Discussion
ras62 said:
The recirculating ball system is never going to be the last word in steering feel so its a mute point imo. I cant comment on the brake system, I do know the Emergency Brake Assist offered on the later SL's is hugely effective, but probably the single biggest difference comes from the later SL having the electronic 5 speed gearbox. Response and fuel economy are markedly improved over the 4 speed version fitted in the 500E.
Off subject here but I had the slack taken out of my steering by adjusting the rack, it made a big difference to the steering, now much more direct with little to no play at centre.
I take the point about the recirculating ball system but having driven a 1994 500E as my daily driver for eighteen months and owned a 1995 SL 500 at the same time the steering feedback and weight on the saloon wasn't moot for me. It was palpably real. Both obviously used the r/c ball system which whilst less sensitive than a rack and pinion set up is more durable and more efficient in ironing out bumpy roads. It is also more expensive to make which is one of the reasons Mercedes dumped it. Off subject here but I had the slack taken out of my steering by adjusting the rack, it made a big difference to the steering, now much more direct with little to no play at centre.
I don't know if the steering systems on the two cars are different? Maybe just shaper due to firmer damping.
I needed to have my steering box rebuilt as the seals had been contaminated by an engine oil leak from the filler cap. Although built and set up correctly I still wasn't entirely happy so I had it adjusted (allen key arrangement with a locknut) and it is now excellent. I imagine every steering box will feel just a little bit different as they wear and very few get adjusted. It is possible to over tighten the box, the steering binds and its very obvious, backing off slightly seems to reach a sweet spot. Idler arms etc had already been replaced.
I needed to have my steering box rebuilt as the seals had been contaminated by an engine oil leak from the filler cap. Although built and set up correctly I still wasn't entirely happy so I had it adjusted (allen key arrangement with a locknut) and it is now excellent. I imagine every steering box will feel just a little bit different as they wear and very few get adjusted. It is possible to over tighten the box, the steering binds and its very obvious, backing off slightly seems to reach a sweet spot. Idler arms etc had already been replaced.
r129sl said:
I have to agree: I prefer the steering in my s124 to that of my r129. I have never really been able to figure out why, since so much is identical, everything apart from the box itself, really.
I have always put it down to the SL's power assisted steering being too intrusive and wiping out feedback. The E500's steering felt much meatier and communicative. ba65 said:
Staying out in Dubai long term now so my 500E is up for grabs. Drop me an email at bilal@e500.org if anyone is interested.
Further on from this thread, I have since bought this e500 from ba65, as he is now permanently posted to Dubai.I am extremely pleased to say that I have been in contact with the family of ba65 and have had some fantastic hospitality from them whilst looking at this car, and they couldn't have been more helpful in all aspects.
It has been a real pleasure dealing with you all over this last few weeks.
anissut said:
Big update on my 500E coming shortly. Will be possibly be the best 500E ever once finished and also very low mileage and pretty much original. Will be in a few weeks once everything is completed. Lots of pictures and details to come.
Anything more, have you started ?Mine is in storage at present due to house refurbishment and no garages at present for cars, should be ready to start to up date my car later towards the summer.
At the moment it's on a permanent trickle charger and run up once a month and check fluids
Yes, just got the car back at the weekend and loads of stuff updated inside and outside.
Haven't had time to collate all the pictures and write the thread. 500E who is a member on here knows the car inside out and did all the work for me.
Will try and get the thread updated later tonight if I have time.
Haven't had time to collate all the pictures and write the thread. 500E who is a member on here knows the car inside out and did all the work for me.
Will try and get the thread updated later tonight if I have time.
Great news , really looking forward to the updates!
Are there still more items of work to be scheduled to be carried out to this car on an ongoing basis of is it now completed to your satisfaction ?
As has been mentioned before on this thread we must arrange a meet next spring sometime for as many of us owners of this model.
Are there still more items of work to be scheduled to be carried out to this car on an ongoing basis of is it now completed to your satisfaction ?
As has been mentioned before on this thread we must arrange a meet next spring sometime for as many of us owners of this model.
Great news , really looking forward to the updates!
Are there still more items of work to be scheduled to be carried out to this car on an ongoing basis of is it now completed to your satisfaction ?
As has been mentioned before on this thread we must arrange a meet next spring sometime for as many of us owners of this model.
Are there still more items of work to be scheduled to be carried out to this car on an ongoing basis of is it now completed to your satisfaction ?
As has been mentioned before on this thread we must arrange a meet next spring sometime for as many of us owners of this model.
Howitzer said:
Looking forward to the update aswell.
I've had mine for nearly 10 years now and can't wait to get it back up to scratch!
Dave!
Do you have a plan of action of what and when you are going to start the works to your car ?I've had mine for nearly 10 years now and can't wait to get it back up to scratch!
Dave!
Do you use yours as an everyday driver or is it garaged and used as your as and when car ?
It was originally my everyday car but I have a Defender and ML500 now for general running about.
I work overseas and with a house purchase, building a garage and other work it languished at the bottom of the pile sadly.
Cam solenoids need sealing, a previous bodge before my ownership has made this awkward though but I just need time on it. (Current garage has no roof) The breather system needs doing aswell as replacing a lot of plastic parts in the engine bay, they turn very brittle after a few years so need doing while i'm pulling it to pieces. WIll inspect the wiring harness in the engine bay at the same time.
