Thanxs for the info, up in Delaware/Philly area, there are alot of small roads where I take delight in the driving a car at its max thrugh the twists. On the highway, I love when a car handles a 4-lane change at the slightest ease. I am truly a nimble-minded guy but love the power. The C43 has 4k miles on it while the 94 E500 has 42k miles on it. The only problem is that when Winter time comes around, we are going to have a couple of problems. When it snows even the lightest, we get an icy mix due to the hill-like terrain in our area. I just wanted to know is the ASR as effective as today's ESP. I remember we bought our 93 190E 2.6 during the blizard if 93 and when nobody wanted a RWD car. We tested both the ASR and non-ASR 2.6 and didn't find to much of a difference except that the ASR version applied the brakes earlier then you would. Once the ASR kicks in though, it was relatively too late. The ESP worked much better but it still isn't a 4wd car. We really don't want to be driving these vehicles in winter-like conditions, but it doesn't snow that much around here. I don't see a need to have to have a spare car like we did with the 190E. I have driven a C43 before, but not an E500/500E yet. I liked the V8 power but It just didn't feel any quicker then an M3. The C43 felt powerful but it also felt like it was trying hard to keep up with an M3. While driving an M3 it felt like it enjoyed racing and didn't feel overworked. That was when we compared the M3 and C43 side-by-side courtesy of the Dealer who had a used 98 M3 sedan (auto) traded in (for an E55 too.)

But the car really isn't mine (I wish it were) but rather my dads. He likes to cruise at high speeds (80-90) and isn't as much of a handling geek as I am. He would rather enjoy fast 0-60s w/o (no brkae stances for him though) and beat the pants off a vette, Jag, Caddy, or Bimmer. He likes the creture comforts that a car has inside and functionality is very important to him. I believe that is why an E500 would better suit his needs. The only thing is he is tired of the less-modern (I am going to say boxy for the lack of a better word) of the w124 and w201. For that matter he doesn't like the w202 as much as the new w220 (which he is still on the waiting list for) and I am wondering he just might be better off in an S-class then an E500.

He was interested enough to call me and let me know of the offers on the 2 cars and he has become impatient on waiting for the S-class V12 to come out. My mom is starting to get use to the ML430, and isn't complaining as much about it. So I think she is happy with that and isn't going for a new C-class anymore.

With that said we have 2 cars and 3 (my folks and me when I am off college this summer, then I will have up here in DC for the rest of the years) drivers and Someone is getting a new car. I want to sell the 190E and move into something a little more "daring" and am seriously considering a used 96+ M3 (thay wanted to know if I would be happy with the Company Truck, me in a F350 Super Duty Crew Cab do not mix ) with a 5-speed manual. Right now, everybody knows what they want, it just depends on how soon the delear gets their S600 in stock.

If he doesn't get the S600 this summer I think he might go after that E500. Who knows, wait and see I guess.

Thanxs for the input.

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
- had a 93 190E m103 3.2, 5-speed trans,
- had a 88 300E 2.6
- had a 84 300TD w/275k+ miles
- 2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells)