Fate is taking me in another direction and I regretfully must put up for sale my dream car. As a youth I fantasized about owning one of the famous Mercedes "Hammers" and then decades later learned about our lovely 500E models. A few years ago I bought one and have enjoyed it tremendously.

I suggest you look up yourself on the internet the amazing provenance of these cars. For those of you not familiar with the '92 to '93 500E, I give you some insight . . . here is what one internet site says about them:

"Mercedes included a sport version of the W124, the 500E, created in close cooperation with Porsche. Each 500E was hand-built by Porsche, being transported back and forth between the Mercedes plant and Porsche's Rossle-Bau plant in Zuffenhausen during assembly---taking a full 18 days to complete each model. Between 1991 and 1995, Mercedes/Porsche built a total of 10479 500E's. Of these, 1505 of the "super" sports sedans were imported into the USA between 1992-1994, or roughly 500 cars per year of importation. Called the 500E through model year 1993, in 1994 the 500E was face-lifted and re-badged the E500.

"The 500E had a 32-valve V8 engine delivering 322 hp (240 kW) and 354 ft·lbf (480 N·m), with the engine being derived from the R129 500SL roadster. Sports car braking performance also came SL components: Front SL500 300mm disks with 4-piston calipers came installed on the 1992 and early 1993 cars. The later 1993, and all 1994 cars came with the upgraded 320mm set taken from the 600SL. Rear brakes on all years were 277mm brakes from the 500SL. In the USA, the 500E came fully-loaded, with the only options available to the buyer being a dealer-installed CD changer and an integrated telephone. The 500E was only available as a four-seater, with the four leather seats supplied by Recaro (the fronts heated).

"Called the "Velvet Hammer" by Mercedes, and a "Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" by the press, performance tests of the day yielded impressive results: 0-60 mph (97 km/h) times of 5.5 seconds and accelerateration through the quarter-mile (0.4 km) in 14.1 seconds at 101 mph (163 km/h). Top speed was electronically limited to 155 mph (251 km/h). It was rated at 14 mpg (16.8 L/100 km) in the city and 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) on the highway.

"With its aggressive stance: 1.5 inches wider track, 0.9 inch lower profile, flared fenders, side skirts, front air-dam and wide tires, the 500E is easily distinguished from its lesser brethren. Because of its look, limited numbers, hand-built construction, and unique pedigree, the 500E is already considered a "classic," even within Mercedes-Benz."

There is extensive information on the net about these truly exceptional 124.036 vehicles. Many MB lovers know of the robust construction and engineering of the W124 chassis, combine that with the development work Porsche did to shoehorn in the M119 engine into that bay, and you have quite a car on your hands!

Some history on this car: I bought this car several years ago from the well-known northern California Mercedes mechanic Robert Fenton who was well acquainted with the car having maintained it for a very wealthy "open checkbook" owner. About 6 years ago the previous owner had the car thoroughly gone over, spending well over $30,000 to have just about everything under the hood and throughout the chassis refurbished as needed for all wear components. So all the electrical issues, wiring looms, gaskets, hoses, etc. that need attention on this car was replaced.

Unfortunately, just months after this extensive work was completed the car was in a fender bender (right rear quarter only) in 2006. No doubt, the owner was enjoying the drive and flexed its muscle a bit too much and spun out.

Incredibly when it came time to do the insurance claim the adjuster credited the value of the chassis as a common 6 cylinder 300E, not the mighty 500E V8 that it is. Incredibly, the owner accepted the pay off on his car at the lower value and walked away from the miss-adjustment.

Upon learning this, Fenton gladly paid the insurance company the low value 300E write off price to acquire the Salvage Title for what was largely cosmetically injured car. He then repaired the few rear suspension components that needed attention with all NOS MB parts and had the body attended to at the highest professional standards.

I in-turn bought the car sight unseen, and had it delivered to me in Missouri. The car was everything I expected, a mid-mileage near perfect 500e that has been my pride and joy these recent years. Garage kept, I continued to maintain this beauty at no-cost-concerned, driving it only about 5,000 miles a year. Currently with 182,800+ miles, as you can see by the photos, a very well kept example of a nearly 20-year old car.

Here we go . . . the Good, the Bad ...

Good

* Correct replacement Hella Euro Headlights (man are they nice and bright!)
* Custom European front plate "93 500E with Stuttgart & Porsche stickers
* Upgraded grill
* Weather Tech Rubber Trunk Liner
* European look no-color front turn signals
* Later model style grill (all metal)
* An OMG! $8,000 everything-under-the-sun Kenwood sound/video system including: AM/FM/Sirius/DVD/TV/Motorola Hands Free Blue Tooth/GPS Navigation/AudioDVD/Aux Audio & Video Input/5.1 Surround Digital Signal Processing with all high end speakers in the standard positions and a very discrete sub-woofer (installed on back deck where First Aid kit would reside)/Split channel audio (front passengers can listen to music while rear seat guests watch DVD with wireless headphones), headphones, remote controller. This is the type of head unit that you can use either as a traditional dashboard type of radio, or push a button and a large screen motors out with a wonderful touch screen video display.
* Additional 12 volt accessory outlets - For Radar Detector, Cell phones, Laptop.
* Near-New Standard 500E wheels with
* Near new Pirelli P600 225/65 ZR16 tires.
* All body electrical functions perfectly including rear headrests, sunshade, all dashboard switches, all seat movements, all gauges, AC/Heat, heated seats, power seats & headrests, sun roof, door locks, lights, etc. etc.
* Nice door-mounted drink cup holders.
* Trick hiding motorized front license plate. Yes, the custom European plate stays with car, and a small key-fob remotely controls the position of the state plate.
* No rust.
* Leather seats are perfect. (Check out in photos!)
* Carpets perfect. (Including floor mats)
* All wood perfect.
* COLD AC! (air conditioning and heat works in all functions)
* Tracks straight, no weird noises, no weird vibrations no drips!
* Comprehensive maintenance records for everything done on car since 1999 years. (Most recent work: New battery, new starter (Bosch), new rotors & caps (dual, Bosch) at Elite Mercedes, Springfield.)

