Hello,

After reading several 500E questions recently, I began to wonder about the longevity of this great car. So, what better place to pose the question than to MercedesShop and its avid readers/contributors.

What is the highest mileage 500E / E500 that anybody has come across? Is there a major weakness or high $$ bill that at some point will be crossed?

From what I have gathered these will need replacing at some time during the life of the car; 1) Belt Idler System, 2) Accumulator's, 3) Engine Wiring Harness, 4) Timing Chain (is it one or two?),and possiblty 5) Power steering pump, is this accurate and complete?

There are some high mileage cars on the market at this moment and would like to know what to look for, is it safe to even consider a 100k car, how about a 150k or even 200k car?

This engine is also found in the S-Class line up so finding the pit falls should be easy, will it last as long as some of the Diesel engines Mercedes has made?

Appreciate any feedback.

I'll go first, but I'm sure we'll hear from Michael, Bryan, EricH, David H. and Daniel (and many others whose pins escape me!). I just had the valve cover off so I'll give you a first hand account.

My '92 500E has 105K miles and has been maintained meticulously and driven in Texas(note: HOT) its whole life. Other than basic maintenance, I have had no real problems. About every other week, the computer would throw an error that related to the Throttle Actuator (as the dealer confirmed) so I decided to replace this part... I know from this forum that SOME '92's have had this problem also.

I also decided, totally voluntary, to replace the timing chain/guides/rails... With the valve cover off we could see that one of the guides had broken off and others were worn so we got to it in time. There were a number of hoses (inexpensive) that were VERY brittle due to the heat, so these were replaced. Although I was having no diagnostic problems related to the wiring harness, it did exhibit cracking so I replaced it also.

I am very glad I did this work and would not have considered this 'investment' had I any doubt that the entire car will maintain a extraordinary high degree of integrity over the next 100 - 200K miles.

I have the car back with the mechanic to help work out some rough idling issue, BUT I can report that, over the last two years of my ownership, the car has NEVER performed as spirited as it does today. Also, the car has not lost a penny of value over the last two years (actually a slight appreciation)... how many cars can you say THAT about?

all-in-all, one happy owner who worries too much!!

__________________
Mark Herzig
1995 E300D 153K
1985 300D 142K (sold)
1979 450SL 122 miles (sold)
1992 500E 127K (sold)
1987 300SDL 132K (sold)
1986 300E 161K (sold)

I will respond with a general answer. The key to longevity of any car is attention. As you can see, Mark maintains his car with great attention, and he is being rewarded with good longevity.

No matter what the car, intensive preventive maintenance and frequent oil changes is the key.

My $0.02,
Change oil hot and change oil often,

if you do the following:

1) RELIGIOUS oil and filter changes every 3000 miles.
2) timing chains should be done every 90,000-100,000 miles
3) follow the maintenance schedule in the service book

the car could quite possibly outlast its driver.

other items to note:

suspension bushings may be worn. this is dependant on how hard the car has been driven by previous owners so it's always a good idea to check them.

The maintenance schedule itself, is almost identical to that of any other 124 and the costs are in line with that...with the obvious exception of drivetrain and suspension components.

[Edited by yhliem on 12-15-2000 at 10:07 PM]

__________________
'94 W124.036 249/040 leder; 8.25x17 EvoIIs
'93 W124.036 199/040 leder; 8.25x17 EvoIIs, up in flames...LITERALLY!
'93 W124.036 481/040 leder; euro delivery; 8.25x17 EvoIIs
'88 R107.048 441/409 leder; Euro lights
'87 W201.034 199/040 leder; Euro lights; EvoII brakes; 8x16 EvoIs - soon: 500E rear brakes
'70 R113.044 050/526; factory alloys; Euro lights

At 125-150k I'd look long and hard at the rear diff bushings, rear control arm bushings, trany & engine mounts, and driveshaft flex disks. Basically all the rubber components in the dsrivetrain that take the abuse of 350+ highly entertaining ft/lbs.

I may/may not do my t-chain etc @ 100k, but I'll likely do a thorough inspection here shortly...Thanks Mark for making me paranoid!

As to the wiring harness, I think it's just post 8/92 build dates that had a prob ever, and that they were exacerbated in hot climes. MBDoc chimed in a while back on this.

I'm gonna run my 500E until gas is outlawed..and I could care less about resale 'cuz it will NEVER be on the market.

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

Thanks Guy's,

I guess you role the dice on anything over 100k but overall a great car.