pmpski_1

Hi. I have been looking for a wagon to buy lately. I am really leaning toward a Jetta 1.8. My Girlfriend and her Father swear by Mercedes Benz, so we dicussed a 1994 E320 Wagon. This car looks a little bigger than the car I'd like to drive, but it also has a LOT more cargo space.

So the question is, does anyone have any advice or opinions about this car and how it compares (driving) to a smaller wagon? I've seen impressive performance numbers for an E320 sedan. How does the wagon compare? I've read a lot about the Sportline suspension, was this available for the wagon? Can it be fitted if not?

Any other information, opinions, links, or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

bamberger_1

forget the VW. You are compairing the wrong things. If you want a car, but also a wagon, then go for the DB. As far as I know the t-models dont come in sportline suspension, since they have especially tuned suspension for the wagon (and its expected loads).
When ever you drove a Mercedes you'll never even think of VW. I even once convinced my wife since she was leaning towards "smaller" cars.
Regards and go for it
Bamberger_1

SL Boy

The E series T model station wagon is a quite brilliant vehicle. It is both practical and fast. I owned its predecessor, a 1990 model 300E - 24v station wagon for over 10 years and reluctantly changed it last year after nearly 300,000 miles for a new E320 Cdi wagon.

My engine was I think Mercedes first 6 cylinder multivalve production car engine (it was also used in the SL R129) and transformed the mid-range power over the previous 3 litre 300E 12 valve engine. Mercedes increased bore size to 3200 cc and added a catalytic converter for the 1994 model year. Power output remained almost the same at around 230 bhp.

Sportline suspension was available for my model and I think for the 1994 E320 too. I didnt specify it but wish I had. Sportine gave a slightly firmer ride but gave superior handling and significantly reduced body roll especially when under load. Go for the Sportline version if you can find one but dont be put off if you cant.

I would think the cost of retrofitting Sportline would be prohibitive.

Hope this is useful.

pmpski_1

I think I've decided on the e320 Wagon. After doing a lot of research I think I'll keep the stock springs and shocks so I can keep the self-leveling rear suspension. However, I will look into the Sportline swaybars and slightly wider than stock tires.

Anyone have any impressions of the e320 wagons handling after making mods of this sort?

Thanks!

bamberger_1

The wider tires are a good decision, even they being more a visual upgrade than a technical. About changing the swaybars I would have significant doubts doing this, since you would change only one component in the highly complex suspension and road handling system (especially having the level control), and I'm not expecting that this would change the handling to the better, after all.

Haasman

You can upgrade both the front and rear sway bars to sportline ones. The front is very easy, the rear is much harder: You have to have the rear suspension lowered enough to slide the old bar out and install the new one.