I can't figure it out for the life of me. It's all over the place. Alot of the asking prices I'm seeing on autotrader and craigslist are pretty high. Do you guys think they are accurate?

For example:

There is a 92 on autotrader that is supposedly in decent shape w/ 146k on the clock, he is asking 13.5k, is that a fair deal?

Then, there is a 93 also on autotrader w/ 141k on the clock, and that guy is asking 8.8k. He claims the car is 4 out of 5 stars. Why would there be such a huge price difference? Which one is more on par with what is fair for these cars?

I think it would be nice to get a list going of what year car you own, what you paid and the mileage you purchased the car with. I think that would help others not to overpay and get a fair deal when purchasing or selling their own cars. What do you guys think?

 

And then you see cars with 80k or so with an asking price of 22k. I don't get it either. Personally I don't think I'd pay more than 15-17k for a pristine, low mileage example, thats just me though.

I think your post is a good idea as the inconsistent pricing of the 500e is what drove me away from purchasing one a few years back.

 

It because it is so dependent on records and maintenance. I have seen quote for 10K in just parts for a 500E before, the service advisors at the dealer I worked at said they have written 40K+ estimates for 500E's in rough shape. If a car with 150k hasn't had a trans, wire harness, etc, its not worth very much because you will need to dump 4k into it almost as soon as you buy it. Just cuz it ain't got a lot of miles doesn't mean its not messed up. It doesn't take much neglect to ruin a car. Prices are like this with any collector car.

-Mike

 

Also, asking price is dependent on the seller's viewpoint, often nonsense, seriously-motivated sellers are often the ones with the lower prices.

It remains a buyers' market, especially when you are looking at the 120k+ examples.

AMG- you saw the market, that green car could not sell from I think $8500 down to less than half that is what you paid. And if not you, then who and how much?

 

Hey Mike, I totally agree. Out of curiosity, what happened to the other 500E in your sig. Does R.I.P. mean you sold it, crashed it or it conked out on you?

 

There's nothing to figure out, it's merely "all over the place". Take your pick why: buyers market, economic downturn, seller cutting their losses, moving, divorce, high maintenance costs, bought another car, buying a hybrid, buying a new car, Mercedes dealer service quotes, lost job, lawsuit, baby coming, too many tickets, no garage space, jealous girlfriend , etc.

 

Some ******* in a Focus not paying attention and speeding T-ed me while I was turning into a shopping center. He crested a hill on coming and I guess didn't see me, he wasn't there when I turned, admitted he hadn't seen me until the cops wanted to write tickets then he suddenly remembered everything really clearly. Hit me basically while I was in the driveway....wrinkled the floor, trunk, crushed the door etc etc, he tried to tell me he was going the speed limit of 30mph...yeah right more like 65, spun my car around into another car. I was fine just really pissed off, his engine turned into his dashboard, tore him up pretty bad. I am an engineer and was a Benz mechanic for 5 years, court wouldn't let me testify as an expert witness or anything, they want money so bad now they don't care about law anymore. Still pretty bitter about it, if you can't tell haha.

Too broken to repair, now its my parts car. It was just a huge mess, was a REALLY clean car too. Lesson, when you drive, drive, don't do anything else! No matter how much you pay attention when you drive there is always some idiot who doesn't know what the hell he is doing and can ruin everything for you.

 

Of you are serious about a 500E, I strongly suggest that you go to www.500ecstasy.com .

As members spot cars for sale, they usually list them on there. There is usually someone with knowledge of any particular car, from personal experience, or if a VIN number is provided, it may be in the data base.

These forum member are often engineers or MB mechanics who can really help you evaluate a car to help your odds of finding a good one.

 

Yea I signed up there, even spoke the forum manager Scott, and still can't login or post. It also seems that the forum is pretty dead compared to over here. It looks more like it was popular at some point, but not so much anymore. Am I wrong?

 

There are cookie issues with the 500 site, ran into those myself. Its best you access the site from the main URL (www.500esctasy.com) and not any of the other iterations. You may want to also clear out your IE cache, including all your cookies.

Had a issue trying to access the site via www.500e.com and it wouldn't log me in or let me post.

The site is still used along with the Espot site, just not many 500e owners around that are into the forums.

 

Yeah its a very very niche community. I mean they only made the cars from 91-95 and that was it, so its not like a 911 where it has been in production for over 40 years.

 

There is not many of the E500/500E guys around to chat up the board as these cars are VERY rare. I have found most of the guys on the 500 boards keep a close eye on what is going on but dont always post as most every thing has already been posted, these guys really know these cars !

Buy one that has been well cared for and you will never be sorry you did.

 

Porsche "911's" are as distinct as 500E are to 300E. "E-class" also spans 40+ years with different models.

 

500E is more like a 959, is to a 911. Can't put 123 glass in a a 124 :p

 

"well cared for" that's the key. Buy the best one you can, for a rewarding ownership experience.

You may have dodged a bullet with the green car, if your intention was to "restore" it.

 

Well, I meant as far as cosmetics were concerned the body needed some restoration, as did the interior. I really don't know what shape the engine was in since I didn't have the chance to enjoy it. The owner convinced me (and himself apparently) that the engine was plenty strong because I still speak with him and he just bought a TE wagon to dump the motor into. He told me he plans to also replace the front fenders and other compatible body panels in any shape worth using onto this wagon. So, who knows? I suspect these engines are pretty stout, but of course, I will try to get 1 in the best shape possible.

