Experiences with MB 500 E (W124)?

[Albert-230SL]

Hi friends,

I know this is "Off Topic", but as we have many MB experts here, I would ask for your help:

I'm considering to buy a "500 E" (one of my favourites MB), the W124 E-Class with 5.0l V8 engine, 326 CV and 49 mkg... made between MB and Porsche in Stuttgart from 1990 to 1994.

This car (in the same color as the attached picture) is from 1992, has 169.000 km (105.000 miles), service always in official dealer, and it looks in very good shape. The price is interesting, comparing with normal prices in Spain.

Do you have any experiences, information, suggestions... on this model?

Thanks!



Download Attachment: 500E.jpg
62.23 KB

Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

[Bob G]

Albert;
Go for it. the car is bundles of fun a real E-ticket  and it seats 4 adults. Have the air cushions checked out before you buy it. This is one car I would own beside a 6.3 a real thrill to drive an SL with four doors .
Bob Geco

[Naj ✝︎]

Go for it Albert!!
I'm after one of these even though they only made them all LHD!!
naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[rwmastel]

Albert,
Go test drive it.  If you do, and it's truly in top shape, you'll probably strike a deal before giving back the keys!  I love my 1994 E420, which looks just like the picture you provided.  I've never driven an E500, but those who have driven both say the E500 is a totally different animal.  Some more power, different steering, tighter suspension, different rear axle ratio, different interior, etc.  I would have gotten a E500 if I could have afforded the little extra cost.  I kick myself every time I hear someone describe how awesome they are.

Hint:  Since the E500 is so rare, test drive it first.  Then drive several similar cars (300E, E320, 400E, E420) to get a feel for what a good quality W124 feels like, then drive the E500 again.  This will educate you on a lot of the little things with this chassis and ensure that you understand what's special about the E500.

I'm sure you've been here, but just in case:
http://www.500ecstasy.com/forums/index.php
http://www.need2speed.web.com
http://mercedes500e.netfirms.com/main.htm
http://members.lycos.nl/Mercedes500E/pagestart.html
http://www.nemonis.net/history/history.html
http://www.e500.org (never finished loading)
http://www.bergwerks.com/e_w124.jsp (in case you want "more"!)

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[hauser]

The W124 was one of the best cars MB ever made.  It had such a long production run that by the end the car was flawless.  The 500E is one helluva car!  The only drawback I see to owning such a car in Europe would be its gas consumption.  I don't remember exactly what the range on a full tank of gas is on a 500E but the same car with a diesel got over 700 mi to a tank full.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[Albert-230SL]

Thanks to everybody! (and for the interesting links, Rodd!)

I drove it yesterday, and it really feels in good shape. The car was carefully serviced in the official MB dealer every 10.000 km (the service booklet is in the car), so I guess everything is in order...

For the moment I would keep my MB A190 as daily/urban car, so the fuel consumption is not a big issue (the tank has 90 liters...) [:0]

I have to decide after another driving test tonight... but I think I'm very close to it  

Thanks again!

Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

[Ben]

You probably already know this but the magazine www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk has run several features on this model, there is a sall write up in the current issue and the back numbers can be ordered on-line !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.


Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.

[rwmastel]

Albert,
Did you buy the the E500?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[Albert-230SL]

quote:Originally posted by rwmastel

Albert,
Did you buy the the E500?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

Yes!  

I have paid it today, and will be at home this Wednesday... [:p]

I will post some picture here.

Best regards,

Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

[rwmastel]

I am experiencing much jealousy!!!  I can't wait to see pics, but more importantly I can't wait to read about the fun you have driving it!  Don't get your license taken away!

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[TheEngineer]

How does the top come off?

[Bob G]

Albert.
My wife & I decided last year to purchase the sibbling little brother to the 500-E the 300-E sportline 3.0 liter with all factory custome steel suspension and wider VR rated tires. The cars a blast to drive but having its big brothers power and air suspension really adds to the E------ticket performance of this special model. Although most cars today have as much horepower under their hoods or by chip performance. It is a blast to look at the engine and amagine being at Porsche where they shoe horned this engine in.
Pick up the Mercedes-Enthusiast their is a very good article on the 500-E production life. AMG tried the Hammer about the same time line as the 500-E but I beleive Mercedes-Benz intent was again low key bankers hot rod. It intresting when you think of all the big performance Mercedes-Benz cars , not AMG and wonder had they done this with a coupe what would of happened.
Bob Geco

[Albert-230SL]

quote:Originally posted by rwmastel

I am experiencing much jealousy!!!  I can't wait to see pics, but more importantly I can't wait to read about the fun you have driving it!  Don't get your license taken away!

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

   I hope its "Tempomat" will help me to keep my driving license... but we have no limit in the 0-120 km/h  

quote:Originally posted by theengineer

How does the top come off?

   It only has sunroof... but a saw could help  :mrgreen:

Best regards,


Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

[Albert-230SL]

quote:Originally posted by krwaxbz

Albert.
My wife & I decided last year to purchase the sibbling little brother to the 500-E the 300-E sportline 3.0 liter with all factory custome steel suspension and wider VR rated tires... It intresting when you think of all the big performance Mercedes-Benz cars , not AMG and wonder had they done this with a coupe what would of happened.
Bob Geco

Hi Bob,

I see we are some W124 & W113 owners here!  

When MB launched this "Super-W124" made together with Porsche, I thought then: Why not a 500 CE?. But I think the idea to mix the sedan body of the W124 with the engine and other parts of the 326HP 500 SL (R129), is even more brilliant... it's a true "wolf under a lamb skin", and with the coupé body would be less "lamb".

Best regards,

Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

[Ben]

Regarding the Coupe/saloon thing, it seems that MB have always put the big motor into the saloons only, the 280SEb 3.5 never got the 6.3, and the W107 SL's never got the 6.9 from the 116 !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.

[Albert-230SL]

quote:Originally posted by Ben

Regarding the Coupe/saloon thing, it seems that MB have always put the big motor into the saloons only, the 280SEb 3.5 never got the 6.3, and the W107 SL's never got the 6.9 from the 116 !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.

Good point! We can see this "style" in the classic MB cars, but since the W126 S-Class (1979-1991), they put the 5.6 in the saloon 560 SE/SEL and coupé 560 SEC (even in the 560 SL R107), and later they put the V12 6.0 in the W140 saloon and coupé, and also in the 600 SL R129 roadster. Current big motors (55 and 65 AMG) are in the saloon (S Class), Coupé (CL), and roadster (SL)... So, it seems that MB made the 500 E "in the classic style"  

Regards,

Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432