E320 versus C-class

Hi all,

This is somewhat premature, but I like to do my research early. I plan on getting another preowned MB in about 2 years. I can afford to spend in the $20,000-$25,000 range. My mechanic is recommending an e320 but I've been thinking about a c230 or c 280. I figure I can get a newer/lower mileage C-class for that money. I'm very willing to sacrifice luxury for potential longetivity. My main goal is to get an MB I can hold onto for 8-10 years if possible. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Rick
91 190e 2.6

[Bill Wood]

I agree with your mechanic...

If I had to make this choice I would go with the E320 or even an E420 if you can.
I think the build quality of the W124 is excellent and both the M104 and M119 engines are bullet proof.
Find one of these that has never been wrecked and that has books & records. Pay a good Mercedes Tech to check it out for you. These cars have a timeless design and will last a very long time.
The C230 is underpowered unless it has the supercharger. The C280 and C230K are fun to drive but don't seem to be constructed from the same quality materials as the W124.

...just my $.02


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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

Bill,

As always your response was right on the mark, however, rickh may be talking about a 210 E320 rather than the late 124 E320.

rickh, which one are you asking about, the '96 and later or the '95 and earlier?

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

[engatwork]

Larry, for that price range he has got to be talking about the 124. I just purchased a '95 E320 with around 81k miles and I absolutely love it ($23.5k including tax). Prior to the purchase I test drove a C series 4 cylinder that was around '97/98 year model and the E320 made the C class ride like a truck.
I have a 33 mile drive to work (two red lights, two lane all the way) and I am getting right at 26mpg, which I think I can live with for awhile.

In addition, I have been reviewing the way things look under the hood and it looks like it will be easier to maintain than the Hondas and Toyotas that I have owned over the past 20 years. You can look at the design/engineering involved and you can tell a difference between the Japanese cars and the German cars as far as ease of getting to stuff.

Thanks for the input guys. I wouldn't be looking to buy for a couple more years, so I figure I'd probably be looking at a '97 e320 in that range in 2002-2003. Does that change much? Are the pre-96's better?

Rick

[Bill Wood]

I have owned a W124 300E, W124 E420 and W210 E430. All are GREAT cars however...

I think the W210 E320 build quality is slightly better than the W202 C-Class but, not quite as good as the W124.

As far as the "feel" of the cars is concerned the W124 and W202 are somewhat similar in handling. The W210 feels bigger...closer to an S-Class than a W124.
If you lean toward luxury and room go for the 210. If you want a sportier feel go for the 124 or 202.



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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

[J.HIDALGO]

I know is kind of early but,since you are in the subject and, you are not going to buy for a couple of years. You may consider this. I read that the 2001 "C" class will be bigger (inside) and have a much better engine than the current "C" class. It looks like a "S" class, from the pictures I'd seen so far. It is suppose to come out in september this year and the price would be about the same as the current models. Any comments?
J.H.
86 300e

[unkl300d]

yup, you are right about the 2001 c class
Btwn the c and e320, i'd go for the e-320
or e-420. c class is fun but the e is nicer.
Or you can try tea leaves to see the future !
cheers

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1979 300D
133K miles
1989 300SE
1995 C280

[Arthur Dalton]

quote:

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Originally posted by unkl300d:.
Or you can try tea leaves to see the future !
cheers

[/B]

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Dealer Item ???