opinions...which should be my next car?

Currently I drive a 86 300E. It's been pretty dependable but some time next year I think I will get another car. My choices are 300CE (88-95) or the E320 (96-2002)

My main requirements are RELIABILITY and Gas Mileage.

I would like to have all of your OBJECTIVE opinions. Don't hold anything back. Give me the pro and cons. Suggest a particular year if you feel it's better than the other.

I will be modifying it like these two...

NOOOO! don't sell the 86!! I don't want to be the only one with an 86 300e. Mine is a project car too and sometime next couple of months it will kinda look like those! My 300e is reliable because i changed most of the problem parts. It's easier to work on
the 86 than anyother car 300e. All you gotta do to get that 86 running good is change the injectors and engine mounts and some a regular tune up. I hope everyone likes my 86 benz when it's finish!! The only problem i have is that some people are going to say that i took this idea from this guy and that guy but you know wut! I have my ideas and im no copying off anyone. Trust me when you see my front and rear bumpers people are going to be like how did he do that!

I would say the e320, just so many more accessories and goodies to choose from!

Ron

If you want reliability and fuel economy, you only have one choice.. Diesel.

Don't know what is available in the pre-owned world, but the new CDI is awesome.. I love mine.

0-60 .. 6.6 sec 1/4 mile in 15.3 and top speed over 150mph all with 40mpg @ 75 mph!

Get an old school 560SEC and trick it out AMG or Lorinser style.

I had a neighbor sell his recently.. same owner, 1987 model with 75,000 original miles, back seat never used, all original ... I almost did it, but my wife would have killed me.. $9500 he got for it.

Whatever you do, DON'T GET A W210!

I like Norcal124 s' idea get a 560sec

That CDI is awesome, but I am sorry to say that I just can’t pay that much for a car right now. I also have to say that the lack of simplicity scares me about the long-term maintenance of the car. I am sure it is super when new, but I wonder what will it be like in 10 years. The motor will probably be fine, as will the tried and tested suspension, but what about all those gizmos? Maybe it really isn’t that big of deal and maybe it really isn’t much different than my 1995 E320 was back in 1995, but it just scares me a little. I think I will let you test it for me. If you are satisfied, then maybe I will try one someday.

Good luck with your awesome new Benz.

They both look nice. the 300CE would be my choice, the straight 6 is the best eng. mercedes ever made. oh, the 96 came with a straight 6 also get both

Assuming I hold it that long, and I may... I am hoping the price of those dated electronic parts will be cheap.. and not the usurious prices published today

Arizona is the only place you could own a W211 though. Anywhere else and they rust to pieces.

which is odd since they're made heavily of aluminum.. how do you figure? The entire underside is covered in plastic panels as well.. I doubt this car is a rust magnet.

You can't get a better climate than England for rust
W210s rust so bad here you wouldn't believe it. The W211 is obviously much newer and rust problems are therefore fewer but there have been some already with rusty doors implying that MB haven't entirely sorted it.
Won't be a problem for you though, and totaly agree that the new CDi engines are great.
How old is your car and how many times has it been back for electrical faults?

my car is 5 months old, and 6500 miles, and it's had 0 faults of anykind. My friend has a 29,000 CDI he got in mid 2004, and he's had 0 faults.. I'm not sure if I'm just lucky, or if the electrical faults have mostly been worked out of the later build date cars.. Mine was built in March 2005..

Interesting reading..
http://www.newswheel.com/newswheel/s...and-tagged.htm
"Yes, the current W211 E-Class is an improvement. But unlike the W124, it doesn’t show the rest of the world the meaning of word quality.......Rusty panels from a pair of 1996 E-Classes. Not Good.
For a nine year-old car with a premium badge, these pictures are pretty shocking. "

Well most here know my position ! E420 V8 Tough act to beat ! Grunt and good mileage all in the right package!


Smokie

I had the same problem but i decided to go with the w210(96 e320) . I have a 300e 87 and i love it, It is the best car i ever had but there is something about that w210 body stlye it's amazing. I would go with w210!!

jrmd01-
Seriously go out and drive a 400E or E420, they are indeed the best deal for a w124 sedan as they have tons of power and I got 25mpg going 80mph in mine. That's better mpg than i get in my new wagon and it is the 12 valve like yours. The sixes will always be one of my favorite motors, but the v8 benz made was awesome.