Good Afternoon:

Hoping some Benz enthusiasts can help me decide which series/year to purchase. This will be a second car and want a 4DR sedan.

Here are my perameters:

Absolutely love the S Class, but understand the E Class is equally good.
Anything 2002 or later
Want to stay under $14K if possible.

Currently eyeing an '02 430S with low miles (gas). Great ride. Any pitfalls? Servicing nightmares? What about neumatic systems in these?

Thanks!

I would buy one of the last few years of the 210 chassis E Class. You are always way better off buying one of the last years of production of any chassis, as all the bugs have been worked out and they have value-added everything they are going to. E320 or E430, depending on how big of a hurry you are in. These versions (210 version) of the 4Matics are fine too, if you want AWD. Last year for the 210 was 2002 IIRC.
Gilly

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Faint praise indeed.

personnally i love the late 80's s class 420/560

just bought a 560 for my queen...she fought me tooth and nail....i won...she's in love with it...

all except the 5.6 litre v-8 which eats fuel....

the 4.2 liter v-8 in the s class 420 does better on mileage and has a larger fuel tank(126 body 4 dr)

lyle

I think the 2004 E320 is about as good as they get. If you search on that here you will find relatively few trouble reports. But may be a hair above your price limit.

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra