would you rather: E420 or 500E as 90% DD
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 424
Likes: 13
From: Grand Rapids, MI
99 C43 AMG, 2001 CLK55 AMG
would you rather: E420 or 500E as 90% DD
Hey all,
Im usually in the w202 section as i have a C43 that i love, had it four a couple years now. Now that the mercedes bug has bit me im looking at a W124.
Im debating the choice between a low mileage (50-100k) E420, i have seen some in the $7-8k price range.
OR
higher mileage (150k range) 500E, these i have seen in the $14-18k range now and then depending on condition of course.
To justify this car i would need to drive it quite often, even possibly in the Michigan winters
since i keep the C43 mostly for autocross and track days and garage it in the winters.
i worry that even if i bought the 420 i would still always have 500E envy... i mean look at those fenders, haha.
but then again a clean E430 with the right wheels and shock/spring setup looks pretty damn good and still have about $5000 left in my pocket vs the 500E right?
i have read about most of the big issues on 500Es; wiring harness, AC evap, transmission, etc. Are these same issues in the E420? or is there any mechanical benefit to a E420? is it all the same issues with just a lower purchase price?
or maybe it does not makes sense to have either of these cars if i would pretty much be daily driving them. I have a short commute, probably only putting on 5-6000 miles a year at most.
what are your thoughts?
Im usually in the w202 section as i have a C43 that i love, had it four a couple years now. Now that the mercedes bug has bit me im looking at a W124.
Im debating the choice between a low mileage (50-100k) E420, i have seen some in the $7-8k price range.
OR
higher mileage (150k range) 500E, these i have seen in the $14-18k range now and then depending on condition of course.
To justify this car i would need to drive it quite often, even possibly in the Michigan winters
since i keep the C43 mostly for autocross and track days and garage it in the winters.i worry that even if i bought the 420 i would still always have 500E envy... i mean look at those fenders, haha.
but then again a clean E430 with the right wheels and shock/spring setup looks pretty damn good and still have about $5000 left in my pocket vs the 500E right?
i have read about most of the big issues on 500Es; wiring harness, AC evap, transmission, etc. Are these same issues in the E420? or is there any mechanical benefit to a E420? is it all the same issues with just a lower purchase price?
or maybe it does not makes sense to have either of these cars if i would pretty much be daily driving them. I have a short commute, probably only putting on 5-6000 miles a year at most.
what are your thoughts?
Last edited by Dziner82; Dec 12, 2014 at 01:23 PM. Reason: typo
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 103
Likes: 2
From: Weehawken, NJ
'05 C230 SS, '94 E420 (RIP), '05 C55
Clean, low mileage E420's can be had for much less than $7-8K. If you really want to daily a V8 124 then the E420 would be the more appropriate choice.
500E's are beginning to escalate in value. I don't know too many 500E owners who use them as daily drivers as they appreciate their growing scarcity, collectibility and save them the wear and tear.
As far as issues between the two cars, both 500E/E500's and 400E/E420's share many of the same issues.
500E's are beginning to escalate in value. I don't know too many 500E owners who use them as daily drivers as they appreciate their growing scarcity, collectibility and save them the wear and tear.
As far as issues between the two cars, both 500E/E500's and 400E/E420's share many of the same issues.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
1995 E-420
Clean, low mileage E420's can be had for much less than $7-8K. If you really want to daily a V8 124 then the E420 would be the more appropriate choice.
500E's are beginning to escalate in value. I don't know too many 500E owners who use them as daily drivers as they appreciate their growing scarcity, collectibility and save them the wear and tear.
As far as issues between the two cars, both 500E/E500's and 400E/E420's share many of the same issues.
500E's are beginning to escalate in value. I don't know too many 500E owners who use them as daily drivers as they appreciate their growing scarcity, collectibility and save them the wear and tear.
As far as issues between the two cars, both 500E/E500's and 400E/E420's share many of the same issues.
At some point I may own a E500 but it won't be my DD.
Yes they do share many of the same issues but my 420 is a non ASR car and without the hydraulic suspension and several other of the E500 niceties is a lot easier to maintain as a DD.
Still a nice car that is a joy to drive but is one that I am more comfortable driving every day than I would be with a E500 because of it's collectable rarity and increasing value.
PS paid 3K for this one owner 420 with under 95K just last year.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 424
Likes: 13
From: Grand Rapids, MI
99 C43 AMG, 2001 CLK55 AMG
Wow, I did not know clean low mileage E420s could be had so cheap. I've only started looking Into them lately, had been watching 500E prices much longer.
Not many e420's out there though either, but like anything I guess you need to wait for the right one to come along.
Im feeling more and more like the 500E just wouldn't be a good investment for what i would need it to be.
Not many e420's out there though either, but like anything I guess you need to wait for the right one to come along.
Im feeling more and more like the 500E just wouldn't be a good investment for what i would need it to be.
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 103
Likes: 2
From: Weehawken, NJ
'05 C230 SS, '94 E420 (RIP), '05 C55
Here's an example of a clean E420 for less than $5K. I bought mine for $2800 with less than 98K miles and full service history including rebuilt trans, replaced harnesses and EHA.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301427152154?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301427152154?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
