Discussion
Firstly, they are incredible cars in every sense of the word.
Problem areas are the wiring harness, which mainly was an issue in America, otherwise they are about as bullet proof a Merc as you can get.
Bodywork parts are expensive, interior trim etc is also very expensive.
Consumables are cheap, brakes etc cost me about 350 for Disks and pads all round including sensors from a Merc Dealer.
The 1992 model should have the closed deck block M119 engine. It is far faster than the figures suggest, mine ran a 13.9 Quarter mile at 107mph. I did 3160 miles in 3.5 days and it loved every minute of it.
It is quite low geared compared to modern Mercs with the 5 speed auto but it shifts smnoothly and i've never felt the need for a 5th gear. It is genuinely fast and was infact quicker uphill than a 355, the previous owner had both a 355 and my Merc.
Drive one, fall in love with it and then drive it as intended.
I get between 18 and 24mpg, Tyres are 100 each for GSD3 Eagles, it doesn't understeer at all, really impressive.
I will be keeping mine for a long long time yet.
Any information about the one you are looking at?
Dave!
Problem areas are the wiring harness, which mainly was an issue in America, otherwise they are about as bullet proof a Merc as you can get.
Bodywork parts are expensive, interior trim etc is also very expensive.
Consumables are cheap, brakes etc cost me about 350 for Disks and pads all round including sensors from a Merc Dealer.
The 1992 model should have the closed deck block M119 engine. It is far faster than the figures suggest, mine ran a 13.9 Quarter mile at 107mph. I did 3160 miles in 3.5 days and it loved every minute of it.
It is quite low geared compared to modern Mercs with the 5 speed auto but it shifts smnoothly and i've never felt the need for a 5th gear. It is genuinely fast and was infact quicker uphill than a 355, the previous owner had both a 355 and my Merc.
Drive one, fall in love with it and then drive it as intended.
I get between 18 and 24mpg, Tyres are 100 each for GSD3 Eagles, it doesn't understeer at all, really impressive.
I will be keeping mine for a long long time yet.
Any information about the one you are looking at?
Dave!
Hi, thanks for the eulogy - exactly why I wanted it!
Unfortunately I have had to pass on it as I'm only over in the UK for a few days and haven't been able to spare the time to go down and see it as originally planned. Which is really rather disappointing. Maybe another time, another car.
It's for sale at a dealer called Charles Ironside in Hampshire (google the name for the webpage as posting the link here didn't work for some odd reason). He sent me the full gen on it including high resolution pics and it looks absolutely like new despite a hefty 272,000 kms on the clock.
Cheers.
Unfortunately I have had to pass on it as I'm only over in the UK for a few days and haven't been able to spare the time to go down and see it as originally planned. Which is really rather disappointing. Maybe another time, another car.
It's for sale at a dealer called Charles Ironside in Hampshire (google the name for the webpage as posting the link here didn't work for some odd reason). He sent me the full gen on it including high resolution pics and it looks absolutely like new despite a hefty 272,000 kms on the clock.
Cheers.
Edited by RacingTeatray on Friday 30th June 07:20
Ah we have another 500E owner 
, hello howitzer.
I considered buying one for some time but went for a 190E-16v in the end, as things were generally cheaper and I wanted to do track days in it. Also driving an SL500 put me off as it didn't seem as 'sledgehammer' as I would have thought.
I still envisage owning a 500 some day.
I have only ever seen a few - one badged as an E200 at the donington tuner GP, another belonging to Martin Stretton (he does motor racing) with nearly 300,000 kms on which has now been replaced with an E39 M5.
, hello howitzer. I considered buying one for some time but went for a 190E-16v in the end, as things were generally cheaper and I wanted to do track days in it. Also driving an SL500 put me off as it didn't seem as 'sledgehammer' as I would have thought.
I still envisage owning a 500 some day.
I have only ever seen a few - one badged as an E200 at the donington tuner GP, another belonging to Martin Stretton (he does motor racing) with nearly 300,000 kms on which has now been replaced with an E39 M5.
The 500E grows on you.
It's the ease at which it handles roads that it isn't suited to, understeer just doesn't happen and the way the needle still swings round when it changes into 4th is always cool. I can get a faster car for the same money but I doubt such a compeent car in all areas. I drive it on B Roads the same way I drove my MK1 Golf GTI and it wafted my Grandparents to their 50th wedding anniversary.
I wont be selling haha
Dave!
