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Was at our newly opened Merc Centre in Singapore, and decided to see if there's a difference bet the new E280 and my current E200 Kompressor. The E280 uses the new M272 3L engine producing 231 bhp compared to 163bhp of the E200K. Overall impression is very nice. The E280's power delivery is smoother and across the entire rev band, i.e. great for quick acceleration, slow down, and accelerate again round corners. The new V6 is very easy to rev and very responsive (the sales lady was looking kind of worried as I attacked the infamous stretch of "99" corners - she later told me they were advised NOT to bring customers there - but how else to really test the car?) Anyway, she cut me some slack as I'm evidently familiar with the E Class. In comparison, the E200K's real power comes on after 2500 rpm, when the Kompressor spools up to max 240Nm torque. It gives a bit of rush when we hit it, but when going round corners after corners, it may not have enough to spool up. Overall, happy with the E280. But I think the E200K held its own quite well (less difference when cruising on highway - more difference when attacking simultaneous corners) The difference is there bet the 2, but it's not so great that makes me feel like trashing the E200K immediately! Think I'll hold on till at least after face lift, or even next model change.