93 400e or 95 e420
 

Any thoughts on which one to own?

Let's just say condition is equal for the money

Purely a matter of which one looks better to you. I prefer the 94/95 look - looks a little more modern, and I also think they have a little higher resale value.

Go for the Face-Lift or you will kick yourself ever after........:)

..plus you get the good lighting.

Both cars equal in condition and price, I'd take the '95.

The 1994-95 also use a dust filter for the heating/ a-c systems.

I was just there ...
 

In December I purchased the 1995 E420.

Did lots of research and found - da - the guts are the same

Here are some examples
Performance (published in magazines)
Year Make & Model (0-60) (1/4 Mile)
1995 Mercedes-Benz E420 (auto) 7.1 15.3
1993 Mercedes-Benz 400E 7.2 15.4
1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E 7.6 15.8

Model Year Chassis # Engine #
Manufacture information
400E 1992-93 124.034 119.975
E420 1994-95 124.034 119.975

:P

It strikes me as odd that the 1992 400E has the slowest times, yet it is the year with the most horsepower.

1992 had less stringent smog regulations, and allowed fuel enrichment at WOT (wide open throttle).

It is for this same reason that 1992 500E's are slightly more powerful than 1993 500E's / 1994 E500's.

Many of the guys on 500E.com are putting in chips from 1992 models in their 1993 and 1994 cars.

To top that off, my mechanic states that you can "chip" a 400E but not an E420. You might want to do homework on that statement if you're interested - I don't know if it's true or not.

Go for the one with the looks that appeal to you. For me, it's the 94/95's.
Both are going to vex you with the same problems.
Both are going to thrill you in other ways.
The 94/95's do have better lighting, and as Doc mentioned, cabin filters (which you might want to replace right away - since many don't know they have them)

Backwards - 92 400E was 268 hp, others were 275.

I'd go with the E420.