I collect Porsches and so I've always had a sweet spot for the 500E. While looking for a quality example, I discovered that the E55 runs about as much as a low-mileage 500E, sometimes even cheaper. Comparing the specs, the E55 seems to offer not a LOT more performance in terms of bhp and torque, but an exponential increase in complexity. Is there any reason I should consider the E55 over the 500E? Can the 00-01 models still be warranted at dealerships, for instance? Lower maintenance costs overall? Right now, the big advantage is that they're easier to find in jet black...

I know it's been discussed before but the threads are older and I was thinking opinions might have changed over time and exposure to the E55. Thanks.

Emanuel

Since you collect Porsches, I would imagine the answer is clear: 500E!

I feel the 500E is better built and better looking. It has a presence the E55 can't match. It has pedigree. It's far from perfect though. For instance, the old hydraulic 4-speed auto is no where near as good as the newer 5-speed electronic auto in terms of control and shift speed or ease of use.

If this will be a daily driver, family hauler, commuter vehicle then the E55 is probably a better choice being much newer and offering a bit more performance. Plus there are more performance parts available if you're into modifying.

What do you want from this car?

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Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!

To add to Glen's comments:
If you're looking for refinement at a high level, any of the later MB Supersedans would be better then the W124.036. In it's day, it was a highly refined car, but by today's standards, it has a brutish quality about it. Which, to some, is appealing.

No supercharger, no turbo, nothing exotic, just ~320 hp and 354lbs-ft when you need it.

The phrase "iron fist in a velvet glove" describes the 500E better than it would any of the newr AMG-built cars.

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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

Thanks for the replies. As for usage, the car would be an intermittent daily driver. I tend to alternate between cars, driving each a week at a time and the others over the weekend as the mood strikes me or needs come up (if I need a hatchback, the 944 or 928; if it's sunny the 911 targa). I'm thinking of dropping the 944 and 911, so it's possible the Merc would alternate with a 928S4 or 993.

Emanuel

I got a 944 Turbo myself and sure would love a pristine 500E more than an E55 of the W210 body. I'm sure I could live with the 500E's quirks knowing that when I walk to/away-from the car I would have a HUGE smile.

i'm like the only 500E-fan among my car-loving friends and they have all grown a liking for it.

first of all, I think the 124's interior looks better and those flared fenders are really something!

... I (heart) 500Es...

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

My initial, knee-jerk advice if you are undecided which car you "think" is a better choice, is to go with the E55. I say this because, by the numbers, the E55 is a better all-around car.

On the other hand, if you want a car you know was hand-built, using the best available materials, by two of Germany's premier car companies...well, the choice is easy!

I think you should try to drive each and see which you prefer...

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Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!

Emanuel:
My first suggestion would be to test drive both examples, then pick the one you like best.
In my opinion, besides the difference in body/interior style, the 500E seems to be the more refined of the two. It has a smoother ride with more predictable acceleration and if I remember correctly has a quiet cabin. The speed just kind of creeps up on you***Gee officer-I didn't know I was doing 140***
The E55 is very torqy (is that a word?) and when pushed hard can be a handfull to control. My wife still drives the car in "W" mode. Once your cruising, the car rides smooth and effortlessly-it still packs a punch when you hit the gas even while cruising. Brakes and suspension are excellent.
As far as warranties, an MB dealer would most probably write an extended warranty for you, but they do run high for these cars. Allstate offers an extended warranty policy also.
For me, these would have been a waste of money because the only items I've replaced on my car are tires, brakes and fluids. The car has been the most reliable car I ever owned.
Repair/maintenance costs on both vehicles should roughly be the same.
With prices being in the same range, if the opportunity arose, I would not consider trading my E55 for a 500E, but I would consider adding it to my stable.
Basically, you won't go wrong with either vehicle.

Gary

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00 Silver/Black AMG E55
96 DCM Impala SS
94 Admiral Blue ZR-1
81 Candy Apple Corvette Cpe

IMHO there are too many AMGs running around. It's suddenly hip to have an AMG, or a BMW M, or an Audi S and there are LOADS of them around. At least, there are up here. I see at least 2 of each, EVERY day. and not the same ones over and over again.

A few days ago I saw another 500E on the road (actually, a '94 E500). counting the one I had seen about 6 weeks ago, that makes 2 500Es that I've seen in the last YEAR. (Not including ours, of course )

My point is that despite its age and the fact that it may not be as fast as the cuurrent crop, the W124 500E/E500 has a fairly high level of exclusivity. Almost to the point where most people don't know what it is - one of the reasons the price is relatively low right now.

