mistertonyn

Is there a BIG difference in acceleration between a S430 and S500?
I test drove the S430 and it seems like it takes a while to get up in speed...and the car did have 20" Lorinser wheels on it...so not sure if that made the difference as well.
Is the slower acceleration normal for this highway cruiser???

la22bay

no their fast, you are probably use to quick acceleration of the e320 much lighter body

mistertonyn

You are right...my e320 feels much more responsive compared to the heavier w140.
The newer generation S-class like the S550 has to be much more responsive then the w140 I would assume...

la22bay

absolutely. the w221 are better than w220 which is better than w140 in acceleration, I've own just about most body styles no jive 78 benzs old and new over 34 yrs. that E320 you have is very quick which i loved, but too light in snowy weather. the old w140 were great but gas mileage wasn't the best in the S320 the S500 8 cyl actually had better gas performance. my favorite was the 1973 450SLC hardtop coup that car was fast and fun. enjoy the ride i would drive anything else

deanyel

There was no S430, only an S420, and they are pretty much dogs. With a heavy engine, long wheel base and tall rear axle ratio (2.82) they aren't very lively. I've known two people who had S320s and S420s at the same time and they both said the same thing - the S320 was the faster, livelier car. The sixes were a lighter engine, lighter car, mostly short wheel base and 3.46 rear axle starting in 1994. 92-93 300SEs were gas hogs but by 1994 the HFM S320s were EPA rated at 17 city and 24 highway, considerably better than the V8s. High 20s on the highway in the six is pretty common.

la22bay

you're correct i remember the S420, but the S320 did offer shorter and longer options on wheel base because my 1995 S320 was with a longer base than some because whenever I took it for service at dealer they would charge for whatever part based on that distinction. I still didn't like the gas consumption in my S320 being a V6, but I feel is was built better than this S430 W220 with all the little kinks with cluster and suspension problems. I kept mine for 6 yrs no problems. i always regret trading it in

CharlyE500

Trust me, the S320 is really slow because its too heavy with V6 engine.
I drive it as daily driver car. Its nice car to cruise in the freeway.
Its a very comfort car but not for any speed....

CharlyE500

BTW, get the S500 instead of S420. The S500 engine is much more popular...
More HP/Torque and the MPG is about the same...

deanyel

Trust you? When you think it's a V6.

oldsinner111

W140 straight 6 slow? Hell I blew away a s420.They ain't nothing.A few more mods and s500 will be my next victim.

napaAl

From what I've read, the 500 is a superior engine to the 420. The inline 6 (S320) is also excellent. Their records speak for themselves.

Weygand

NICE! I love my S320 despite the fact it's 15 years old.

ALNiKO-W211

What mods have you done to your s320? As I mentioned in other tread I consider w140 and found couple good s320s. On the other hand all s500s and s420 I had a chance to look at didn't impress me much.

oldsinner111

What mods have you done to your s320?

Cats delete,first muffler delete,4" opening for air box,ceramic brakes,and 1k ohm resistor to coolant sensor to advance timing 21 degrees and change air fuel ratio between 10.5:1 to 12:1.Instead of 14.7:1 .

CharlyE500

Yes trust me, S320 V6 is SLOW

CharlyE500

No matter what you do with W140, its still very heavy and V6 is under power. Maybe because I drive 55 engine but still...... S500 is way faster.

S320 220hp vs S500 300hp and they weight not much different.

oldsinner111

Yes the 500s are fast but next year they'll be my victims when I run a 75 shot of nitrous.