Folks,

Ever since I was in college two cars have always stuck in my mind. The Acura NSX (because Ayrton Senna helped with the testing) and the Mercedes Benz 500E/E500.

Well I drove on on Saturday and let me tell you. Believe everything you read about this car.

Physically it was like staring @ my own car, a 1994 e320 but with the pronounced front fenders flaring out like the DTM cars of the mid 90s. The tires really fill the wheel wells very nice. I think also the car sits about an 1inch lower than my car.

At low speeds its the same as my car but punch the throttle and step into the world of supercars. With the help of some local cop friends of mine they let me loose on a stretch of highway that hardly has any cars. As easy as my e320 goes from 20-60mph....they car was going from 100-140mph. Even @ 155 (the limited speed) the car wasn't loud or shaking. It felt like going 70-75mph at most. The time I realized how fast I was going was when the limiter came on. Even going past 100-155 the speeds increased about 10mph/1.5sec.

I wasn't impressed with the brakes at first. Its weird...I thought it would haul down the speeds super quick but it doesn't it. Thats when I stopped just braking normally and braked very hard. This time the car stopped with authority. Strange....the throttle and brakes work at the max when pushed real hard. Otherwise it was no different from my e320.

So sad to say, the e500 bug has bitten me...I simply need to purchase this car. So my quest starts...hopefully I'll find a grey car with a black interior. Oh thats another thing....a black interior makes the car look even better.

my 50cents,

Reny

PS were only the 500s made with black interiors?

Black on Black, and Pearl Black on Black as well as that is what I have, actually I believe most of the Pearl Black cars out there have a Black interior as well. That's all I am aware of, I'm sure some others will chime in.

Sorry about the bug bite, no known cure for it. You know the deal, just treatment and that includes ownership and periodically planting the right foot to the floor!

Reny,

Ross is correct, there is no cure. But at least you have those here at mercedesshop as a support group.

Mine is silver over black, and getting set for 17" rims and wider rubber.

Good luck,

Steve

__________________
94 E500 (Silver/Black)

Reny,

Check the 500E Roll Call in the "Hot Rods" section for a sampling of what is out there.

My interior is grey (I think Mercedes called it "Parchment").

When (not if) you get your 500E, change your tires (17"+) and it gets even better

Reny- - you're in luck...

there's quite a few 500e/e500's available now for purchase

your choice, there's a ~25k mile E60 full Renntech for about $90k sellling price down to bigger mile examples around $20K selling price...there's even a stock '92 with 14k miles in Sacto, CA original owner for sale at ~$50k.....even a couple of Starmark cars for sale...even one from a Mercedesshop member (Mark Herzig?) is for sale if I recall correctly

search the Hot Rods forum for all the info, also autotrader.com

good luck and hope to welcome you to the club soon
-fad

Thank you all for your responses.

The I drove there are somethings I didn't like (maybe its just the one I drove)

a) it gets pretty hot in the footwell area

b) super low gas mileage

But then you think about all the good things

a) after seeing the flared fenders how can u ever go back? even if you got 16-17 rims and lowered a e320 or e420 it just doesn't have the stance

b) the power....it has so much in reserve its not funny

c) sportline seats (firm but not harsh) and the steering wheel (smaller yet thicker)

d) the look of those massive tires

e) you can drive it whatever way you want....normal or hard...it treats both as if it was designed for either equally

f) so solid is the feel...felt like an S Class

hopefully I can get the finaces together and talk to the owner about a few items I'm not comfortable with (noticed lots of small rust by the door and under the plastic side panels)...need a auto body store to check that out since I plan on driving this car for over 5yrs.

-reny

My 500E has Tan Leather (parchment)...there are also a grey and a light blue leather too as well as black, that I have seen.

I think this is one of the most well balanced cars built...tons of power, comfort and reliability. I'd buy another one if given the chance and rotate driving them every other day.

Buy one and make your life worth living again

Jim 1992 500E Green/Tan

good luck and let us know what turns out....we're interested to see you reply to the 500e/e500 roll call thread.

-fad

Reny!

If you can get your paws on an E500, especially a low milage version, sell your soul to do so.

This morning, I took my E500 in "limp mode" (ASR malfunction) to a mechanic recommended by a member of this Illustrious Forum(Peter Vanderveer). I drove from my home in Milton, MA down Rt. 138 and merged gingerly onto Rt. 93 northbound staying in the "breakdown lane" as Rt. 95 southbound was less than a half mile from the Rt. 138 exit ramp.

An SLS slid in behind me and "hugged" my rear bumper at 50 mph. I nugged the accelerator going into a slow left banked curve leading onto Rt. 95 southbound. Halfway through the curve, I was exceeding 75 MPH-the SLS was still on my bumper. As I entered the straightaway, I moved over to the middle lane - the SLS moved over with me and stayed on my bumper.

I SLAMMED THE HAMMER - At 140 MPH, appx. 7 seconds after 80 MPH, the SLS was a dot in my rear view mirror which caused the inevitable that is so prevalent on this Forum. During this foray, I blew by a Grey colored SL500. I took the first exit off of Rt. 95 to go to Norwood to drop off my toy to be fixed.

As I was filling out my "what's wrong with your toy form", the SL500 pulled into the entrance way to Vandermeer Motor's lot. The driver stepped out and said: "I saw the action on the highway, are you here for an oil change?" - I told him that my car was in "limp mode" and not functioning properly. He gave me one of those "Ya right! looks"

MORAL OF THE STORY - Even when it is sick, it is a potent machine that when provocked, will perform better than most machines that are performing their best while there is nothing wrong with them.

A WWII friend and P38 Mustang Pilot once said to me: "How the hell did the Krauts lose the war with the obvious superior technological capability that they possesed"

TOME500

I have been considering moving to a new set of toys....boats (I know, a hole in the water into which you pour money).

I have a 92 500E, completely stock except for chromed wheels, new Potenza SO-2 Pole Positions, corner balanced/aligned for single driver 180#'s, 51,500 miles, dark grey with black interior, all books and records. Even has the analog integrated phone still in it! Don't use it much any more and would consider transferring ownership to someone who would appreciate the legend. Excellent condition. Mid $30's.

Also have a vintage 1970 Porsche 914-6 with 53,000 on it, high $teens.

If you know of someone in the Seattle area or willing to travel to see, please pass this on, thanks. I can email pics if interested.



cjhammond@msn.com

we liked the first one so much that we had to get another.

'nuff said

__________________
'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

Hey Tom,

Milton is so close to Boston...
man, can i like meet you one day and just have a nice look at your car? Maybe give me a ride in it?...

I'm a college student... the 500E is easily my dream car..
I'd even take it over a Ferrari 355.. provided i get the change that is .. $$$

Tom,

I get into Boston quite frequently, and being just outside Hartford CT am not so far away...we'll have to get together sometime.

Hope you enjoy your new sneakers!

Also, Lusier's The Man-tell him I said Hi (he's wrenched my car) and that I want to drive his Viper

__________________
"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

Hi Mike!

Thanks for the heads-up on Lucier (sic) Lusier. I decided to try Vanderveer first as he mentioned that he had an HHT and could possibly solve the problem without having to use the "majors'"

Turns out that he knows Lucier and was even gracious enough to drive my vehicle up to Framingham to save me the trip. That is one of the reasons that I like small owner/mechanic shops.

Give me a call next time you are in Boston and if time allows, God willing and the creek don't rise, we can share a Glenlivet and a macanaudo and swap GLB* stories.

Tom











*Good Lookin Babes
;^)

good luck Tom, sounds like the good momentum is in full swing- let us know when she's 110%!

-fad