e500/500e w124 buyers advice needed

[Bill J]

Hi. Will soon be selling my good old e280 w124, 200,000miles and still going strong!

I have always fancied a w124 e500/500e. Now that I am seriously thinking about one, I cant find much info anywhere. If anybody knows much about this model, please post a reply.

I'd like general advice on what to look for, weak points, etc. Any particular problems at particular mileages. Hopefully higher miles will not be a problem if anything like other w124s. Also. average fuel consumption, I will drive on motorways and in town, although my empoyers will pay towards fuel!! I know that this car was sold as left and right hooker. Not bothered which, although any probs specific to either I'd like to know. Finally, parts. Are they still available as with other w124s? I thinking more of body paanels, although not sure if gearbox is same as lesser w124 sixes. And finally, what sort of price ought I to pay, I've seen such a variety of prices for this model my head is spinning!

This is a car that I will keep and keep, so please put me off if I am making a mistake!

Regards. Bill.

 

[ant500sl]

Hi

I too have considered one of these for the last five years or so but I have still not taken the plunge. As far as I am aware it is LHD only, I have never seen a RHD for sale but don't quote me on this.

Try these sites http://members.lycos.nl/Mercedes500E/ (Dutch)
http://www.need2speed.web.com/ (US)

As for using one as a daily driver the rarity and complexity of the car, 32 valve 4 cam v8 and hydropneumatic suspension for starters would make it a very expensive venture. Probably best as a weekend car.

Average 500E's (if there is such a thing) seem to appear for around 10 to 15k. Price for a low mileage minter could be anything.

In essence a four door supercar.

Hope this helps

Ant

 

[Orlando 300E]

Bill,
The E500/500E was hand assembled and designed by Porsche for Mercedes.
It came from the factory in LHD only.
I believe the only noticeable external bodywork difference form a standard 124 is the front wheel arches are flared out. Under the skin I seem to remember that they had to adjust the engine bulkhead in order to fit in that big V8.
There was a great article in Evo magazine a few years ago -they compare 2 similar make second hand cars for strengths, weaknesses and costs. The issue I remember compared an E500 with a Lotus Carlton. Contact the Evo back issue department -Sorry; don?t have the date of the article.
Your best bet may be to import one from Germany.
Good luck with the hunt
Orlando

 

[ant500sl]

Try this link. Its a US forum with a huge amount of 500E information.

http://mercedesshop.com/shopforum/index.php3?s=08ff1c3236fcc27eae1e0b7cab7657c7