Hi all,

Newbie here. I'm in the process of negotiating to buy an E500 I've stumbled across in a quiet corner of a used car dealership here in Dubai. The dealer doesn't realize it's any more than an old Merc, and as such it's looking like a bargain.

However, I don't know a lot about it (as neither does the dealer). It's badged as an E500, so I presume it's a 1994, post face lift model. The particularly interesting point is it doesn't have the full leather interior - instead is is 1/2 leather, with cloth inserts. I've found a pic of a similar one online:



It's also got the 1/2 wooden steering wheel, and wooden centre console, and Mercedes sill plates on the doors.

I'm afraid I don't remember what wheels are on it.

Does this sound like a "regular" E500, or is this the "Limited" version?

Also, is there a buyers guide or similar anyone can point me towards for some more specifics as to what I should be looking at before going ahead with the purchase? The interior looks brand new, and the car's only done 74,000 km from new.

Cheers,
Will

Car is a "standard" 500E............... http://www.*********.com/forum/index.php

Looks like someone dropped an "AMG" cluster in..

Jonathan

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You need to find out whether the wiring harness is in good condition....they break up and its a common problem. When I purchased by E500 the previous owner had just had to spend @ $5000 on new wiring harness, coil packs and ECU due to the wiring harness shorting out.

Check condition/performance of the gearbox

Suspension...they ride hard, but should not crash into potholes, if you see what I mean.

Check that the self levelling rear suspension works correctly.

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Current Mercs
R129 1994 300-24SL
W124 320E Turbo Technics Twin Turbo 350bhp

Previous Mercs
W124 1986 Quad Cam AMG Hammer, 45,000 miles
W124 300E Turbo Technics Twin Turbo 320bhp
W124 E500

buy it and dont ask questions!
whatever this car is,,,regular or limited...there aint much of it in the market. If you will consider keeping it for a long time, this car will gonna be a great classic sport saloon. The best i think.
by the way what will that cost you?

Yeah, make sure the wire harness is good, since its rare the harness is rare too...

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Current Garage
2008 Mercedes GL320 CDI 188k mi Repair/Work in progress
1994 S350 160k mi Garage Queen & prepping for repairs
2005 E320 CDI 203k mi Healthy & Daily Driver
1994 S350 357k mi Retried as parts car
1984 300TD 214k mi Blown OM617 Poss OM603 Swap??

Sold
1987 300SDL 200K+
1994 S320 181K mi
2008 E320 Bluetec 127k mi
1999 S420 130K mi
1980 240D 360k mi
15+ Others that has come, stay and gone

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1995 E320 SE 220k mi
1984 300SD 350k mi

Will,

The car is a '93 model, Ex Japan, it has been on the lot for 8 months. It was immaculate when it first arrived but has deteriorated over the summer being left outside in the gulf heat, if you buy it (current asking price is 35K Dirhams I believe) you will need to replace most of the rubber bits. The interior is nice with the houndstooth inserts and is still good, but don't count on any mileage being accurate inside the Ras Al Khor car market - anything goes in there!

The wheels are the original 8 hole, only mods on the car are a strut brace, and an aftermarket exhaust.

FYI I tried to buy it ages ago, but they told me it was sold, then it turned up again in the same dealer for less money - so exercise your rights and get it checked out independently to be sure everything is above board.

One of the dealers inside the compound scouts for a local collector, and any decent 6.3, 6.9 or E500 that turns up in there disappears quickly into his collection. There must be a reason, therefore, why this one is still sitting unsold. Be careful.

The VIN on that car is WDB1240361C005475

Attached Thumbnails

 

Why is it LHD if it is from the Japanese market. Don't they drive on the other side of the road like the Brits and the Aussies?

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Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

The Jap market is an exception to the rule, they do drive on the left side you are correct, but it is one of the few places in the world where both RHD and LHD vehicles are sold new. There are certain rules pertaining to the use of LHD vehicles which discourage using them as daily drivers, and it is seen as a status symbol to own and drive a LHD car in Japan, hence a lot of the LHD cars that come out of Japan have low kilometres and are well looked after.

Personally I have owned two LHD cars that were sold new in Japan, a G60 Corrado, and an E39 540i - and both of the VIN's decoded as Japan spec, LHD cars (but with RHD headlight setup).

FYI... no RHD W124's were ever made with V8 engines from the factory. The 124.034 and 124.036 (400E, 500E) were LHD only.

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Well that would explain the LHD in Japan.

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

Agreed, there is no such thing as a RHD W124 E500, but in Japan you will also find plenty of examples of LHD vehicles that are also available as RHD, strange I know but true.