500E, C32, S2000 - The $12k Question
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From: Los Angeles, California
2006 E55 BEAST
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1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E
If you have to think about it this much you might want to go with one of the others. A 500E is definitely a serious commitment haha. They are just old and getting older, need more TLC the older they get.
But why not a w210/w208/w203 55 model?? m113 is basically trouble free, gas, oil, and go. C32's have some headgasket problems don't they?
But why not a w210/w208/w203 55 model?? m113 is basically trouble free, gas, oil, and go. C32's have some headgasket problems don't they?
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Don't get a 500E. Anything less than a pristine example is going to be finicky and expensive. You can't bring them to Joe Schmo Mechanic, he won't know what to do with it. Even trained MB techs have trouble with them. Parts are $$$ and hard to find. Guaranteed you will be paying lots in time and money over the course of owning it. It's a very special car, but they are at the age now where you need serious dough to keep them in great shape.
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From: fl
1992 500E, 2006 E500, 2007 GL 450
Owned my '92 500E since new. Bought and traded in 7 BMW's and MB's since. Currently drive a 2010 X5M. Still find the 500E most satisfying car to drive. Parts availability has never been an issue. Repairs are not cheap but not out line with other premium cars and not so premium cars. The engine and much of the suspension and brakes are the same as the SL500 you owned.
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1990 300ce 24v I6
Owned my '92 500E since new. Bought and traded in 7 BMW's and MB's since. Currently drive a 2010 X5M. Still find the 500E most satisfying car to drive. Parts availability has never been an issue. Repairs are not cheap but not out line with other premium cars and not so premium cars. The engine and much of the suspension and brakes are the same as the SL500 you owned.
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From: British Columbia, Canada
1987 560SL
Is the 500 an afterthought?
From his C32 original thread, a few weeks ago, it looks like he was choosing between a reliable, small, tossable, convertable, and a small tossable, sedan. After awhile, he lumped in the 500 sedan too. Powerful, but not a convertable, and larger and heavier than both the others.
He already knows about the drivetrain and performance AND reliability/maintenance, because he owned an R129 SL500.
Basicly, one could think of the 500 as a 4-door sedan, SL500.
Is that what the OP wants?
He hasn't been following this thread closely, so unless there's something he hasn't told us, I'd speculate that owning a 500E is not a passion for him, and another car would better suit his needs and wants
From his C32 original thread, a few weeks ago, it looks like he was choosing between a reliable, small, tossable, convertable, and a small tossable, sedan. After awhile, he lumped in the 500 sedan too. Powerful, but not a convertable, and larger and heavier than both the others.
He already knows about the drivetrain and performance AND reliability/maintenance, because he owned an R129 SL500.
Basicly, one could think of the 500 as a 4-door sedan, SL500.
Is that what the OP wants?
He hasn't been following this thread closely, so unless there's something he hasn't told us, I'd speculate that owning a 500E is not a passion for him, and another car would better suit his needs and wants
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Dallas, TX
Shopping...
Still here... Just been buried. No the 500E wasn't an afterthought. I've loved it for a long time. But as you can see from all the different cars I've owned I love all types of cars. From little 2 seat convertibles like S2k, Lotus, M Coupe/Roadster to beasts like Viper GTS, NSX, Z06, 968 and 911 to luxury like 740il, XJR and yes SL500. I love and appreciate them all. The challenge is deciding what I want NOW.
I didn't keep the SL500 long enough to know how expensive it was to maintain. During the 8 months I had it there were no problems.
So here's where I am... I was looking at a 2004 S4 lowered with an exhaust. It was a beast but they seem to have lots of issues and it's also on the upper end of what I want to pay. I do love the hunkered down look of the 500e and its superb build quality and keep coming back to it. The one I'm interested in is 800 miles away so I can't just drive it. Wish I could drive one locally...
Don't suppose any of you know of one in Austin?
