hi im located here at las vegas i am a proud 300e owner which is a w124 it finally gave up on me after 260k miles. i am currently looking at another w124 but it is a 1992 500e with 71000 miles i have talk to the guy who is selling it and he told me that the car was a grey market car. my question is is the car really worth buyin what i mean is the euro version is the same with the american version as of toughness and durability. and is there any points that i have to look at thank you.

Can you verify it's a Euro and that he's not an idiot? I'd watch out for a reset of the odometer when they put the mph gauges in.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

i have no direct personal expereince with 124 euros or 500es. i do have some experience with 123 euros. they are just as durable in my experience, but it seems like the euro cars are a little more rust prone. parts generally are the same for maintenance purposes.

and euros are generally worth a bit less unless a very high performance model, like a 500e.

i would have it checked out by someone well aquanited with the 500es.

sounds like an interesting car. i have not heard of a euro 500e before.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

yeah i can verify that its a euro it has the winter summer option on the gear selector headlights leveling the fire "exthingisher" under the driver sit i wanted to post the link but its a very rare find. the only thing is that i cant verify if it has been rolled back i have the engine pick and it look like he never did any maintenance on a real mb company

The earlier it was brought into the US the less likely odometer mismatch will be an issue. Records and a PPI are your best analysis tools.

Sixto
93 300SD

Get the VIN and see if you can run a carfax. Post VIN here.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Carfax does not show anything on Euro VINS.

If the 500E comes back as WDB124036... then its a Euro. If not, then its a "look alike".

Yup...That's why I wanted him to post it here, so we could all have a look-see and be able to tell for sure.

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

WDB1240361B740064

yeah thats the vin # he showed the sticker on the door and it said it was built on 03/91

and let me add that the car looks perfect but a little bit dirty

Here's some info on the car..

VIN WDB1240361B740064
Model 500 E
Chassis 1240361B740064
Engine 119974 12 003683
Transmission 722365 03 694767
Order 0 1 250 04930
Approx. year 1991
Lights HELLA
Wiper BOSCH
Cab 01124
Dealer Duisburg branch (250)
Interior leather black / anthracite (271)
Paint
199 metallic blue-black (с 01.01.1983)
Options
241 left front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)

291 airbag for front passenger
airbag for driver and front passenger (с 01.07.1987 по 30.09.1993)
airbag for driver and front passenger (if driver airbag standard - then only for passenger)

300 storage box in front tray (с 01.05.1988)

412 electric sliding roof with tilting device (с 01.07.1983)

570 folding armrest front w202/210 stowage box front with armrest (с 01.04.1970)
front folding armrest w202 - housing at front with armrest

581 automatic climate control (с 01.01.1977)

620 emission control system
vehicles with catalyst technique (с 01.03.1985)

682 fire extinguisher (с 01.04.1970)

873 seat heater for left and right front seats (с 01.02.1984)


It *is* a real Euro 500E, so make sure it has all the DOT papers or else you may have problems down the line. Also, go check out Scott's site at www.500e.com and see if anyone has info on that particular car. They keep a database on most 500's seen online.

thanks snibble for the info i have been in the 500e.com i just dont know how to manuver the site by the way what kind of papers would i need to ask

Now that you know the car was in fact a gray market import, before you buy the car, you'll need to get copies of the DOT/EPA paperwork to verify the car was *legally* imported into the USA.

www.nhtsa.dot.gov (vehicle importation guidelines) non canada

You ought to contact the NHTSA or the DOT and provide them with the serial number of the car to verify the car has been legally imported into the car, otherwise it may not be insurable, or worse, if insured and then in an accident, regardless of fault, your insurance on it would be cancelled.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)