Jimmy Chen Shib

Sorry to disappoint you, but as others mentioned, this is not a Hammer, ...it is an AMG. AMG took the E500, "played around" with it and thus turned into an E60. Everything you see is stock (factory), including the three-piece AMG wheels. The only additions were the rear wing, interior wood center console, TV monitor, and special tuned chips to increase HP to north of 400.

I am the second owner from early 1996 with 6,500km. Now it has around 82,000km. Routine maintenance stuff and change of parts, otherwise, totally reliable and satisfactory. A naturally aspirated engine and still impressed by the overall performance and handling. So much so that I still cannot think of a replacement car.

Sorry for hijacking this thread. Let's get back to the 500E/E500. w/ smiles Jimmy

Carbooks

Everything...?
Even that little emblem next to the E60 script on the rear deck lid...?

Those who know will understand, those who don't, wont.... and that's as it should be.
Very subtle, VERY nice. Besides, it's uncivilized to announce what you have, that's for lesser cars, and people
.
Kind Regards and a big thanks for posting the pics.

Ron
500E Malachite Green/Mushroom 18,000 miles - contemplating the installation of a "250 Diesel" badge on the rear deck lid... "Well, yes; diesel technology has come a long way officer, but surely you don't think this old oil burner could do 140, do you?"
E320T Malachite Green/Mushroom 98,000 miles Sportline+
500E X 2 Both Totaled
300TE For Sale/Trade
TC
120 ots
356 src
MGA Deluxe
Bob Jackson Single Seater with 10, TEN forward gears!!!!
Ghibli
John Deere 318 "Monoposto" -in Lotus Livery no less!
Continental R - Handbuilt when Bentley's were a gentleman's car, before they became a rappers latest *****. But no, I don't feel strongly about it...

RBYCC

Ron

Buying a "special" Merc is relative...
I agree fully with you...
Keep in mind the original MSRP and what it would be in 2010 dollars !!!!

Only to ask yourself "What can I buy new for $25K-$30K ? "
Doubtful anything near the 500E/E500.

I too tend to "overpay", but I've yet to put any real money in maintaining and keep running any of the low mileage Mercs I own.
Will they depreciate..probably...
Chance of eventual appreciation..most likely.
More enjoyable then a new Honda, Nissan, Toyota,..for sure !!!!

Ed A.

Jimmy Chen Shib

Thank You, Carbooks. Very keen observations. Glad to be able to entertain a bit. w/ smiles Jimmy

AMGTestDriverNJ

Do any of these E60's exist in the US?

Jimmy Chen Shib

Not being an expert there, I do not believe E60s were imported to US officially back then.

Here in Japan, there is only a handful, and my guess is something like less than ten, altogether. w/ smiles Jimmy

valvefloat

Here in Vancouver Canada the JDM import is everywhere; it would seem nearly 1 in 4 is RHD in these parts...naturally, i've found a '93 500e for sale with 60K km (40K miles) originally from the land of the rising sun...

opinions on how this effects the desirability/value of the car...?

he is asking $14K; the car reportedly immaculate in/out...but with a spotty if non-existent service history...(i imagine all soft/rubber bits would require replacement as well as the wiring harnesses...so factor in +$5K in the first 12-24 months of ownership)...i'm thinking hard on this, and plan on taking a closer look in a day or two...

TIA

AMGTestDriverNJ

cool keep us updated

190E 16V

I would go for it, if the car has not been crashed.

I would expect to put that much into any 500E purchased used.
I bought mine at 73K km - put in about $4K to have it serviced and all fluids changed, etc. Even at that mileage, many suspension parts were worn.
Check the timing chain and guides. Guides are made of Bakelite.

Good luck.

rivcal4life

As far as I remember, there were no RHD E500E's built. Though I do know of at least 1 RHD car with 500e fenders, I think they were added onto a lesser w124 afterwards by the owner who also dropped a 2jz in it. I am ready to be proven wrong though.

WARNING: This video has been posted a million times on the boards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPodp9DOQbQ

valvefloat

sorry, perhaps i should have been more clear...the car in question is LHD, although claimed to be a Japanese import...

190E 16V

Even the 500E's sold in Japan or the United Kingdom were LHD- that's the only way they came.

You should get a Pre Purchase Inspection done on the car to properly assess what needs doing - if you are seriously considering it.
$5,000 would be what one would expect to have to put into such a sophisticated car to bring it up to snuff after 15 - 18 years .

If that car is on a lot in N Van, that guy does import many Porsches and Bimmers from Japan.

valvefloat

hmm...not sure if it is the same seller...odds are probably good it is as a CL search resulted in 9 listings of what look to be Japanese imports...

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/se...783&srchType=A

i don't like curbers...particularly those neglecting full disclosure in their ads...

valvefloat

well i when and saw the car this evening...overall very impressive...

a few issues mind you...

-the brake pedal makes a kind of ticking noise for a 20sec after being depressed
-some front end dive on hard braking (this maybe normal; i'm used a taut, coilover'd GTI)
-passenger power seat switch gear not working (owner claims fuse)
-HVAC controls don't illuminate
-a bit of clear coat peel on the AMG 3-piecers

other things worth mentioning...
-the only mods to my eyes were dark tint on the back windows, the said wheels, head unit, drop-in HID kit (euro housings) and rain guards over the cabin windows (OEM mind you)
-exterior was very good...body seams were normal...paint very good
-engine bay was clean and the couple of plugs/wires of the upper harness I could see, looked to be intact and in good shape
-interior was also very good; plaid grey/black cloth inserts on seats and door cards
-all electronics worked except those mentioned above; A/C blew cold
-transmission shifted as expected; no clunks, jerkiness, or strange noise
-engine was very quiet; difficult to tell if it was running at idle when sitting in the cabin
-owner claims to have had it for 4/5 years (15k KM in that time), bought off friend's father in Japan, in Canada for <1 year, no major service in his ownership, only fluids, tires, tune-up...
-registered, passed provincial inspection
-60K km


having never driven a 500e or any w124 previously for that matter...a couple of impressions...

-the doors seemed quite light, i was surprised as i was expecting a bank vault slam upon closing them but found it tinny and odd
-the steering seemed heavy at lower speeds; may be due in part to the 245 rubber up front
-certainly a firm ride, not some sort of luxo-barge
-oodles of smooth, effortless power

next: PPI

stay tuned