I mistakenly posted this initially in the diesel area. Sorry.

I am now in the market for a late model (after early quality problems) W140. They just look so darn good! As a break from my personal need to smell jet fuel, I am gonna go gasoline vice diesel this time.

I would consider either L6, V6, or 420 (gas) but would appreciate hearing from those that have each kind ... specifically, what kind of maintenance issues have you had, what kind of gas mileage do you get, are you bothered by lack of power (in case of 6's), etc.

Thanks in advance!

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George Stephenson
1991 350 SDL (200K and she ain't bent, yet)
former 2002 E320 4Matic Wagon - good car
former 1985 300 CD - great car
former 1981 300 TD - good car
former 1972 280 SEL - not so good car
a couple of those diesel Rabbits ...40-45 mpg

I am satisfied with ML320 I purchased. It doesn't pin you in the seat when you floor it, but then, I didn't buy it for that purpose (that's what the SL is for).

It's smooth enough for the highway and can get out of the way when you need it too, just not with a lot of authority. If you're looking to tow with your SUV, look towards the V8 versions.

Haven't had any problems so far with the drivetrain...also, it doesn't have many miles either.

I suspect the head gasket failures that were prone on the M103 and M104 series motors (like my 300E) were a combination of the different metals of the mating surfaces (block and head) combined with the large surface area of the L6. Thermal expansion is more of an issure because of those two factors.

The V6 and V8 have less surface area on each bank of cylinders so the head gasket threat is averted in that case.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

W140 = 1992 - 1999 S-Class

Uh...ooops, I knew that.

Just saw it posted in the SUV forum, so I replied...VERY BLINDLY...doh!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Slow from a stop, but wonderful on the why. The 99 S420 was very slow from a stop, much slower than my C280, but on the why, it hawled @ss! I have to go, i'll reply more later.

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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!)