Alpha , usman asked for a choice between the 230 and other decade old cars , so in that case i advised 230. Ofcourse you are right that there is no comparision when the choice of latest models come in , i mean accord (CL7 OR CL9) , or camry from 2001 to 2004 model is a superior choice. Anyways my experience was great , it was a 230e 1999 avantgarde E class with amg body kit , i will put the picures also.... (i replaced the 230 monogram with 280 but anyways , I bought it Zero meter (imported it from germany) and drove it 15000 km and sold it to a bank president in 2001 (my car was not a 1999 model but infact a 2000 model, i mistakenly wrote 1999, sorry). It was not a car , it was a fully opertational computer , drove like a arabian horse , smooth and fast. I have been keeping mercs since 11 years now , PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT DRIVEN A MERC HAVENT EXPERIENCED THE LUXURY AND SUPERB ENGINEERING AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE DRIVEN A MERC E CLASS KNOW WHAT i am saying. In short loved it !.