IMHO, no. Speed isn't everything. The only place you can safely use a 400E/500E is at a track.

What appeals to me MORE would be a 220D, where I could keep my foot planted to the floor all day on the highway and never worry about the law. Since it is a challenge to drive slower cars, that would be neat!

I'm his wife and he is not allowed to sell it..........

WOW! My wife would love it if I were to sell off some of my cars.

Ooops. Sorry guys. My wife busted me on the forum and had to put her $.02 in. She only *****es about the Subaru. She loves the dune buggy. Pokes fun at my 5 motorcycles. But loves the BENZ!!!!!

I hope I can find myself a woman with that much sense!!! I always say subarus are dike cars. :D

I'm with dslbnz on the speed isn't everything though. My car is a turtle, but it does just fine for normal street driving. The only time I wish I had more power is merging on the highway and in heavy traffic. There are points when making a turn that IF I had a faster car I could have gone 5 times... where my poor baby can barely get out of her own way.

But I still love a fast car!!! I someday hope to own a '92 500E black on black... upgrade the ECU... maybe even put a kleeman in it...

Don't bang on the Soob! This is my fifth one and I can't say anything bad about them. This one has 241,000 miles. I replaced the tranny and put oil pump and water pump on her. That is it!!! (other than normal maint) I wouldn't be afraid to drive her anywhere. They just seem to rot from under you though.

Hi.

Source:http://www.peachparts.com/400e.htm
The Mercedes 4.2 liter M119.975 engine displaces 4196cc or 256.1 cubic inches and produces 275 horsepower @5700rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque @3900 rpm.3660lbs.


Source:http://home.concepts.nl/~vlimmere/index2.HTM
560SEL/SEC 5,547cc, 96.5 x 94.8mm, V8-cyl OHC, type M117, Bosch fuel injection, 300bph at 5,000rpm; 325lb.ft at 3,750rpm (non-US models). 272bhp at 5,000rpm; 307lb.ft at 3,750rpm (US-models).3870lbs.

Yes the w124 is 210lbs lighter but only has 3hp more
than the w126,which has more torque at lower rpm.

If it was me making the choice I would choose the 560SEC
just because for looks,it just looks fast,sleek and sexy.
And nice light alloy rims would bring down the weight
difference.
But that is just me.

Louis.

I went from one of the fastest cars in the world to one of the slowest... from a 2002 Corvette Z06 to an 83 240D. I liked my Vette a lot and it would blow the doors off of a 400E or 500E, but after one year of ownership I got so used to the power that it was no longer exciting me. Now I'm totally hooked on my "slow" diesels and I've been like that for nearly two years.

That quote on the M117, that must've been taken from w126.com.:p

What Mercedes puts down in their owner's manual is different.

The 560 has 238 hp and 287 lb/ft of torque. Its weight is approximately 4200 lbs in US trim. It can still pull 0.78 G on a 300' skidpad with 205/65/R15 tires. SO THERE all you W140 loving fanatics! I believe the W140 had a skidpad of 0.74. The W126's overall grip is equivalent to the new W220. Although the bodyroll would make you think otherwise.

That being said, I still believe the 560 really has 272 hp like you said. They were definitely underrated.

I find it VERY hard to believe the 560 SEL weighs under 4000 lbs.!!!!!!!!!!!!

That might be true. I have a consumer guide from 1982 and it notes the curb weight of a 380 SEL and 300 SD at 3780, the same weight as a 300TD. The 300DT comes it at a whopping 3585.

The door sill plate on my car reads 4800lbs. (not GVW) I think that is more like it.

You can't argue with the sill plate.:D