Discussion
Nice car. That car is from Japan. I got one back in Feb and mirror thoughts above. Proper super saloon which goes like a missile when you boot it. Considerably quicker than an SL500 and more enjoyable to drive than my E46 M3. Mine is fully kitted by Lorinser, bodykit, interior, twin exhaust, speedo, staggered alloys etc etc
Mine is about to undergo restoration to make it 100%. Anything which looks worn or old is getting replaced with OEM MB parts and it'll get a full repaint, alloys rebuilt, alcantera headliner, replaced wood trim etc
Mine is about to undergo restoration to make it 100%. Anything which looks worn or old is getting replaced with OEM MB parts and it'll get a full repaint, alloys rebuilt, alcantera headliner, replaced wood trim etc
Hi, sorry, yes it is a Jap import. Lots of history came with it and it's clearly a well loved example unlike a lot of crap that comes over from USA or Japan. Drove it this morning again and it never fails to put a smile on my face. Just need to sort a decent bluetooth aftermarket headunit as I only have Japanese frequencies at the moment but want to keep the original headunit for resale as it's the original Becker headunit. I've been trying to find things that don't work or are not right but I can't find anything at the moment. My 1991 964 Carrera 2 was stunning but it used to do my head in with things not working and in the end you just get fed up but this Merc is actually easier to use daily than more modern cars.
Great buy and once they get under your skin you'll never sell it! I've owned and driven alot of performance cars over the years and my E500 is one of the best,they put alot of modern stuff too shame with there steering feel,handling and build quality,Porsche did a very thorough job developing these cars for Mercedes and it shows.Think they were built on the old Porsche 959 assembly line.Values are only going one way...
I've owned and driven alot of performance cars over the years and my E500 is one of the best,they put alot of modern stuff too shame with there steering feel,handling and build quality,Porsche did a very thorough job developing these cars for Mercedes and it shows.Think they were built on the old Porsche 959 assembly line.Values are only going one way...[quote=ba65]Nice car. That car is from Japan. I got one back in Feb and mirror thoughts above. Proper super saloon which goes like a missile when you boot it. Considerably quicker than an SL500 and more enjoyable to drive than my E46 M3. Mine is fully kitted by Lorinser, bodykit, interior, twin exhaust, speedo, staggered alloys etc etc
Mine is about to undergo restoration to make it 100%. Anything which looks worn or old is getting replaced with OEM MB parts and it'll get a full repaint, alloys rebuilt, alcantera headliner, replaced wood trim etc
Just curious what you find more satisfying than your E46 M3? I hope too do the alcantara headlining on mine also as it's rather sagging and letting the interior down,any idea on cost for this job?would make the interior look fantastic!
Mine is about to undergo restoration to make it 100%. Anything which looks worn or old is getting replaced with OEM MB parts and it'll get a full repaint, alloys rebuilt, alcantera headliner, replaced wood trim etc
Just curious what you find more satisfying than your E46 M3? I hope too do the alcantara headlining on mine also as it's rather sagging and letting the interior down,any idea on cost for this job?would make the interior look fantastic!
I live in London and a large proportion of my driving is in the city - I found the E46 M3 too on the edge, hard suspension, sensitive throttle, massive alloys killing the ride and a jerky SMG box all didn't do favours for it as a city car. Even at mid speeds I didn't find it too exciting, I do really miss the brutal acceleration and handling though (my fiance loved the M3 so I will buy her another one soon - manual though - and trade in her golf!). The M3 is a very hard car to beat and absolutely nothing can beat the fun factor when you're driving along on country roads or the effortless light feeling when you squeeze the throttle on the motorway. Running costs are high, insurance was eye watering (for me) and a major service at BMW was £1k each time. I always ran mine at the main dealer for whatever it wanted (even MOT's) and as a result it did cost a small fortune to keep tip top (but mine really was tip-top, practically brand new). I bought it on 28k miles and sold it with 54k - nothing went wrong and I really did thrash it hard at times.
The 500E is practically the opposite in character, look, feel and dynamics. It has such a unique feel to the drive for me, it's hard to describe. Doesn't attract much attention (however anytime I seem to take it out now at least one person asks about it) and now that mine is back on the 8-hole 16" OEM alloys it's even more under the radar, a real sleeper! Handling wise it's sloppy compared to an M3 (of course I hear you say!) and the gearbox really is dull witted (God, they've come a really long way since) but so much more comfortable, especially with the poor roads in the UK and it just moves effortlessly with that big V8 up front and feels so light but strong at the same time (my M3 felt like a tin-can in comparison). I like the cheap classic car insurance (less than £200 and I'm 26), low tax band and bullet proof depreciation makes the frequent fill ups hurt that little bit less. It's an epic car to put it into one word and the more you drive it the more it grows on you...a personaily begins to manifest itself! When I first got in the car I was thinking OMG what have I done, swapped my minty M3 for this old W124 (!) but now that I've driven it more and more (and under different circumstances) I wouldn't consider swapping it for anything in the £15-20k price range.
