I am seriously considering an E430 Sport to replace our aging (not so gracefully) BMW 740iL. The literature from MB suggests that the E sport is little more than different wheels/tires and some body cladding. Having driven it and a standard 430 the same day the sport seems much better tied down. Is there something MB is not telling me? The tires are even the same size 235/45-17, could tires make that much difference? By the way the BMW has 88k miles on the M60 engine and is running rough, the dealer claims it passes the engine tests and can find no reason for its condition. I know these engines lose compression due to nikasil deterioration, I am not pleased and am dumping the car. My '90 Gwagen by comparison with 86k just completed a 3000+ mile trip including over 150 miles OFF-ROAD with nary a faulter, this fact is making the switch to an MB much easier.

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90 300GE 5sp
95 740iL
86 944 Turbo

There isn't one damn difference in the Sport vs. Non-sport. Only cars that had a different suspension were the W202, W201, and W124.

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E
Euro Headlights
94/95 Turn Signals and Taillights
16" x 7J 8-hole Euro-only (Authentic MB)
Michelin Pilot HX MXM 205/55VR16
Sportline Suspension
Debadged

Okay folks,
I've done some research on this myself in the parts ID catalogs...as far as I can tell the only *functional* difference is the more aggressive wheel/tire upgrade. If you wish to upgrade your W210 suspension then go to the E55 suspension conversion. (which we have available in PartsShop should anyone be interested...in addition to the sportline conversions for W124's and W201's)

Klein, just curious, what is the source for your information?

Lee