Hello Folks:

For those of you who read and responded to my post the other month regarding the coolant level issue for my 94 E420, thank you.

I have been having such a good time with my E420. Man, does this older car have guts on the road; especially 2000 rpm or more. Things have been going so well with this car that I am considering an upgrade to the 500.

I would greatly appreicate any comments from owners or mechanics about the reality of owning this car. The resale price remains very high for this clearly older technology and it would be nice to get some views on the viability of the car versus other cars costing the same or less. The following questions are in my mind:

1. In comparison to the E420 V8, is the power increase that noticeable for both the low end and top end?

2. Are there any compromises in performance between the 1994 edition and the prior editions in any major area? In other words, are you "giving anything up"? (I strongly prefer the 94-95 W124)

3. How much are the differences in cost or reliability versus the E420?

4. Gas mileage with reasonable driving?

5. Would you drive the 500 on a daily basis or is it becoming to collectable?

Thank you all for reading.

D.H.

I own one of each so that makes me one of a few Experts here on the board
So to answer your Q.??'s
1.Compared to the E420 V8, is the power increase that noticeable for both the low end and top end?
Yes!! The 400E takes off in 1st gear VS the factory setting of the 500E is 2nd. Place the 500E in 1st gear start mode and there IS NO comparison. The torque felt by the higher gear ratio and addl HP is VERY noticable.
Visual - My 400E would/will light the OE 195X65X15 tires pretty good from a stand still on dry pavement(even today w/ over 200K mi), but not the 235X45 and later 245X40X17 that I put on the car 1 year after taking delivery new. The 500E however will light up the tires to the RED line/ 1-2 gearshift wearing 285X35X18 rubber! Okay so that's number 1

2. Are there any compromises in performance between the 1994 edition and the prior editions in any major area? In other words, are you "giving anything up"? (I strongly prefer the 94-95 W124)
No, none that you will be able to observe even in the slightest

3. How much are the differences in cost or reliability versus the E420?
Same car shell(W124), same base motor platform(M119),The 500E has heavy duty hardware specific to it to handle the extra torque and to make it handle differently than it sibling which cost ~$30K less

4. Gas mileage with reasonable driving?
I get 400 safely(410 to empty on way to gas station stopped .25 miles short) miles to the tank in my 400E which is retrofitted with a 500E/300D 23.3 gal fuel tank and I get 375 safely(maybe 385-390 if there is a tow truck near by)

5. Would you drive the 500 on a daily basis or is it becoming to collectable?
Its your individual preference.
I wouldn't cause I don't have to. But I see guys here in Houston driving them daily as well as Ferrari's, Bentleys, Porsche Turbos, Maybachs etc. I do not drive mine daily and did not buy it to drive daily. I'm slickin it up to keep for a mighty long time. I bought it in 92 with 60K on the cock and now have ~85K. It begs to be driven and even with 3 cars I've still managed to put more than a few highway trips on it. Its just a hoot to drive...FAST!

__________________
Regards,

Albert
aldedmon@yahoo.com