1st gen GS300 vs 94-95 MBZ W124 (E320/420)
10-02-07, 09:48 PM
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1st gen GS300 vs 94-95 MBZ W124 (E320/420)
Hey guys. Just wondering if any of you considered and compared an E320/E420 versus your GS300? What made you decide to get what you have? I'm in that dilemma now... Thanks in advance.
10-02-07, 09:58 PM
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I own a GS300 94' and my mom has a 94 W124 E320. To summ it up, to me there is no comparison, the GS beats it all around.
- Maintenance for once is definitely wayyyy cheaper. My mom is always jealous on how much i spend compared to what she does on her benz.
- Doing your own work to your car is much more easier on the GS then the E.
- Look wise i also think the GS wins. The E is nice but the GS has a more modern look still.
- I prefer the ride and drive alot more. The pedals on the E are pretty rough and you gotta put more into the pedals to get it to go and stop.
- The interior on the GS is definitely better, everything but the leather. The E till this day has soft intact leather. Cant beat it.
- Speed wise i think the E has a little more in it then the GS since the GS is so heavy. Also you will save more money with gas on the E because the tank size and mpg.
Ill update as i think of more.
- Maintenance for once is definitely wayyyy cheaper. My mom is always jealous on how much i spend compared to what she does on her benz.
- Doing your own work to your car is much more easier on the GS then the E.
- Look wise i also think the GS wins. The E is nice but the GS has a more modern look still.
- I prefer the ride and drive alot more. The pedals on the E are pretty rough and you gotta put more into the pedals to get it to go and stop.
- The interior on the GS is definitely better, everything but the leather. The E till this day has soft intact leather. Cant beat it.
- Speed wise i think the E has a little more in it then the GS since the GS is so heavy. Also you will save more money with gas on the E because the tank size and mpg.
Ill update as i think of more.
10-03-07, 11:24 AM
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I am debating this myself (along with the E34 BMW) and know more about the W124's/E34's than I do about the GS300. There are several very expensive failures in the W124
- wiring harness
- AC evaporator (it's behind the dash and requires huge labor to get at it)
- timing chain rails
- on the E320, apparently head gasket failures are somewhat common
These problems are big enough that the cost of fixing them is often more than the value of the car.
I personally love the E420 - better than the GS300 in terms of a driving experience in my book. But I'm now looking at GS300's and Q45's, hoping that my cost of ownership can be better managed. I have owned a W124 500E that I spent $7000 in 18 months on. Also had an E34 535i 5 speed that was pretty good, but everytime something went bad, it was pricey and the car was only worth $3000-4000.
- wiring harness
- AC evaporator (it's behind the dash and requires huge labor to get at it)
- timing chain rails
- on the E320, apparently head gasket failures are somewhat common
These problems are big enough that the cost of fixing them is often more than the value of the car.
I personally love the E420 - better than the GS300 in terms of a driving experience in my book. But I'm now looking at GS300's and Q45's, hoping that my cost of ownership can be better managed. I have owned a W124 500E that I spent $7000 in 18 months on. Also had an E34 535i 5 speed that was pretty good, but everytime something went bad, it was pricey and the car was only worth $3000-4000.
10-03-07, 12:14 PM
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I am debating this myself (along with the E34 BMW) and know more about the W124's/E34's than I do about the GS300. There are several very expensive failures in the W124
- wiring harness
- AC evaporator (it's behind the dash and requires huge labor to get at it)
- timing chain rails
- on the E320, apparently head gasket failures are somewhat common
These problems are big enough that the cost of fixing them is often more than the value of the car.
I personally love the E420 - better than the GS300 in terms of a driving experience in my book. But I'm now looking at GS300's and Q45's, hoping that my cost of ownership can be better managed. I have owned a W124 500E that I spent $7000 in 18 months on. Also had an E34 535i 5 speed that was pretty good, but everytime something went bad, it was pricey and the car was only worth $3000-4000.
- wiring harness
- AC evaporator (it's behind the dash and requires huge labor to get at it)
- timing chain rails
- on the E320, apparently head gasket failures are somewhat common
These problems are big enough that the cost of fixing them is often more than the value of the car.
I personally love the E420 - better than the GS300 in terms of a driving experience in my book. But I'm now looking at GS300's and Q45's, hoping that my cost of ownership can be better managed. I have owned a W124 500E that I spent $7000 in 18 months on. Also had an E34 535i 5 speed that was pretty good, but everytime something went bad, it was pricey and the car was only worth $3000-4000.
10-03-07, 12:28 PM
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Their trans. are HORRIBLE!
I do all the purchasing for the dealership and when I see a Q45 I walk the other way!!!
10-03-07, 12:34 PM
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Kevs - Do you have any recommendation between the 2 cars I'm debating on? Thanks in advance.
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10-03-07, 12:57 PM
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thanks. does that apply to all Q45's or just first generation ones? I'm scheduled to go see a 1999 Q45 tomorrow.
On the MB vs. Lexus, ideally, you want to find one where the work is done. If it's not done, you're going to have to do it (or you find a low mileage one where the work is a ways off). I don't mind the wiring harness so much. The timing chain on the e420 is a stupid thing - $2000+ to change these silly little plastic rails. The evaporator just sucks - although some say that is less likely to fail. And of course, there's the tranny.
The MB folks would say "there's a price to passion." I'm just not sure it's worth it. My 500E had me boiling mad by the time I sold it. That said, I still look at 400E's/E420's, so I must not be very smart.
On the MB vs. Lexus, ideally, you want to find one where the work is done. If it's not done, you're going to have to do it (or you find a low mileage one where the work is a ways off). I don't mind the wiring harness so much. The timing chain on the e420 is a stupid thing - $2000+ to change these silly little plastic rails. The evaporator just sucks - although some say that is less likely to fail. And of course, there's the tranny.
The MB folks would say "there's a price to passion." I'm just not sure it's worth it. My 500E had me boiling mad by the time I sold it. That said, I still look at 400E's/E420's, so I must not be very smart.
10-03-07, 01:09 PM
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Also why did you sell the LS430UL ?
Im thinking about selling my 1st gen project to get one in the non UL model.
10-03-07, 01:44 PM
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10-03-07, 04:45 PM
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Another thing is common problems with both cars. I think the GS has a lot of blemishes when it comes to these things. Cupholder, Window trimming (cause of alot of wind noise), water in trunk due to the moonroof, harmonic balancer, and cracking on the woodgrain. Those are all fixable and less pricey. Then theres the ball joints and mounts that need changing eventually.
The MB i noticed had a couple things but when they needed a fix they were priced sky high. A main thing is the SRS light of death. And a lot of malfunctions in the electronics.
I also agree that the MB is a much more solid car. You dont hear anything when you drive in that car. My moms still rides way smoother then my lexus but the thing is i need to check my mounts and joints also haha.
The MB i noticed had a couple things but when they needed a fix they were priced sky high. A main thing is the SRS light of death. And a lot of malfunctions in the electronics.
I also agree that the MB is a much more solid car. You dont hear anything when you drive in that car. My moms still rides way smoother then my lexus but the thing is i need to check my mounts and joints also haha.
10-03-07, 04:50 PM
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10-03-07, 07:20 PM
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The only Benz I may get is the E55,CLS55 drive it for a little and sale it b4 75k
I am more into Acura and Lexus
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