The Unrefined Symphony: Analyzing the M254 Engine’s Shortcomings Against Audi and BMW

As soon as you get into the driver’s seat of the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 M254 2.0 4-cylinder petrol engine, it will be clear that something isn’t quite right. The engine rumbles into life, but rather than the refined silence one might expect from a luxury vehicle, the cabin is filled with a disconcerting rattle akin to a diesel engine. Yet that nasty noise hasn’t gone unnoticed, and many of the reviews echo the same sentiment, complaining that the engine is less subtle than competitors from Audi and BMW. Enthusiasts who’ve come to hold Mercedes-Benz to a higher standard of refinement have raised their eyebrows over M254 engine’s performance.

Compared right off the bat to the 2.0 turbo engine behind the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, you are reminded why the 2 German rivals have such a great reputation for engineering. For instance, the Q5‘s engine is silky smooth, so it just glides through its acceleration. In a sense, the M254 seems to have opted for a sportier, dominant look even if it’s doing so at the expense of the comfort oriented driver experience associated with traditional luxury cars. This begs the question: Is it misguided sportiness at the M254’s insistence on being heard?

A telling difference has been experienced in the feedback from drivers who have driven both the M254 and its rivals. Back-to back from the M254 to the Q5 engine, you can’t help but notice how much smoother and quieter it is prepped by Audi. These considerations are critical in 2024 given that 2.0 turbo petrol engines are now standard fitment on many brands, thus highlighting a critical need for Mercedes to sharpen up this particular engine set up.

Having said that, it’s important to realize that the M254 is not simply reserved for the GLC 300. It is expected to find itself in other models for the E Class, GLE and CLE as well. It’s a strange time to be wondering about the implications for future models when the M254 has yet to impress. Will buyers, too, be forced to deal with an unrefined driving experience? In luxury cars, the stakes are high and Mercedes Benz is put under great pressure to solve these problems.

The conversation also brings up the conflict of these three German giants against each other. Audi and BMW have historically had a knack of delivering adult stuff – that is, a refined driving experience – that doesn’t put off their loyal customer bases. With how far the two companies have come with their respective 2.0 turbo engine offerings, not to mention the upturn in quality within recent years, it makes sense that many consumers aren’t drawn to Mercedes for a more enjoyable drive.

Worthy of a close look at the performance characteristics, the M254 engine rattles while idle, which many enthusiasts feel is unacceptable. A brand associated with luxury vehicles is not something we should hear grating noise. Building from the legacy of the Mercedes Benz, which is deeply satisfying driving experiences, the M254 simply feels like a step backward in performance. The driving experience provided almost seems in contempt of the illustrious badge proudly designated to the hood.

Regarding the handling and general responsiveness, the M254 doesn’t measure up to its Audi or BMW competitors. Audi’s 2.0 T engine might be heavy, but it’s designed around smoothness, while delivering power without distinction. BMW gets a lot of mileage for its dynamic driving characteristics by offering a level of engagement that simply keeps people coming back for more. What they lack is the same level of polish as the M254 — enthusiasts want something more than a bit of excitement, more than a dash of engagement here.

Maybe they are trying to find something to appeal to a younger demographic who seeks sporty noise because their driving experience needs to be exciting to them. But those who value a serene and luxurious feel when they drive will find the M254’s approach out of place. Mercedes’ decision to put the M254’s auditory presence ahead of comfort is a puzzling choice for many luxury buyers who will want an exclusive, luxurious experience.

You not only need to look at the rattling noise and it’s somewhat performance shortcoming, but also the overall refinement of the M254 engine. This segment is highly competitive and advanced engineering techniques and design considerations are significant. A big drawback of the M254 is that it fails to live up to the expectations of smoothness and quiet operation afforded to what is supposed to a luxury car engine. Silky smooth operation is the hallmark of Audi’s powertrains, while BMW brings a little bit of excitement and elegance to their performance.

As we go into more details we should also appreciate how the M254’s performance differs across different models. Furthermore, the integration of this engine into other key Mercedes-Benz models is questioned by the risk of lowering of standards. If the flagship models with this engine demonstrate similar performance panes, it could likely give a perception that Mercedes isn’t achieving the proposed driving experience that its competitors are.

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