Opinions on '97 E420 Sport

[Recaro18]

i was wondering if anyone can give me any opinions about the '97 E420 Sport regarding the reliability of the car...any problems w/ that year? pros/cons...

thanks.

_RICKY_

[W420]

Ricky, the FIRST batch has a lot of problems with transmission and A/C. Get the later production one (check the sticker on the doro jam). Mine I think is OCT or NOV/97 which I believe was probably the last batch of production and it's pretty reliable.

And word of advice. STAY AWAY FROM E420 Pls please please GET E-430. Or a 98 E-320. Stay away from 97!!!! You will regret later like I do now!!

EDIT - Here's why..

No U/D pulley.
No powerchip/absolute.
No HPS
No Kleeman
No Header
Renntech CF Airbox costs 2.5 TIMES MORE than a W124.

EDIT#2 - And NO BRABUS B-10

On a positive side, what I learned from some of the VERY knowledgeable Mercedesshop members at last GTG, is that the proven E420 engine is more reliable and better than the 98+...

By the way, if you are seriously thinking about getting it, try to get one with extended warranty or starmark on it. You do NOT want to fix a Benz... Last time my driver side Xenon went out, went to the stealership and the bill was $995 + LABOR for 1 SIDE of Xenon assembly. Of course, you can get $1K / Pair brand new Xenon elsewhere but I had extended warranty so I used it. Also, my drive side mirror fell off and that cost $400 or so ... And of course, you can get PAIR of blinkies for LESS than that.. Imagine major problems. Will cost you major $$$...