I'm looking at getting something with a little more punch. I'm looking at a s4 audi and e500. Both vehicles have their advantages quattro, warr, seats for 5, and age of design. Long leggedness, stealth, composure, comfort... What are the maintenance costs I could expect with a mid (45-70K) mileage E.

Looking for input and will listen to bias

The quatro would be of benefit hear in the PNW.

hat

First off, a 500E/E500 is a 4-place machine, unless you convert it to a 5-place configuration. Nor does it have 4wd. However, with proper snow tires fitted it's a formidable snow machine, given its standard traction control.

As to maintenance costs, not so bad on the 500E as most parts are are generic MBZ.

Good luck with your choice; but 500Es RULE !!



[Edited by Michael on 03-05-2001 at 07:15 PM]

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

The 500E/E500 will give you more performance with less fuss, after all you are comparing a 250 hp (est) V-6 to a 315-322(92') hp V-8. Fuel consumption will naturally be higher with the Mercedes as well.

There is also more room in the W124 chassis than the S4. With a car in the miles range you specified (45-70k) you may find cars with a Starmark warranty.

If you are wondering about the longevity of a Mercedes compared to a Audi or anything else, the Mercedes will win every time. A 500E/E500 will go to 150-200k miles with routine maintenance and the occasional repair, and still feel "fresh" inside and out since the day you bought it, I don't think the same would be true with the Audi, but I have not owned an Audi.

As Michael said, the 500E/E500 is a 4 place with Recaro's all around, the S4 is 5.

As for the quattro question in the PNW, unless you are driving on ice regularly or driving at track speeds in the wet, the quattro is a "want" rather than "need" IMHO.

Have you driven both?

The S4 and 500E are both monsters. It matters what you're looking for. The Quattro system on all the Audis are amazing. Also, the S4 is much easier to modify. For a few hundred bucks you are up to 300hp. The S4 is a little smaller, and it handles better for sure. 5 people is a squeeze in the Audi. I also think the S4 looks much better as well. Ok, I think you all know which one I would pick. That's just MHO.

My friend JQ has one of the new audi S4 turbo deals and he got the computer upgrade. It's fast, and has nice grip, but after stepping out of his car and into my 500E the fit and finnish is immediatly apparent. His car looks like a cheap econobox compared to the 500 and the 500 would still be faster. The ride is most certainly better, and it might go as fast or faster in all but the tightest turns. I think if I put the money he put into a new computer into the first gear start mod on the trani then the 500E would be better in every way except gas mileage. One thing people often overlook when comparing an older 500E with a new car is the depreciation. The 500E has already dropped from a price upwards of $80k to mid $30's while a new car will most likely rapidly depreciate the first few years. Who knows? Maybe the 500E's will even go up in price?

What type of lateral accel numbers does the e500 post? I'm still a couple months off on this thing. If I went to the s4 I would go for a 2000 low 30K's and warr let. the chip sets are real cool and cheap $500 to an extra 50hp. One issue is long term short term short term audi long term stable mate for my 113. I've got a drive of a 500e scheduled next week (rumor has it's perfect)

hat

Eight years ago I fell in love with the 500E. Unfortunately, I was not independently wealthy to afford the stratospheric price - nontheless it sat promenent in my mind. I looked at the S4, M3, newer Benz E430, but nothing put the whole package together. The ride, quality of construction, handling, fit/finish, etc. etc. could not be reached by any of the competitors. I just did it and have NO regrets!! As mentioned before, if I dumped money into chipping, first gear throttle body, and slightly larger rubber I cannot imaging anything out there that could touch it. Be patient though, it took me nearly 3 years to eventually find the right one - they get gobbled up quick.

Good luck no matter which way you go.

Use the "Search" feature in the upper right part of this page, use the words "500E" and "chip" and you will find a ton of info on what the 500E/E500 is capable of.

Hope this helps.

Though still not setting any fires, a broken in 500E/E500 will do a 0-60 in mid to high 5's. With a chip/air cleaner and bigger rubber I would say low 5's.

There are members with G-Tech's and such mod's as above, can you confirm these numbers?

Someone has one pulling .94-.97 in the skid pad, I think they have the AMG suspension upgrade.

Sure 500E/E500 owners/fans are zealots, as is any brand loyalist. But read through the threads and notice the reservation(s) given to other makes and models, while you can still get a 60-70K mile E with a warranty from MBZ out to 100K. I think that speaks miles about the total package you are getting.

The M3 crowd is well deserved competiton in the performance area, and have substantial bang for the buck if all you want to do is go fast on paper. But my friends 98 M3 has cheap interior appointments and rattles over slightest uneven pavement. Given that it comes down to who is driving, you need to pick what you are comfortable and confident with.

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94 E500 (Silver/Black)

I can attest to a 2-way-average 5.08 secs. going 0-60 in my car, per Gtech. Also per Gtech I've run the 1/4 in 13.38 @ 111.6 MPH. Did something like a 13.41 back the other way, at 110ish MPH.

At the drags, pre-chip & K&Ns, my 500E ran a best of 13.8 at 102.1 MPH, and that with a sorta-crappy .625 Reaction Time (.500 is best at that track). However, it was a real cold day (37 degrees farenheit) so the 500E was in its element. Of course, it happened to do this whilst running (away from) an E55, but said E55 is supposedly runnning better these days so we'll have to see. And if I'm the guy blackmercedes referred to, indeed on that day the E55 WAS easy to kill for my 500; the re-match I have a feeling is gonna be a *****. We'll see, though.

And for the record, I've got the spec sheets on the 500E and E55-although the E55 has a five speed, the first four gears are NUMERICALLY IDENTICAL to the 500E's gearset. I was really surprised by that.

In either case, great fun with 4 doors!

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"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

All I know is that I personally watched Lee spank a new C-5 Corvette at the Commerce, GA drag strip with his 100% stock '92 500E. His 500E had 114,000 miles on it at the time.

Whatever you do don't go by Mercedes' published specs when judging the 500E.

Another point...
At the drag strip the 0-60 part is the slowest part of the run for the 500E. It's the 60-100 that kills the competition.

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Enough talk (words). The gauntlet has been thrown down. I'm ready to defend the 500E's honor. Pick a track in the midwest and bring your Audi S whatever and your M5 and your E55. None will post better lap times than my 100,000 mile 92 500E .

hmm.. Methinks Lou has sumpthin' wacky undah da hood!

Kuan

S4 is a very mean mechine, there is no question about it!!! But 500Es are even meaner!! S4(6-speed) is pretty quick off the line, but power starts fading after 5000 RPM. Sure a chipped S4 is faster, but neverthless, it's moded. Throw in a carbo air-intake from Renntech, put in a chip, and a set of beefy rims/tires, 500E will eat a S4 for dessert!!

Also, there are many problems you may have to face when buying a S4. But most apparent one is that 1st and 2nd gear synchros are known to go bad in less than 6000 miles, and with chip in your S4?? Good luck fighting with dealers to get it fixed..... Tiptronic S4s tend to be less troublesome....

Andy Kuo

[Edited by akry on 03-07-2001 at 09:44 PM]

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