Hi Folks. Since I acquired my 500E last Spring, I’ve been on a quest to obtain as many original magazine road test reports as I could. I’m finally reasonably satisfied with what I’ve collected. So far, I’ve only tackled the US magazine market, but perhaps next I’ll go for the European magazines. I thought others might like to have this list, and perhaps collect their own copies.

For the record, here’s the list of the particular issues of various magazines, with some editorial comment by yours truly.

Car and Driver, December 1990, page 101, “Mercedes-Benz 500E – The factory builds a Hammer of its own.” This is a nice article by Pete Lyons which actually reviews the prototype 500E. Notable quote: “What the M-B engineers have perpetrated here is a Stuttgart factory hot rod.” Other notable quote: “In pouring, streaming, swishing rain (at Hockenheim) it felt as solid and comfy as hurtling along inside a rocket-assisted, leather lined gun safe.”

Car and Driver, April 1992, page 47, “Magnum Force – The three most powerful sports sedans in America trip our triggers.” This is a comparison of the 500E with the M5 and the Audi S4. The 500E came second to the M5 in the evaluation – due to its price, not performance. Notable quote: “No way the 500E is going to be outgunned. No sir. Everything about this machine is Magnum impressive.” And “There is but one blemish in the 500E experience: the price of admission.”

And there is a bonus one page quick review of the 400E “The rich man’s bargain Benz.”

Motor Trend, August 1993, page 64, “Souls of Fire – Into the valley of death with the best sport sedans on earth.” This is another comparo of the 500E, M5, and S4. The 500E wins, but again, price is criticized. Notable quote: In fact the entire demeanor of the bad-boy Benz is one of broad-shouldered confidence cloaked in the visage of a normal luxury sedan. A better super sleeper than anything produced by Serta.”

Road & Track, February 1991, page77, “Mercedes Benz 500E – A fitting performance from the Sindelfingen / Zuffenhausen connection.” A rather boring 2 pager, actually. Reviewed prior to actual delivery of cars, so it was probably a short drive of the prototype. Quote: “Stretches of road are simply gulped up by the big V8, it’s muted roar through the firewall adding further to the sensation of speed.”

Road & Track, May 1992, page 88, “Mercedes Benz 500E – The Terminator of luxury sedans.” This is a nice, pithy article by Joe Rusz with a good shot of a car in a massive oversteer drift (in the wet). Notable quote: “the 500E speaks with a Teutonic accent and is a muscular hulk that can pulverize the opposition - in this case a variety of high performance sports coupes, sedans, and GT’s.” and several other good lines.

Sports Car International, May 1992, page 74, “Mercedes Benz 500E Track Test.” Rather boring report, actually, with some comparison to the M5. Interesting quote which is similar to above, “Think of a jet propelled safe and you have the basic idea behind the 500E.”

And then we have the cream of the crop, Automobile, April 1992, the Cover Article, page 64. This article just plain GUSHES about the car. It’s nice and long at 5 pages, and the whole article is one gigantic Notable Quote. Some choice ones: “The 500E’s ability to deliver speed and comfort with complete safety makes it a standard by which we will measure all automobiles.” And how about “Ah, the speed, the incredible speed. We are utterly intoxicated by the 500E’s speed. We are besotted by it, unmanned, and unwomaned by it.” (!) Or how about “I was going down the autobahn toward Geneva in the 500E, and I was thinking about my friends who are always telling me how great it must be to work at a car magazine and then asking which car is the best I’ve ever driven. And I thought: This is it. This is the best car in the world. This is the reason I work at a car magazine.”

Can’t get much better than that, eh?

And in my research I stumbled on some “supporting articles” which might be of interest.

Motor Trend, June 1993, page 63. “The V8 Luxury Sedan Challenge” which is a comparo of the LS 400, 740I, Audi V8 Quattro, MB 400E, Q45.

Road & Track, June 1992, page 79. “Cadillac STS Takes on the Best” which is a comparo of the STS, 535I, LS400, Q45, and MB 300E (with a sidebar on the 400E).

Road & Track, July 1992, page 134. Long term test of the 400E. This was the initial report on the long term test of the 400E. (I have not looked for the follow-ups).

And finally, from Road & Track, October 1992, page 16, a letter to the Editor from Frederick R. Heiler, Manager Public Relations of MBNA, trying to clear up a bit of inaccuracy/confusion on the Porsche thing. I quote:

I enjoyed your Mercedes-Benz 500E road test (May 1992) but there was a mis-statement about the assembly process. For the record, the body is built at Porsche. A few stamping parts from the 300E are shipped across town for m Sindelfingen, but the remaining pieces are either bought from suppliers or made at Porsche, where the body is welded together. The body in white is shipped to Sindelfingen for painting because Porsche cannot duplicate Mercedes-Benz colors. The painted body goes back to Porsche for final assembly and then returns to Sindelfingen for checking and delivery. Considering the complication it’s no wonder that there was some confusion about the process.”

End quote. Perhaps this is another piece to settle the “AMG 500E” debate.

Hope you enjoyed, and if you have some other articles, let me know.
Rgds,
Chris Whitney
'93 500E