Then suspension bushes, I had new dampers and both rear struts relatively few miles ago so these don't need changing.
EVO2 style alloys (Came from a special edition SL500) need re-furbishing, as do my originals.
Paintwork and then niggly interior jobs, bulbs behind my headunit, a sunroof rattle and little bits and pieces.
Love the car and will keep it till I can no longer drive.
Hoping to start once the garage roof is on in a couple of months, finances permitting.
Dave!
I work overseas and with a house purchase, building a garage and other work it languished at the bottom of the pile sadly.
Cam solenoids need sealing, a previous bodge before my ownership has made this awkward though but I just need time on it. (Current garage has no roof) The breather system needs doing aswell as replacing a lot of plastic parts in the engine bay, they turn very brittle after a few years so need doing while i'm pulling it to pieces. WIll inspect the wiring harness in the engine bay at the same time.
Then suspension bushes, I had new dampers and both rear struts relatively few miles ago so these don't need changing.
EVO2 style alloys (Came from a special edition SL500) need re-furbishing, as do my originals.
Paintwork and then niggly interior jobs, bulbs behind my headunit, a sunroof rattle and little bits and pieces.
Love the car and will keep it till I can no longer drive.
Hoping to start once the garage roof is on in a couple of months, finances permitting.
Dave!
Right guys finally got round to updating this thread. Apologies for the delay.
I gave the car to Raikku (500E on here) who knows the 500E inside out. He has his own which he has literally built from scratch so he knows every little detail.
This what he updated:
"I replaced ccv and most vacuum hoses, rotor caps and arms, plugs, oil change, adjusted shifting pressure and kick down on the tranny.
Some of the rubber and plastic hoses were after 25years so brittle, they just fell apart while removing.
These cars have loads of vacuum hoses in akward places and knowing the system helps where to look out for issues.
Wheels were refurbished as well as top mounts and geo done.
Converted the boot lid to Euro spec, took a while to find a replacement boot handle.
The 1992 onwards and brand new ones are plastic, earlier ones are rubber and do not break in pieces after a few years.
A lovely car that was well taken care of all its life, most of the work was maintenance instead of repair.
Got the driver seat cushion replaced and the rail of the electric head rest.
The leather got re-dyed and a few surface cracks filled while at it.
Spent a lot of time to clean the engine bay, pretty happy how it turned out.
Car was also fully serviced and is now running beautifully."
Here are some pics. Am really quite torn about what to do as want to keep this car forever but at the same time am thinking about selling for another project that needs some time.
I also had the audio upgraded with a new headunit with bluetooth, iPod, phone etc. New speakers and a sub hidden away in the passenger footwell. Sound is now amazing and is better than the Bose etc. in recent cars I have had like the 997 Turbo S, GTR etc. Here are some pics of that install as well.
Have been using the car daily since my Porsche 997 TTS sold and while waiting for my Cayman GT4 and have been really enjoying it.
Oh yes forgot to mention that the interior was also updated. Leather sorted and cushioning replaced.
Overall I'm so pleased with the result.
I gave the car to Raikku (500E on here) who knows the 500E inside out. He has his own which he has literally built from scratch so he knows every little detail.
This what he updated:
"I replaced ccv and most vacuum hoses, rotor caps and arms, plugs, oil change, adjusted shifting pressure and kick down on the tranny.
Some of the rubber and plastic hoses were after 25years so brittle, they just fell apart while removing.
These cars have loads of vacuum hoses in akward places and knowing the system helps where to look out for issues.
Wheels were refurbished as well as top mounts and geo done.
Converted the boot lid to Euro spec, took a while to find a replacement boot handle.
The 1992 onwards and brand new ones are plastic, earlier ones are rubber and do not break in pieces after a few years.
A lovely car that was well taken care of all its life, most of the work was maintenance instead of repair.
Got the driver seat cushion replaced and the rail of the electric head rest.
The leather got re-dyed and a few surface cracks filled while at it.
Spent a lot of time to clean the engine bay, pretty happy how it turned out.
Car was also fully serviced and is now running beautifully."
Here are some pics. Am really quite torn about what to do as want to keep this car forever but at the same time am thinking about selling for another project that needs some time.
I also had the audio upgraded with a new headunit with bluetooth, iPod, phone etc. New speakers and a sub hidden away in the passenger footwell. Sound is now amazing and is better than the Bose etc. in recent cars I have had like the 997 Turbo S, GTR etc. Here are some pics of that install as well.
Have been using the car daily since my Porsche 997 TTS sold and while waiting for my Cayman GT4 and have been really enjoying it.
Oh yes forgot to mention that the interior was also updated. Leather sorted and cushioning replaced.
Overall I'm so pleased with the result.
If anyone is looking for a 500e, there are two for sale in a couple of weeks at the Anglia auction in Kings Lynn.
http://www.angliacarauctions.co.uk/en/classic-auct...
and
http://www.angliacarauctions.co.uk/en/classic-auct...
http://www.angliacarauctions.co.uk/en/classic-auct...
and
http://www.angliacarauctions.co.uk/en/classic-auct...
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