OWNER 500E Avantgarde Blue Azzuro

[papayars4]

Hey everyone,

I’m super excited to have finally picked up a 500e. But if the registry on this site is accurate, I may have acquired something really special.

I purchased one of only three in the world 500e’s painted in Avantgarde Blue Azzuro. It’s a color that appeared as one of three iterations of the 190e Avantgarde Sportsline. But what makes this 500e even more special is its interior spec. It too is done in the same unique interior scheme as the 190e Avantgarde Sportline Blue Azzuro. Each seat has a panel of center inserts as well as piping in a different color.

It’s believed this car was ordered new by Lorinser in this unique scheme for promotional purposes and eventual customer sales.

I’ll post better pictures when the car is in my possession. But for now…….

 

[036]

We need VIN =))
Congratz!
About only 3 and Azurro we will check...

 

[papayars4]

WDB1240361B959296

 

[036]

WDB1240361B959296

Thanks! Yes, there are 3 cars in Avantgarde blue, 1 of them is E60,all 3 with black leather. Very rare, very nice.
Leather with colour inserts is not mentioned in VIN. Any bills or order from new?

 

[036]

Add- all 3 cars are those mysterious ( for 500eboard) 1,5 restyle. It means the car was modded, "updated" to 2 Series.

 

[TimL]

How are the in between cars mysterious on the board, Arkady? I think everyone gets that these exist and that there is nothing abnormal or special about them. Unless I missed something?

 

[036]

Well, there are still some distrust and wry looks about what never existed in the US

 

[TimL]

I’m certain that we had these in between cars (Pre-Facelift but with Facelift technical features) here in the U.S. too. Hopefully more knowledgeable folks like @sheward @gsxr @gerryvz will be able to confirm if I remember that correctly….

 

[Eno]

Gorgeous car Congratulations.
One observation if I may. The turn signals on the front fenders are too high in position. They were mounted when the car came from Europe to Japan imo. Depends which country you are, maybe they are not required in your country?

 

[036]

Code 363 says it was a special order, but what exactly.... i´m not saying coloured leather was aftermarket, i just like to know it exactly, with some confirmation. So i can fulfill data at my forum, and correct 500eboard Wiki too.
Still looking for pictures of leather or whatever it is in 091, 093, 291, 297, 298... all on 500reds.....

 

[nocfn]

very nice example. muahahahahah

 

[papayars4]

Can some post the Datacard please so we can seed the codes and try to decipher? Thanks

 

[sheward]

I'm not knowledgeable to comment on the car's originality but I do love the color. I have a feeling the car was modified by someone besides MB. The lack of a center console storage compartment and aftermarket head unit seems unusual modifications for what would be such a special car. On the other hand, people are known to do these things.

Congratulations on the purchase.

 

[papayars4]

Nearly every vehicle from Japan is customized (especially electronics) regardless of how special it might be. Every vehicle I’ve bought from Japan has had a plethora of of mods that I’ve had to remove.

 

[gsxr]

Link to datacard below. It was originally a pre-facelift car (500E) but was modified / upgraded to facelift. I suspect the custom interior was done post-delivery, it's unlikely to have been done at the factory.

LOVE that color!!!

Mercedes VIN Decoder | Decode Your Mercedes-Benz VIN

Datacard for 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 E (124.036) - WDB1240361B959296

www.lastvin.com

 

[papayars4]

That free vincard doesn’t tell you anything. This is the datacard I have. Was just hoping someone could decode it

 

[gsxr]

The "free" datacard linked above decodes most of the options pretty accurately, which is helpful so you don't have to go look up everything.

The one you posted above is from the EPC and includes a bit more details (SA numbers, etc) but unfortunately doesn't really offer much useful information beyond the 'free' one.

Depends what exactly you are looking for - and if you want an official answer on the interior, you are not likely to get one.

 

[papayars4]

Does anyone have photos or know anything at all about the other two painted this color?

 

[TerryA]

Beautiful carLove the exterior color. As for the seat inserts. At least to me it has to be an aftermarket installation. I like symmetrically visual things in my life and would prefer only one color on the seat inserts. To me the blue insert suits it best since it at least matches the exterior color.

Love the look of the Lorinser wheels except for the fact that they weigh a lot. I would wonder how well the 500E handles the un-sprung weight on each corner.

I look will forward to seeing more pics

 

[036]

Does anyone have photos or know anything at all about the other two painted this color?

I do. Only 2 pics. 1 is E60 ( fender), another one normal 500E, moded to 2 Series, both with black leather.

 

[036]

I suspect the custom interior was done post-delivery

I believe it was pre ordered. Code 363 means order outside catalogue. I might have Vedock info. I might.

