W210 320 or 240?

[fwb44]

Later this year I will have to change my car. It'll be to another W210 E class estate, but petrol this time as I will LPG-convert it. What do members think of the respective merits of the 240 and the 320 V6s? I have no experience of either ... only of the 280E from the 1980s which I found underpowered ...

 

[jberks]

Hi,
As an owner of a W210 E240 - go for the 320 if you can.
I bought mine 11 months old, and at that point I would have been looking at a 3-4 year old pre facelift 320 for what I was spending so I settled for the 240. Now, I doubt there will be a lot of difference so you should have the choice.
The 240 is lovely and smooth, but it is no more fuel efficient than the 320 and a lot less powerful. Its quite gutsy over 3500 rpm but pretty wheezy below that, so I find I have to use kickdown to get anything out of it. So, 50-70 without kickdown can take an age, whilst 80-100 in top is quite rapid.

 

[pascal]

The 320 is about 60 more HP. The difference in mpg is about 2/3. The 320 may have better kit. The difference in used price, will not be that high.

 

[fwb44]

go for the 320 if you can. The 240 is lovely and smooth, but it is no more fuel efficient than the 320 and a lot less powerful

Thanks for that, it's rather what I expected to hear but good to have it confirmed.

What sort of m.p.g. is anyone getting out of a W210 E320?

 

[OlafMaxwell]

I remember years back looking at a car with two engine choices and buying the smaller one. However the larger engine was more economical and of course nicer to drive. Resale values same, normal maintenance costs will be identical due to common parts, insurance much the same. Having got a 320CDi as against 270CDI I would strongly advise go for the 320......more enjoyable and you get an occasional stress relieving burn..... Just make sure you get a good one.

 

[nickh]

Go for the 320. I get about 30mpg on mine.

As soon as you take on extra people or weight the 240 becomes a bit strained.

 

[fwb44]

Thanks everybody. LPG-converted 320 I reckon it ought to be, with petrol and diesel at practically £1 per litre before much longer and LPG still around 41-42p and fixed apparently for the best part of the next 3 years.