'93 500E/E500 badging and value question?
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2003 SL55 AMG
'93 500E/E500 badging and value question?
Hey folks- Through word-of-mouth, I found a 500E a few hundred miles from me. It's got 200k on the clock, a new wiring harness and a rebuilt transmission. Cosmetically, the car is in incredible shape (I checked VIN records, and the int/ext color match factory). It's in better shape than my '03 SL55, which is saying something.
Here's where I am concerned: It is a MY93, but the badge on the back says "E500." Current owner says he has not replaced it, and I see no paint fade indicating the presence of a different badge previously. That just seems fishy to me.
I still have not talked with the owner about the timing chain (they last ~200k, right?), and I need to get more info on the service history. It's going for $11k, and I think I could argue him down to 9k-ish.
Thoughts on the price? Any ideas on WTF happened with the badges?
Here's where I am concerned: It is a MY93, but the badge on the back says "E500." Current owner says he has not replaced it, and I see no paint fade indicating the presence of a different badge previously. That just seems fishy to me.
I still have not talked with the owner about the timing chain (they last ~200k, right?), and I need to get more info on the service history. It's going for $11k, and I think I could argue him down to 9k-ish.
Thoughts on the price? Any ideas on WTF happened with the badges?
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Joined: May 2003
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From: USA
18 G550, 24 EQB3504M
Unless it's a one owner car, I am guessing one of the previous owners (not current) probably 'upgraded' the badging and the current owner was just not aware of it. I would just take it for a pre purchase inspection with a shop that has a paint meter (or buy a paint meter if not expensive) and just get readings from each panel. You can also see if each panel still has the original VIN sticker - not bulletproof method though since a repaint could have painted around it.
I think it's a good price for an enjoyable driver 500E instead of those expensive low mileage examples that you basically have to put away as a weekend car.
I think it's a good price for an enjoyable driver 500E instead of those expensive low mileage examples that you basically have to put away as a weekend car.
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Joined: May 2018
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E500 ML430
Hey folks- Through word-of-mouth, I found a 500E a few hundred miles from me. It's got 200k on the clock, a new wiring harness and a rebuilt transmission. Cosmetically, the car is in incredible shape (I checked VIN records, and the int/ext color match factory). It's in better shape than my '03 SL55, which is saying something.
Here's where I am concerned: It is a MY93, but the badge on the back says "E500." Current owner says he has not replaced it, and I see no paint fade indicating the presence of a different badge previously. That just seems fishy to me.
I still have not talked with the owner about the timing chain (they last ~200k, right?), and I need to get more info on the service history. It's going for $11k, and I think I could argue him down to 9k-ish.
Thoughts on the price? Any ideas on WTF happened with the badges?
Here's where I am concerned: It is a MY93, but the badge on the back says "E500." Current owner says he has not replaced it, and I see no paint fade indicating the presence of a different badge previously. That just seems fishy to me.
I still have not talked with the owner about the timing chain (they last ~200k, right?), and I need to get more info on the service history. It's going for $11k, and I think I could argue him down to 9k-ish.
Thoughts on the price? Any ideas on WTF happened with the badges?
