How hard would it be to convert a 500e from left to right hand drive? Are there any parts that are 500e only that are set up for LHD? Or could I replace the steering box, dash etc with rhd units?
We never got 500e's in Oz so I have never seen one to have any idea of the likelyhood of such a project.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers

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Andrew
300e 294,000mi
380sel 185,998mi
380se 309,980mi

ALMOST impossible!

There are so many parts that are different that you would spend more than 2 good used cars!

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[I] agree with the Doc,,,, but it would be interesting to see if we could come up with everything that might be needed to convert it over. A few things I can think of,,, Dashboard and all wiring, steering column, front door interior panels and wiring, emergency brake pedal assembly, steering box and related assemblys, along with any holes in the firewall that need to be made or plugged, front seats would at least have to be swapped, console and shifter and related items may be different also,,,, anyone else ?

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

Are you just positive steering, brake components, etc., will even clear the engine?

Yes, what's "500E only" is the engine.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

That's another good point,,, the whole exhaust system is probably different.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

Exhaust and that sort of thing is only an inexpenisve fabrication away. As for wiring, dash etc, you can buy a 300e in RHD here for about $5000 AUD. So that gives you all the miscelleneous parts (steering etc). What i'm talking about is things like, bell housing (can you swap the starter motor from side to side as on 380se's etc) and steering box mounting points.
The items I can see that would have to be changed are,

-steering box location (with idler arm, tie rod ends etc)
-starter motor swapped to LHS
-firewall modified to take steering column on RHS and brake booster mounting point moved to RHS (this could be canabalised from a RHD car and welded into the 500e firewall
-dash and front stiffener behind the dash, heater box perhaps, wiring loom, swap mirrors for RHD versions (may require changing doors).
This is just me thinking and writing so feel free to add other things I have overlooked.

Would someone have a picture of a 500e taken from underneath and looking backwards from halfway down the engine so I can compare? I know the w124 chassis of the top of my head.

__________________
Andrew
300e 294,000mi
380sel 185,998mi
380se 309,980mi