E420 vs. E320 – an expensive mistress? Is reliability about the same between the two?

[RunningTooHot]

It is not my intention to start a controversial thread - I would value the input from everyone regarding their experiences with late model year 124 chassis cars. Specifically, I am wondering if there is a significant difference in the reliability of, as well as the costs to maintain, operate, and repair a 1994 or 1995 E320 vs. an E420. I am aware of the recurring head gasket problems with the six cylinder engines, as well as the wiring harness issues with both cars. Other than those two issues, are there any other significant idiosyncrasies or differences between the two that I should watch out for?

If it matters, the reason I am asking is that I am seeking a replacement for my elderly fathers 1989 300E which was totaled a few weeks ago. I have found a beautiful one owner, original paint, impeccably (dealer) maintained E420 with about 85,000 miles on it. The owner had one of those extended seven-year 100,000 mile warranties and he has a stack of service records almost an inch thick. I am wondering about all the various repairs that have been done -- I am wondering if the dealer was merely taking advantage of the extended warranty by being ‘overly diligent’, or conversely if perhaps an E420 is actually an expensive mistress as compared to the E320. I recognize that the only major difference is the engine, but what else?

Any thoughts on this matter be greatly appreciated -- I have to either jump on this car very quickly, or just pass on it and wait to find the equivalent condition E320.

Thanks everyone!

RTH

[JCE]

Before I bought my C230 (long story), I was searching for a w124 400/420. I talked over the w124 series with my tech, and he felt the V8 engines were very strong. He favored 94/95 V8s as the r134 AC was a non-issue, and the wiring harness issues were fairly well cleared up. I wound up with my brothers 98 C230 thru a deal just to good to pass up, but if I had found the car you are describing before I bought the C....! I would put a refundable deposit, talk to the dealer that had done the service, (what kind of repairs in the inch thick stack?) pay for a second evaluation at a great independent or a dealer with a good reputation. Ask them to evaluate it to see if it would be a Starmark if they were selling it as part of your evaluation process. If you like what you hear, go for it. Lots of power, nearly the same gas mileage as the E320, outstanding brakes, and an armored tank body in event of a collision.

[ke6dcj]

Although I have neither engines directly, I do have "sisters" of both cars.

Our 1988 300TE has a 1995 C36 engine which is the same engine in the E320 (M104) but bored & stroked to 3.6-liters.

Also, our 1993 500E, has essentially the same engine (M119) as the E420, again bored & storked.

From all the techs I've spoke to, the M119 V8 is virtually bullet-proof if you remember to change the oil & fluids & filters often.

The E320 needs to be revved in order to extract the HP & torque, the E420's M119 V8 makes so much torque down low, that you don't need to rev it, which als means better gas mileage for the same performance. Mash the accelerator, and you get even better performance, fuel economy suffering of course.

Both are reliable, and fairly inexpensive to maintain.

The M104 engine with HFM ignition does not have a rotor or cap to replace.
The M119 engine has TWO rotors and TWO Caps to replace, and two air filter elements.

Both use cartridge type oil filters, the same fuel & power-steering filter, and essentially the same spark plugs (6 vs 8 @ $2.50/each).

If I had to do it again, I'd put in a M119 engine into our wagon.

Go for the E420 if it is the same or better than the E320 you're looking at.

Good luck,
:-) neil

RTH,

My personal experience with these two cars with regard to reliability is in my sig .

The V8 cars, however, should come with an addiction warning. As I came closer to the time to get out of the '94, I drove several cars as potential replacements. None satisfied. I came to realize that having all of that power under my right foot had changed the way I drive and that other cars would not allow it.

So now, I think that I am doomed to drive V8 Mercedes cars for the rest of my life. I guess there are worse fates .

A couple of weeks ago, I had to drive my wife's Saturn. I started down an on-ramp and saw that, in order to merge, I needed some more speed. I found that when I engaged the kickdown, it didn't get faster, just louder .

I have great respect for the 6cyl. version but the 4.2L E-Class car is the bomb IMHO.

Best Regards,

Maintenance is key! My wifes 420 has about 77k on it and no problems except the O2 sensor is bad. The 320 is sweet machine but the 420 is a mean machine. MB has been making v8's for over 30 years so they have it down pretty good. BMW has only been doing it for about 10 and they seem to be reliable too. Therefore with triple the time under their belt, it is proven technology.

[LaRondo]

Originally Posted by Bigshot

Maintenance is key! My wifes 420 has about 77k on it and no problems except the O2 sensor is bad. The 320 is sweet machine but the 420 is a mean machine. MB has been making v8's for over 30 years so they have it down pretty good. BMW has only been doing it for about 10 and they seem to be reliable too. Therefore with triple the time under their belt, it is proven technology.

Heya!

I know, I'm about 5 years late with my response, but still I need to set this straight about BMW's 'time under the belt' for building V8's. Check out the website, nice pics.

BTW, the rumor goes that chancellor Adenauer in the 50's chose the 300 SEL over the 'Barockengel' because he was able to get into the MB with his hat on....

1955 BMW 502 V8 "Barockengel"

http://www.classiccars.de/Oldyrent/plz2/images/26919.htm

[benzsu]

I had a 86 300E which was my first Bnez, I loved everything about it. About a year ago my 300E was totalled. I couldn't decide which car to replace the 300E, finally I decided to get the 94 E420. You will get better performance on the E420 but not by much. The 300E is a very capable car on the streets. Every time you puch on it. you'll get instant acceleration. With the E420, you don't want to race on the streets. They are both different animals. Like an earlier post states, the 6 cylinder revs higher. A good example between the two car when be making the light in an intwersection when the light is yellow. The 300E that I had will always make the light, but with the E420 the light turns red before my car can completely cross it. Don't get me wrong the E420 is not slower, but in certain situations the 300E is faster. The E420 rear differential is geared for better fuel economy that is why I think it's slower on the streets . On the freeway the E420 will eat up the 300E. The perfect car for both street and highway performance would be the 500E. Overall I like the E420 better because of the fuel economy and the power it has on the highway over the 300E. Use the E420 for commuting and my 97 S500 on weekends. the S500 is faster then the E420 even though it's a lot heavier, but the fuel economy sucks. So to answer your question, get the E420, repairs will cost more but hey it's a Benz. There are no cheap Benzs. Oh yeah, if you feel that you need more performance on the streets, just change the rear differentials for better street performance. Ther are a few people that have gone that route here in this forum.

[LaRondo]

Howdy!

A V8 will always give you more torque @ lower RPMs, you keep the inline 6 between 2000 and 3000 RPMs you will get a nice response way into the 5000s. A stock V8 will hardly do that.

It's just like Apples and Oranges. Both taste great

Thanks