E class info please?

[RJD350]

cuold anyone give me some info and opinions on a 320 or 430 E class, ie perfomance wise bhp, mpg serviceing and so on, also what is the difference between elegance and avantgarde??

[GregE240]

RJD350 said:

cuold anyone give me some info and opinions on a 320 or 430 E class, ie perfomance wise bhp, mpg serviceing and so on, also what is the difference between elegance and avantgarde??

By all means my friend.

Basically you're talking 2 extra cylinders in the 430 - 320 is a V6, 430 a V8. Both have more than enough power - from memory the 320 is 218hp, the 430 is 279. More than enough power to shift the weight. Flat out the 320 maxes at around 150, the 430 is limited to 155 (I think).

In terms of servicing, its either an A service (basic) or a B service (complicated), the on board service indictator will tell you when. With moderate driving expect between 12-15K between garage visits. If the car is a few years old a decent independent will serve you just as well as a main dealer, and they are far nicer to you as well. My experiences with main dealer servicing haven't always been the best.

Both engines will run forever, they are chain driven engines so no cambelts, just the odd tensioner here and there to watch out for. Front ball joints will give up the ghost from time to time (sheer weight of the front of the car), but at an indie this will sting you for about £60 - a ton at the dealer I suppose.

The Achilles heel of the E Class and indeed Benzes of the era is undoubtedly the auto gearbox. Despite your preconceptions its not made out of granite and needs oil changes every 70-100,000 miles. I mention this because Mercedes insists the fluid in the gearbox is "fit for life" which is utter rubbish. I had my oil changed at 95K and it looked like treacle, thick and sludgy. The new oil that went in actually looked like oil! Changes are now smoother than ever. A fluid change will cost around £100, but small change compared to the £1500 plus for a new gearbox!

Post 99 cars were facelifted, with the obvious external change being the side repeater move from the front wing to the door mirrors. The interior has hardly touched. The larger models have luxuries such as climate controlled A/C, electric seats, electric steering wheel adjustment. Practically all models have items such as power windows, mirrors, headlamp wash, cruise, self dimming interior and exterior mirrors, A/C and so on. Leather helps with resale but the cloth trim on my '98 is wearing very well.

Finally, the difference between Elegance and Avantgarde is relatively easy. The Elegance interior is walnut finished whilst the Avantgarde is birds eye maple (almost black), the latter looking more contemporary. Other changes amount to lower suspension on the Avantgarde with slightly stiffer damping, and usually a slightly higher spec than Elegance models - headlight wash is the obvious extra I can think of.

Thats pretty much it, if you need any more help then mail me via my profile. Theres loads of choice so be fussy, and don't be afraid of higher mileage, as long as theres a good main dealer or indepedant set of stamps in the book you shouldn't go far wrong. If you buy from a dealer you'll get a one year warranty, I never had to claim on mine.

Good luck.

Greg

[RJD350]

thanks greg thats gret mate, i found out that a 320 does 0-60 in 7.7, but know one seems to know about the 430?

[jumjum]

Both good cars

I had the 430 engine in an ML430 and an S430, smooth torquey powerful engine. The S430 would give near 25 mpg at 85 mph.

Autocar tested the E430 1997 and E320 in 1995

E430
155mph 0-60 6.5 secs, 0-100 15.4 secs, 30-70 mph 5.4 secs, Test mpg 32.2

E320
142mph 0-60 7.5 secs, 0-100 19.8 secs, 30-70 mph 7.2 secs, Test mpg 30.7 mpg

Surprising that the got better MPG in the 430, I would expect less.

[RJD350]

this just makes the 430 even more appealing, they seem to be a hell off a lot a car for quite reasonable money, i think i neede a test drive!!!!!!

[Cabby]

jumjum said:

Both good cars I had the 430 engine in an ML430 and an S430, smooth torquey powerful engine. The S430 would give near 25 mpg at 85 mph. Autocar tested the E430 1997 and E320 in 1995 E430 155mph 0-60 6.5 secs, 0-100 15.4 secs, 30-70 mph 5.4 secs, Test mpg 32.2 E320 142mph 0-60 7.5 secs, 0-100 19.8 secs, 30-70 mph 7.2 secs, Test mpg 30.7 mpg Surprising that the got better MPG in the 430, I would expect less.

Just a quick note. That 1995 road test was for the straight six engine. Cars from about late '96? Would be the V6. Not too sure on the difference though regarding power and performance!

Paul

[zaktoo]

Hi

You can see if my site has enough info for you. Just follow the link in my profile, click on specifications, and then find Mercedes-Benz in the list.

Hope that helps...

Zak