I'd like to share my opinions on these vehicles, I'll keep it short, kind of.

Advantages of 300SDL.


Gas pedal feel - Much more precise and tactile feeling gas pedal, the minute control is extremely satisfing. Your foot is cruise control, stop and go acceleration is smooth, adding on power is predictable. The 2000 E320 Wagon's gas pedal feels numb, stop and go acceleration is "surgy" and "on/off", I absolutely hate it.


The OM603 has a smoother lower power band, than the M112.


Steering feel - The 300SDL has far more road feel and tension, as a result I can stay centered in the lane much easier. The huge steering wheel and heavy steering makes it far more engaging.. The E320 feels numb even though it's more sensitive.


Brake feel - 300SDL has slightly softer brakes but they're FAR more engaging, responsive, and precise. The E320's brakes are firmer but feel more " vague" in terms of feel.


Ergonomics - The 300SDL imo is overall better, the steering wheel is a little higher, the gauge cluster seems a little higher (or maybe I'm positioned a little lower). The overall driving experience is better.
The E320 has far easier accessible accessories (AC, Head Lights, Radio etc ), but the overall driving position is worse imo.


Comfort - I think the W126 is honestly smoother riding, and the seats on the 300SDL are LEAGUES ahead of the seats on the E320. I don't mind long rides in the W126, it's actually relaxing.

Advantages of E320 wagon


Handling - HOLY MOLY this thing can WEAVE! You can be a menace on the highway with lane changes, (I did once, just to see what it could do, traffic ahead was cleatr), I've gone around the bends at terrible speeds lets just say that and it showed no signs of "loosing it".


The 300SDL's tires screech constantly when pushed hard onto the highway onramp, the E320 eats it up.
Pot hole dodging is a BREEZE, and best of all, NO BODY ROLL.

Power/Engines - It's peppy, you can drive fast if you so choose, passing power is POTENT.( Even still I grandma the car with 1,700rpm - 1,800rpm upshifts to save fuel)
Toss up - E320 has a whisper quite M112 engine - The M112 is a gasser so it's quieter by default, but at the same time I love the OM603 diesel clatter. Also, the M112 sounds cool at start up, something about the sound is satisfing. If I had to choose one, it would be the OM603.

To long didn't read - Call me crazy, but I think the Gen 2 W210 feels less refined than the Gen W126 2. So much so I'm contemplating flipping the wagon, and buying either one CLEAN W124's or 2 W126's. I don't like modern cars at all.

How do you guys feel?

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

You need seat time in a sorted 140.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

If i'm lucky, I'm going to buy a non running W140 with electrical issues. Thankfully the seller says NO ONE wants it because it's electrical AND a Mercedes.

I think I'll be able to solve it. Recently helped a friend with a dead cylinder, found out ground side switched signal wire was open, no need for plugs, wires, injectors or Lord knows what else a random parts monkey would have thrown at him. I know that's easy stuff but I'm getting there.


Only catch is, car has been sitting, for 5 years.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Those W126 cars have really soft suspension. The body roll is INSANE. But they're also fun to throw the tail out and control a spin in snowy weather(if you get used to it). The E-Class sedans will always snap at you. Yeah, I love the control you get in the W210. Ever invoke Brake Assist? Try to dodge a deer? They're awesome. Even better than the W211 E320 I drove(which feels more W126'ish in being soft and heavy).

Only thing the 300SDL needs is more power from its stock form. And the engine is plenty capable of that feat. Needs to be brought up to modern standards.

__________________
1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

Is that a characteristic of the engine or transmission? Your foot figures out the 722.3 and the rest falls in line. The 722.6 is always trying to figure you out even when your foot is still. But overdrive is oh so welcome.

The 603 and 112 are low to no maintenance engines. Sure the 112 has 12 plugs but they go as long as 603 plugs. The belt tensioner isn’t great on either engine but easier to service in the 112 (mind your fingers!).

I have to think more 126 parts are NLA leaving us with questionable quality replacements.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 sedan and wagon

M112 and M113 are the most reliable lowest maintainance gas engines MB ever produced. The only thing that annoys me about it is MB never fitted an oil pressure sensor to it it even low oil pressure switch.

__________________
CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Decided NOT to get the W140, it's too beat up,cracked windshield, deteriorated body seals, OLD fluids/fuel, rough interior and exterior.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Nor the OM606 in the W210. The port is there in the filter tower, but it’s plugged

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

As tolerances get tighter, the amount of time from pressure loss to alert to reaction means the engine is gone before you can do anything about it.

It costs MB less to replace the few engines that fail from oil pressure loss than to fit every engine with an oil pressure sensor.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320s wagon

I'm actually working on a solution for that on my 97 E300 with parts I had laying around.

Check this out. M113k fails from low oil pressure
https://youtu.be/lUAB7lKoIt0

Replacement 113k shows same O ring failure, needs rebuild.
https://youtu.be/_TG9Und29dI

How to install a pressure gauge on the m112/m113.
https://youtu.be/XApz7pzbG6M

After the om606 I'll be doing the the m112 in my c320 as well.

__________________
CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Good to hear, my mother is considering one... she misses driving a Mercedes, and

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

You are really comparing apples to oranges here. They are 2 very different cars.