Hi guys!

I am new to the board and would like to say hi!!

I am looking to purchase either a 2000-2002 E55 or an old school 1992 500E as my daily driver.

I know all the performance stats of both cars, but have never driven either one. I have driven the newer supercharged E55 and love the stunning acceleration, but actually did not like the handling. Also, the repair costs scare me.

I know that the E55 (w210) is faster than the 500E and probably handles better? However, there seems to be something special about the Porsche built 500E that draws me to it and I like the exclusiveness of the w124.

1. How is the driving experience differences between these two cars?

2. Which one handles better? Are these older Mercedes cars more BMW like in handling or even further away?

3. Which is a higher quality car?

4. Most importantly, which one is more reliable? Most of the 500E's I have seen generally have more than 120k miles. Are they expensive to maintain? How about the E55?

How do you guys compare these cars overall? Thanks

 

I’m pretty sure that you will find that most on this forum will say that the E55 will never be a classic and that the W124 E500 is a very special automobile. You seem to understand some of that already. On the other hand, a 2000 to 2002 E55 that you mentioned would be a minimum of 5 years newer than any W124. I think when you start to compare a 5, 6, 7, or more years newer vehicle to an E500 with plenty of miles, well then you may have a hard time justifying not getting the newer vehicle.

Be sure to ask the same question on the W210 forums.

 

I agree. It may be hard to get an unbiased answer in either forum. Though everyone can appreciate the rarity and classic factor of the 500E, its hard to argue with the newer, more powerful vehicle.

What are your price ranges for either car?

 

I have driven both and know owners who have them. Your questions are very subjective and my suggestion would be to go and drive both first. You'll begin to lean one way or another at that point.

Since those cars are out of warranty, neither will be "cheap" to maintain properly. AMG parts will probably be more expensive.

 

The W124 was the post war high point of Mercedes engineering and quality.
Mercedes will not dispute this.
It was the program that launched Mercedes into the highly desirable and lucrative USA market.
Prior to the W124 Mercedes had no real sales volume presence in the USA.

The 500E / E 500 is a very special car that will maintain value over the later model AMG W210 E55.

Put the cars side by side and consider the differences.
The W210 is slightly larger the the W124.
It does not have the aggressive stance of the W124.
More power, yes...but the W124 will handle better.
The 500E has a suspension advantage as it wasn't built with the mass market in mind.
The 500E in essence is a hand built vehicle whereas the E55 is more production line.

If price is a factor, the E55 will give more bang for the buck, but eventually not have much value.

The 500E will maintain value and is beginning again to stabilize and soon appreciate in the lagging US collector car market.
It's more distinctive with its body mods then the W210 AMG which is not so different then the non AMG W210.

Now is the time to purchase any "special" W124 as they will appreciate over the coming years.

My choice for overall value, not just straight line performance, would be the W124 variant

If you want a later model 500E feel, then the closest Merc to replicate it would be the 1998 - 2000 C43.

 

I agree.

I will add that the w124 is a more solid, heavy-feeling car. It will go fast and handle well enough, but when I drive mine at least, I feel like cruising more than I do going fast.

So you might draw that distinction between the two models. I haven't driven the E55 in question, but I've been in w210's before and I definitely feel a difference. Mercedes seemed to have moved more in the direction of lexus when they discontinued the w124 and came out with the 210.

The 210 will have more creature comforts and technology for sure.

We can share our opinions all we want about which one is better. But it's your money and your decision to make, so it all comes down to how you perceive these cars after multiple test drives (like Chappy said).

IMO, buy the E500/500E for nostalgia, rarity, looks, fit, finish, and long term value. W210 for speed, agility, and technology.

Good luck.

 

"For a short period Mercedes offered a limited production sport version of the W124, created with and assembled by Porsche. This was called the 500E."

"Mercedes also included a sport version of the W124, the 500 E, created in close cooperation and assembled by Porsche. It used the 5.0L 32-valve V8 M119 Engine based upon the 500 SL (R129) roadster, and Porsche engineered the suspension and chassis design with a performance bias."

Now how cool is that.

 

plus you have a 911, go for the 500!

 

Thanks for all the responses so far.

I am actively looking for a reasonably priced 500e for sale on the west coast to test drive. The e55's are much more plentiful and not a problem to locate.

I am essentially looking for a four door that handles and performs like a sports car. I am looking at older cars that have depreciated, since my last two sedans (S500 and M5) were new and I took a beating when I sold them. I also want a car with minimal electronics, air suspensions and etc in hopes of greater reliability and reduced operating costs.

