Where there any major year to year changes and is any of those years considered more desireable than others?

There are others who own 500E / E500's that can answer in more detail (like Placo1), but basically:

1. 1994 E500's have the cosmetic updates: facelifted hood / grill / headlights / front corners / tail lights / painted bumper impact strip.

2. 1992 500E's and very early 1993's 500E's have a "closed deck" block design that allows them to be bored out.

3. 1992 500E's produce slightly more horsepower. M.B.DOC has posted that 1992 was the last year for WOT (wide open throttle enrichment), which decreased horsepower by 5-6% on the same cars in 1993 & later. Emissions & CAFE(mileage) were the factors in that change.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Pauls done a good job listing all the important stuff, here's a list of minor changes.

93: Phone mounted in updated Armrest providing more interior storage space, 7Hp less than 92. Everything else was pretty much the same.

94: Same changes as 93 plus Bose stereo replaces Becker system, power drivers side mirror, SL600 Front calipers.

Can't remember anything else at the moment but if I do I'll post it.

As far as desirability I guess it's a matter of personal preference. The 94 had the updated look and was the last model year for the car. However many prefer the earlier pronounced chrome grille and may want the extra 7Hp of the 92. I think the real goal should be to find a car that's in good condition, that IMHO is the most desirable of all.

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Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd

Thank you both.

Didn't the 93 models have the power driver's side mirror?
Possibly late 93...
I was very surprised that MB chose to change the block design mid year ( I would think they would have held off for the next model (210)) Seems like alot of $$$ (testing/emissions cert...) for a mid year change.

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Bryan Harter
1992 500E Smoke Silver
2002 CLK55 AMG Cab Silver/Black
2001 Harley Fatboy - Pearl White
2004 F150 FX4 Silver/Grey
1969 GTO Liberty Blue
1956 F100 Black

And don't forget the front calipers ...

Early build '92s had Brembo aluminum 4 piston calipers. Some customers complained of noise/vibration problems and MB outfitted the Mid to Late build '92s with Ate (I believe) cast iron 4 piston calipers that were sourced from the R129 500SL. Rotor size is 300 mm x 28 mm. This is true through chassis number (VIN) B930494.

From chassis number B930495 (basically the '94 build with some late '93s) MB installed larger Ate (I believe again) cast iron 4 piston calipers that were sourced from the R129 SL600. Rotor size was 320 mm x 30 mm.

All rear calipers are the same - Ate cast iron calipers. Rotors are 278 mm x 24 mm.

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1992 500E (Daily Driver)
2004 Porsche RUF 955 Dakara 550

Norman, no regrets on getting a 92 and not the updated 94? I've come across what appears to be a 92 in good shape.

Disclaimer: While I don't own a 124.036, I would think a 1992 would be the most desireable because you get slightly more horsepower, and an engine block that can be bored out.

What's more, If you like the newer head lights, you can update to OEM 500E Euro headlights, install clear corners, and update the tail lights to clear / red.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Thank you. Does anyone on the Board know of a good MB mechanic in the Saddle River, NJ area capable of doing a good pre-purchase inspection on a 500E?

Richard - I'm an extrovert. And I'm kinda old school as well. As a young boy, I was always intrigued with the big chrome grilles of Mercedes of yesteryear. I just purchased an old Mercedes Magazine from 1985 that has the W100 Model 600 (Sedan, Pullman and Landaulet) on the cover. Big A$$ Chrome Grille! To me, the larger chrome grille on the '92 - '93 says "hey, I'm a Mercedes and look at me!"

So, when it came to shop for my 500E, cosmetically the '92 - '93 500E was the logical choice. And let's not forget the mechanical differences as discussed in the above posts.

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1992 500E (Daily Driver)
2004 Porsche RUF 955 Dakara 550

Rotors for these calipers as used on the later cars are considerably more expensive than the previous (smaller) rotors, and there are separate part numbers for left and right. The earlier cars used the same part for right and left side.

Following is another change or two that I knew about...

There were some minor revisions in the software used in the LH (injection) module throughout the life of the cars and after, as well.

For the 1994 model year cars (those produced in August 1993 and later) the 9-pole diagnostic connector and TDC sensor were eliminated from the engine bay.

Starting in November 1993, the cars had head restraints that had posts that were 30mm shorter than the earlier cars.

For cars produced in January 1993 and later, a modified ATF dipstick was used.

For cars produced in October 1993 and later, a revised "locking" ATF dipstick with red endcap was used.

Cars with serial number B884023 and later (roughly end of calendar year 1992) included a master battery disconnect switch on the negative battery terminal.

Model year 1994 cars had an on-board headlamp-aiming device, eliminating the need for special workshop headlamp aiming and adjustment procedures and tools.

Cars produced starting in August 1994 had a "clear coat" protectant sprayed in the engine bay to resist corrosion.

Starting in July 1993, the same front window electric motors as used in the R129 (SL) cars were employed in the 500E-E500.

Starting in model year 1993, some minor changes were made to the alarm system of the cars.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Gerry

thanks. there is a great looking 92 500E on ebay, I've exchanged emails with the seller but there does not seem to be detailed historical service records available for review so I'm a lot less interested than I was.

Do yourself a favor and DON'T buy a car on eBay. If you are looking for a good 500E or E500, go to the 500Ecstasy.com site and ask there, or look at the posts on this forum for cars for sale.

As an alternative you can try Hemmings (or hemmings.com), the SL Market Letter (an expensive subscription-only newsletter at www.slmarket.com, which is the largest classified ads for collectable MBs in the world), or the MBCA Star Magazine which usually has a couple of cars.

If you are looking for top-notch goods, usually Hatch and Sons in the Boston area (www.hatchandsons.com) has a 500E or three for sale. But you will pay top dollar.

eBay is the worst possible forum on which to buy a car, unless you can actually see the car for yourself before you bid on it. Or you can get someone locally you trust to do this.

Good luck

Cheers,
Gerry

Autotrader online is another great source for 500's, you'll usually find at least a handful for sale with varying mileage and condition. This is a great way to buy a car since it allows you more time to have the car properly inspected and also receive all of the previous history.

And I think your right regarding the previous history of any car, if it's not available I'd be a bit worried about previous maintenance. You want to buy this type of car from a car enthusiast that loved the car.

Also regarding previous history, remember that you can ask for a Vehicle Master Inquiry from the seller, they can get this from a local dealer. If they're not willing to get this for you I'd walk away.

Good luck

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Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd

These are two features that I did not know about. That is really cool. Do you have a picture of these things?

Someday I will also get a 500E/E500, but I think that I would get a 1992 and then I could do all the late model upgrades because I like to do upgrades/mods. If you get the E500 everything is already done for you.

If I wanted to just let it be a garage queen, I'd probably get a 1994 E500.

I used to really like ebay back a couple years ago, but it has been getting worse. More people on it that are dishonest, and things. People that drive bids up, but don't have the money to pay.

The above recommendations are all good. Check a car out for yourself or at least get a few rolls of pictures before you buy it.

Nothing is like looking at it for yourself.

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.