I am in the market for a second MB and wanted to get feedback on the W210 (97-00) vs. the W140/S320 97-99. From the research I have done so far the W140 6 cylinder is less problematic that the S420/S500, considering I don’t much about the W140 really looking to find out if the W140 will be cost a lot in maintenance over the W210.

My second question is on the W210 , if I do decide to go with the W210 how reliable is the E420. I own a 99 E 320 4 Matic with over 100K miles but don’t know much about the big brother E420.

Any feedback, suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

The E420 was only made in 1997 and unless you can find a real cherry to pick, I'd pass on those. I don't know for how many years MB made a W140 S420 but as far as I know, there is nothing inherently wrong with that engine (430 is better however).

I'd advise you to buy as new an E430 as you can afford (2000-2002 are post-facelift and have a few more goodies than the 1999 and older) - same goes for the E320.

The W140 is going to cost you a lot of money to keep running and furthermore, I think the S320 does not have enough engine; that car is a tank and tips the scales like one!

 

a E420 would be a nice car, if u find like what music man said, a nice one, i have an E420 with 108,000 on the clock, and it runs like a dream 420's are work horses, u take care of em , them take care of u, never had any problems, wit mine, jusss needs oil, and gas, and a few filters haha

 

Mercedes pulled the plug on that one after one year,that said nice examples with low miles can be had for a song,since nobody wants them.The 430 has the right stuff,the 99-00 are some of the best 112 engines of the w210 series.Look for low miles and all recall work done,the 18 valve v6 is plenty powerful at 221 hp to move you right along well past the century mark and still get 21-28 mpg.
Shop well,buy well,have fun on the hunt.
ohlord
"GOT CODES?"

 

" Big Brother 420" Ha ha i like that.

Anyway Musikmann is right, the 430 is better than the 420 as the 420 was the first year for the 210 model and prone to problems. I would take the E430 over the w140, but not the w220. You should look into some 220's, they're depreciating veryy fast. Oh btw my 420 is at 90xxx on the clock. I don't even think i put on 1k miles this whole year.