C320 SE

No. Problem is due to the fact it is a Mercedes, not a BMW.

You might want to ask that question in the Mercedes newsgroup.

LOL, good answer :))

Sorry - its my wife's car - it's a BMW 320CI SE auto

It's not a flat 6 then.

Indeed; my first inclination on seeing that term was to laugh. John, the term is: in-line. A flat(-head) engine is one where the valves are in the block - there might be a few industrial diesel engines of that design still in production.

I would say that the auto might be a reason that it takes longer to 100kph, but you should be able to find the specs somewhere. Even 9.5s isn't too bad for that engine; although you don't say what year it is, which would also make a difference.

FloydR

A flat engine, six or otherwise, is a "boxer" engine, not a sidevalve, where the valves are in the block.

There are a lot of very, very respectable boxer engines out there. Ferarri flat 12, anyone?

I hope this helps.

afaik, boxer engine is something you can find in a porsche. it is like a V engine, only with 180 degree angle between cylinders. (spread V).

Flat head is rather different from flat 6. This refers to an engine with the pistons horizontally opposed. Possibly the most common example was the old VW Beetle. Modern examples are made by Porsche and Subaru.

Unlerss you turn your head 90 degrees to the side. In which case that I6 looks very flat! ;-)

And BMW - but only for R type motorcycles (flat twin)

Tom