I didn't keep the SL500 long enough to know how expensive it was to maintain. During the 8 months I had it there were no problems.
So here's where I am... I was looking at a 2004 S4 lowered with an exhaust. It was a beast but they seem to have lots of issues and it's also on the upper end of what I want to pay. I do love the hunkered down look of the 500e and its superb build quality and keep coming back to it. The one I'm interested in is 800 miles away so I can't just drive it. Wish I could drive one locally...
Don't suppose any of you know of one in Austin?
Last edited by Raron; Jun 19, 2010 at 01:54 AM.
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My car got pinched for expired tags the day before I was leaving for South Africa for World Cup. (Failed NOx on smog. AZ doesn't allow you to pay for your registration unless you have passed. I have threads here documenting me doing the fixes, but thats another story.)
I've been thinking about getting an S2K as well, as a DD and to also replace my BMW 2002 "toy" car which is a constant state of disrepair/ upgrade.
Great minds I guess.
I still love the W124, but seriously, the smog ***** have ruined it for me.
Although they are going cheap on craigslist right now.
Might get one as a temporary car when I get back next month but S2k is definitely the front runner.If I move to Texas, then perhaps I will rekindle my W124 love.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Dallas, TX
Shopping...
So I'm getting mixed signals... On the one hand some of you have said stay away from 500E as a daily car (18 miles a day round trip to work) plus toy. As if its too finicky or unreliable to drive so much. Yet many of the ones I see for sale have 200k+ miles on them.
Clearly someone has been driving these things!
Clearly someone has been driving these things!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
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From: British Columbia, Canada
1987 560SL
So I'm getting mixed signals... On the one hand some of you have said stay away from 500E as a daily car (18 miles a day round trip to work) plus toy. As if its too finicky or unreliable to drive so much. Yet many of the ones I see for sale have 200k+ miles on them.
Clearly someone has been driving these things!
Clearly someone has been driving these things!
High mileage examples have either been expensively$$$$ maintained throughout their lives, or they will be a $$$ sinkhole, for the new owner of a 200K mi. +, car to bring up to snuff or repair, if they were neglected.
Good luck.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: British Columbia, Canada
1987 560SL
I think that the point people were making on here was, the cars for sale around $12K, your price mark, will be the ones requiring expensive work, even at far less than 200K mi.
At $12K, it likely will be a disappointing ownership experience, and only the start of your true cost of the car.
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: San Jose
300TE / 300E / 300CE
So I'm a bit all over the place... Need a daily car that will keep my attention. I drive about 8 miles to the office through curvy hills of Austin.
Is the 500E the kiss of death from a maintenance perspective? I'm drawn to it for its quality, looks, rarity etc. Just wondering if I'd regret it...
Any 500E owner feedback?
Is the 500E the kiss of death from a maintenance perspective? I'm drawn to it for its quality, looks, rarity etc. Just wondering if I'd regret it...
Any 500E owner feedback?
I will eventually get a 500E because of the similar attraction.A newer car is usually best for a commuter but 8 miles not a challenge for an older car. If reliability was a priority buy the newest Japanese. I have several friends with S2000 but only use it as a DD and race other cars.
$12k usually means 150-200k mileage but you might get lucky finding one well maintained or restored in that range. If you are a DIY, find one needing work and replace all the wear parts to experience how it drove "like new". Most budget people, like myself do that over time and enjoy learning how the car was mechanically designed and built. If you aren't the DIY type forget the 500E or budget 2x to find one with "low" mileage (<60k).
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Del Mar, CA
2003 CL600 2005 745Li
So I'm getting mixed signals... On the one hand some of you have said stay away from 500E as a daily car (18 miles a day round trip to work) plus toy. As if its too finicky or unreliable to drive so much. Yet many of the ones I see for sale have 200k+ miles on them.
Clearly someone has been driving these things!
Clearly someone has been driving these things!
If you are a DIY guy and stick around the right boards for advice the cost to own one is low.