There will always be cars that come afterwards which will be faster, have better technology, etc. That's to be expected. However, the 500E was a car that had not been seen before, nor since. Though the AMGs that have come since could out perform the 500E, how many E55 owners can say that their car was a supersedan before it became cool to have one?

IMHO the there are 4 classes on MB supersedans. They are, in chronological order:
1) 300SEL 6.3
2) 450SEL 6.9
3) W124 500E/E500
4) AMGs

__________________
'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

The W124 500E/E500 definitely has a more unique pedigree than then the W210 E55's AMG's, which IMHO, are more marketing, than one-offs.

I drove both a CLK55 and E55 (1999 and 2001), and while they have more power, and "razor-like" steering/suspension, the overall ride and construction doesn't feel bank-vault Mercedes, more like an Audi/BMW, which is OK if that's what you want.

If it's a "Sunday-only" type of car, get a W124 500E/E500.

:-) neil

on what you like, and what's important to you. Have owned 4 500E's, and 3 E55 210's. Have a 211 55 on order. Each car has plusses and minuses: the 124 has superb build quality like the cars should, great character, the neat body, and the stealth factor ( maybe you like that, maybe not). The fun in the 500E is finding someone who knows what it is and the caraderie that goes with that. That being said, it is quite limited by the old tranny, AC that's aggravating as hell (too cold or not cold enough, supernoisy blower motor), austere instruments and electronics, and of course, the fact that the newest one is 11 years old. THe 210 has its own problems--I'd avoid a 99, and even the 00's have some electronic issues. Build and materials quality are nowhere near the 500E, and again, lots of people don't know what it is. As far as exclusivity, well, I don't there are as many E55's out there as you think. We read these boards and think they are on every streetcorner, but they're not. The AC in the E55 is great, as are the extra room, the better tranny, far superior electronic goodies and convenience items, and yes, some cars are still under warranty. Me, I'd love to have a 500E parked next to my 211 E55. That would be the ideal solution. Course, there are about 50 cars I'd like parked in my garage, but me and the bank don't see eye to eye on that one...

The inspiration for the 500E likely came from the AMG Hammer. Doesn't that count as a super sedan?

Thanks for the continuing comments. The place I test drove the E55 at also had an E420 which they said is about 80% of the 500E, and the salesman said with some relatively inexpensive mods it could get to 90% or more (intake, exhaust, chip, swaybars, springs/shocks, diff.). While I liked the E55, I liked the solid feel of the W124 enough to decide I'll continue my search for a 500E. I've located two black cars, one on eBay that I bid on half-heartedly. It looks like a decent car, but the e-mails made me leery of the seller - they wouldn't confirm they actually had the title so they could hand it over when I gave them a check. The other car (found on Autotrader) was already sold. How rare is Jet BLack compared to the ubiquitous Black Pearl?

Emanuel

Gerryvz is keeping a chart on 500E production info, colors, pedigree, etc.

Jet Black, also known as 040 black, comprise about 8% of all 500E's. About 50% all 500E's are pearl black (color code 199).

Read half-way down page 1 on the following thread for a breakdown on colors:

http://www.500ecstasy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1241&highlight=anthracite

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

than the others. I have a friend with a 93, in 040 with black in, with great miles (50ish k) that owns an MB repair shop. He is making noise about selling his car--and it is superb--but wants in my mind crazy money for it ($40ish K)..but if you want to hear about it, email me and I'll put you in touch.

I'm coming into this discussion late, but I think others have said most of the pertinent things that need to be said.

The newer cars are faster and more refined, and for those who care, newer and to some more desirable to be seen in.

The 500E-E500 is MUCH more of a sleeper -- a "for those who know" type of car a la the 6.3. It certainly is better built and retains the "old school" feel of the old MBs much more than the newer cars. Also, it does have pedigree -- just different pedigree than the AMG cars.

For a daily driver, I would think that an AMG would be perhaps a TAD easier to live with, but then again, I use my E500 as a near daily driver, and daily drove a 450SEL 6.9 for nigh four years !!

For many people, newer/more modern is better and this is a hard point to argue for a 500E.

On the colors issue, yes, Pearl Black (199) is by far the most common color, with silver being second and black probably being third or fourth most common. Now, I'm extrapolating 10% of all US-imported cars that I have to the full 100%, but it's enough of a sample to guarantee some accuracy. I like both Pearl Black (my car's color) as well as the 040, which I like a bit more. But 040 Black is more difficult to keep clean and shows flaws more readily. You really can't go wrong with either color, but I would say that 040 stands out more.

Good luck with your search. There are a large number of cars to choose from right now on Autotrader.com. I would recommend spending at least $20K as a minimum guideline to help weed out the worn cars from the nicer units.

Cheers,
Gerry