It's the ease at which it handles roads that it isn't suited to, understeer just doesn't happen and the way the needle still swings round when it changes into 4th is always cool. I can get a faster car for the same money but I doubt such a compeent car in all areas. I drive it on B Roads the same way I drove my MK1 Golf GTI and it wafted my Grandparents to their 50th wedding anniversary.
I wont be selling haha
Dave!
Someone has just started writing an Auto Journal about their 500E:
www.auto-journals.com/s2/content/merc500e1.html
www.auto-journals.com/s2/content/merc500e1.html
BossCerbera said:
Someone has just started writing an Auto Journal about their 500E:
www.auto-journals.com/s2/content/merc500e1.html
www.auto-journals.com/s2/content/merc500e1.html
Isn't that Howizter's (above posts) Journal? Mentions grandparents 50th anniversary in both the above post and journal
500E/E500 awesome machines! If you get the opportunity to buy one, take it!
I looked at these cars before phoning up insurance companies....so I had to stick to buying an E320 Coupe. One day I will own an E500!!
Darren
Oddly I got a lift in a 500E yesterday - here there is a so-called "gipsy" cab system whereby you just stick your hand out into the traffic and see who stops. You can get most places for 100 roubles (2 quid) but usually your chariot is a Lada.
Not this time though - it was a grey and slightly ratty 500E. Bloody hell they're quick. Driver was delighted that I knew what it was and insisted on showing us how fast it could accelerate. Very smooth car.
Might have to reconsider options for getting one.
Not this time though - it was a grey and slightly ratty 500E. Bloody hell they're quick. Driver was delighted that I knew what it was and insisted on showing us how fast it could accelerate. Very smooth car.
Might have to reconsider options for getting one.
Indeed. I hadn't clocked it until I got inside (was very ratty outside - exposed filler, nasty alloys and missing trim strips). Then was eyeing the perforated leather, dark wood and the part-wood steering wheel etc thinking this once actually once a rather upmarket W124, at which point we moved off and the engine's delivery instantly made me think it was a big V8. I'm afraid I stuck my head out the window to see the widened arches to check before asking the driver.
iluvmercs said:
All the time I spent in Moscow and NEVER got a Mercedes cab, let alone a 500E!!! 
Darren
Darren
Got a gipsy-cab lift the other day in a black BMW 760iL complete with blue light and braap-braap VIP siren. Very cool - got the driver to sound the siren...
This can happen occasionally as people's chauffeurs on their way home seek to earn a little extra wodge.
RacingTeatray said:
iluvmercs said:
All the time I spent in Moscow and NEVER got a Mercedes cab, let alone a 500E!!!
Darren
Darren
Got a gipsy-cab lift the other day in a black BMW 760iL complete with blue light and braap-braap VIP siren. Very cool - got the driver to sound the siren...
This can happen occasionally as people's chauffeurs on their way home seek to earn a little extra wodge.
Did the guy get to use the centre lane with his VIP siren and lights?
Darren
Ok - the seasons have waxed and waned since last I thought about this. But once again am thinking about buying a W124 500, this time an E500, rather than a 500E. Off to see it and test it next w/end so have been re-reading Howitzer's autojournal reports to refresh my mind.
Any further tips anyone?
Any further tips anyone?
Don't worry if it seems like it's running hot, it should sit between 85 and 100 in general driving and shouldn't go above that.
Any bangs at the back end need investigating, if the SLS fluid is very black then the bangs could mean you need new spheres in the rear suspension at £75 each or it could be the struts which are over £100 each I believe.
It should pull cleanly at all times, a few trim rattles are normal but it should feel solid. Check for tapping on a cold start up as this is a sign the oil rails for the rockerts have come adrift as the E500 had plastic pipes.
Mainly don't be afraid to drive it hard, it should soak up the bumps, be stable and not really understeer unless you are being stupid.
Hope it works out to be a good car, they really are fantastic.
Dave!
Any bangs at the back end need investigating, if the SLS fluid is very black then the bangs could mean you need new spheres in the rear suspension at £75 each or it could be the struts which are over £100 each I believe.
It should pull cleanly at all times, a few trim rattles are normal but it should feel solid. Check for tapping on a cold start up as this is a sign the oil rails for the rockerts have come adrift as the E500 had plastic pipes.
Mainly don't be afraid to drive it hard, it should soak up the bumps, be stable and not really understeer unless you are being stupid.
Hope it works out to be a good car, they really are fantastic.
Dave!
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff