I have never seen or heard of a 6 speed being put into the e500. How much does something like that cost? Has anyone here seen/driven/riden in one?

Funny that you should ask ... several months ago when I was in the market, I spoke to the creator and the current owner ... it's the Holy Grail of the W124.036s!

The light blue 93 500E was tweaked by RENNtech by increasing the displacement to 6.0L, modified (HOT) cams, modified suspension, exhaust ... yadda yadda yadda ... AND with a 6 speed manual transmission. The owner told me it had more than 440 HP! This car was driven by Emerson Fittipaldi some time ago and is currently residing in the Idaho area (in a climated controlled garage, no less)! The current owner's Daily Driver is a Ruf Yellow Bird ... YAHOO!

__________________
1992 500E (Daily Driver)
2004 Porsche RUF 955 Dakara 550

I would have to imagine a 6 speed would sure be a lot of fun, but renntech doing the work would sure cost an arm and a leg.

To freshen up an 188k machine such as the 500e, I'd reccomend:
-motor recondition to stock performance
-bushings front suspension and rear suspension/ subframe
-review wear in steering linkage and box (r/r if needed)
-review trans tunnel insulation (r/r to updated part if needed)
-engine wiring harnesses (as needed)
-motor/trans/ rear end mounts (replace as needed)
-a/c evaporator (replace if leaking)
-review shocks and SLS (if still active) and replace as needed
-r/r radiator- clean out the dirt between condensor and rad/ fins
-review condition of rear end
-review condition of trans
-review condition of alternator
-new front glass

To tune, I'd reccomend:
-motor rebuild: 6.0L, 6.5L
-chip/ 1st gear start/ ASF off
-performance exhaust
-brake upgrade: SL600, Renntech, Stoptech
-transmission: SL600 clutch packs

Hope this helps- looking forward to hearing what work you will do to your car!
-fad
'94 E500 44.9k

Good list Fad!


I am due for a freshening up of the F/R suspension and I may need a rear strut, it's starting to squeak intermitently. The rear is just starting to get a little sloppy at the beginning of a turn, then the rear settles.

Engine is strong, only thing needed is a air pump (noisey), but that is common with age. I had a cylinder pressure check and all cylinders where good and relatively equal (eact number slip my mind).

A/C still blows cold, knock knock.

Tranny is ok, as many of us, I have a 1-2 second delay when shifting from Drive to Reverse.

Cosmetically, I was shocked to find a little rust last month!!! I went to a body shop up in Bellvue ( a referal ) for a quote on some touch up work and the guy said look at this. I had a 1/2 centimeter buble in the paint on the R/R quarter panel that I had not noticed. I also had a paint bubble on the R/R door, on the upper rear part of the frame.

Guys, check your rubber seals on top of all of your doors!

I had a tiny bubble, then the body guy started pealing back the seal right before me and the rust kept going and going all the way down the door frame, heading to the rear most part of the door. I was shocked, the Northwest moisture was hard at work.

One last think I'd like to comment on. I have seen some comments on Balance and Blueprinting of Mercedes engines.

Aren't Mercedes engine manufacturing standards so high already, that they are in a sense already at the highest standard to begin with, or blueprinted and balanced out the door??? Someone correct me if I am wrong, but that is part of the reason why the engine cost is so high.


mewing,

Sounds like you have some interesting options coming up!

Thanks roas- you have also proposed great additions to the 'freshening-up' listing. Thanks for bringing the door seals into our focus....keep us informed on your project too.

As a side note- I enthusiastically encourage all 500E500 enthusiast owners to keep their car up to snuff!

Why? Simply, it would be a shame to miss out on the ownership/driving experience of a tight 124.036.

Driving a correct (stock or modded) 500E500 offers a positive experience within the entire spectrum of use- - from sedate daily transportation to enthusiastic motorsport activities ...and everything inbetween

Drive safely and have a great holiday season!
-fad
'94 E500
(receiving 45k service today )

-fad,

Good luck with the 45K service. Are you going by the book or have you created your own service list? If it's your own can you list what you're doing? Thanks.



mewing,

A couple other components I'd replace are headlight lenses, fog light lenses, horsehair seat bottom cushion, new leather skins where needed, rubber pads on brake/gas/parking brake. Maybe have the wood refinished and customize if you wish. I'd also consider upgraded urethane bushings in the suspension if you want a tighter more responsive suspension.

