I am looking at purchasing a 500E. The unit in question is a 92 model. The records from the dealer show it has consumed 6 power steering pumps in its 94,000 mile history for over $5,000 some half of which was done under warranty. The car was serviced at 2 different dealers over its life.

One dealer service manager advises that the PS pump controls both the power steering and the hydraulic suspension and that the life expectancy is only 30K miles per pump. (1) Is This true? (2) would a powersteering pump system cooler help?

The other dealer service manager pointed out that there were some repeated indications of leaks in the notes and suggested the possibility that the owner repeatedly ran the system dry and burned up the pumps. The owner seems to be a very conscientious car buff, and while he may have overlooked it in the early years, it seems hard to imagine that he would have continued to overlook it after repeated problems. (3) what is your take on this?

I have driven several 500E's. This one seems especially quick. I believe it may be chipped. (4) How can I determine if it is chipped?

I also noted upon a left hand u-turn, with moderate to heavy excelleration, that the left wheel lit up for 5 to 10 feet or so and yet I did not see the orange triangle light up on the Dash. (6) Could this happen with the ASR? (or what ever they call the traction control system) factory setup. (7) Would bypassing the ASR explain some of the increased performance? (8) How can I determine if the ASR switch has been installed?

Last and final question (9) Is there anything other than the standard checkout including compression, compression, compression (I know how you like to emphasize the important stuff through repetition) that I should pay particularly close attention to or anything that I should be aware of as a higher than normal maintenance item (other than tires of course).

Thanks

Dwight

Sorry, but one last note, I am barely 6 feet tall, not of large frame, and prefer to drive somewhat close to the steering wheel. Yet in this position, which is not a problem in my 380SE, my 300E, or my parents E430, I do notice that I can only see the portion of the speedo that is below 40MPH and above 120MPH. (The steering wheel blocks my view of the 40 to 120 area.) As I do not expect to spend an inordinate amount of time in those areas (i.e. below 40 or above 120), I would like to know if anyone else has noticed this. Is it possible that the seat is not going all the way down? Telescoping does not help much.

Thank



[Edited by dwight hinton on 12-14-2000 at 07:02 AM]

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dwight

Some of these steering wheels will move up and down as well, won't they?

I would think that it is not chipped. I have driven a few of the '92's and all of them were fast!! I dont know why the p.s system would have had problems like that. I have not seen this before.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

I have read the 92's were a bit faster than the later models.

You should search the forums for 500e and you will find tons of posts with lots of great information on these cars.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

Dwight,
Did you find someone with a 500E to trade with and now your 911 Targa turbo is history or is this an addition to your fleet?

Tobias MB
4 MBs

Addition for now, space dictates something must either "go outside" or simply "must go".
380SE?
turbo?

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dwight