Upgrade E320CDI to S320CDI?

[Rgee]

Hi, I have a W210 2001 E320CDI Avantgarde, one previous owner with 24k miles. I have been offered a good price for it so today I looked at a 2003 S320CDI with 76kmiles. The engine in the S class seemed to be more livelier than mine and seemed quicker. I don't know whether this is because my is still 'running in'. But apart from that I felt the ride was better on mine, even though its on 17s and sports suspension, and mine seemed to be better screwed together, no rattles or creaks.

I really do like the S class but is it worth the upgrade?

 

[mark.t]

hi I have the old 210 and there's no rattles or creaks ( rust ) before anyone mentions it has been delayed by complete new body parts and a paint job ....the newer mercs say 2001 2003/4 suffered in build quality but after these dates they seamed to pick up again ..........same as years ago 124 built like tanks last for ever ....210 + facelifts suffer with rust ........the s class as described by merc should not rattle and creak ask them if this is normal for a prestigious car as the S class...my dads had a few mercs that suffered in the way you describe I nearly pulled the door of the new e class off its hinges such a light weight and it creaked the glass roof was a creaky thing

 

[DieselE]

By 2003, the 320CDI engine had been upgraded to give slightly more torque which might explain why it felt livelier. More than likely it was on air suspension which would make it feel different to your W210 but it should have given a softer ride.

As the previous post says, 2003 was not the best year for quality. The main thing to think about when considering the upgrade is if I'm unsure enough to have to ask several thousand strangers on a forum do I really want to do this.

 

[MBManInKen]

But apart from that I felt the ride was better on mine, even though its on 17s and sports suspension, and mine seemed to be better screwed together, no rattles or creaks.

I have a W220 S-class and a friend of mine has a W210. The ride in the S-class, with its airmatic suspension, is definitely far better, very smooth. So if you experienced something different, there might have been a problem with the S-class you drove. Perhaps best to try another one.

 

[Diesel Benz]

I have a W220 S-class and a friend of mine has a W210. The ride in the S-class, with its airmatic suspension, is definitely far better, very smooth. So if you experienced something different, there might have been a problem with the S-class you drove. Perhaps best to try another one.

Yes, or perhaps someone had set the suspension to sports-2 mode (or what ever it is on the W220).

 

[Benzowner]

I have recently upgraded from a 1997 W210 Avantgarde diesel 3 litre estate to an S320 petrol, not quite the same as you are looking at, I know, but, the S320 is 1999 with 40k miles and the build quality is far superior to my old E class. The airmatic suspension is superb, the sport mode on that is awsome and the bonus, on motorway driving it still gives over 30mpg low 20's around town.

 

[MBManInKen]

on motorway driving it still gives over 30mpg low 20's around town.

I too have been impressed by the W220's fuel consumption. Before my W220 S500, I had a W140 S500, both of them long wheelbase.

The W220 consumes considerably less fuel, even though it is faster than the W140. It's obviously lighter and better streamlined, but still, it was a nice surprise.

 

[Rgee]

Thanks all, I'll try another one. I thought that the build quality was improved on the W220 from Oct 2002 onwards? This definitely was a facelift model as it had the widescreen sat nav. I was fiddling with the electric headrest adjustment and the button came off!!