Here's the skinny on the 210:

- The '96 and '97 model years used the m104.xxx engine. The wiring harness issues appear to have been resolved these years, but there is certainly the possibility of a head gasket failure. In my family we had a 97 w140 with the m104 that got a fresh head gasket early in life.

- the '96 model year only used the 722.3 four speed automatic.

- the '97-onward model years used the 722.6 five speed automatic.

So you can get a 210 with straight six and four speed tranny, with straight six and five speed tranny, or v6 and five speed tranny - those are the choices (excluding diesels, v8, etc.).

The m112 v6 seems to be a lower risk proposition than the m104. It doesn't have head gasket problems. It doesn't have an EGR tube that clogs and needs to be cleaned or replaced. It has 5 year/100K mile platinum spark plugs. It has the same power as the m104, a flatter torque curve, gets better fuel economy, and pollutes less. Just make sure the harmonic balancer has been updated, and you're good to go. Pretty much a no-brainer choice, IMHO.

- JimY