500E

The 500E/E500 was a limited production sports sedan created in a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. In the grand line of sports sedans from Mercedes dating back to the 300SEL 6.3 of the 60's and 450SEL 6.9 of the 70's came the next generation. Production ran from 1992 to 1994 model years and yielded only 1505 total cars imported to the U.S. The line was renamed E500 in 94 in addition to some minor bodywork changes. Special suspension, interior, and bodywork caused the price to skyrocket to approximately 80K during its run. With 322HP and 354 lb-ft of torque on tap combined with 2.82 gearing caused 60 to come in less than 6 seconds and the car was electronically limited to 155. The W124 chassis was fortified with Porsche's help to ensure this car performed flawlessly in all aspects. Adaptive rear shocks and subtly flared fenders conceal 225/55/16 Z-rated rubber on 16x8.0" eight-hole wheels. Virtually every possible option available on a W124 is standard. Four bolstered sport seats replace the conventional 2 front/3 rear configuration of other E-class cars. Curb weight topped 3800 lbs so fuel economy suffered slightly. A larger fuel tank of 23.8 gallons made up for any possible loss of range. This is perhaps the most desirable and collectable Mercedes of the last 20 years.

5.0 Liter Powerplant

The M119.974 engine in the 500E displaced 4973cc or 303 cubic inches. This engine made 322 horsepower at 5700rpm and 354 lb-ft of torque at 3900rpm. Torque band is flat as can be with 90% available as low as 1500rpm. By approximately 1200 rpm the 5.0 mill was producing more torque than even the 4.2 M119 cousin did at its peak! Long intake runners, variable valve timing on the intake cams, silicon crystal cylinder liners, alloy construction of block and heads, antiknock control, a 10:1 compression ratio, and a CAN computer system to harmonize all of this made this engine the strongest in Mercedes' lineup save the V12.

Driving impressions

Sell your soul for this car. This is perhaps the best driving sedan available. Acceleration is instant and brutal right off the line on up to any speed you want to try. Flooring it off the line will invoke ASR and leave everyone pinned to their seats. Handling is ultra precise with immense grip. The lowered stance and flared fenders look outstanding yet are still mature and stealth. Drive the car at 1/3 or 1/4 throttle and your passengers are cocooned in utmost comfort. The adaptive suspension resolves the ride/handling argument as well as anything to date. One dig in the throttle awakens the car with a deep V8 growl that mutates into a fierce roar that sounds great but never gets intrusive or loud. The seats are bolstered to match the car's handling potential. The ABS aided brakes stop the car fast and straight from any speed with no noticeable fade. The transmission starts in second gear to smooth take off but a heavy foot or use of the trademark shifter makes 1st quite accessible. The 4-speed transmission shifts smoothly and in a unobtrusive manner if left to its own decisions. Thankfully Mercedes has retained the gated shifter that allows manu-matic shifting. This configuration still seems the best compromise between automatics and manuals. Complaints? I might wish for the tossable feel of the early 300E but the physics of 3800 lbs vs 3200 lbs make that impossible. Is it perfect? Almost. Perhaps because of the massive torque, instant brakes, or masterful suspension I am left wishing for even more sticky tires. One other thing, the ASR is too intrusive for enthusiast or track use. A switch that turned off the ASR completely for the duration of that drive would be welcome. - Lee Scheeler

*Model Year*	*U.S. Sales*	*Suggested Retail Price*
1992	633	$79,200
1993	498	$80,000
1994	374	$80,800