I have a 1995 E420 and love the car. MY last car was a 1988 BMW 735i 5-speed (a VERY rare car in the u.s.a.), and I like the Mercedes better.

The engine feels like a turbine - smooth and effortless acceleration. The gearing is a bit too shallow (2.24 rear end), but I'm planning to fit a 400SE rear differential to correct this (2.65 ratio).

I had to replace the evaporator 3 months after I bought the car ($2100), but other than a few small items like the aux. fan resistor, stop light switch, and now the antenna, no major problems.

I get about 20MPG in crappy Wash. DC bumper-to-bumper traffic (1-1/4 hours for my 24 mile commute), and about 25 on the highway.

I'm surprised how well the car is holding up as it approaches 10 years old. The quality of the interior materials is apparent - it looks new.

If you can get a good specimen for $8-9K, figure $1K for the differential conversion, you'll have a reliable rocket for around $10K. Figure $1.5K per year for maintenance (any 10 year old car worth driving should run about this).

Hope this helps,
Troy K.
1995 E420 85k