Looking at buying S420 or S320, primarily for hwy driving
 

Hello everybody,

I'm looking to buy a 96-98 S320 or S420 for use as my daily driver & mostly highway crusing, so drag racing performance isn't really important. I like cars that you can rev to say 6500 rpm and still have usable power, rather than say a motor that cannot make power above 5500 rpm. In looking at cars I've noticed that the S320 tachs out at 6500 rpm whereas the S420 tachs at 6000.

How much slower is the S320 than the S420?

Best regards
Chris

LAX300D Turbo,

Why would you want a 5000 pound car to rev to 6500 rpm if the intent is predominately drive on the highway.

Power is power ... 2000 rpm would be better than 6000 if one could pack enough power into those 2000 rpm ... problem in doing so is one of weight versus power output ...

I suppose someone could put in a very small V8, very small 6 (V or straight), V or straight 4, etc and get it to rev higher ... don't know why this would be better in any circumstance, except high output from small (read lightweight) engines used in racing circumstances.

I don't get it, sorry.

To determine "quickness", compare power to weight ratios. An S420 has around 275 HP, whereas the S320 has arond 210.

I'd buy the S420...that's a big car for a 6 cylinder to drag around. And I'd bet the mileage penalty is minimal, as under comparable circumstances the inline 6 is working quite a bit harder than the V-8.

Actually, the S320 is rated at 228HP, so you're looking at a ~45HP difference. Torque difference between the two powerplants is probably more significant to your satisfaction in this car, though.

My dad drives a '97 S320, and surprisingly it has decent acceleration. It's actually sounds kinda sporty - I like the way inline sixes have a rip-snarl kind of exhaust note.

I'd take a '97 or later S320 - they have the 722.6 five speed automatic, and this adds a lot of responsiveness to the car. In fact, I might take a later S320 over an earlier V8 with the four speed automatic. Drive both and decide...

Do not over look the fact that DOHC I6/V8/V12 puts out torque down low.... S420 would have 90% of its 295lb-ft coming out around 1500 rpm, all the way up to 4500.....

Do a search on "W140", or "S-Class", and I am sure you can find alot of info...

Andy Kuo

scratching my head....and wondering?

are these W140's considered MB Hot Rods?

tks-fad

Good point, Fad!
 

Why is this here anyway? I'd have to think that you'd need to be considering an S 5.8 or S55 to qualify...