500E owners:

What would your thoughts be on a dealer-serviced 92 500E with 150k on the clock? I've found such a car, but would hate to buy it only to have to spend $10k on an engine. I would naturally have a full PPI and compression check done. It seems like comparable cars with under 100k are selling for mid-to-high $20k's. I assume this one can be had for around $20k.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Frank

I guess you'd want to know all about those things "outside" regularly scheduled service and maintenance (have they been done w/in 150K?- if not, mostly like these will need attention)

>main engine wiring harness
>timing chain (stretched?)
>timing chain rails (plastic gets brittle & safe bet they need repl around 100K)
>rear hydraulic system flushed (nitrogen spheres may need replacement if flooded= harsh rear dampening/ride over bumps)

naturally the PPI will provide info on condition of (you may also wish a Carfax)
>a/c operation
>front suspension bushings
>rear suspension bushings
>chassis/motor/brakes/etc.

if you use search you'll have a wealth of info to get up to speed on these cars, or if you start reading the Hot Rod Forum past posts ...they'll be all there...you have hours of fun ahead

good luck and let us know what turns out
-fad

Make sure you buy the extended warranty..just to make sure something is covered. I got one for my E500 and already used it for my water pump...I even got a MB rent a car (Paid)from the dealer.

__________________
Make it a great day!
Jay E.

E55 '00 (Silver)
....SOLD

E500 '94 (Pearl Black)
...love my E500 so much!

Toyota FX-16 GTS '87 (Very Red)
...stored in my garage

Audi 4000CS Quattro '87 (Alpine White)
...Totalled

Mitsubushi Montero '91 (Blue)
...my daily ride

i've owned two of them, both around 120k. I'd do it again. Of course, no one's going to write an extended warranty on a 100k vehicle, but I think you can reasonably expect great life from these cars. They were built during the time that MB really cared, and durability was expected. As long as you keep an eye on the chain (not really expensive if you do it in the preventive mode), the water pump/radiator, and know that the wiring harness has got to be done sooner or later, they are not bad at all to look after. I think the only real fear I had of component failure was the tranny. That's got to be awful. But most v8 trannies from that era will go 150-170k if properly cared for. If the cosmetics and history look good, I'd do it, provided the price was reasonable. But I ain't seen any reasonalbe ones lately.....hope this helps you.