1997 e420 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

robaincltnc · #1 11-23-2002, 08:49 PM

I am considering buying the 97 E420(hopefully sport if I can find one). Please send me your substantiated opinions and stories about the history of your(or your friends) E420. For those of you with 94/95 please let me know what you think too, if you don't mind.
Thanks for your help!

#2 11-23-2002, 09:57 PM

I have a '95 E420 and generally love the car. The corner handling isn't breath-taking (kind of scary at times), but the acceleration and highway touring is amazing. Compared to '97 Lexus LS400 - the Lexus shifted smoother, but V-8 in the E420 is substantially stronger and smoother. The M119 is a great engine and is supposed to have good longevity.

The newer E's (w210's?) have better cornering and seem more nuetral. But, I don't like the 5 spd automatic - seems to downshift more frequently. I've only driven a couple and not for more than 10 miles, so that's just an offhand opinion.

My interior is black and I really prefer the tan and ash interiors, the black makes the car feel smaller on the inside. I have the rear sun-shade; it was a cool gadget at first but it rattles alot over bumps and I seldom use it. I really suggest heated seats - my seats are COLD and send a chill through your body. If your into stereo systems - skip the premium stereo package and just put in your own system later.

Gary Ganaway · #3 11-24-2002, 08:10 AM

I echo John's comments about the 95 E420. Its smooth, solid, and pleasure to drive. Amen to the heated seats, I never had them on any other car but boy you sure get used to them in a hurry and now cannot imagine not having them on any car in the future. I also enjoy the comment, "I like your new car" from those not really "in the know" about Mercedes models and the look on their face when you tell them its a '95

#4 11-24-2002, 02:23 PM

Most people agree - a Mercedes is always a Mercedes and carries the same status or cache regardless of its age. "Oh, you have a Mercedes?!" Many of Mercedes' models have a timeliness design to them (the S class from the 80's and early 90's and the E's [W124]). The 210s also have alot of recognition and it will be a couple of years before the majority of people realize their was a model change this year!

Gary, thanks for the support on the heated seats - I expected to take a lot of heat over that comment! Not to make a pun!

robaincltnc · #5 11-24-2002, 04:39 PM

john and gary,
if you have pictures of your rides..please send them.
Thanks,
rob

blackmercedes · #6 11-24-2002, 04:59 PM

The W210 E420 is a performance sedan! With the five-speed and 2.82 final drive ratio, it's quite quick. Most tests I've seen have the car running very low 6's in the 0-60 dash, right on the heels of the W124 E500.

Also, the comments about the chassis are correct. The W210 is a very good handling car, a step above the W124.

The M119 engine is hands-down one of the best V-8's ever to be shoehorned into a car of any kind. The stock bottom end has been used in 1000+hp racing applications, and is virtually indestructible as long as it gets an oil/filter once in a while.

If it didn't use so much gas (still less than most SUV's though) the E420 W210 car would be very high on my shopping list...

robaincltnc · #7 11-24-2002, 05:01 PM

thanks black,
what kind of mpg can i expect?

blackmercedes · #8 11-24-2002, 05:34 PM

I've heard of folks getting 20-22mpg US in highway use with a very light foot, but I don't think that's a very consistent number.

Our 1995 C36 had a smaller engine, but made similar HP numbers. We got about 16.0L/100km's in combined driving...(that's 15mpg US).

In contrast, my C230 gets about 9.0L/100km's in all city driving, and 7.5L/100km's highway, sometimes better if I manage to keep close to the posted limit... (27mpg/32mpg)

robaincltnc · #9 11-24-2002, 05:40 PM

The original dealer sticker said 18/25..i guess that's going all downhill?

Gary Ganaway · #10 11-24-2002, 06:35 PM

robaincltnc:

Sorry, I dont' have digital cam but hope to soon so I can post picture. By the way, I have averaged 21-22 mpg with mostly in town driving combo interstate and streets, mostly streets. I have hit 24 mpg on one tankful. I just did the 60K service w/ new rotors, dist. cap, plugs and this helped with the mpg. With this engine its hard to hold back since it feels so nice with that acceleration, especially from 60mph and above.

#11 11-24-2002, 08:14 PM

My '95 E420 gets 25 to 27 on highway - cruising at 70-75 mph; running the AC drops the mileage to around 25 mpg on the highway. It loves the highwat.

City is 14 to 17 depending if is just a bunch of short trips (my daily commute to work is 3 miles), so that mileage is really bad. If I'm running an errands and doing more suburban driving, then it's around 16 MPG.

Overall, the car does 18 MPG. Not bad mileage, but the engine requires super unleaded which can add up.

#12 11-25-2002, 08:15 AM

I'll echo most of the others .... in the short time I've had my '97 E420 I've averaged about 20mpg. It does love the open highway and being able to READILY pass someone at 80+ you can understand that the car really begs to be based out west . I drove my Supra cross-country and back this year and really would love to do the same in the Benz.

Bob - Kensington, MD.
1997 E420
1988 Supra (250k OOM)