Well I took the S420 to lunch the other day. It is definitly slower around town and such. My car is for sure faster at slower speeds. But at high speeds, I think the S might be a bit superior. I once had it up to 125 mph and it was a breeze, rode like a dream. But also like a big sedan, which is not bad though, just different. A powerful feeling, esp with that star soooo far down the hood compared to my C!! Wonderful car.

I drove my mom's Porsche once when they were in Europe, boy I am not very good at a stick. I had only driven someone's 318i stick shift and that was easy. I drove this about a mile or two down the main hwy (PCH) and I stalled it a few times, made a weird smell, a few odd sounds, and decided I should take it home!! I am sure it's wonderful car when driven properly. My mom revs it to 65 mph in 2nd year, she drives crazy in that thing. I don't car for Porsches much though.... It is a silver 911 Carrera.

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2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

david,
New tires need some miles to get settled on the rims. It may occur that the wheels start to shudder after a while and they need to be re-balanced. That is perfectly normal...and that probably causes your 60mph shuddering.

jjrodger,
I have renewed my C250D steering damper once by now. The car has run 365.000km. You can check the steering damper by loosening it on one side and push/pull it a couple of times. If it is rather stiff in pushing and pulling it is still all right.
You will notice when the steering damper is worn...

greetingz,

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1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)

I know this is an old thread, but it really helped me out. I just changed the steering damper in my '95 C220 (87K miles), and it drives wonderfully now. There was a little steering wheel slop that's gone now, and it feels a decent bit more precise when steering. Couldn't have done it without all of the information on this board. Thanks guys.

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98 e430, 55K