E430 vs E320 ? - Benzworld.org

**acarter53** · 02-19-2007, 06:05 PM

All,

In reading the W210 post, it seems to me that the E320 is more problematic than the E430. Is this accurate? Or could it be there are more E320’s on the road then E430’s and there is no difference in reliability.

Gyesi · 02-19-2007, 06:24 PM

Acarter, I would guess it's a proportionately larger number of E320s on the road, but I have nothing to back it up....just speculation.

Trying to save money on gas is the only reason I got a 320. Thanks to the high price of gas, that became a consideration.

Now that I am getting 15 mpg all around, I am wondering if I shouldn't have gone for the E430. Heck, some of you guys are getting better mileage than I am.

**Musikmann** · 02-19-2007, 07:22 PM

I probably see 10 E320s to every E430. I'm just guessing too, but I think there were a lot more E320s imported to the U.S.A. but maybe not to this proportion.

I would still like to find a cherry E430 (2001-2002) but I have not seen any for sale that are in the condition mine is, or that have the approximate number of options.

Based on the 1 year's experience I had with my former 1998 E430, the difference in MPG is not significant.

ProV1x · 02-20-2007, 06:02 AM

remember, there's no replacement for displacement!!!

leeah · 02-20-2007, 06:56 AM

I purchased 2000 E430 w/ 42k miles about 2months ago. I was comparing the E320 and E430 4Matics. Test drove both and to be honest, performance was quite different in power but handling, braking, and other exterior and interior was not much noticeably superb. I used to own 300E 4Matic and that was a tank! That's why I decided to buy another MB.

**Musikmann** · 02-20-2007, 10:13 AM

I think you will notice the biggest difference in "power" at the lower RPMs. There is a bigger difference in torque between E320 and E430 than there is in HP. Plus I think the 430 engine's torque curve is skewed toward the lower end.

I don't know about the differences in handling between the two 4matics. However, I was told (by a guy who races the RWDs) that the weight distributions due to the engines varies enough that the E320s handle better overall.

lkchris · 02-20-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acarter53

All,

In reading the W210 post, it seems to me that the E320 is more problematic than the E430. Is this accurate? Or could it be there are more E320’s on the road then E430’s and there is no difference in reliability.

They are basically the EXACT SAME CAR except for the engine and even then the engines are the EXACT SAME DESIGN except for addition of two cylinders.

Kajtek1 · 02-20-2007, 02:55 PM

In my opinion 215 HP for passenger car is way more, than normal people need. I am accelerating on 7% upgrades with full load and 80 mph with my E320.
Than getting to the back of the engine on V8 is real pain. To replace CPS on our ML I had to go thru wheel well.

**Musikmann** · 02-20-2007, 07:47 PM

I think the 320 has 221 HP and the 430 has 275 if I'm not mistaken (newer E500 has 302). That is taken from the 2002 numbers on the MBUSA site. But torque is 232 ft-lb for the E320 and 295 ft-lb for the E430. Not that great a difference, but definitely noticeable.

I miss the 430 engine I had, but once I am doing 70-80 mph, I don't notice the difference. I still think the lower end torque is where you will feel that extra torque, like accelerating from a stoplight if you are into street racing.

ProV1x · 02-20-2007, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kajtek1

In my opinion 215 HP for passenger car is way more, than normal people need. I am accelerating on 7% upgrades with full load and 80 mph with my E320.
Than getting to the back of the engine on V8 is real pain. To replace CPS on our ML I had to go thru wheel well.

lol. i hope you're kidding. New Camry's and Hyundai's come with 270HP engines nowadays. $60k+ Mercedes should be pumping out at least 350HP, and AMG cars 500+