E320 or E430?
 

I have narrowed my search for a sedan to these 2 models.
I currently have one of each ready to be purchased.
One is black, the other white.
Which one should I buy?:confused:
Seriously, I wish it was that easy.
They both have excellent service histories.
Both are fully optioned, clean and drive flawlessly.
Both are '99 models and prices are only $2k difference.
Is there anything I should know about either model beyond the obvious (430 will eat more gas)?
I plan to do as much of my own work as I have tools for.

Thanks in advance for your input.

I'd say E55 or E500. If you decided for V8 take the larger engine 500 not the stupid 430! Otherwise go for 320 that sucks.

That wasn't the question. Those are two perfectly good engines, overpowered for most drivers. They are of the same family of engines and have many of the same strengths and weaknesses. The 430 has more power, a little more maintenance cost and a little less gas mileage. I don't think you really need us - it's not a big deal either way. If it was me I'd just go on the condition of the car. If equal and you can't personally justify the additional expenditure there's no reason to make it.

If you turn your own wrench an inline 6 is allot easier to work on than a shoehorned V8.

#1 criteria should be miles and condition
I would get the best condition lowest miles I could find
You'll learn to like the color after that.
Of course getting the color you want + low miles and great condition is the best of all worlds.
Are you sure you like Black & White?
I wouldn't get either of those colors .

Could be true but a 99 E320 is a V6.

From experience a white car is much easier to keep clean. If that happens to be the E320 I'd opt for it. The E320 has plenty of power and will get better gas mileage than the E430. Per our local indie it will be less expensive to maintain also.

I stand corrected, I thought the V6 came some time in the 2000s.

" STUPID 430 or SUCKY 320 ..."

Good Technical info to know .

Thanks, PHD.

The first year of the V6 in the W210 and W202 was 1998.

The W140 s class cars kept the M104 straight 6 until they ended in 1999.

W124 did not have a V6...
 

but MB did start dropping those into W210's in 1998 for US consumption.

Well, this went off topic, sort of.

But thanks for the input (especially the E55/E500 comment, I lost sleep over that one;)).

I opted for the E320 in black livery based on fuel efficiency and cost of maint.

Mileage was comparable as was condition.

Happy so far...gotta change my sig.

I would look for a 2000 model year or newer, there were some nice changes like taillights and other visual things that make 2000+ look nicer:)