Any/many W124 500E/E500 owners?

[benjj]

Hello Merc blokes.

I'm giving pretty serious consideration to buying a 500E/E500 and wondering if many people here have them.

It'll be a weekend car primarily in the dry months. Garage stored and also used for long distance euro roadtrips (3-4000 miles in a couple of weeks).

I know they're all auto and LHD, I'm fine with that.

Trying to work out whether to;

A) Spend c.17-19k with a dealer
B) Spend c.10-13k privately and have a c.5k slush fund for bits and bobs.

I've no problem buying from the continent as I do like a bit of a roadtrip.

Any suggestions for good forums, buying guides, etc?

Cheers.

[Johnnybee]

If you don't get any replies on here there's a bloke on the evo magazine forum with one. Stick a post up and I'm sure he'll respond.

[benjj]

Thanks, will do.

[Kneetrembler]

Look up the thread on the last page .
I have a 1992 E500 which was previously owned by BA65 from this forum, mine is in storage untl my new garage has been built ( probably end of July), then I shall be on here with my alterations.

There are quite a lot of E500 forums to choose from as well , so why wait !!!!!.

All questions please post on e mail or post

All the very best

[Bodo]

I'm not an owner - but an avid spotter. Love these cars.



Especially with steel wheels.

[evojam]

Awesome cars! I use mine mainly in Europe so LHD is perfect,lots of performance from the grunty V8 and a great car to eat miles in.As with any 20+ year old classic needs careful checking and do your homework or can get expensive especially if you pay someone else to put things right.

500Eboard is a good source of info on them.

Sound investment to,buy a good one now and you won't lose,good luck!

[drewpasmith]

Benjj, I feel you.

I've got a '92 600 SEL and my mechanic is wanting to sell me his '94 E500. The want is very strong with this one. The cruel man that he is, he's giving me the car for a long weekend with the instruction to "drive it very hard".

Originally, I was looking at R129 500 SLs, but the prospect of lighter weight and more torque gets more tempting by the day.

Have you taken a look at any yet?

Cheers,

Drew

[benjj]

Thanks gents. These cars are weird: normally when I start researching a new car I get bored or put off by something. However with the 500 the desire just gets stronger with every bit of research and roadtest read.

Drew, no, not looked yet. I'm waiting on a payment from a client in the US. As soon as it's in I will get out there and drive some. Hopefully just a week or two away.

[anissut]

I'm a current owner. Wonderful cars and have really grown to love mine.

Not sure why you are seeing a disparity between a dealer car and private seller in terms of price. With these cars which are 25 years old and in the hand of private owners there is a strong possibility that a private owner would have spent more time, love and money on the car than a dealer probably would. A dealer may have just imported the car, given it a brief wash and general service and then priced it high just because they are trade. I have spent lots of time and money on mine and I am confident mine is better than many many crap 500Es which are out there. The right 500E specialist will know what is required on these so I would get a proper inspection on any purchase so you know what spend is required. My friend who looks after mine and knows the 500E inside out is of the opinion there are many sheds out there.

[drewpasmith]

anissut said:

The right 500E specialist will know what is required on these so I would get a proper inspection on any purchase so you know what spend is required. My friend who looks after mine and knows the 500E inside out is of the opinion there are many sheds out there.

I'd second this. My fella has an E500, E60 AMG and an SL70 and has commented on the dross that's generally available on the market. Although he probably would say that, given his current sales pitch

If you're in London, I'm happy to point you his way for an inspection when the time comes.