500E Best Driving Mercedes Ever? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MBlovr · #1 11-25-2007, 04:06 PM

I am seriously thinking about buying a '92 500E. Just a final last minute check with the board. Does anyone think that any other Benz drives better CL500 W211 E500 etc. I don't need the power so I do wonder whether I should look for a 300E sportline. I found the 500E to be near perfection except for the fuel mileage.

POS · #2 11-25-2007, 04:32 PM

The newer the MB, the better the driver; I daily drove a 1995 w124 diesel for a couple of years, but as a daily driver, my 1998 w210 wagon kicks its butt. But your question and my answer are highly subjective. I liked my w124, and I'd bet a 500E is a fun driver, but to ask someone and get a concensus on "what's the best driving MB ever?" is a near impossibility.

If the 500E does it for you, then you should go get one and drive it. Then you might just find that the 500E is your choice as the best driving MB ever.

greasybenz · #3 11-25-2007, 04:53 PM

Best driving in what sense? Ive driven a 500E and it doesnt ride good it just handles GREAT!! My W124 currently has AMG suspension setup and it doesnt ride as good as my 96 S420 (W140) did but it kicks its butt in handling.

So to me the best driving mercedes depends on what your looking for. Are you looking for soft comfortable ride, or a harder ride but with great handling?

iwrock · #4 11-25-2007, 05:15 PM

I have driven a 1992 500E and 1995 E500, but I have to say that my bosses 2003 W211 E500 with the adaptive Airmatic handles far better than the W124 E500E does. Its got more road feel, and rides alot better than the W124.

scargo70 · #5 11-25-2007, 07:17 PM

The "plain jane" 300e/e320 (w124) is a great ride perhaps a better daily driver/commute car than the 500E. I loved my 500E but it best for a long road trip where it really shines.

MBlovr · #6 11-25-2007, 08:58 PM

When I think of best driving I think of

a) Straight line stability
b) Sense of solidity
c) Optimization of ride and handling

I think w124.090 answer is the one I am looking for. I guess it could be argued that in a lot of ways the run of the mill '03 E500 is a better car than the '92 500E in terms of efficiency, safety and suspension design.

300EVIL · #7 11-25-2007, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBlovr

When I think of best driving I think of

a) Straight line stability
b) Sense of solidity
c) Optimization of ride and handling

I think w124.090 answer is the one I am looking for. I guess it could be argued that in a lot of ways the run of the mill '03 E500 is a better car than the '92 500E in terms of efficiency, safety and suspension design.

I love my 500E! Since the day I bought it I can't stop raving about it's quality. It puts a grin on my face every time I get inside

As for straight line stability.... Rock Solid! Even with original shocks I feel perfectly safe changing lanes at 130MPH. The fastest I ever had it was in the Utah desert driving it home. I hit 145 for around 2 minutes. My brake rotors were warped at the time and it was 1 day new to me so I didn't want to push it too hard.

As for solidity.... Rock Solid! It is as quiet as an S class inside at speed. You can definitely see and hear the difference in hand built quality versus my other W124's.

As for ride and handling... When I first picked up the car from the airport I felt as if I was driving a 420SEL. The car squatted at acceleration and felt very sluggish and lumbery. (For the first 20 minutes I was second guessing my decision.) It turns out the car sat for a few months. As I started to drive it the SLS regained it's strength and the engine started singing to a new tune. After an hour in my new ride I felt like I was driving an F1 on the 101!

The handling of this "15 year old", "stock", "4-door", "sedan",,, is AWESOME! What do you expect! Now, my supped up suspension 300E blows it away on the corners but it also weighs almost 500LBS less and you can feel every imperfection on the road. I'd imagine with a little bit of cash invested into my 500E would probably put the 300E to shame.

It's your decision but that's my experience. I also think the 500E is a good investment. They are now getting filtered down to all the enthusiasts and I think the price for this rare car is going to start rising. I have no intention of "EVER" selling mine and I plan on buying two more.... Yeah,,,, it's that good.
Adam

t walgamuth · #8 11-26-2007, 01:20 AM

I have never driven one because I am afraid I would want it so bad.

I think it is without question one of the most collectible mercedes in recent years.

Tom W

szvook · #9 11-30-2007, 07:49 PM

1. 2003 W211 E500 with the adaptive Airmatic handles far better than the W124 E500E does = B.S.
2. I guess it could be argued that in a lot of ways the run of the mill '03 E500 is a better car than the '92 500E in terms of efficiency, safety and suspension design = B.S.
3. If the fuel mileage is an "issue", then maybe the 500E is not for you, you do realize this is a muscle car and not some piece of ****e Honda. For me, I would pay any amount for gas just to have the pleasure of driving the best and rarest sedan ever made.

No freaking way a W211 is better then the modified W124 for the 500E. Where are you getting this info? And handling....show me a modern E500 that can take on original 500E or E500's....don't make me laugh too much.

iwrock · #10 11-30-2007, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by szvook

No freaking way a W211 is better then the modified W124 for the 500E. Where are you getting this info? And handling....show me a modern E500 that can take on original 500E or E500's....don't make me laugh too much.

