E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

E500 engine Vs. 1995 E500 engine question.

Old Mar 25, 2003 | 06:27 PM
  #1  
Silver_Lana's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 0
From: NY/NJ
Question E500 engine Vs. 1995 E500 engine question.

I have a relatively wierd question about the E Class.

In 1995, there was the E500 Sport Sedan with the following specs:

Engine 5.0-liter twin-DOHC 32-valve aluminum-alloy V-8.

Net power 322 hp @ 5,700 rpm. 1993: 315 hp @ 5,600 rpm.

Net torque 354 lb-ft @ 3,900 rpm. 1993: 347 lb-ft @ 3,900 rpm.

Compression ratio 10.0:1

Fuel requirement Premium unleaded gasoline.

Fuel and ignition system LH electronic with integrated ignition.

Transmission 4-speed automatic.


So why is it that the current E500's engine looks like a step back in terms of power. I know people will chide me about power not being everything, refinement and economy are part of the equation too. I am just curious as to why MB decided to step back on power on the newer engines.

Any ideas chaps?
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2003 | 07:00 PM
  #2  
amb9800's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,374
Likes: 0
From: NYC
2002 ML320
I guess the most logical answer would be that the 500E/E500 of the W124 E-Class was the top of the line limited-production model, analogous to the position the E55K AMG holds in the W211 model line. The current E500 holds the position that the 400E/E420 held in the W124 line - the mid-level model.

In terms of the performance of the engine, the 500E/E500 was co-developed and manufactured with Porsche, and the emphasis was on high-end performance, as AMG was not a part of MB at that time while the W211 E500 and the rest of the MB 500 line is just a higher-luxury-level and higher-power version of the base (320/350) line.

However, I do understand your point, being that there is quite a big horsepower gap between the old and the new engine - if your figure of 322HP is correct, that is almost a 90 HP difference - the current MB 500 lineup produces about 270HP.
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2003 | 09:02 PM
  #3  
RJC's Avatar
RJC
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
The current 5.0 produces approx. 306 hp and 339 lb ft trq, there was a significant cost saving (almost 50%) when MBZ went to the newer modular 3valve SHOC engines from the previous generation DOHC 4 valve per cylinder engines that ceased production in MY 1998. The previous version ran quiter and smoother but the newer ones feel more responsive to me.
There was a recent test of the 500E and the E500 in one of this months US car mags.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2003 | 08:04 AM
  #4  
Silver_Lana's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 0
From: NY/NJ
Originally posted by RJC
The current 5.0 produces approx. 306 hp and 339 lb ft trq, there was a significant cost saving (almost 50%) when MBZ went to the newer modular 3valve SHOC engines from the previous generation DOHC 4 valve per cylinder engines that ceased production in MY 1998. The previous version ran quiter and smoother but the newer ones feel more responsive to me.
There was a recent test of the 500E and the E500 in one of this months US car mags.
Then this is just as i suspected - a cost saving measure.
I guess it helped to make the prices for such a fine sedan more palatable but at the cost of sacrificing performance.
Thanks for the answers guys!
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2003 | 08:05 AM
  #5  
Silver_Lana's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 0
From: NY/NJ
I forgot to ask this... but i assume DOHC engines are significantly more expensive to make and maintain than SOHC ones right?
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2003 | 10:53 AM
  #6  
RJC's Avatar
RJC
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Originally posted by Silver_Lana
I forgot to ask this... but i assume DOHC engines are significantly more expensive to make and maintain than SOHC ones right?
As I mentioned above the DOHC 4 valave engines were approx %50 more expensive to manufacture.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2003 | 11:30 AM
  #7  
500AMG's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
What about the torque & HP curves? I know the current engine gets its torque at early RPMs. I'm no expert though.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:43 PM.

story-0
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's updated GLE 63 S and GLS 63 bring a new-generation V8, subtle design revisions, and familiar supercar-rivaling performance figures.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-17 12:52:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-2
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-3
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-5
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-7
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE