Does a 95 S320 have the same engine (104 992) as a 94/95 E320? Can anyone help me with the other differences between an E320 and S320? I have a 94 E320 wagon which has proven to be an exceptional vehicle (196,000 miles--still runs very smooth and strong) I am looking for an E320 sedan but am considering widening my search to include the S320. any opinions?

Thank you,

J. M. van Swaay

An S320 has a 104.994 engine.

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Fred Hoelzle

Little different state of tune.

Looks better in the brochures for the S-class to show more hp than the E-class.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

104 992 vs 104 994
I assume these two engines share the same block, head, and mechanicals. Anything about the 994 that makes it any less long lasting than the 992?

Also, do the S320's share the same common problems as the E320's?
(AC evap, wiring harness, throttle actuator, head gasket)

Thanks

J. M. van Swaay

3 differences come to mind. They only come to mind because of my recent acquistion, '97 S320. I have been trying to learn as much as possible about the W140.

Wiring Harness - One of our Forum members pointed out today that '97 was the first year of the non-disintegrating wire harnesses at least on the S320's.

Belt tensioner is revised. Much simpler designer. Longevity? Can't be worse the original design.

The M104 in the S320 is totally uncluttered in the large engine compartment.
I think that means a slightly cooler environent.

Head Gasket? Can only say that mine had a head gasket done at 67K miles.

While, not an engine difference, the transmission is the 722.6 in the S320 starting I think in '96.

From all I have read and heard, the M104 will run a very long time given proper fluid and filter changes. My M103 in my '92 300E is running strong at
244K miles.

Do a search on S320 to see the several other threads on the subject.

Steve
'97 S320 108K
'92 300E Sportline 244K

The engine is basically the same. The S320 has a 5-speed AT. From 95-99 the S320 was available in SWB and LWB (like the S420, S500 and S600). From 92-94 only in SWB. The S class is bigger but also more complex with systems like door and trunk lid closing assist. Test drive the more expensive S320s available so you have an idea of what they're like when they're at their best. Then look at the ones that are in the same price range as a 95 E320. See what works and doesn't work.

Sixto
93 300SD

The W140 S 320 and the W124 E 320 do have very similar engines. The hp on the W140 is slightly higher due to a higher free flow exhaust system that cannot fit under the W124. But, that where its similarities end!

Having extensively driven both series back to back I can say that the S-class is definitely a much superior automobile. NOT the W124 is not great, IT IS!!! It is just the W140 is on a league of its own. Its size, its solid construction, its weight, its refinement, everything about it is out of this world. Seen separately is diffucult to understand this, but try to get a W140 and a W124 side by side and compare them, you will understand.

Just be careful: for some reason W140s do tend to deteriorate faster than W124s under missly maintenance. For some reason, W124s do tend to be more forgiving when overlooked. In a nutshell: if you are going to buy a W140, be sure it is in prime condition!

I would consider a 97/98/99 for a W140. 95s and early 96s were still sorting out original manufacturing problems. Pre-facelifted 91-94s are nice, although they tend to really give you headaches in terms of maintenance.

If you would like to know more about the differences for W140 pre and post facelift models, check out this thread and read its first two pages:

S-Class Fiasco: W220 vs W140

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

The 140 engine compartment may be a little more accessible but the biggest difference between the two is the weight of the car. The S is lugging around about 1100 more pounds - aprox 4600 versus 3500, or about 30 percent more weight. In technical terms that's a lot. It clearly has an impact on both engine life and transmission life. And speaking of transmission the E320/124 is always a 4 speed while the S320 is always a 5 speed - 722.5 through 1996 then 722.6 in 1997. The .5 has a decent reputation but is an expensive rebuild whereas the .6 has a horrible reputation and is an expensive rebuild. I see that Sun Valley rebuilts are now the same price for a .5 as for a .6 - $2750 - the 4 speeds only $1250.

The S 320 do recovers from its weight disadvantage in terms of its higher end ratio rear differential.

It is less economical, obviously (weight and differential ratio)

I have to disagree on the comment about the 722.5 and 722.6. Here the dealer and all independent shops talk horrors about the 722.5 (being the first try on an electronic 5-speed, almost 35% more parts than the 722.6 and very sensitive to sudden failure).

On the other hand, the 722.6 is praised and regarded as very reliable. Not as cheap to run and rebuild as a the 4-speed, but then, it is far way superior in terms of comfort and efficiency.

Only thing to consider on the 722.6: do change the oil on the 722.6 at least every 50,000 miles! The fill for life motto was disregarded many years ago.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

Where are you getting your weight figures from? Is that a long body or a short body car? Are you comparing an S320 with an E320? The V8 140's obviously weigh more.

My Brothers 1983 300D weighs 100#'s less than my 1982 300SD. The SD blows the doors off of the 300D speed wise. Its interesting that Mercedes engineers would suddenly forget about weight so blatantly in their designs.

From MBUSA, six cylinder versus six cylinder, surprisingly little difference in weight between long and short, slight weight reductions in 1995 for the S, but still around 1100 pound difference overall.

link?

Try a search on 722.6 - there's just a remarkable number of premature failures of all sorts, not that the 4 speeds don't fail but they are on average older transmissions with generally well over 100k.

You have to look up each model under 16 year model overview.

http://www.mbusa.com/overview/1988/SE300S320S.do?category=dimensions&modelCode=SE300S320S&preModelCode=S550V&preClassCode=07_S&preAccClassCode=S

They are two totaly different cars. But yes they share a similer engine, the M104.

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1969 280SE
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