What are the primary things that go wrong in a 500E? How expensive is this car to service and maintain? I have read the wiring harness goes bad on these cars. What else can I expect?

Thanks again!

 

out handle an E55 in your dreams
Holding value 500E's in nice shape are cheaper than An 02 E55.
You need to decide classic old school v.s. E55 new school,both great cars.
Ease of diy e55,parts supply e55,ease of trouble shooting E55,price of parts E55.
On tyhe other hand,why not pick up a nice condition 94 m104 with upgraded harness,drop it,tint it,suspend it,rim and tire it,and enjoy it.
another option is the cosworth 190E they are out there some in very nice shape and are a classic rocket ship with all the mercedes old school quality

 

If I go for a w124 car I definitely want the 5.0 V8. The rarity, fender flares and hunkered down look are what appeal to me about the 500e.

I like the 190e 2.3-16 as well, but it is a little too small for my needs.

In regards to values, it seems the 500e's are trading for the low teens and I have found 2001 e55's in the $14's, so they are close. However, the 500e's generally have a lot more miles, since they are almost 10 years older.

 

Driven both. Drove the E55 more than the E500 (it was a 95). The 124 is more of precision engineering and good craftsmanship, the E55 is more of silicon valley (a great suspension bridge VS a Pentium processor). Where I come from we have many E55 (and ordinary 210 pimped to look like AMG's) but the 124 is very rare. Power wise the E55 is more powerful but on the high end there is little between the cars and for some reason the E500 felt tighter in the corners although that could have been due to the difference in Tyre sizes.

 

E55 is a good 400lb lighter than the 500E, pretty much the same supsension set up, almost all the PN are the same.

Maintanence will be more for 500E, your going to be buying, timing chain, trans, harness stuff like that at some point. I bought mine with 120k for 15,000$ a year ago, its the car I have always wanted, now I have it. I rule. It had all service records, the guy kept his GAS RECEIPTS, only two owners. Buy as much as you can in a Benz, always. In the last year I have, rebuilt the trans, done timing chain and rails, all new rear suspension links/bushings. Not to mention regular stuff like oil changes, pads, rotors, distributor cap/rotor (every 30k at least), plugs (every 15k per factory), various hoses and rubber pieces. If you buy a 500 don't expect not to spend money. These things cost to own. The heat destroys your rubber in the engine bay, they have so much power they move through stock transmissions like every 80-100k unless you beef them up, which is not too hard. These cars are at the mileage now where they all need this stuff, just nothing you can do. You are buying a car that was 90k in 1992, remember that. Thats like twice as much as the E55 was new.

The E55 has the m113 motor which is gas and go, valve covers leak but meh. However you will pay for other stuff, like look up the price of brake rotors.......holy crap, the left is different than the right, and they are unique to the E55. I drive my 500 daily (I just bought a w124 coupe to share the load) and I will never sell it, drinks gas, and looks amazing. The E55 will out perform the 500 in every way unfortunately. You can debate that, but its fact not opinion. E55 is cheaper build quality/interior materials, better on gas, cheaper to own over all, more creature comforts, better AC, more reliable, cheaper upgrades, an aftermarket exists for the E55! There is a very small if any for the 500E, and it is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. E55 would make a better daily than a 500E.

If your a hardcore Benz nut like me, buy the 500, hands down. Its not bad to work on, a little tight sometimes in the engine bay, way better car in my opinion. Miles don't matter, everything is rebuildable and the m119 is bullet proof, you won't ever break it. But it will cost a little more to maintain but its very special, really rare, and the last great Benz so who cares. I go to shows all the time and never see another 500, I know the like 5 other guys in ATL that have them....

Check out www.500ecstasy.com for more info

-Mike

 

If you are looking for a daily driver, please get a W210. The 500 is more of a collector car with a unique character. IMO it would be a shame to beat one up daily.

The E55 is a Lexus-beater (competitor?), the MB answer to the new "real-world" challengers. Rip it up and don't feel guilty!

 

Mike, care to exercise your 500E with us at Roebling Road? Your other friends are invited too.

http://www.motorsportreg.com/index.c...192D7F6EB9DB27

 

I'm late to this thread. I've actually owned both cars, still have the 500E. To be honest i've never had such satisfaction than that of the 500E, you'd have to drive it on the open road to feel what i'm saying.

Here's my answers:

1) Driving experience - 500E
2) Handling - E55, newer technology
3) Higher quality - 500E
4) Reliable - Both, the 500E will be more expensive to maintain though.

The only reason i sold the E55 was because its value had dropped dramatically. Otherwise i'd still have it. Hope this helps.

 

Well, there's the definitive answer. Who can argue with that!?