__________________
Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd

Greetings Afshin-

This car has an accelerated maintence schedule in effect so actually a complete 30k service is being done now (includes all the 15k items). My focus was to have all renewable fluids replaced 45k or within 2003.

Factory Authorized Service in San Jose,CA- - Beshoff Motorcars is performing the services. I have also requested:
-rear end flush/fill
-trans torque converter drained, along with trans filter replaced

Thanksgiving weekend, I did a custom 45k cooling system maintence service (similar to your rad replacement procedure absent the replacement part):
-r/r radiator, inspected rad necks-hoses and clamps
-removed grit and dirt from the a/c condenser fins, rad fins, and area space between rad and condenser (paintbrush, garden hose)
-r/r Thermostat with new OEM MB unit
-MB OEM coolant/ Redline Watter wetter/ distilled H20

fyi- power steering fluid and SLS hydraulic fluid were replaced already in 2003, and motor oil is dropped in 1500 mile intervals with 15W-40 Penzoil LongLife Dino (oil filter swapped at 3k).

hope this helps
-fad

Thanks Fulgence. Nice job covering the bases, from my assesment you're baselining the car at 45K, thats a great idea.

__________________
Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd

Well, there's really no need to baseline the services at this 45k time since it has had perfect factory recc maintence (on time) with its previous owner

I decided to do the additional items of the 30k service since higher-stress performance machines as a general rule do require that extra bit of care, the 124.036 in particular posseses qualities placing it in this category: the M119 runs in cramped quarters, the trans & rear-end manages a good deal of torque and horsepower, the p/s system is of a very high pressure nature, etc. etc.

Remember, fluids are cheap insurance against unnecessary wear during stress; fluid replacment appears to be the best policy to ensure antifriction/ hydraulic qualities and anti-oxident properties are robust!

Lastly, the 30k service and additional fluid services ensures me that the car is prepped for REAL action at a moments notice (like the Batmobile).

Mew. your lucky that thing didn't granade already. STOP!



With that mileage you bettery do that chain mod soon. I rec dropping the sub oilpan. See what lies in that pan.

Before doing all this other stuff guys are mentioning to you. I have seen way to many of these 119 engine with high miles breaking apart.



Just my experinece do what you will.


G dog.

__________________
500E Sold
2006 Mini Cooper S
Modified,pulley,injectors,suspension
2009 E350 Sport AMG package

...naturally the timing chain, chain rails/ guides is a "must do" at this point....along with any seals that may be weeping...

Renntech 6 speed tranny conversion is over $20K

__________________
David Hendy
'97 Renntech E60RS
'97 GMC 2500 Sub' Diesel
'95 E300D
'88 300TE
'88 250TD
'84 L/Rover 109

-fad seems to have the best idea (for me) so far. I thought about cars I have had in the past, and why I got rid of them. Often, its the little things that just bug you to death. To that end, I started last night by pulling the radio for repair (the volume switch has a mind of its own), and the heater control unit (the back-lighting went out months ago). As it turns out, both bulbs were out. I'm getting the new bulbs TODAY and taking the radio for repair (also today).

Then, I'm deciding whether to go to the dealer or a nearby independent shop (both approximately the same price) for the timing chain (and related parts), and to get a list of the other "catch-up" maintenance items that need to be done, the price of which will probably knock me over. I will also inquire about performance upgrades.

BTW, Isringhausen in Springfield, IL no longer does RENNTECH work.

Next step, key scratch repainted, as well as the trim metal under the headlights. I hesitate to get a new windscreen, as I drive 25K per year, and am waiting for a rock to take out the whole thing (I have had three smaller chips repaired).

By the way, the wagon conversion idea is out...my gut is telling me this would be a big mistake. Maybe add a 2004 Dodge Magnum to the garage to cure the wagon itch???

Going to dig in this forum for the ASR defeat switch. With the dash panels off now, its a good time to see about putting a switch in the dash, right alongside the others.

I also am taking the 500exstasy Y-pipe photos to a couple of muffler shops around Indy to see if anyone is interested in making one for me.

Other upgrades I'm considering: 1st gear start, brake upgrade and air intake. I'm calling RENNTECH today for more input and options.

I'll keep the forum posted, thanks for all the input thus far.

I would freshen the suspension and motor, fit the Bergwerks first gear start and NOS kit, free up the exhaust and do some wheels and tires.

A fresh E500 with more power, handling and looks would have to be the go.

Matt.