Go with the W210. The W211 is a great but from 03-06 they where known for many issues. 2004 being the worst year for the W211.

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2015 ML350 4Matic. Wifes DD
2015 GLK350 4Matic. My winter DD
2012 E350 4Matic. Road Trip car
2009 CLK350 Coupe Designo.Kleemann Tune For nice days/DD
2006 CL600. V12.Eurocharged Tune. Enough said
2005 CLK55 AMG Coupe.Kleemann Tune. For the sound and style
2004 CLK320 Cabriolet. 2005+ Interior swap. For the sunny Florida days & beach days

Sorry, they were dead reliable beginning 2005.

SBC on ours has zero problems.

With the 210 you get a failed intrument cluster and rust problems.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

My neighbor tells me they turned the corner in 2007. And I'm not sure what you mean by "failed instrument cluster". A small number have burned pixels, but they are easily fixed.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I have 2000 E320 wagon. The car looks reliable, but I think that biggest issue for this model is rust. I have fixed rusted spots on trunk lid and one more came recently under trunk lid window seal (I guess that better solution would be replacing whole trunk lid panel). On last weekend I replaced front springs and found rust spot in spring perch/top mount. It is kind of dangerous location and I'm going to fix it ASAP.
For unknown reason Mercedes zincifying only 75% body and cover it by warranty only for 4 years/50 000 miles.

I would advice before buying S210 very carefully check car's body on rust spots. If you are DIY'er then all other problems will be looks like nothing in comparison with body works.

Most popular rust places are spring perches/top mounts, trunk lid, door window frames (check it under seal) and door's sheet metals under trim.