The new E500

[Pentoman]

Has anyone else had experience of the 2012 or 2013 E500? I ended up passengering in one at the weekend and was completely blown away by the straight-line speed. I've been in some quick stuff recently, sl500 5.5, E39 M5, C63 AMG with power pack, etc but this is the first time in ages I've been deeply impressed.

This is the new 410hp 4.7 turbo V8, 516 lbft from 1600rpm that replaces the old 388bhp 5.5 n/a. The old engine was okay with a few revs but this one pulls much harder at any point in the rev range. In a big SL the yanks reckon it does a 12.5 sec quarter mile at 113mph if that's your thing.


In the fairly light E-class body it was bonkers. And it looked so normal as well. I rather think it is a good way to have some straight line fun without the running costs or worries of an older 55AMG. I went home and looked at the classifieds, hardly any for sale and still over 50k. When they come down to 30k it may be tempting and history says a big petrol should come down pretty quickly? I really expected it to feel marginally better than a 350cdi, but oh how I was wrong and how petrols have come along.

Must dash - just my thought for the day, don't all dive for the diesel!

[SFO]

that's because it's a bi turbo, just like the AMG

[r129sl]

Am I right in thinking that MBUK is not importing E500 saloons and estates anymore? The model does not appear in the UK pricelist or on the website. Of course, it is available in the coupe and cabriolet versions, but those are based on the 204 chassis. Anyway, E500s of all vintages are very thin on the ground these days; while you'd expect values to plummet, it may be that lack of supply to the used market will keep them more solid than you might hope?

[Pentoman]

I'm London based and the e500 is pretty common around here! Seems tempting for a cheap V8 runabout but I fear that with only 306bhp it won't be that much quicker than my old 190E, and rather less fun overall. Add the turbos, though, and now you're talking.

I see late 2009 E500 coupes at 30k at Mercedes dealers. So I guess that in 2 years time 30k will get the turbo E. I can't wait that long but I can't afford more either, so I'm out. Back to the Cayman S idea...

[Trevor450]

Pentoman said:

I'm London based and the e500 is pretty common around here! Seems tempting for a cheap V8 runabout but I fear that with only 306bhp it won't be that much quicker than my old 190E, and rather less fun overall. Add the turbos, though, and now you're talking.

I see late 2009 E500 coupes at 30k at Mercedes dealers. So I guess that in 2 years time 30k will get the turbo E. I can't wait that long but I can't afford more either, so I'm out. Back to the Cayman S idea...

If you can find a face lifted one they have a 5.5 litre, 388bhp, 500Nm and a 7G gearbox.

[Pentoman]

Trevor450 said:

If you can find a face lifted one they have a 5.5 litre, 388bhp, 500Nm and a 7G gearbox.

Indeed that is right, and a good power figure it is. I have driven the SL500 with this engine and it was quick, but it wasn't mental like the turbo engine - I guess it comes down to torque. I passengered around the same track in a C63 power pack and even that didn't feel (feel) quicker than the turbocharged 500.

Nevertheless maybe Ill have to settle for the 5.5 on cost grounds. I thought I wanted a Cayman S but having sat in one it's tiny would grate as an everyday car...