There is a 500e for sale locally. It is a 1992 with 92k miles. Assuming the books etc are up to date what should I be looking for if I am interested in this car ? I would in any event have my mechanic check it before a final offer, but dont want to waste his time if I can eliminate a dud Thanks ------------------ JDK 89 190e 2.6 105k

Start with the basics: maintenance books, condition of cams/vavletrain upon visual inspection via the oil-cap, of course look for matching #'s on panels, and lastly inspect the doorjams/panel edges for paint spray lines. (your fingers will tell you more on that last one...feel for a ridge that wont rub off easily)

If the cams look mirroresque/shiny/clean, the numbers on all the panels match, you can't feel any repaint ridges, and the books are there or mostly there you should be on track. From there, take it to a mechanic whom you trust.

They are a helluva car. Everyone I know who has one loves every minute and mile they spend. Let us know how it turns out.

Happy Hunting...Lee
92' 500E
kills C5's after 120K miles


[This message has been edited by Lee Scheeler (edited 07-24-1999).]

Thanks,Lee. I had a 400e but have a bad back and eventually sold it.The 500 has a more adjustable seat and I am looking forward to trying it. I have had several MBs and am not afraid of high mileage if the car has been taken care of
John

I had a 400E prior to the 500E. Everything the 400E does, the 500E does bigger/better/faster/etc. The seats are just as adjustable but heavily bolstered which makes them feel much more supportive. Heated seats are also standard so that should help with the back. Good luck on your prospect. Let us know how things go.

Lee

I have a '92 500E, and one thing I'd suggest you look at/have a mechanic look at is the adaptive rear suspension. Shortly after I bought mine, I found that there was a noise (just like a bad shock mount) coming from the rear. Turned out to be a bad shock/hydropneumatic strut. No matter what you call it, it was $500 for the part alone. The only other thing that went prematurely was the monobelt tensioner ($200 repair), and that was it. Also, you may want to determine if your front brakes were "upgraded" from aluminum calipers to iron ones. If you're running the iron calipers, the car calls for a different brake pad than standard (P/N 002 420 37 20 is correct, I found out the hard way!). And the seats, by the way, are Recaros all the way around, so they're tough to beat.

Good luck!!

Regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

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