In light of Deans remarks that the 500E owners campout in this section I have also posted my note from the tech section in this section as well. If any owners have input, I would appreciate hearing from you.

I am looking at purchasing a 500E. The unit in question is a 92 model. The records from the dealer show it has consumed 6 power steering pumps in its 94,000 mile history for over $5,000 some half of which was done under warranty. The car was serviced at 2 different dealers over its life.

One dealer service manager advises that the PS pump controls both the power steering and the hydraulic suspension and that the life expectancy is only 30K miles per pump. (1) Is This true? (2) would a powersteering pump system cooler help?

The other dealer service manager pointed out that there were some repeated indications of leaks in the notes and suggested the possibility that the owner repeatedly ran the system dry and burned up the pumps. The owner seems to be a very conscientious car buff, and while he may have overlooked it in the early years, it seems hard to imagine that he would have continued to overlook it after repeated problems. (3) what is your take on this?

I have driven several 500E's. This one seems especially quick. I believe it may be chipped. (4) How can I determine if it is chipped?

I also noted upon a left hand u-turn, with moderate to heavy excelleration, that the left wheel lit up for 5 to 10 feet or so and yet I did not see the orange triangle light up on the Dash. (6) Could this happen with the ASR? (or what ever they call the traction control system) factory setup. (7) Would bypassing the ASR explain some of the increased performance? (8) How can I determine if the ASR switch has been installed?

Last and final question (9) Is there anything other than the standard checkout including compression, compression, compression (I know how you like to emphasize the important stuff through repetition) that I should pay particularly close attention to or anything that I should be aware of as a higher than normal maintenance item (other than tires of course).

One last note, I am barely 6 feet tall, not of large frame, and prefer to drive somewhat close to the steering wheel. Yet in this position, which is not a problem in my 380SE, my 300E, or my parents E430, I do notice that I can only see the portion of the speedo that is below 40MPH and above 120MPH. As I do not expect to spend an inordinate amount of time in those areas, I would like to know if anyone else has noticed this. Is it possible that the seat is not going all the way down?

Thanks

Dwight

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dwight

The power steering pump is the same as the rest of the 124 range, it does not run the suspension. Never heard of one failing before, maybe something else is causing this to happen?

To see if the car is chipped you will need to pull the injection module, open it up and read the code from the chip itself.

For the ASR just mash the throttle and if the orange light does not light up then you have an ASR switch. The switch will be up on the centre console. My ASR sometimes stays off when I pull a u-turn.

An ASR switch will increase performance.

Make sure you check the rear shocks and accumalators for signs of weeping fluid, also if the rear ride is "hollow" or stiff your accumalators are done, (thats a $1500 job, struts and accumalators).

David Hendy
'92 500E 65k miles
chip, Remus muffler,
straight through resonator,
k&n filters,

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David Hendy
'97 Renntech E60RS
'97 GMC 2500 Sub' Diesel
'95 E300D
'88 300TE
'88 250TD
'84 L/Rover 109

My '93 500E went through 4 steering pumps in an eighteen month period in '97-98. My dealer told me that a supplier to MB had supplied the factory with a group of pumps with an inferior seal during that period. I don't know whether that has any truth to it, but I do know that I haven't replaced one since (knock on wood), and I certainly don't baby the car. It's a real sweet ride.

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'93 500E
'88 Tyrrell/ Ford Cosworth DFZ 017
'95 Ducati 916
'86 Laverda SFC 1000 #3184

David & Jim,

Thanks for the input. Checkout process begins tomorrow.

Dwight

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dwight

My 500E developed a leaky seal in the steering pump around 98k miles. It wasn't too bad to fix, and I don't believe they replaced the pump, but rather just the seal.


E

ditto... mine was replaced at 92K. If you can do just the seal, that would save you hundreds.

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Mark Herzig
1995 E300D 153K
1985 300D 142K (sold)
1979 450SL 122 miles (sold)
1992 500E 127K (sold)
1987 300SDL 132K (sold)
1986 300E 161K (sold)

Hmm... no mechanical problems on either 500. Replaced the front brake rotors on one, tires on both, been doing the routine maintenance and both are still going strong.

Wish my 16V were as problem free.

BTW, the steering wheel issue is common on all 500Es as a result of a slightly smaller diameter steering wheel.

[Edited by yhliem on 12-15-2000 at 10:19 PM]

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'94 W124.036 249/040 leder; 8.25x17 EvoIIs
'93 W124.036 199/040 leder; 8.25x17 EvoIIs, up in flames...LITERALLY!
'93 W124.036 481/040 leder; euro delivery; 8.25x17 EvoIIs
'88 R107.048 441/409 leder; Euro lights
'87 W201.034 199/040 leder; Euro lights; EvoII brakes; 8x16 EvoIs - soon: 500E rear brakes
'70 R113.044 050/526; factory alloys; Euro lights