Bad

* Salvage Title (Something this car honestly does not deserve).
* Clearcoat thin in small spots on rear trunk
* Small ding in front left fender.
* Small ding in left passenger's door.
* Some of the anodized exterior trim fading.
* A bit of normal road rash on front hood edge (you have to look closely to see) and grill.
* Few stone divits (minor minor... can you see them in the photos?) here and there, including teeny tiny new one on brand new windshield. (Arrgh!)

MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE

PRICE: $12,000

Location: Branson, MO

(I am retired and can deliver pre-paid car to just about anywhere in America for expenses (hotel/food/gas) + $250 + round-trip plane ticket).

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Great writeup, but 0 replies....

How much of that 12k is factored by the 8k stereo installation?

My only beef is that insurance salvage values for a "300E" in 2006, if that, was about 2k at best, so its either Fenton who marked up the car considerably or you (by all the work and expenses put in for repairs/maintenance)...passed on to the next buyer.

I'd buy it, but the problem is the SALVAGE title would always be a problem, and a clear-title 500E with same/lower mileage isn't too far off.

Well its salvage, so I'll give you $3,500. And thats a gift, we all know all salvage cars are garbage and have big long stories.


/sarcasm of course.

I've found people who use AOL Autos as their source to be "informed buyers" love to use salvage as a one word way to try to negotiate a car down without knowing what it means, or how the word, or rather "brand" came to be.

Do you have any info on the damage?


I think its a minty looking car. Best of luck dude!

__________________
68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

Please check & respond

__________________
Mine: 1987 MB 420 SEL - 62K (Dec 2019)
Mine:1991 MB 350SDL - 244K (Aug 2011)- Totalled 9/14/2016
Mine:1981 MB 300SD - 326K mi (July 1997)-sold
Wife's: 2008 MB C300 Sport - 92K mi (April 2009)

dcotejr

Sent you the info you asked for on the car direct to your email.

Thanks,

Mike

Diesel Paul,

Damage was to right rear quarter in March of 2006. I bought the car after all repairs completed in October 2006. I never saw it damaged.

As I learned from Robert Fenton, the driver spun out and hit something with it's behind. Not too serious damage apparently, but enough for the insurance company to trash it, thinking it was a 300E.

I have been under the car dozens of times (and along with multiple MB mechanics) and we are all hard-pressed to identify just where the damage took place. All body panels (and mechanical) were replaced with MB parts and all welds that were needed were done along existing seams. From inside or out, you can not tell, the workmanship is that good.

Hey, question for you, which is best W124 diesel? early '87, '90 to '93 2.5 turbo, or '95 NA 6 cyl? I am thinking of buying one and to me it is a toss up between say a '93 2.5 turbo vs. a '95 NA 6. I prefer the facelift on the '95, but understand that the engine is a bit harder to work on, although some say it is pretty bulletproof. I am searching for an under 130K example.

Thanks,

Mike

Bondavi,

When I bought the car back in '06, most 500E were going for $25 to $35K. This was before the economic crash, and all the cars were 5 years younger. I bought the car for less then the market rate knowing it was a salvage. After that I installed the nice stereo. Yes, my price includes some mark-up for the stereo.

Mike

Good God. I just passed on a '92 500E locally in the same color combo for $5k. +/- 170k mi, great shape overall. Maybe I shouldn't have let it go...

__________________
Currently:
1972 350SL Euro 4spd
1973 BMW R75/5
1981 BMW R80GS
1995 FZJ80 with OM606 Conversion In Progress

great looking car, dont let the paperwork scare you away

You can get them all day long on ebay or any other classified source, with avg miles, no damage, and all records for that price. If I was buying a 500e, I'd want original paint or at least some cosmetic paintwork here or there, but no damage. This is an 8k car. You also forget the market we are in. This is an extreme niche market, and the 20 year old used supercar market hasn't been doing so well since about Oct 08. Just fyi. I bought my 500SL with 100k, 2 owners, zero paintwork and nearly all major mechanical work taken care of for $8k, and it sat for 9 months before I found it.

__________________
former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL

Will w202.

Good point. And yes I have been observing the market. Therefore, I am open now to offers. Thanks all for your kind thoughts.

Mike

should'nt that be a one way ticket ?

We're in a situation and at a point where either you dump these vintages now for rock bottom, or you put a cover on it and stick it in the corner of the garage and wait for it to be 40 years old, at which point it will be worth at least the same money as today, the only upside being it MIGHT be worth more as the market changes

__________________
former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL

PM sent

__________________
1985 300D - 1984 Euro 280E AMG Clone (SOLD) - 1978 280CE (SOLD) - 1983 300D (SOLD) - 1981 300D (SOLD)

what about the W123?

Id trade mine for the salvaged e v8 car.