I have a 91 350SD. It has had major engine trouble and I am considering getting a reliable and fun gas replacement.

I am looking at couple of model options: 1999 S320 (LWB, 57K miles, $22K) or 1997 S420 (170K miles, $14K).
These are being sold in NJ.

The user reviews for the gas models on edmunds and other sites are very good, but I wanted to hear from members here.

Few questions:
- Are these prices in line with the mileage on them?
- Which of the two is a better buy in terms of power to size ratio?
- Is the mileage on the S420 way high to be a bad choice?


Thanks

 

S320

 

Price is steep on the S320 miles are steep on the S420. If you can get the 320 in the teens AND you like the way it drives, lots of metal to move with the 6cyl then I would go for it. Otherwise keep looking. Curious, how many miles on the S350D with major engine trouble, they should go an easy 3-400K.

 

I am also coming to the same conclusion ... keep looking.

About the 350SD. I bought it about 5 years ago. It blew the engine after 9 months. Surprisingly, the used car dealer rebuilt the engine under warranty (well, I threatened to sue ;-) Anyway, I kinda lost my enthusiasm after the engine blow-out, didn't use the car much at all. Now, I need to decide on a run-of-the-mill car as primary or something elegant that I enjoy. So, I am going to get the 350 checked out for compression and then decide what to do. If the car can be brought into a reliable condition I might keep it.

The other alternative I was considering is a gas engine. I am a motorcyclist, so used to quick acceleration ...

I haven't yet tried the S320 or the S420, but I think the S320 would probably be sluggish given the heft.

What other nimble models would you recommend? I want something peppy, but comfortable.

 

Though not as traditional as the W201, the 2000 S430 I have is very responsive and smooth. It gets suprisingly good fuel economy 19 city and as high as 31 on the highway with the cruise on 65 and very good performance. I imagine the 700lb heavier 92-99 S class won't be as good. The 2000-06 S class has more stuff to go wrong and a host of possible electrical gremlins, not that the 92-99 is as reliable as a Hyundai, they have their issues too.

There is always the E class, responsive, classy, nimble, but no where close to the S in feel, comfort, and drive. I drove several E cars and something just bothered me, it felt Audi/VW. I assumed the E was just a small S until I drove the S430. Wow what an impressive ride and drive, there is a reason it costs much more than an E, although used they are close in price. The S feels as if it is made by a different company.

 

go the S320, knock the dealer down on the price.. now the new model is out you should be able to negotiate a good price..

 

It is said that the 350SD diesel engine is the most problematic diesel engine Mercedes have ever made but still was good diesel engines for the most part. I really don't know how it got that rep anyways. Most of them last at least 300,000 miles.

As far as prices, IMO, the S320 must be in tip top shape for that price. Nothing at all should be broke or worn and 57K should mean it will last you a while and no major problems as long as maintinence was maintained. The S420 is about right assuming it's in good condition with everything working.

Power to size ratio would be the S420. More than likely they are about the same size and weight but the S320 have a 6 cylinder while the S420 have a V8 with more power than the six. Some say that the six in those cars especially in the LWB feels a little strained at times. Them tanks are definately, IMO, better off with a 8 cylinder to move that weight.

The mileage for the S420 is not too high to be a bad choice persay, but... I tell you, that that car is around that miles where things do sometimes start to need replacement and sometimes major components if they haven't been replaced yet. So get the car checked out front to back up and down side to side and diagonally before committing to a car with that miles.

As mentioned in previous posts, the 2000-06 S-class is fairly good on gas, repsonsive and smooth, but of course they have them freaking electrical things that happens.
E-Class (1996-2002), I thought was just a smaller S-Class. It's good, but after driving a S-Class forever, it doesn't really compare to the S-Class as far as feel and comfort and drive and stuff and thus you then realize why they charge more for the S-Class. Don't get me wrong, the E-Class can be a good buy also, but if you are looking for another S-Class, stick with looking for an S-Class.

Now if ya talking about pure acceleration in W140 form, there is always the S500 and S600. Of course though, they are worst on gas than the S320 and S420 a bit and can be a little more expensive to maintain and stuff, but a S420 should do the job just fine, the S500 gives you a little more pep while the S600 gives you more pep than the S500. It's all on personal choice and either S-Class is a good choice and will give you class and comfort to no end.