500E in the rough

[David Kingsbury]

Yesterday I drove my son on his paper route in an adjoining neighborhood. This is something he normally does on his own. When we pulled into a driveway to porch a paper, I saw a 500E buried in three feet of snow in front of me. I want it!

I negotiate for a living so I have that part covered. However, do any of you have advises on what I should be looking for or out for? I have a 126 that has had all the usual problems like valve seals, chain rails, etc. What is unique about a 500E over my 560?

Thanks,

[Cannoli]

Great find ... maybe!

Find out what year the car is and the VIN as well as when it was manufactured (all of this is on the MFG ID sticker on the driver's B-pillar).

With this information, do research on this Board ... not all W124.036s have rail problems or oil tubes issues. For example, I have one of the early build units (11/91) and I don't have oil tube problems (mine are steel instead of plastic like the newer M119 engines) and I don't have the wire harness problem as most do (MB changed insulation material during the mfg process which causes the harness to get brittle and reduces the insulation properties ----- electrical gremlins abound!).

Check eBay, AutoTrader and other sources for market prices.

Good luck!

[westsidewagon]

A 500E deserves better than that.

[David Kingsbury]

What type of electrical problems should I be looking for? Are they fixable?

Thanks,

[ItalianBenz]

Hey Norm. All 119 engine 500E 500SL. Had the metal oiler tubes. As far as the hanress . All mb's have this dry brittle problem. I have changed them on eary 500SL. I did mine and its a 1993. So It just happens due to heat and age. I repl them all day long on E320 1993-1995. So its just a Mb design.



Dave. If the car has anywhere from 80K and up. I rec to have the timing chain and rails repl. Also find out the yr.


run a carfax hist report. See all recrods, if has been kept up properly. Think its left in snow somebody doesn't care so much. Maybe make them and offer. 1st get the vin. Run a VMI.

If you give me the vin I can see the hist on this car.



guido

[David Kingsbury]

From what I have been reading, the 500E should not be anymore troublesome than my 560SEL. If the car runs okay and the air-conditioning works and the title are clear, my expenses might be tolerable without the full history. I am going to leave a note for the person to contact me and we will see where it goes from there.

Thanks,

[DslBnz]

Originally posted by ItalianBenz
Dave. If the car has anywhere from 80K and up. I rec to have the timing chain and rails repl. Also find out the yr.

Why would an M119 need chain work after only 80K miles? This ain't the 560, these things don't stretch. At least the 4.2 never does.

Sure on an M116 or M117(certainly on a pre '83 M116 with only single chain), but why an M119?

This would be news for me, and I need to know because I OWN one(not a 500E but an E420).

[ItalianBenz]

Well Dsl. The 500E engine rann a little on the hot side. Due to cramming that engine in such a small compartment. They didn't breath very well. Causing the engine to run hot,so the plastic guide rails,would get brittle and start coming apart. i have done 3 500E and anywhere from 80K to 100K and beyond, you would find rail material in the bottom of the oil subpan when inspecting.

So this is reasonig. If not replacing @ 80K. The customer should @ least,drop pan to inspect for and rail debris.

Bye Bye




Guido

[DslBnz]

Thanks.

[ItalianBenz]

DSL waht Yr is your 420. how many miles



I don't see to many problems wit hte later 119 engine. I did one on a 1992 400E. Had around 100K it needed it.