With LHD, getting a ticket when you pull into a shopping centre is a real PITA though - always remember to take people with you, not meet them there!
The headlining recovered in black alcantera will be about £750 if you have someone remove and refit it or about £500 if you do that work yourself (source - Bespoke Leathering).
Quick shot of my beauty having a bath...
HTH
Bill
The 500E is practically the opposite in character, look, feel and dynamics. It has such a unique feel to the drive for me, it's hard to describe. Doesn't attract much attention (however anytime I seem to take it out now at least one person asks about it) and now that mine is back on the 8-hole 16" OEM alloys it's even more under the radar, a real sleeper! Handling wise it's sloppy compared to an M3 (of course I hear you say!) and the gearbox really is dull witted (God, they've come a really long way since) but so much more comfortable, especially with the poor roads in the UK and it just moves effortlessly with that big V8 up front and feels so light but strong at the same time (my M3 felt like a tin-can in comparison). I like the cheap classic car insurance (less than £200 and I'm 26), low tax band and bullet proof depreciation makes the frequent fill ups hurt that little bit less. It's an epic car to put it into one word and the more you drive it the more it grows on you...a personaily begins to manifest itself! When I first got in the car I was thinking OMG what have I done, swapped my minty M3 for this old W124 (!) but now that I've driven it more and more (and under different circumstances) I wouldn't consider swapping it for anything in the £15-20k price range.
With LHD, getting a ticket when you pull into a shopping centre is a real PITA though - always remember to take people with you, not meet them there!
The headlining recovered in black alcantera will be about £750 if you have someone remove and refit it or about £500 if you do that work yourself (source - Bespoke Leathering).
Quick shot of my beauty having a bath...
HTH
Bill
ba65 said:
I live in London and a large proportion of my driving is in the city - I found the E46 M3 too on the edge, hard suspension, sensitive throttle, massive alloys killing the ride and a jerky SMG box all didn't do favours for it as a city car. Even at mid speeds I didn't find it too exciting, I do really miss the brutal acceleration and handling though (my fiance loved the M3 so I will buy her another one soon - manual though - and trade in her golf!). The M3 is a very hard car to beat and absolutely nothing can beat the fun factor when you're driving along on country roads or the effortless light feeling when you squeeze the throttle on the motorway. Running costs are high, insurance was eye watering (for me) and a major service at BMW was £1k each time. I always ran mine at the main dealer for whatever it wanted (even MOT's) and as a result it did cost a small fortune to keep tip top (but mine really was tip-top, practically brand new). I bought it on 28k miles and sold it with 54k - nothing went wrong and I really did thrash it hard at times.
The 500E is practically the opposite in character, look, feel and dynamics. It has such a unique feel to the drive for me, it's hard to describe. Doesn't attract much attention (however anytime I seem to take it out now at least one person asks about it) and now that mine is back on the 8-hole 16" OEM alloys it's even more under the radar, a real sleeper! Handling wise it's sloppy compared to an M3 (of course I hear you say!) and the gearbox really is dull witted (God, they've come a really long way since) but so much more comfortable, especially with the poor roads in the UK and it just moves effortlessly with that big V8 up front and feels so light but strong at the same time (my M3 felt like a tin-can in comparison). I like the cheap classic car insurance (less than £200 and I'm 26), low tax band and bullet proof depreciation makes the frequent fill ups hurt that little bit less. It's an epic car to put it into one word and the more you drive it the more it grows on you...a personaily begins to manifest itself! When I first got in the car I was thinking OMG what have I done, swapped my minty M3 for this old W124 (!) but now that I've driven it more and more (and under different circumstances) I wouldn't consider swapping it for anything in the £15-20k price range.
With LHD, getting a ticket when you pull into a shopping centre is a real PITA though - always remember to take people with you, not meet them there!
The headlining recovered in black alcantera will be about £750 if you have someone remove and refit it or about £500 if you do that work yourself (source - Bespoke Leathering).
Quick shot of my beauty having a bath...
