Should I get the 1995 E320/E420 or 97 E420

[EricSilver]

I am eventually going to get my second M-B and am unsure whether to stick with the W124 or go with the W210.

I am very familiar with the 124 and the consensus in this forum is that the 124's handle better. I also do not want an overly electronic car.

If I get the 124, the E320 Cab or E420 will be my choice. If the 210, I want the E420 for all the good things I hear about it.

Any good thoughts from anyone?

[okc329]

It's not overly loaded with electronics and if it's been taken care of, the engine is like they don't make anymore. I think the E series went down hill starting in 2000. Some people like the 430 engine that was used in 1998 and a few years afterwards but it's not the same as that M119.

[deanyel]

I think you just have to get out and drive them. If it's not clear to you that the 210 is a better car - get a 124. 124s have a better steering feel, not rack and pinion, and they are a little less complicated to work on. The later 119 motors also had plastic oil return tubes but lost the distributor caps and rotors.

[Benz300]

well the 300E is def. going to be a better driver than the 260E. i feel the 260E is underpowered.
but the w210 from what I've read in this forum is less problematic than the w124.

you guys are all so lucky. You daren't go above a 2.0L engine in Ireland as they just crucify you for tax and insurance. The tax on a 2.0L car is $665 and anything from 3.0L onwards is $1,500 per year. The insurance for a 33 yr old on a 2.0L is about $1,000 for myself per annum and it goes up by about 10% per every 100cc thereafter. We are also paying $1.21 per LITRE of petrol. It costs me about $70 to fill the tank on my 200TE merc or 520i BMW not to mention the cost of buying a car in the first place. Did you know that the average price at the moment for a 2000 E200 Mercedes is $36,300 privately.

I don't know why i still live here......

[EricSilver]

I am leaning heavily towards the 97 E420 for all around value and utility. I will also seriously consider the 97 E320 since its engine/transmission etc. are similar or identical to the W124’s, and I won’t have to learn a whole new system.

Benz 300, I wouldn’t say the 260E is underpowered for day to day driving. My only issue, which I am addressing in another thread, is a one to two second lag in acceleration. Other than that, it is a nimble, fast-enough car.

Also, to address Margey’s comments, it is pretty fuel efficient, giving me 440 highway miles per thankful (without using the reserve) which comes to about 29/30 mpg – same as a 4-cyl Toyota Camry I drove for a few months.

Margey, we are indeed lucky to have such “cheap” fuel (though at $2.50+ per gallon, many would dispute its cheapness) and equally cheap cars. I am curious; have fuel prices in Ireland increased much in the past two or three years?

[deanyel]

Originally posted by EricSilver
I will also seriously consider the 97 E320 since its engine/transmission etc. are similar or identical to the W124’s, and I won’t have to learn a whole new system.

97 E320 was the 104 motor with five speed transmission. "124 like" would be a 96 E320 - 104 motor with 4 speed.

[suginami]

Just remember that 1997 E320's and E420's have a five speed transmission.

1996 E320's had the same 4 speed transmisssion as '93-'95 E320's.

to EricSilver, yes fuel costs have risen gradually over the last few years here. In the past 3 weeks it has taken a jump along with everybody else in the world in response to the price of crude per barrel. It is now about €1.00 per litre or $5.49 per gallon. A huge percentage (40% +++) of what we pay in Ireland for our fuel and cars is made up of government tax and duty. When a car hits these shores it is relatively cheap but it retails for about 100% extra thanks to Value Added Tax and Vehicle Registration Tax. There are so many beautiful luxury cars for sale second hand for the price of new boring Nissan, but very few can afford the annual motor tax or insurance on top of the cost of petrol. It is a shame, we really get a pretty raw deal over here when it comes to our cars. Good luck with your choice and enjoy your gas guzzler.