Dood, chill out. I am talking stock for stock. The W211 has the adjustable suspension (Airmatic), which allows it to soften up, or stiffen depending on your setting. You can also make it firmer at the dealer.

Also, the Rack and Pinion in the W211 makes it more nimble, and easier to play with.... Not to mention, its more communicative than the steering box on the W124.

I am not saying that the W124 E500E is bad. I am simply saying the W211 makes

szvook · #11 11-30-2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W124.090

I am talking stock for stock. The W211 has the adjustable suspension (Airmatic), which allows it to soften up, or stiffen depending on your setting. You can also make it firmer at the dealer

That is a valid point....but some parts of the car does not make the whole car I would want. Build quality, engineering and materials used on W124 E500E’s by far outweigh anything the new models wish they could offer. The build quality for even the E55 AMG is crap compared to the W124 E500E. The newer models are not realible enough to care if the W211's adjustable suspension is there or not and for the Rack and Pinion - no big deal, my 500E has plenty of handling abilities to handle anything Rack and Pinion has to offer, and them some.

Sorry to say, but no way a typical W211 or even an AMG tweaked W211 places higher then the W124 E500E’s, stock to stock. Modern Mercedes models are crap.

Pete Geither · #12 11-30-2007, 09:05 PM

I lust for a 500E. Some day i will find the perfect match for my stable in smoke silver. A few years ago I had the opportunity to buy Bobby Rahals' 500E, here in the Pittsburgh area. The price was more than I could handle at the time, but I swear,,, one day I will own one.

MBlovr · #13 11-30-2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by szvook

That is a valid point....but some parts of the car does not make the whole car I would want. Build quality, engineering and materials used on W124 E500E’s by far outweigh anything the new models wish they could offer. The build quality for even the E55 AMG is crap compared to the W124 E500E. The newer models are not realible enough to care if the W211's adjustable suspension is there or not and for the Rack and Pinion - no big deal, my 500E has plenty of handling abilities to handle anything Rack and Pinion has to offer, and them some.

Sorry to say, but no way a typical W211 or even an AMG tweaked W211 places higher then the W124 E500E’s, stock to stock. Modern Mercedes models are crap.

This is probably the strongest arguement in favor of the W124 chassis.

iwrock · #14 11-30-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by szvook

That is a valid point....but some parts of the car does not make the whole car I would want. Build quality, engineering and materials used on W124 E500E’s by far outweigh anything the new models wish they could offer. The build quality for even the E55 AMG is crap compared to the W124 E500E. The newer models are not realible enough to care if the W211's adjustable suspension is there or not and for the Rack and Pinion - no big deal, my 500E has plenty of handling abilities to handle anything Rack and Pinion has to offer, and them some.

Sorry to say, but no way a typical W211 or even an AMG tweaked W211 places higher then the W124 E500E’s, stock to stock. Modern Mercedes models are crap.

I am not saying the W124 is bad. I love my W124, and could never get rid of it. I would totally buy a W124 E500 if I had the money, as they are simply amazing cars. But in terms of being a CAR, not having the E500 stigma attached to it, the W211 is a better car, as its got a stiffer chassis, adaptive suspension, more communicative steering, and tons of grip.

Also regarding the build quality, its built very well. Granted, the the doors dont feel as heavy as the W124, but overall, it feels just as sold. The leather its on the same level, if not better than the W124. The paint is the same way, no chips or flakes. My boss has a 2003 E500 with a little over 142,000 miles on it. It looks like the day it came from the factory. He has not had any major mechanical problems, and in terms of unscheduled maintainence, the only thing that he has had to fix or replace is a radiator.

MBlovr · #15 11-30-2007, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W124.090

I am not saying the W124 is bad. I love my W124, and could never get rid of it. I would totally buy a W124 E500 if I had the money, as they are simply amazing cars. But in terms of being a CAR, not having the E500 stigma attached to it, the W211 is a better car, as its got a stiffer chassis, adaptive suspension, more communicative steering, and tons of grip.

Also regarding the build quality, its built very well. Granted, the the doors dont feel as heavy as the W124, but overall, it feels just as sold. The leather its on the same level, if not better than the W124. The paint is the same way, no chips or flakes. My boss has a 2003 E500 with a little over 142,000 miles on it. It looks like the day it came from the factory. He has not had any major mechanical problems, and in terms of unscheduled maintainence, the only thing that he has had to fix or replace is a radiator.

Also more airbags and likely better distribution of forces in a crash. Though I suspect the W124 500E had a slight braking advantage. Additionaly I always debated in my head the whole Porsche participation from the sense that it made the 500E a less "pure" Mercedes. I realize that the Porsche craftsmanship was probably better than what was happening in the base W124 car but nonetheless it was done completely in the Mercedes factory. To me in general Porsches were always an inferior cars to Mercedes. The 500E was probably the best thing that ever came out of a Porsche factory.