 

" Nothing more expensive then an inexpensive Benz"

Better to pay more for a vehicle with a documented service history...
Less costly in the long run.

 

Listen to the above and ye shall learn AND save money, LOTS of money.

About 16 months ago I bought a 8500 mile Malachite Green/Mushroom '93 500E for somewhere in the high 20s. Original wheels and tires (which were included) that were taken off when new and replaced with AMG-OZ 3 piece 10X17 and 8,5X17s.
Even the spare is an AMG-OZ 3 piece, now that's the RIGHT way to do something...
Full service records, not that there were many of course. All paperwork, etc. (this wasn't that ratmobile, with the same mileage, that some used car dealer has been trying to flog for the past few years BTW). It even came with a bunch of NOS parts, including some period AMG items, that the owner never got around to installing.
Now it has around 19K or so on the clock and other than servicing by the book, changing all the fluids/filters, a few hard and soft vacuum lines and a set of Michelin PS2's (245/45 and 270/40) the car needed/needs nothing.

Undoubtedly some "expert" (who usually drives his mothers Toyota Corolla but reads and parrots what is found online) will say that I "overpaid", the "color green devalues the car", the 93+ face lifted cars are "better", etc., etc.

But I, who is no expert, will say it's the best car I ever bought. No problems, no issues, nothing. Period. Just a big smile when I drive it and the Jaws of Life and a divorce lawyer to get me out of it.
There's a lot to be said for paying a little more, or a lot more for that matter; for a totally original, untouched, unmodified, as-it-left-the-factory example to see what a 500E should be -- as defined by Mercedes.

Just my 500E cents.

Ron
Planned Upgrades:
Euro exhaust -- kat delete (A124 490 19 20).
Factory 500E AMG Muffler (HWA 124 490 17 21-Japan Only item).
Central Muffler Delete (Gillet internal house part)-almost impossible to obtain.
Euro Hella's with Adjuster (A124 820 43 59 and A124 820 44 59).
Switchable Traction Control (much better than the Renntech item).
First Gear Start Valve Body (A124 270 45 15).
Possible Outside Temp - Oil Temp Switchable Display.
The above will use:
ALL Mercedes parts, down to the smallest fastener and cloth wire wrapping, and will bolt in and out.
And will involve NO cutting of wires or drilling of holes. All factory brackets and connectors used throughout.
Second and Third Job (nahhh, why start now).

 

Which one is better and why:

1. A $5,000 beater restored/updated by a knowledgeable person spending $15,000.00

or

2. An untouched $20,000.00 car

Both are one owner same model and year.

Just thinking aloud.

 

+1. I suppose nobody wishes to overpay. To define a fair price is subjective. Whatever the buyer feels to be fair is the final call.

It is best that you get an opportunity to ride a 500E/E500 or even better, drive one (in a well maintained caar, that is). Upon then, I believe you would understand the upper end asking prices. I think you would regret that you did not act faster. These are very special cars.

Years ago, back in 1996, I was very much interested in 500E/E500. After much searching, I located this one small shop that had one so dropped by to see. I was taken for a short test drive around the block. Suffice to say that I was sold. "Unfortunately", the shop also had an 1994 E60 (W124). I did not know a thing about E60 then. The price was out of my budget then. He took me for a ride again in E60. Back to back in the two, there was no turning back. I was "sold". Went overboard and got the E60. I still own this car.

The point is, find a solid car, then with proper care and maintenance, you would not regret, most likely. Good luck with your search. w/ smiles Jimmy

 

Any more pics Jimmy, especially of the engine......

 

Here's some more. Thanx. w/ smiles Jimmy

 

Goodness me Jimmy! You are a man after my own heart. What a car to own. I take it that it is a genuine Hammer??

 

This is just a simple fact and really the case with all cars, it's just even more so with rare / exotic cars.

 

A "Hammer" is a completely different car, different engine, body and transmission.

Hammer = M117, DOHC heads, 200E body -- modified of course. Not sure of the trans.

E60 = M119 (bored and stroked -- crank is based on a 117 btw, cams, rods, a little porting and polishing and some very special, and expensive, electronics). Suspension was different (Sachs), even from the run-of-the-mill everyday 036s.

One might say the Hammer is the spiritual ancestor to the E60, and it would be proud how it turned out.

Whereas the E60 is the final development and the Last of the Best and the Best of the Last Mercedes, the W124 series.

It seems that Jimmy has the final, and BEST, of all real Mercedes; before Jeep-Chrysler-American Motors-Rambler-Nash-Massengill took over and quality went down faster than Monica Lewinsky in the Oval Office and tuning parts became just another option that some line worker picked from the parts bin instead of something matched to the individual bespoke car.


Ron
500E Malachite Green/Mushroom 18,000 miles
E320 Malachite Green/Mushroom 98,000 miles Sportline+
500E - Totaled
300TE - For Sale
TC
120
356
MGA Deluxe
Bob Jackson "Monoposto," 10, TEN, forward gears!!!
Ghibli
John Deere 318 single seater in Lotus Livery
Continental R