HTH
Bill
This is a really good summary. On paper people (myself included initially) don't get the point of the 500E. It's not really much to look at. By modern standards it's not the fastest saloon out there. 4 speed auto is slow and as you pointed out the handling is a little wallowy.The 500E is practically the opposite in character, look, feel and dynamics. It has such a unique feel to the drive for me, it's hard to describe. Doesn't attract much attention (however anytime I seem to take it out now at least one person asks about it) and now that mine is back on the 8-hole 16" OEM alloys it's even more under the radar, a real sleeper! Handling wise it's sloppy compared to an M3 (of course I hear you say!) and the gearbox really is dull witted (God, they've come a really long way since) but so much more comfortable, especially with the poor roads in the UK and it just moves effortlessly with that big V8 up front and feels so light but strong at the same time (my M3 felt like a tin-can in comparison). I like the cheap classic car insurance (less than £200 and I'm 26), low tax band and bullet proof depreciation makes the frequent fill ups hurt that little bit less. It's an epic car to put it into one word and the more you drive it the more it grows on you...a personaily begins to manifest itself! When I first got in the car I was thinking OMG what have I done, swapped my minty M3 for this old W124 (!) but now that I've driven it more and more (and under different circumstances) I wouldn't consider swapping it for anything in the £15-20k price range.
With LHD, getting a ticket when you pull into a shopping centre is a real PITA though - always remember to take people with you, not meet them there!
The headlining recovered in black alcantera will be about £750 if you have someone remove and refit it or about £500 if you do that work yourself (source - Bespoke Leathering).
Quick shot of my beauty having a bath...
HTH
Bill
BUT, somehow (and I have owned nearly 30 cars in 23 years) it gets under your skin. It's so relaxed but at the same time has effortless power which is more than enough for London roads and also motorways etc. The V8 is actually silky smooth and it just wafts along at a lovely pace without you really having to make any effort. The interior is a nice place to be, it's so comfortable and the ride is really compliant even 20 years on. It's small enough to not be like a boat like an S Class or modern big saloons. And actually put it on an A Road above 40mph and this thing really does go. 0-60 times don't do it justice. The mid range is superb on part throttle, half throttle, full throttle. I'm sure it could embarrass similar modern metal given the chance.
Then once you keep looking at it and then looking at it again you start to notice more and more the flared arches, the little design touches, the meaty front end, the butch rear and you think you know what this thing is actually pretty special.
Excellent write up Bill,thanks for your thoughts on your 500E,I currently have a 987 2.7 Boxster and a lightly modified E500 with 911 turbo front brakes,exhaust and suspension mods.The secret may well be out with the 500E/E500 as folk have now cottoned on too how good they are as prices have been steadily rising for a while now.
Planned mods for mine is sort the headlining with Alcantara,750.00 isn't too steep and fit a Quaife LSD,makes an amazing difference to these cars!
http://www.motorsport-tools.com/quaife-mercedes-be...
Been watching this one on ebay with interest..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-500e-LHD-e-500-...
Planned mods for mine is sort the headlining with Alcantara,750.00 isn't too steep and fit a Quaife LSD,makes an amazing difference to these cars!
http://www.motorsport-tools.com/quaife-mercedes-be...
Been watching this one on ebay with interest..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-500e-LHD-e-500-...
Edited by evojam on Saturday 25th July 15:46
[quote=anissut]
This is a really good summary. On paper people (myself included initially) don't get the point of the 500E. It's not really much to look at. By modern standards it's not the fastest saloon out there. 4 speed auto is slow and as you pointed out the handling is a little wallowy.
BUT, somehow (and I have owned nearly 30 cars in 23 years) it gets under your skin. It's so relaxed but at the same time has effortless power which is more than enough for London roads and also motorways etc. The V8 is actually silky smooth and it just wafts along at a lovely pace without you really having to make any effort. The interior is a nice place to be, it's so comfortable and the ride is really compliant even 20 years on. It's small enough to not be like a boat like an S Class or modern big saloons. And actually put it on an A Road above 40mph and this thing really does go. 0-60 times don't do it justice. The mid range is superb on part throttle, half throttle, full throttle. I'm sure it could embarrass similar modern metal given the chance.
Then once you keep looking at it and then looking at it again you start to notice more and more the flared arches, the little design touches, the meaty front end, the butch rear and you think you know what this thing is actually pretty special.
annisut,
Keep looking at it because it is really special. Have you noticed the time stamps at the bottom of the doors where they form the seal with the bodywork? Hand built beauty.
This is a really good summary. On paper people (myself included initially) don't get the point of the 500E. It's not really much to look at. By modern standards it's not the fastest saloon out there. 4 speed auto is slow and as you pointed out the handling is a little wallowy.
