I have driven BOTH types of engines (L6 and V6) on several different models and can testify for sure that the L6 is smoother than the V6, not by much, but it is.

I always thought that Mercedes made a big mistake switching from an inline configuration to a V. It appears it was done to better polution figures.

Time, as history, always tells the truth. When M-B switched to the V configuration, it also switched to a 3-valve design instead of a 4, claiming numerous advantages.

Now, the new state-of-the art 350 is back to four valves per cylinder (instead of three). Maybe soon enough they will go back to an straigth six instead of a V-6.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]