Breakdown of NA cars by color?
 

I seem to remember reading that 80% of North A. 500E/E500 were Pearl Black, perhaps facetiously. Does anyone have what they believe to be an accurate record of the number of cars imported by color?

Also, were all cars subjected to the two-tone paint treatment? Was this an option the owner could specify, or were there specific colors that could only be ordered with this treatment?

Thanks in advance.

Not sure about breakdown by color, but the two tone scheme was standard on all cars with the exception of a few factory monochrome examples produced in late '94 (I own one of them).

Also, the E500 Limited, though never sold in NA, sports a monochrome paint job.

Then what should I make of this: I've seen a 93 500E in monochromatic black (not Pearl Black, true solid nonmetalic black). The current owner is the original owner and insists (believably) that he never had the car repainted.

There is nothing about the car or the owner that would make me think otherwise.

Is this an anomaly or does something not sound right about this?

Thanks.

Daesun-

I don't believe your information is accurate re: "exception of a few factory monochrome examples ...produced in late '94"

I have viewed live physical examples for myself N American factory 500e (assembled prior to 1994) that have factory original mono-color scheme (to the lower body cladding,etc.)

I recall from old sales brochures that 500e color "options" were available (to choose from) for ordering the car (both interior and exterior) to personal taste.

I sense no anomaly (other than being very very rare) about factory Black monochrome exterior paint treatment on pre-'94 500e.

It is my understanding that build codes from the factory plate (engine compartment) can be deceiphered (info search here or on the net) and MBUSA may be able to help with the factory window sticker (copy) if an owner wishes...

Pops- it is my impression that a majority of NAmerican 500e500 do possess the Pearl Black exterior matched with a) grey leather interior or b) black leather interior. If you're concerned about owning a 500e with an original color scheme- one can always restore /repaint it inexpensively.

I myself prefer the two-tone factory paint scheme vs. the mono

best regards
-fad

I agree with Fad; I believe most 500Es were Pearl Black. Anecdotally, it seems that most 500Es I've seen for sale are Perarl Black, with gray interior. Which mine is.
My favorite, however, is Smoke Silver w/Palimino.

Tom
92 500E

I bow to better-informed opinions, but I was only recounting what I was told by the dealership I purchased the vehicle from. The following spec sheet at MBUSA seems to confirm my assessment, but I could be wrong.

E500 spec sheet from MBUSA

I recall from reading about the history of the 500E, that the bodies were returned from Porsche to Mercedes after structural modification, then were shipped once again to Porsche for final mechanical assembly. This round trip was done partly so that all the available W124 paint colors could be ordered.

Well, here's the pic. As you can see, the car is monochromatic nonmetallic black. It's also a 93 with a late 92 build date.

Kind of cool. With a 94 hood/light conversion the car would look more contemporary IMHO. On the other hand, I do like the look of the two-tone paint job and the pre-1994 grill. There is something a bit more regal about the older cars - not as polished as the facelift made the cars look.

http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/2527140.jpg

What I really want is a Diamond Blue 92/93 500E w/ Blue leather interior or grey.

I just think it's such a nice color for a lot of MB's. Makes the 500E look slower than it really is though ;)