BUT, somehow (and I have owned nearly 30 cars in 23 years) it gets under your skin. It's so relaxed but at the same time has effortless power which is more than enough for London roads and also motorways etc. The V8 is actually silky smooth and it just wafts along at a lovely pace without you really having to make any effort. The interior is a nice place to be, it's so comfortable and the ride is really compliant even 20 years on. It's small enough to not be like a boat like an S Class or modern big saloons. And actually put it on an A Road above 40mph and this thing really does go. 0-60 times don't do it justice. The mid range is superb on part throttle, half throttle, full throttle. I'm sure it could embarrass similar modern metal given the chance.
Then once you keep looking at it and then looking at it again you start to notice more and more the flared arches, the little design touches, the meaty front end, the butch rear and you think you know what this thing is actually pretty special.
annisut,
Keep looking at it because it is really special. Have you noticed the time stamps at the bottom of the doors where they form the seal with the bodywork? Hand built beauty.
evojam said:
Excellent write up Bill,thanks for your thoughts on your 500E,I currently have a 987 2.7 Boxster and a lightly modified E500 with 911 turbo front brakes,exhaust and suspension mods.The secret may well be out with the 500E/E500 as folk have now cottoned on too how good they are as prices have been steadily rising for a while now.
Planned mods for mine is sort the headlining with Alcantara,750.00 isn't too steep and fit a Quaife LSD,makes an amazing difference to these cars!
http://www.motorsport-tools.com/quaife-mercedes-be...
Been watching this one on ebay with interest..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-500e-LHD-e-500-...
LSD would be a good modification (really made a difference in getting the power down in the M3).Planned mods for mine is sort the headlining with Alcantara,750.00 isn't too steep and fit a Quaife LSD,makes an amazing difference to these cars!
http://www.motorsport-tools.com/quaife-mercedes-be...
Been watching this one on ebay with interest..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-500e-LHD-e-500-...
Edited by evojam on Saturday 25th July 15:46
I am also fitting ASR defeat and 1st gear start to mine (not sure why MB didn't have this as factory). Many owners have made these sorts of modifications over the pond...
It would be good to see photos of your car - Porsche brakes, suspension mods and a loud exhaust sound right up my street. Have you had it long? I'd be interesting to see how you got the brakes on as the car really needs a BBK and it's immediately apparent when driving hard (I have braided hoses).
evojam said:
Been watching this one on ebay with interest..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-500e-LHD-e-500-...
Odd. That one on eBay finished as sold at £11,100, but has subsequently been relisted by the vendor http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-500e-LHD-e-500-...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-500e-LHD-e-500-...
Perhaps the buyer first time round got cold feet or didn't have the money.
Good luck to anyone finding a well sorted, low miles 500E for less than 20k. Sure you can find a high miler, which needs paint, probably needs other bodywork stuff done, interior trim, suspension bits, tyres etc. but in reality they will be circa 15k anyway before any spend.
Cars at £11,500 will in my opinion be proper sheds.
Cars at £11,500 will in my opinion be proper sheds.
anissut said:
Good luck to anyone finding a well sorted, low miles 500E for less than 20k. Sure you can find a high miler, which needs paint, probably needs other bodywork stuff done, interior trim, suspension bits, tyres etc. but in reality they will be circa 15k anyway before any spend.
Cars at £11,500 will in my opinion be proper sheds.
Agreed with exception to the miles part. These cars can do serious miles without showing it. I've seen some minters with over 200,000km! Those examples have been meticulously maintained though.Cars at £11,500 will in my opinion be proper sheds.
That black example on eBay is a rough beater imo.
ba65 said:
Agreed with exception to the miles part. These cars can do serious miles without showing it. I've seen some minters with over 200,000km! Those examples have been meticulously maintained though.
That black example on eBay is a rough beater imo.
Agreed, it's got the wrong bonnet and grill for the year, even though he says it's not been modified.That black example on eBay is a rough beater imo.
ba65 said:
Agreed with exception to the miles part. These cars can do serious miles without showing it. I've seen some minters with over 200,000km! Those examples have been meticulously maintained though.
That black example on eBay is a rough beater imo.
Agreed, it's got the wrong bonnet and grill for the year, even though he says it's not been modified.That black example on eBay is a rough beater imo.
ras62 said:
Nice car and incredible build quality. Shame they were not made with the later 5 speed gearbox though. I can't see why the E500 would be considerably faster than a SL500?
It probably isn't faster to be fair. Not that it really matters. The 4 speed auto is a bit frustrating as you need to kick it down more than you want to but where the car excels is from around 40-50mph onwards. It really is very impressive from then onwards.Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff