Discussion
Please post back to let me know what you think! It's a car I want to like, but my few drives of the 500SL and S500 with the same engine (albeit with different injection and thus a bit less torque) really got me on a downer about the engine - big power figure, not big shove in the back.
Also the fact that the prices haven't come down at all since 5 years ago when I kept my eye on the prices! That may be a good thing for owners, but knowing my luck the prices would go through the floor after I buy one. The price are such that you can have a new shape E500 for similar outlay..... I realise it's not as special, but it's a lor of car to turn down for a good old W124 with a big engine.
Also the fact that the prices haven't come down at all since 5 years ago when I kept my eye on the prices! That may be a good thing for owners, but knowing my luck the prices would go through the floor after I buy one. The price are such that you can have a new shape E500 for similar outlay..... I realise it's not as special, but it's a lor of car to turn down for a good old W124 with a big engine.
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.
I ran a 500E....great car...you need to be aware of a couple of problem area's
The first and most important is the engine wiring harness...its made of a bio degradable insulation, which prematurely degrades...I kid you not. Shows up with random electrical faults and warning lights coming on.
If you do not catch it in time you run the risk of it shorting, which will then fry the ECU's and the Coil Packs....cost to change all items £3500
You need to check whether the harness has been replaced before you purchase....ie see an invoice for the parts. If it hasn't, factor in the cost of replacing the harness @ £800 and get it done pronto as it will fail at some stage if its on the original as the under bonnet heat in the 500E speeds up the degredation.
The car I purchased had the harness fail whilst in the hands of the previous owner and I saw the invoices for £3500.
These cars are also quite tough on their front suspension, so check that the springs are OK as they can snap at the bottom....the ride quality is quite stiff as a rule.
Other than that they are bullet proof and hugely enjoyable...had many good trips through Europe in mine....fuel consumption is fairly grim at 18mpg....always did this no matter how I drove it.
The first and most important is the engine wiring harness...its made of a bio degradable insulation, which prematurely degrades...I kid you not. Shows up with random electrical faults and warning lights coming on.
If you do not catch it in time you run the risk of it shorting, which will then fry the ECU's and the Coil Packs....cost to change all items £3500
You need to check whether the harness has been replaced before you purchase....ie see an invoice for the parts. If it hasn't, factor in the cost of replacing the harness @ £800 and get it done pronto as it will fail at some stage if its on the original as the under bonnet heat in the 500E speeds up the degredation.
The car I purchased had the harness fail whilst in the hands of the previous owner and I saw the invoices for £3500.
These cars are also quite tough on their front suspension, so check that the springs are OK as they can snap at the bottom....the ride quality is quite stiff as a rule.
Other than that they are bullet proof and hugely enjoyable...had many good trips through Europe in mine....fuel consumption is fairly grim at 18mpg....always did this no matter how I drove it.
18mpg pales in comparison to the 11.1 bertie is reporting in his Gallardo 
.
Still a bit alarming as my cossie Merc does 25, and only requests premium fuel not super. Does the 500E ask for super?
Interestingly the "wiring harness" issue is normal in all (later model) US market W124 cars, since they have more heat over there. But in the UK only ever seems to happen in the E500E version.
.Still a bit alarming as my cossie Merc does 25, and only requests premium fuel not super. Does the 500E ask for super?
Interestingly the "wiring harness" issue is normal in all (later model) US market W124 cars, since they have more heat over there. But in the UK only ever seems to happen in the E500E version.
Pentoman said:
18mpg pales in comparison to the 11.1 bertie is reporting in his Gallardo .
Still a bit alarming as my cossie Merc does 25, and only requests premium fuel not super. Does the 500E ask for super?
Interestingly the "wiring harness" issue is normal in all (later model) US market W124 cars, since they have more heat over there. But in the UK only ever seems to happen in the E500E version.
There's just not much room in the engine bay of the 500E, I don't believe the problem is as bad as it is made out though personally. I certainly wont be changing my wiring harness, it is worth removing some of the sheathing and having a look at the insulation though to see how bad it is, if at all..Still a bit alarming as my cossie Merc does 25, and only requests premium fuel not super. Does the 500E ask for super?
Interestingly the "wiring harness" issue is normal in all (later model) US market W124 cars, since they have more heat over there. But in the UK only ever seems to happen in the E500E version.
I think an average of 20mpg isn't too bad, you can get 600km to 75 litres if you are doing mainly motorway work.
The thing is this, if you are doing 100mph you will still see 20mpg, I averaged 22 over a 3160 mile trip in 3 days and I had it up to 160 on 3 or 4 ocasions, a couple of times we cruised for long stretches at 140ish etc.
Sit and try and be economical and you are just wasting your time, enjoy the speed (only need to use 4000rpm to make rapid progress remember) and you will still use a fair bit of fuel but your journeys will be faster and far more fun.
Top gear roll ons are your friend!
Dave!
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!
My 500SL has the same engine - the venerable M119 V8.
In all the posts on all websites I've read over the years I am only aware of one of these engines that gave up its timing chain...these are duplex chains too....
I'm not sure if this is the case, but my engine has 2 distributors on the front of it, and the caps and rotors fail every couple of years, causing poor idling and hunting for revs. A pair of new caps and rotors sorts this. Do yourself a favour and buy the (exact same) Bosch parts rather than the twice the price MB parts. Later parts seal better than the originals too.
Power steering reservoir can seep from the top, a new gasket sorts this.
Mine drives beautufully, have had it off the clock (163 gps) on an autobahn with some nutter in an SLK32 waving at me and giving me the thumbs up.
The engine and gearbox will probably outlive the owner.
If I could handle a LHD car, I'd have one.
In all the posts on all websites I've read over the years I am only aware of one of these engines that gave up its timing chain...these are duplex chains too....
I'm not sure if this is the case, but my engine has 2 distributors on the front of it, and the caps and rotors fail every couple of years, causing poor idling and hunting for revs. A pair of new caps and rotors sorts this. Do yourself a favour and buy the (exact same) Bosch parts rather than the twice the price MB parts. Later parts seal better than the originals too.
Power steering reservoir can seep from the top, a new gasket sorts this.
Mine drives beautufully, have had it off the clock (163 gps) on an autobahn with some nutter in an SLK32 waving at me and giving me the thumbs up.
The engine and gearbox will probably outlive the owner.
If I could handle a LHD car, I'd have one.
GregE240 said:
My 500SL has the same engine - the venerable M119 V8.
In all the posts on all websites I've read over the years I am only aware of one of these engines that gave up its timing chain...these are duplex chains too....
I'm not sure if this is the case, but my engine has 2 distributors on the front of it, and the caps and rotors fail every couple of years, causing poor idling and hunting for revs. A pair of new caps and rotors sorts this. Do yourself a favour and buy the (exact same) Bosch parts rather than the twice the price MB parts. Later parts seal better than the originals too.
Power steering reservoir can seep from the top, a new gasket sorts this.
Mine drives beautufully, have had it off the clock (163 gps) on an autobahn with some nutter in an SLK32 waving at me and giving me the thumbs up.
The engine and gearbox will probably outlive the owner.
If I could handle a LHD car, I'd have one.
The issue with the distributor caps is an odd one, the only ones i've ever read to fail are the non genuine ones, mine had done 210,000 on the original caps and when I replaced with new genuine ones the difference was only small on hot idling after a hard run.In all the posts on all websites I've read over the years I am only aware of one of these engines that gave up its timing chain...these are duplex chains too....
I'm not sure if this is the case, but my engine has 2 distributors on the front of it, and the caps and rotors fail every couple of years, causing poor idling and hunting for revs. A pair of new caps and rotors sorts this. Do yourself a favour and buy the (exact same) Bosch parts rather than the twice the price MB parts. Later parts seal better than the originals too.
Power steering reservoir can seep from the top, a new gasket sorts this.
Mine drives beautufully, have had it off the clock (163 gps) on an autobahn with some nutter in an SLK32 waving at me and giving me the thumbs up.
The engine and gearbox will probably outlive the owner.
If I could handle a LHD car, I'd have one.
Look forward to seeing the article in the mag !
Enjoy it, truly a fantastic car and gives you a great Mr Toad feeling.
Sadly my alloys need refurbing and mine also had a replacement engine which I believe was because it was left to sit for a long time, it had only done 30K when it had a new engine though and was changed under warranty.
My Engine now has 213,000km on it and is as strong as ever.
I recently have had a few issues with high speed running and the underbody protection though, pm and i'll explain what to look for, may not affect you depending on your use.
Dave!
GregE240 said:
Pentoman said:
GregE240 said:
Mine drives beautufully, have had it off the clock (163 gps) on an autobahn with some nutter in an SLK32 waving at me and giving me the thumbs up.
!!
fair enough.I rather like the SLK32 for its looks, rarity and engine. Unfortunately having driven a 230K I can only imagine it would be crap to drive and no better than a C or E class with the same engine, so why bother (plus you don't look poncy in a C32!).
Pentoman said:
GregE240 said:
Mine drives beautufully, have had it off the clock (163 gps) on an autobahn with some nutter in an SLK32 waving at me and giving me the thumbs up.
!!Dave!
Very very nice indeed, the bodywork is in awesome condition, far better than mine !
I see you have the heated seats but the air con instead of climate.
Do you also have the cubby box in the centre console?
I'm always in 2 minds about the body coloured rubbing strips, some days I prefer them a different colour, other times I prefer them like yours.
300,000km, another 300 left in that, now drive it !!
Ever fancy a fanboy 500E meet, give me a shout haha
Dave!
I see you have the heated seats but the air con instead of climate.
Do you also have the cubby box in the centre console?
I'm always in 2 minds about the body coloured rubbing strips, some days I prefer them a different colour, other times I prefer them like yours.
300,000km, another 300 left in that, now drive it !!
Ever fancy a fanboy 500E meet, give me a shout haha
Dave!
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