 

[papayars4]

I believe it was pre ordered. Code 363 means order outside catalogue. I might have Vedock info. I might.

This was my same thought regarding that code. Fingers crossed we dig up something!

 

[papayars4]

If we know the VIN'S of the other two, could we work backwards and see if their datacards have 363?

 

[WDB748372]

If we know the VIN'S of the other two, could we work backwards and see if their datacards have 363?

There are the 3 VINs that have that color
WDB1240361B959296 (363)
WDB1240361B966012 (363)
WDB1240361B972077 (E60)

 

[maw1124]

It'll be interesting to see what the car looks like upon receipt. The color is interesting, even if in name and rarity only. In particular, .036 posted pictures look vastly different to this one.

maw

 

[sheward]

Indeed. Since the car has been facelifted it's possible the entire car was resprayed. I think the light where the pics were taken is altering perception.

 

[sheward]

So, there is Azurite, Nautical, Midnight, and Azzuro. Azzuro looks a lot like BMWs violet, offered on the M5. Link no longer works but this is Azurite.

SOLD - 1995 E500, Azurite Blue/Blue, €29,500 (France) | Cars for Sale - 500E / E500 ONLY

https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1624247157.htm/ VIN = WDB1240361C188907 More informations here: OWNER - Zed

www.500eboard.co

 

[papayars4]

I do. Only 2 pics. 1 is E60 ( fender), another one normal 500E, moded to 2 Series, both with black leather.

Has anyone laid eyes on the interiors to either of these?

 

[036]

E60 is in our group, has black leather.

 

[Rouven036]

Car has a special production order too. Entry dated 5th October 93. Leather code is 271A which would point out black leather. Delivery branch Germany, Schwaebisch Gmuend. Further details can only got with proof of ownership and inquiry trough the purchasable data card portal.
Seat covers in parts catalogue are standard as per vin.

Otherwise great car and rare color. Congratulations!

 

[195910]

Why would anyone alter a 500E to resemble a 190E 2.3L ?

 

[036]

Why would anyone alter a 500E to resemble a 190E 2.3L ?

Why there is only 1 500E with velour? Only 1 Limited in Porsche colour? Why 1 500 6 liter is with 129 fabric? Cause owners wanted it so. No other reason.

 

[195910]

Why there is only 1 500E with velour? Only 1 Limited in Porsche colour? Why 1 500 6 liter is with 129 fabric? Cause owners wanted it so. No other reason.

These cases are understandable Arkady . Some people don't like leather or want a special color, and their choices were also high quality options. but no one was trying to make the 500E resemble a lesser model.

BTW, I am still looking for that Yellow 500E ! The 1992 crystal green was located, but you don't want to see it...

 

[papayars4]

Car has a special production order too. Entry dated 5th October 93. Leather code is 271A which would point out black leather. Delivery branch Germany, Schwaebisch Gmuend. Further details can only got with proof of ownership and inquiry trough the purchasable data card portal.
Seat covers in parts catalogue are standard as per vin.

Otherwise great car and rare color. Congratulations!

Can you point me in the direction of the purchasable data card portal? Thank you

 

[036]

Now we have some information. I've requested all 3 FIN´s.
All three have the azurro supplement. Two of them have a code 363, which means special order. However, there is no additional information other than "Production order available". E60 does not have a 363 code, all options are visible. The leather is black and the owner guarantees the interior is original, as is the entire car. As I said, I am in contact with the owner of the E60.
So, personally, I draw 2 conclusions:
1. Colored leather is original.
2. There must be another car with an identical interior.

Your thoughts, gentlemen?

 

[TimL]

Great detective work Arkady. I’d tend to agree with your conclusion

 

[036]

I might be wrong with second car....

 

[Rouven036]

Can you point me in the direction of the purchasable data card portal? Thank you

Contact you local agent. The data card itself can be printed by them directly from vedoc, request to print it with details such as SA codes, history, sales data etc.
Then inquire that they contact MB Heritage asking for the details of the production order/details to the data card.

They can easily do this if they are willing/know whom to contact. Sometimes some charges might apply however worth it in a case with a rare feature like on yours (data card cost them nothing to print)


Generally the 190 Avantgarde Azurro is really a nice package, with it's blue paint work, colored interior and interior accessories like color matched steering wheel, door cards, vehicle document wallet, gear lever, key rings and stuff, artificial carbon fiber trim elements or optionally black birdseye maple as later seen it the W202 Facelift or W210. Definitely a tasteful mix, nothing to do that it derives from a smaller model.

 

[bclifton]

What a beauty

Can you point me in the direction of the purchasable data card portal? