you have to remember that there is years of technology and knowhow in the V6s that isnt the the straight sixes. if the same advancements were employed im guessing the straight sixes would be far superior to the vees.
the iron block 103 motor came out in 1985 in the first 300Es. the v6 first debuted in 1996 in the european E320s. thats a nice ten year gap; development, advancements, research, materials etc all stood to gain/ benefit from that ten year period.
the 104 was hastily contrived riposte to BMWs engines which were producing more horsepower and better economy than the 103. a lot of the short block is the same. in fact i think i remember reading mercedes materials that said essentially the difference was in the chain/ guide/ mechanism. and maybe oil squirters too. i cant remember, in that much detail, back to 1992/3.

__________________
'O=00=O'
bmw 2002.
long live the legend