 metres less than that of the Mercedes E class, which means Citroen Xsara can be easier to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`100 | 2`105 | |
| Safety: | no data | ||
| Quality: | above average | average | |
| Citroen Xsara has slightly fewer faults. Deffect rate in annual technical inspection is similar for both cars, it's slightly higher for Mercedes E class, so Citroen Xsara quality could be a bit better. | |||
| Average price (€): | 800 | 3000 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
Citroen Xsara has
|
Mercedes E klase has
| |