I'm a newbie and soon to be owner...so hook a brotha up!
Alrighty yall...I have a dillema I would like to present to the wonder world of W210 owners...my family has been faithful German motor owners for years! Dating back to the e28 to the most current of our collection the e38. Of course with this in mind, my dad for some odd reason just doesn't like the name Mercedes-Benz. In his opinion and until recently mine too, it was all luxury. But maybe I just had the wrong drivers behind the wheel. My aunt allowed me to take her E320 to the grocery store and curious George (me) figured that the Autobahn was part of my journey back to her house. I purposely jumped on the tollway and mashed it. For this being a 6 cylinder engine, I was simply impressed! Reminded me of the first time I drove my dad's 735i. To make a long story short, the BMW's belonged to my dad and I was the Honda driver. I have an Acura 3.5RL with 191K on the engine. The car which I desired for the longest, is simply beautiful to the eye, but honestly displeasing to performance likes. 6 cylinders at 25 mpg on the highway doesn't seem far from 8 cylinders at 23 mpg on the highway. I have fallen in love with MB and have the opportunity to trade (evenly) my RL for a E420 with 225K. The miles sound high but with my experience with BMW's and Honda's, its a matter of how you take care of it that'll guarantee the car life and you complete satisfaction. I need opinions whether this would be a smart move. I really WANT this E420 because of what I've read and based on my outing with the E320, there's much more to discover with 2 cylinders added. . Is the E420 a manageable car? I ready to make the switch!
Hey, King, welcome to the forum. When you have a minute, please complete your online profile re: vehicle and location.
Let's break it down...basically you could say that for the same money you can buy a 191,000 mile RL or a 225,000 mile E420. The 420 was kind of a mid-model release, just a bit over a year or thereabouts. Newer 430s have lots going for them and we could say much more about the V6 E320 variant (how about 6 cyls and 30 mpg on the highway?) but you're in a two-way fight here.
My first thought is to have the MB inspected by someone who is familiar with the marque. After all, you have a personal history with your RL (a very, very nice car, but IMHO a little lacking in panache and personality). You're right that MB engines have a history of longevity -- if they're cared for properly. Compression tests can tell you lots, if you have maintenance history so much the better. However, transmission fluid needs to have been changed and there are lots of other things that have been occasionally problematic on the W210 (motor mounts, harmonic balancers, cats, spring perches and at 225K lots of front suspension parts for sure, just to name a few). Certainly there will be a few things, but depending upon what the inspection reveals, that might be your answer right there.
If there is nothing particularly ugly with the E420, then all other things being equal I'd take the MB over the Acura. Benz cars do tend more towards luxury than does BMW, but sport springs and shocks remove much of that edge, and the luxury aspect of the ride mostly stays put, so you end up with the best of both worlds. And neither of these German marques has a particularly stellar reliability record, but generally speaking MB has a better record than does BMW.
Last thought: if you're a DIY'er, the benz is even a better deal, because many of the foibles it may present are DIY tasks, but if you have to pay to have them done you'll go broke sooner.
Well, that's my .02 worth. I'm sure you'll get lots more input, but either way...
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
__________________ If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice. Meister Eckhart
When you learn from your own mistakes, that's experience.
When you learn from the mistakes of others, that's wisdom.
When you fail to learn from any mistakes, that's government.
is the RL.if it is a 97 worth maybe 2500bucks,the benz about $3600,you would be in the plus column.On the down side read the post below about ok is it worth 5500.It will go back and forth over is it worth it(to high by about a grand)If you know nothing about diy and need to take the benz to the dealer for anything to be done at 225000 miles you are quickly going to run up a bill greater then the car is worth,on the other hand in your case the rl is worth jack and parts are cheaper.So a conundrum occurs,you love the benz ,now.They will do that to you!Trade away your car,get the benz,learn how to diy,clean it up detail it,fix minor issues,drive it for a few months and sell it .Take the cash and add 6grand and get a low mile 1999 E320 or E430,and do your diy and live happily ever after.
either do your own diy or have deep pockets.word to the wise in buying any used luxury car "GOT CODES?"
I love ohlord's side comments. 'Why don't you add another 50 grands and buy Royce-Rolls?"
I never owned Honda, but share driving to ski resorts with a friend. I drove beaten up E300D with 230,000 miles, he drove 3-years old Honda with 45,000 miles.
He was impressed how smooth and well handling was my Mercedes comparing to his Honda.
BTW one time I couldn't go, he drove alone and following the traffic on wet snow, his Honda lost traction and crashed parked car. Don't know if that means anything....
if he wanted a rattle trap 225000 mile run forever diesel,he could find one.He is asking about the merits of trading to the 420v8 and at 225000 miles my thought is it would be a better than fair trade,but not a long term one.You keep comparing apples to oranges,or diesels to gassers.
if after several months he wants to sell it he is up money from what he could have sold his acura for,and he could if able get a lower mile newer example.
Rolls- Royce ?2007 Rolls-Royce Phantom Sedan how about $350,000 more
and that was not my point.
Thanks soooo much for your input. My RL is a 99 & the chassis is truly beautiful! Black with tan interior. Don't get me wrong, the car rides awesome and looks gorgeous but my taste has changed toward the W210. Is there a noticeable change between the E420 & E430? DIY is not a prob in my book..as long as stuffs clear I can do anything! I've been doin more research in E420 available in my area, and I almost think I'll be better off sellin my car then buying a E420 or E430. Let me know the differences between the E420 & E430 yall!
your car tops is $5500 so you sell it add another 4g and buy a low mile 99 E430 or E320,with under 100k miles,and diy with parts from autohausaz or germanstar.net and you have a nice ride for a long time.
keep us posted.and check here before you buy,and please if you know how to inspect do it or have it done by a pro.
ohlord
Than, since the subject was already brought up, with that additional 5 grands you can buy W210 with 200,000 on diesel that might drive you till your retirement.
I'll never believe an E300D will have better snow traction than a Honda. It might be a particular coincidence situation. My experience with all non-4Matic Mercedes is that I cannot even get it out of my drive way if it were not on snow tires.
E300D and Honda have the same type of tires, the Honda will run circles around the E300D.
. Is the E420 a manageable car? I ready to make the switch! 
My RL is a 99 & the chassis is truly beautiful! Black with tan interior. Don't get me wrong, the car rides awesome and looks gorgeous but my taste has changed toward the W210. Is there a noticeable change between the E420 & E430? DIY is not a prob in my book..as long as stuffs clear I can do anything! I've been doin more research in E420 available in my area, and I almost think I'll be better off sellin my car then buying a E420 or E430. 
Let me know the differences between the E420 & E430 yall!
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