True about the fact that as time passes the resale values on the C230 and the C280 will come closer and closer. But, an interesting twist is that there will be a point in time that the C230 will actually be worth MORE than the C280 in the used car market (considering that both cars are in very similar shape).

The S-Class W140 it is right now suffering an interesting phenomenon in Germany and most countries where big and thristy engines are avoided: a similar condition/model year/mileage S320 is MORE EXPENSIVE than an S430/S500. And this weird occurence happens even taking into account that usually an S430/S500 is much better equipped than an S320.

As times passes by, things gets much worse: just look in the trade and confirm that a W126 300SE/SEL, no mattter what condition or shape, will get more money than a same model year 560SE/SEL.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995