Discussion
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
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.
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?
Thanks Howitzer.
I will report back. It didn't escape my notice that a current-shape E500 is similar money with fewer miles on the clock. But then the appeal of a W124 E500 and a current E500 are poles apart. One is a big-engined luxobarge that will make you look like a corporate limo and the other is a bonafide nutcase moment from a manufacturer not usually noted for such things. It may also make you look like a Croydon minicab but that's part of the appeal. It's like the Audi RS2 Avant in that respect but stealthier and even better-built.
I mean it's one of the stealthiest cars ever - only almost unnoticeably wider arches and some front fogs distinguish it. It even has the same design of 8-hole alloys as lesser W124s. And yet it has 320+bhp. That appeals to me - in the world of low-volume nutty German cars that are only available in LHD, call it yin to the Z1's yang.
I will report back. It didn't escape my notice that a current-shape E500 is similar money with fewer miles on the clock. But then the appeal of a W124 E500 and a current E500 are poles apart. One is a big-engined luxobarge that will make you look like a corporate limo and the other is a bonafide nutcase moment from a manufacturer not usually noted for such things. It may also make you look like a Croydon minicab but that's part of the appeal. It's like the Audi RS2 Avant in that respect but stealthier and even better-built.
I mean it's one of the stealthiest cars ever - only almost unnoticeably wider arches and some front fogs distinguish it. It even has the same design of 8-hole alloys as lesser W124s. And yet it has 320+bhp. That appeals to me - in the world of low-volume nutty German cars that are only available in LHD, call it yin to the Z1's yang.
Well, thanks for all the tips. I am now to be the proud possessor of a 2-owner K-reg E500 (one of the first facelifted jobs apparently) in blue black metallic with a black leather interior and a starship 297,000kms (new engine from Merc 90,000 kms ago though). I collect it in two and a half weeks' time when I'm next back in the UK, giving it time for some decent fettling (which shall include having the engine wiring loom inspected).
It's in amazing nick for such an old car with such a high mileage. I was super-impressed by the quality, which redefines how well built I thought a car could be. The leather looks like it's never been sat on, the paint has a deep even lustre, the alloys have never been refurbed yet are unmarked, and the whole thing feels bulletproof. And it has a wonderfully schizophrenic character - you can burble along in near silence and comfort, or you can prod the throttle and get catapulted towards the horizon at a startling rate with an enraged bellow. For something so sedate looking, it really does shift. And handle.
I gather it's being driven and photographed today by Classic & Sportscar for an item on the W124 500, so I shall have that to look forward to!
It's in amazing nick for such an old car with such a high mileage. I was super-impressed by the quality, which redefines how well built I thought a car could be. The leather looks like it's never been sat on, the paint has a deep even lustre, the alloys have never been refurbed yet are unmarked, and the whole thing feels bulletproof. And it has a wonderfully schizophrenic character - you can burble along in near silence and comfort, or you can prod the throttle and get catapulted towards the horizon at a startling rate with an enraged bellow. For something so sedate looking, it really does shift. And handle.
I gather it's being driven and photographed today by Classic & Sportscar for an item on the W124 500, so I shall have that to look forward to!
Got mine from http://www.charlesironside.co.uk/ - it was a smidgen more than the other he's got for sale.
The other place to guide you is http://avantgardecars.co.uk.lightning1.net/main.asp?type=Merc&price=de - they have four for sale at the moment.
The other place to guide you is http://avantgardecars.co.uk.lightning1.net/main.asp?type=Merc&price=de - they have four for sale at the moment.
Edited by RacingTeatray on Thursday 6th December 09:04
No, I haven't tried them beyond checking they worked, and can't recall if they warm only your buns or not. They have three settings - off, low and high.
I don't pick the car until 22nd Dec when I'm next over. In the meantime it's having some stuff done - new windscreen, new steering wheel, wiring loom checked and some paintwork rectification.
I don't pick the car until 22nd Dec when I'm next over. In the meantime it's having some stuff done - new windscreen, new steering wheel, wiring loom checked and some paintwork rectification.
No, I'm afraid not. T'is all being done by the dealer - there's a properly big chip in mine. I don't suppose there's anything special about the windscreen compared to a normal W124??
I had to have the windscreen replaced on my 156 GTA earlier this year after it shattered, which was a bit fraught as it's got built-in rain-sensors and apparently therefore requires a different screen to normal 156s. It transpired that such screens are not typically kept in stock as they are rare, so it took ages to find an autoglass company that had one. But the one I used (some generic name like AutoWindscreens) did a perfectly quick, tidy and compentent job.
I had to have the windscreen replaced on my 156 GTA earlier this year after it shattered, which was a bit fraught as it's got built-in rain-sensors and apparently therefore requires a different screen to normal 156s. It transpired that such screens are not typically kept in stock as they are rare, so it took ages to find an autoglass company that had one. But the one I used (some generic name like AutoWindscreens) did a perfectly quick, tidy and compentent job.
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