S320 or E430
 

I'm looking at a 99 S320 w/30k miles and an 02 E430 w/15k. The 02 will probably go for a few thousand more and it seems like the better choice. Both are in excellent condition. Any opinions on which you would choose and why?

IF I could talk my wife into it I'd buy both.

I think its an easy choice - the E430:

- w210 has less maintenance headaches than the w140 (S320)
- fewer miles
- more power with comparable MPG figures
- arguably better safety
- comparable comfort

What more to decide on...

Do you need a large car or a medium size car?

The E430 would be a helluva lot faster than the S320.

Personally, I would go fir the S-Class. Then again, I'm kinda biased (see my .sig) There's just a certain feel about the way they ride that I like. Also the M104 engine in the S320 has a nice growl to it that I really like.

P.S. I'm lucky too because I WAS able to talk my wife into it!:D

Car size doesn't really matter. I would be the main driver and do a lot of 2 hour trips alone. The E class is probably big enough, although my old 126 had a big and comfortable back seat. I'm sure when I have passengers that the 140 would be better, but that's not that often. I've ridden in the back of our 210 wagon and it's OK.

The 210 has rear side air bags and head air bags. The 140 probably has stronger doors / passenger cage (that's a guess on my part). Which is safer - tough choice.

Maintenance wise, both are the last of their model years. The 210 may be easier to work on but I'm sure there is not a lot of room under the hood.

Fuel economy should be close.

I don't know what the fuel economy of the S320 would be, but my E430 averages 19.0 mpg in mixed driving, but I get 25-26 in all freeway driving.

My S320 get around 23-24 MPH on the highway. Not a rocket ship but very capable in normal traffic.

I've always admired the W140, have been almost ready to buy one (a S350 Turbodiesel), but given the weight, the performance will be lacklustre, I'd rather take the E430 :)

~Nautilus

I don't think you can go wrong on either model.

The S320 is slightly more user friendly. Is the car a short or long version?

M.B. Doc - it's the SWB. When you say more user friendly, do you mean to drive or work on (or both)?

Any thoughts on which one offers more protection to the rear seat passengers?

in my opinion...which doesn't mean much....BOTH.

I like recirculating ball steering more than rack & pinion ON that size car.
And that car has a much less complex network of computers & a better sound system!
The M104 engine has a "better" feel to ME, than the newer M112/113's.

I have always loved the ride of the W140! Once they got past the 92-93 model years that is.

Hard to beat a car that weighs almost 1000 lbs more!

Air bags in the rear would offer better side impact protection...but not much as the W140 chassis is much better designed that the W210!

I would go for the S 320, no doubt about it!

Although, I might be strongly biased (the W140 is my favorite car, period).

But realistically, view it this way:

The S-class is top of the line: hence size, ride, comfort, features, materials quality and finishes will be far superior than for an E-class (middle weight). Case in point: just look at the side windows, which one comes with double pane?

Another issue is that the E430 was basically created for the U.S. market (mainly to satisfy the V8 crave of US owners). Hence, the E-class was really not best suited for a V8 (the engine is really cramped in there and it will give you constant heat related problems!).

I'm not talking technical here but I find the S-class successor of W104, W200 is most appealing from the design. The body is so elegant, so aesthetic, almost a piece of art. Even more beautiful than the new W221.

Thats a tough choice, it really depends on what you prefer. The W140 is a better built car than the W210, but its an older design as well.

Personaly I'd go with the S320, but I like the S class more.