Tell me about the 500E

[wolfy1988]

Hi Guys

Went to see a 1992 Mercedes 500E W124 today in Kuwait

Gorgeous car, seems to be in very impressive condition, with barely any wear on the interior and very small amount of bubbling on the OS A pillar.

I asked the owner to drive as I have only just moved to Kuwait and would rather not muck up in someones else's car.

It has 318k kms, guy has owned it for 10 years and is a real enthusiast. The car drove very smoothly with no untoward noise, knocks rattles etc. Its engine certainly felt healthy, sounded bloody wonderful etc etc

What should I know about them?

It will set me back VERY little compared to the UK going rate

[fivepointnine]

They were built by Porsche I think, they are a pre AMG special Mercedes hot rod. Subtle wide body and other small features, absolutely amazing cars,Im always on the lookout for one.

[Leins]

fivepointnine said:

They were built by Porsche I think, they are a pre AMG special Mercedes hot rod. Subtle wide body and other small features, absolutely amazing cars,Im always on the lookout for one.

I won't try to hammer the point home, but they were also a post-AMG special


I'd love one OP, and have thought about swapping my BMW E34 for a 500E on occasion (I can't afford a W124 E60). One thing I've noticed is they seem to have a bad press for burnt-out electrics under the bonnet due to heat build-up

The subtle irony being that I've had to source a replacement wiring-loom for my M5 recently

[wolfy1988]

Leins said:

fivepointnine said:

They were built by Porsche I think, they are a pre AMG special Mercedes hot rod. Subtle wide body and other small features, absolutely amazing cars,Im always on the lookout for one.

I won't try to hammer the point home, but they were also a post-AMG special


I'd love one OP, and have thought about swapping my BMW E34 for a 500E on occasion (I can't afford a W124 E60). One thing I've noticed is they seem to have a bad press for burnt-out electrics under the bonnet due to heat build-up

The subtle irony being that I've had to source a replacement wiring-loom for my M5 recently

You seem to follow me around PH, Leins

I'm going to buy it, I have too. If I weren't in Kuwait I would never be able to buy a car like this.

Now or never! Stay posted for a Readers Ride soon

[Leins]

wolfy1988 said:

You seem to follow me around PH, Leins

I'm going to buy it, I have too. If I weren't in Kuwait I would never be able to buy a car like this.

Now or never! Stay posted for a Readers Ride soon

Aha, yes, I'm liking your car choices wolfy!

Great choice on one of these IMO, and definitely let us know how you get on. But if you do bring it back into Ireland and decide it's not for you...

[55palfers]

Do you have a link to the Kuwait car please OP?

[fivepointnine]

Leins said:

I won't try to hammer the point home, but they were also a post-AMG special


I'd love one OP, and have thought about swapping my BMW E34 for a 500E on occasion (I can't afford a W124 E60). One thing I've noticed is they seem to have a bad press for burnt-out electrics under the bonnet due to heat build-up

The subtle irony being that I've had to source a replacement wiring-loom for my M5 recently

You got me on that one! I should have clarified "factory produced" AMG cars, like the C43, C36, C32, E55 etc.

[monthefish]

fivepointnine said:

Subtle wide body .

Just the front arches wasn't it?

They're probably the Q-est of Q-cars ever.

[Veeayt]

monthefish said:

Just the front arches wasn't it?

They're probably the Q-est of Q-cars ever.

Nope, these were also V8's, slightly faster and in an estate form

[wolfy1988]

Veeayt said:

monthefish said:

Just the front arches wasn't it?

They're probably the Q-est of Q-cars ever.

Nope, these were also V8's, slightly faster and in an estate form

Are they really quicker? I though they were 2.2 Turbo with something like 230bhp? I don't know much about the early ones I will admit.

[belleair302]

Be careful of over heating, check all of the fluids frequently, some parts can be tough to find and the car is best service by a M-B specialist. Suspension and steering take a bashing but quality wise a decent ride. Not the best gearbox and certainly no E34 M5 on the twisty bits for for highways and distance driving just amazing.

[IroningMan]

wolfy1988 said:

Veeayt said:

monthefish said:

Just the front arches wasn't it?

They're probably the Q-est of Q-cars ever.

Nope, these were also V8's, slightly faster and in an estate form

Are they really quicker? I though they were 2.2 Turbo with something like 230bhp? I don't know much about the early ones I will admit.

The UrS4 and UrS6 were 2.2 I5 turbos, but there was also an S6 Plus, which had the 4.2 326bhp V8 from the contemporary S8. All LHD, I think and thin on the ground.

[wolfy1988]

IroningMan said:

wolfy1988 said:

Veeayt said:

monthefish said:

Just the front arches wasn't it?

They're probably the Q-est of Q-cars ever.

Nope, these were also V8's, slightly faster and in an estate form

Are they really quicker? I though they were 2.2 Turbo with something like 230bhp? I don't know much about the early ones I will admit.

The UrS4 and UrS6 were 2.2 I5 turbos, but there was also an S6 Plus, which had the 4.2 326bhp V8 from the contemporary S8. All LHD, I think and thin on the ground.

Oh nice! That would be an awesome car I'm sure

[izzzzythedog]

Our e500 killed fuel at an alarming rate of 10 mpg . It was a lovely drive but very underpowered IMO . We had no issues whatsoever and i serviced it myself

[Vanin]

Went on an autobahn unrestricted in an E500 and we touched 270kph confirmed by satnav.
The thing I remember most was the lack of drama. Slowed down behind a van, brakes fantastic , and after that 160 kph felt like snails pace.
I believe the owner said that most of the parts on the car were changed by Porsche.
Ultimate Q car as it looks just like a taxi!

[wolfy1988]

izzzzythedog said:

Our e500 killed fuel at an alarming rate of 10 mpg . It was a lovely drive but very underpowered IMO . We had no issues whatsoever and i serviced it myself

10mpg won't be an issue for me here in Kuwait. Underpowered? Certainly didn't feel it too me, as the poster below you see there is a distinct lack of drama but it also depends on what you used too. To me it feels on par if not slightly quicker than my old Alpina B3.

[izzzzythedog]

i suspect ive been spoilt by high BHP Japanese cars

[wolfy1988]

izzzzythedog said:

i suspect ive been spoilt by high BHP Japanese cars

Probably

Its far from ballistic but its certainly quick enough for a daily.

[wolfy1988]

Vanin said:

Went on an autobahn unrestricted in an E500 and we touched 270kph confirmed by satnav.
The thing I remember most was the lack of drama. Slowed down behind a van, brakes fantastic , and after that 160 kph felt like snails pace.
I believe the owner said that most of the parts on the car were changed by Porsche.
Ultimate Q car as it looks just like a taxi!

That sounds like a lot of fun, Top speed driving is bitter sweat isn't it? Great fun flying up the road at mach 10 but then mach 9 and below feel positively pedestrian!

I read some where that it took 10 days to build one as Porsche and Mercedes would keep exchanging the car till it was completed, also read that there are 4000 individual components to the 500E.