Got a '97 E420 AMG? - Benzworld.org

UncAl · 01-30-2003, 04:04 PM

If so, could I have your opinion of the car, please? Looking at a used one, 83k miles for $22,000.

TIA!

aglasgow · 01-31-2003, 07:36 AM

If you mean the 1997 E420 with the Sport package, I have one and love it. It's a solid car, drives great, has good power, and looks great as well. I would recommend that you check the maintenance records on the car in question to make sure the 60K major service was performed. Ideally, it would have had the transmission fluid/filter changed and even the differential drained and refilled. Double check the AC as well as, if it was ignored, it could be a costly repair.

UncAl · 01-31-2003, 08:32 AM

I appreciate your input!

The "97 E420 AMG" was how it was described in the newspaper ad. I presume that means "sport". Still trying to contact the owner.

Thanks again!

aglasgow · 01-31-2003, 09:39 AM

Al, are you in Chapel Hill? I'm in Raleigh.

UncAl · 01-31-2003, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Al, are you in Chapel Hill? I'm in Raleigh.

Nope, Statesville (office). I live in Salisbury! "UncAl" isn't a reference to UNC.

Thanks for the buying info! I had an '87 300E for a long time, and really liked it. My ML is ok, but I don't need that big of a vehicle any more, so I'm "looking".

Thanks again!

Supercharged SEC · 01-31-2003, 09:27 PM

Go for an E430 sport instead. There are many horsepower updates available for this car that you can't get on the E420. Unless you like a slow car.

UncAl · 02-01-2003, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Go for an E430 sport instead. There are many horsepower updates available for this car that you can't get on the E420. Unless you like a slow car.

Really? They seemed kinda close here http://www.renntechmercedes.com/spla...lass/e320.html .

Nooo, don't want no slow car! [:D][:D]
Thanks!

Supercharged SEC · 02-01-2003, 09:30 AM

Ah, grasshopper! One must read the upgrade list and then you will truly understand Renntechs limit on the E420. Read all the goodies they can do for the E430.

Let's look to see what Kleeman makes for the E420. http://www.bergwerks.com/k_super_appli.jsp

Oh, and that would be nothing!

I bought my E430 sport so I could upgrade it someday. I would rather have saved the $8,000 difference between the price of an E420 and E430 but the E420 didn't have any performance upgrades that were worth a hoot.

aglasgow · 02-01-2003, 03:19 PM

Al, he's right. If you want to do extensive customizing for performance advantages, your options are much better with the 4.3L E430 than the 4.2L E420. If you don't plan on adding superchargers, chips, etc..., then you might want to consider saving the cash and go with the E420. When they are stock, there isn't a while lot of difference in performance between the two.

As for being a slow car, I guess it depends on your perspective and what you want. I use mine as a daily driver and it is definitely not slow. It has more than enough speed and power (especially at highway speed) to qualify as one of the faster cars on the road. It is most definitely not a race car, however, and isn't going to run 12 sec 1/4 miles. If that is what you are looking for in a E Class, I would go one step further and get an E55 and still customize the heck out of it. A customized E430 isn't going to deliver those levels of performance either.

Supercharged SEC · 02-01-2003, 05:27 PM

Quote:

however, and isn't going to run 12 sec 1/4 miles. If that is what you are looking for in a E Class, I would go one step further and get an E55 and still customize the heck out of it. A customized E430 isn't going to deliver those levels of performance either.

Renntech can convert your E430 engine to a 5.5L boost monster that runs the 1/4 mile in the 12 second range too. The packages are just their most cost effective options; however, if you have money, they can give you speed!