looking for advice on 1994 E500

I have been looking for a 94 E500 for some time now with no success. I would like to find a low mileage (under 60k) silver or 040 black car with NO PAINT WORK. Am I dreaming??? Does anyone have or know of a car like this that might be available? I look at Autotrader regularly....one of three things occurs when I find a prospect. 1. it is already sold, 2. it has damage 3. the seller(usually a dealer) thinks that it is worth a fortune because it is so rare.

Any advice?

[-fad]

Here's some strategy that you may find useful:

>Healthy dose of patience

>Contact all major metropolitan MB dealers to inform them of your desired vehicle parameters and the $ you are willing to spend. They can be of value in referring you to a private sale of a local cream puff E500 (only available through the grapevine/ word of mouth/ ie someone whom is thinking of selling...).

>Post/ take out an ad on as many MB Boards, MB magazines, exotic car mags, etc.

>Consistently scour the major metro cities periodical classifieds: San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Atlanta, etc.

>Offer a finder's fee

>Attend MB shows/ events and share your interest in purchasing this type of vehicle with fellow enthusiasts- they may have a lead and you may contact an owner whom didn't plan to sell- - but you offered too much $$$ for them to decline your generous offer

RE: paintwork
imho- there's probably a needle in the haystack.....somewhere

hope this helps and best regards
-fad
'94 E500 (42.9k) Pearl Black/Black

[Glen]

Chip,
Glad you made it over to MercedesShop! I think you'll find it even better AFTER you find your E500

Good luck in your search.

I found a local 92 500E with 54k Smoke Silver/Black. One owner no paint work with all books and records. I have already put the EVO II wheels and Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP 245/45ZR17 just like Norman Anthony. I love the look. I also replaced the front brakes and rotors. I also went with Mobil1 oil. The bad news is that I blew the radiator hose to the heater core the next day.


Thanks for all of the great advice on the car.

[Glen]

Congrats on your new car! Can't wait to see some pix
Bummer about the heater core hose, but once that's taken care of you'll be motoring at full speed

[-fad]

congrats!
-fad
'94 E500

[Michael]

chipgovols/all,

I need to dig out my old post on this subject, but in the interest of getting the word out NOW, let me add it here- All 500E W124 owners - change the heater hoses at the back of the block! There are 2 that are prone to failure, and at the very least will ruin your day (mine blew on-track at Lime Rock and not only caused me to spin but slicked the track for folks like Jims500E-glad no one else went off-track ). At most, if you don't notice the temperature spike you could blow your engine.

If one of these hoses blows, there's almost no chance you're gonna be able to do a field expedient repair-both hoses have "t" junctions and are therefore special order-type pieces.

Be advised mi amigos!

[Bob C.]

Michael and all,

You may have read that the Editor in Chief of Road and Track recently purchased a 1992 500E.

A fine vote of confidence from a car expert!

I hope he'll join us in these discussion groups.

Regards,
Bob

[run.exe]

[Cannoli]

Michael, thanks for the heads up on the heater hose.

I've been pushing my 500E hard lately (Running with the Horses) and I am sure glad I didn't blow a hose along Mullholland Drive. That would have sucked!

Time to change those hoses!

[jfiero]

Chip, I blew that same "s" shaped block to heater hose (the one on the driver's side) within 15 MINUTES of buying my 1992 500e in October.

On the test drive, everything was fine. Then, 15 minutes after doing the paperwork and handing over the cashier's check, I had major steam coming out of the engine bay and a temp gauge going straight up. Change those hoses!!! BTW, I had the car towed back to the seller's house and we fashioned a patch on the spot that got me home (220 miles), but it took some work. God bless AAA.

-- John

I am finally back on the road. Both hoses have been replaced. It took 4 days (plus the weekend) to get the parts. I might suggest that 500 owners get these hoses replaced prior to be stranded.

This car is an absolute blast to drive. Much sportier than my '01 E55.

The new tires and wheels look great. So far great performance and no road noise. Thanks to Norman for the idea.

[Daesun]

Originally posted by chipgovols
This car is an absolute blast to drive. Much sportier than my '01 E55.

Please elaborate, as most of the guys around here love to hear favorable comparisons of our beloved 500Es with newer, technologically superior competitors.

I have owned alot of cars and I have always loved MB. My favorite prior to the 500E was my 92 400E. In between I purchased a new 94 E320....good car, but not enough power and the handling was more like a Caddy( soft and disconnected), Then a '97 S500. Again handling like a Caddy, but more power. A great long distance car for TX highways. I wanted better handling and I knew that I needed more power. I purchased a '99 740il (I know BMW=mistake)...better handing and a powerful motor, but it was in the shop constantly. An 01 E55 black/black was for sale at my local MB dealer and I thought I had finally purchased a perfect car. It handled great and was indeed very powerful, but it lacked a certain responsiveness that you get from a sports car. I love the road "feedback" that I get from the 500E. It sits lower and has a lower waistline that makes me feel closer to the road. A true 4 door sports car. I do miss certain luxuries from the E55, like a real glovebox, cupholders, traction defeat, intergrated garage door opener, remote keyless entry and the seats.......the E55 has awesome seats with multiple lumbar supports, seat length adjustment and side support adjustment. All said and done the 500E is a better car. It feels like it weighs more and feels like a more solid car.

[Bob C.]

Your excellent description reminds me of the AutoWeek article that I mentioned in another thread.

The May 13, 1996 article on the E50 (an E55 predecessor) says: "However, when it comes to the US, it will fall short of the 500E in the category of lacking an edge. The 500E was something special, a brutish, beastly Mercedes-Porsche, perhaps the ultimate tuner sedan. Maybe it was the influence of Mercedes' cross-town partner. Porsche didn't just assemble the car. It breathed in life, and there was a thrilling wildness, an edge to the car, just as there was to a 911 Turbo of the same generation."