Thinking of buying a 500e
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
97 C280 - 08 E350
Thinking of buying a 500e
Hi guys,
I am looking to get a new vehicle in the future and I want another mercedes. I currently have a 1995 c180 which has served me well but I want something bigger,powerful and more comfortable. I really like a V8 W124 !
so , what do you guys think about the 500e - e500?
I am looking to get a new vehicle in the future and I want another mercedes. I currently have a 1995 c180 which has served me well but I want something bigger,powerful and more comfortable. I really like a V8 W124 !
so , what do you guys think about the 500e - e500?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Range Rover Classic
If you can afford it get it 
Reliability shouldn't be issue but if you need to replace anything the parts aren't too expensive and many of them are common to W124. There are number of things you can do to update and modernize them. You can improve your acceleration by disabling the ASR and switching to a first gear start. Tuner Parts are getting rarer but if you want to really want them there are places to check.
My mechanic/neighbor was pretty dissmissive of my E420 (94). He has a certain lack of enthusiasm for the M119. Timing chain is a pain as compared to the straight six. If the engine throws a rod it will probably take out everything. The Six gets better gas mileage (and his preference the Diesel, better still.) None of those are reasons not to get the 500 but just be aware
Good luck on your search.
The 400 owner will always pine for the 500.
Reliability shouldn't be issue but if you need to replace anything the parts aren't too expensive and many of them are common to W124. There are number of things you can do to update and modernize them. You can improve your acceleration by disabling the ASR and switching to a first gear start. Tuner Parts are getting rarer but if you want to really want them there are places to check.My mechanic/neighbor was pretty dissmissive of my E420 (94). He has a certain lack of enthusiasm for the M119. Timing chain is a pain as compared to the straight six. If the engine throws a rod it will probably take out everything. The Six gets better gas mileage (and his preference the Diesel, better still.) None of those are reasons not to get the 500 but just be aware
Good luck on your search.
Originally Posted by neanderthal
thier rare.
good luck
easier finding a 400E
good luck
easier finding a 400E
Last edited by Eliot; May 13, 2006 at 04:48 PM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 229
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, Texas
2006 E500 AMG PKG/2010 Camaro SS/RS - 2007 F-150 - 2007 Suburban
I paid $5,000 for a 1992 400E with 97,000 miles - 2 owners - I put $2,000 into it and it is awesome. Honestly one of the fastest/smoothest cars I have ever driven.
What is this ACR elimination to start in first gear? Can I do this? How?
Thanks
Steve
What is this ACR elimination to start in first gear? Can I do this? How?
Thanks
Steve
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Range Rover Classic
ASR is the slip control that engages when the tires hit x RPM. You can get better acceleration with it disabled. Tutorials are about for rigging your own switch or you can purchase one from Renntech (expensive.) I don't think there are any off the shelf First Gear solutions so its a DIY. Again the car accelerates more quickly if you start in 1st. Another thing with the 400 is the differential gearing. Its pretty conservative (probably for the mileage gains.) Don't remember the model but you can do a swap from another one of the w124s.
The first two are mods I'd love to do but don't quite have the experience or confidence to try them yet.
The first two are mods I'd love to do but don't quite have the experience or confidence to try them yet.
Last edited by Eliot; May 13, 2006 at 06:45 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 717
Likes: 1
From: Manassas, VA, USA
2011 VW cc, 2004 ML350
Originally Posted by Koolwipski
I paid $5,000 for a 1992 400E with 97,000 miles - 2 owners - I put $2,000 into it and it is awesome. Honestly one of the fastest/smoothest cars I have ever driven.
What is this ACR elimination to start in first gear? Can I do this? How?
Thanks
Steve
What is this ACR elimination to start in first gear? Can I do this? How?
Thanks
Steve
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 229
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, Texas
2006 E500 AMG PKG/2010 Camaro SS/RS - 2007 F-150 - 2007 Suburban
Originally Posted by PaulX608
I just paid $7k for a '93 400E with 74k on the clock, 1 owner garage queen. Awesome ride!
Steve
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 2
some
teh 500s feel like a diffrent car from the 400/420. how do i know? because ive owned both of them. its like driving a boxster, then a 911S. even tho the look almost the same, the 911S is just soo much more.
Mark
Mark
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke
Verdad Gallardo
8 Mercedes Models With Poor Reliability Records
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 5
From: Kirkland, WA
500E Signal Rot
All W124 400e's start in first gear.
As for ASR defeat, just finished it on my 500e. Under Performance Upgrades.
http://500e.2phast.com
As for ASR defeat, just finished it on my 500e. Under Performance Upgrades.
http://500e.2phast.com
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 2
some
Originally Posted by 2PHAST
All W124 400e's start in first gear.
As for ASR defeat, just finished it on my 500e. Under Performance Upgrades.
http://500e.2phast.com
As for ASR defeat, just finished it on my 500e. Under Performance Upgrades.
http://500e.2phast.com
i think you baught my old renntech first gear start....... my dad sold it for me... am i right?
Mark Hamilton
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 5
From: Kirkland, WA
500E Signal Rot
Phil Hamilton. Sounds like he is related. Please tell me there are no issues with it (aside from it missing a spring on the top)
I can't comment about the R129, but I would suspect that the process would be similar. Didn't the R129 actually have a ASR off configuration?
I can't comment about the R129, but I would suspect that the process would be similar. Didn't the R129 actually have a ASR off configuration?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 2
some
Originally Posted by 2PHAST
Phil Hamilton. Sounds like he is related. Please tell me there are no issues with it (aside from it missing a spring on the top)
I can't comment about the R129, but I would suspect that the process would be similar. Didn't the R129 actually have a ASR off configuration?
I can't comment about the R129, but I would suspect that the process would be similar. Didn't the R129 actually have a ASR off configuration?
mark
