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.

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07 E350 4Matic wagon, 06 S430 4Matic, 99 SLK 230
retired W210 (x3), W124, W126

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...

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Daily Driver: 02 E430 4MATIC
In the family: '03 E500 // '04 ML500 // 64 220SE

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

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

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

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!

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"It's not about how fast you can go, but how well you can go fast."

Bob in Richmond

'97 S320 (LWB), Ruby Red Metallic, 73k miles
'97 S420V, Smoke Silver Metallic, 155k miles

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.

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07 E350 4Matic wagon, 06 S430 4Matic, 99 SLK 230
retired W210 (x3), W124, W126

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.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

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

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1990 260E Sportline (that's 300E 2.6 for our American friends) -> sold
2001 E320 4Matic Elegance -> my Dad's daily drive
2005 Seat Leon FR 1.8T

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?

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

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?

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07 E350 4Matic wagon, 06 S430 4Matic, 99 SLK 230
retired W210 (x3), W124, W126

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!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

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!).

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

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.

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1996 E320 since 1/16/08, 171K miles as of Feb 2011

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1989 300CE - R.I.P. Dec 29 2007
Other MBs (sold): 1992 300E-24 - 1979 350SLC - 1984 230E - 1990 300CE

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.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200