Reasons you bought the 500E

[MBlovr]

After having test driven a 500E I really loved how the balance of ride and solidness that I felt with the car. My only concern with pursuing one is that I don't drive fast anymore. All of the constableries (state, local..) have successfully clipped my wings. So I am wondering how much people have bought this car principally for it's power or would some buy it even if they didn't drive fast. If people bought it mainly for it's power are there any other cars that provide the same refined hunkered down solid feeling that the 500E does.

Thanks for your replies.

[JCE]

I would say the 400E was next in line. Read the review of the 300E, 400E, and 500E under the "car" tab at the top of the page, or go directly to the 400E section at: http://www.peachparts.com/400e.htm

[Glen]

1. I'm a car enthusiast...
2. It's one of my dream cars
3. It's an E500

I love the styling...it has a menacing yet understated presence. It's fast (without trying to be) and handles well but still very civilized. The M119 V8 is a gem but takes a bit of self control to keep off the throttle!

I haven't driven one but from what I've read a 400E with larger wheels/tires and lowered suspension would be a good alternative.

[Michael]

I bought my 500E because:

* It's deceptively fast, and nearly any speed is effortless
* It's a Benz, so it's over-engineered and safe
* It's the one and only sedan built by hand at Porsche
* Those fenders!

I doubt if I would have bought the car if it was a poseur-what good are aggressive looks if the mechanicals can't keep up?

A 400E is an excellent alternative, as it's very low-key but goes great. M5s are nice, but they are very appealing to the Law and their long-term robustness is suspect. Audi A8's nice, too.

[-fad]

The replies to this post will undoubtedly be a great source of owner sentiments for those pondering to take the leap (and there may be at least one former owner sharing not so stellar sentiments).

Since the hard facts and figures of the 500e/e500 are established, the emotional & mental affliction of the owners will most likely be the most interesting.

That being said, the 500e/e500's sum total: pedigree, materials & workmanship, driving experience, aesthetics/design/engineering together with the pride of ownership introduce a release of dopamine, adrenaline, & other concentrated stimulants into the body (no known documented study for reference).

Not to fear though, in the event this particular machine fails to stimulate you to your desires ..... choices exist.

-fad

If you can afford it, just buy it and live a little. Time is so short ya' know....

Just keep at least one weekend open each month for track time with the car and you will chase those "lead foot" gremlins away for the most part.

Other than that, it will putt around town with the best of them as that is how my Wife drives ours.

[Michael]

Yeah, when my wife takes my 500 (she drives the TE daily, and the D on occasion but given her choice snags the 500's keys every time) she likes it best because it feels "light", and is easy to merge into traffic.

Her words, not mine

[TomE500]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by -fad


"Not to fear though, in the event this particular machine fails to stimulate you to your desires ..... choices exist."

ROTFLMAO

fad! The ONLY reason that this machine would "fail to stimulate" would have to be because that person" was dead.



:^D Tom

[-fad]

Hi Tom-

a 500e/e500 failing to stimulate?......your sentiments are most likely very true...but we do have M5, Z8, E55, Lambo, Porsche, Lotus, etc. etc. that will quicken the hearbeat just as nicely.

-fad

[TomE500]

Hi fad!

All those other machines have shared flaws. They are all very fast and very stimulating to drive vehicles. They also attract unwanted attention from other aggressive drivers and da poleese because of what they are and how they look. With the possible exception of the E55, they are all not that comfortable for long haul drives(2-5 hours).[I drove a Diablo from Greenwich CT to Randolph MA. which is a distance of appx 185 mi. It took over 4 hours because the Staties had their lasers on me most of the way and every kid in a souped up jalopy wanted to "Dance with the Devil" and it was the most uncomfortable rig I ever jockeyed]

The 500E500 is the only well engineered OEM vehicle I have seen that can play two roles equally successful. It can scream with the best of them when the driver wants it to scream. It blends nicley into the traffic and doesn't get a second look when the driver doesn't want it to get a second look.

Tom

[-fad]

yes, its quite nice to have 4-door utility, handsome looks, and a sporting vehicle all wraped up into one...

this past weekend must have been an anomoly for me however....

experienced three seperate California Highway Patrol cruisers at different occasions guide my trek from San Jose, CA to SF, CA this Saturday at 7am on highway 101 North....my speed was cut in half for most of the trip!!!...oh well., enthusiasm dampened...

-fad

I would buy one to put a couple Bimwad friends ('89 E30 325iX 5 speed) in their respective places. Yeah, let Ryan get away through an intersection in that cute little Bimmer and then drop the hammer.



-Sam

[Mark Stetson]

Earlier this year, I made the decision to buy only "interesting" cars. Of course, that could mean anything, and that's what I intend. What makes the 500E interesting to me is pretty well articulated here already. I can only stress its rarity and interesting history. In LA, its sleeper attributes are vital to me as it is a daily driver. But don't kid yourself: you won't be able to keep your foot out of it ALL the time! Go treat yourself! You won't regret it.

[-fad]

True, true....


-fad

[Beastie]

All true. As for my reasons they go back to my first Benz an 89 300E with low miles. A freind borrowed the car one eveing and being an enthusiast decided to push the limits of the car through the corners. Unfortunately he had to share the road with a rather large White Tail Deer. In order to avoid the Deer he ran straight as an arrow into a tree head on at 50-55 mph. The deer was fine and thanks to the build quality so was my freind. He received a blcak eye when his hand flew off the steering wheel and smacked his cheek. Other than that he walked away unscathed. When I went to look at my car after it was towed I attempted to open the doors and truck to retrieve my belongings ( the had was totaled by the insurance company) and to my surprise everything opened normaly and with ease. This thing was built like a bank vault !. Ever since I have had at least one E class in my garage.
As for the 400E, I regret that I sold one of mine to purchase the 92 500E. The 400E was a great car and an incredible sleeper!. I drove a freinds 500E and I was hooked. I searched desperately for a fix and I will never look back. This car will probably go to my 2 month old son some day.
Alan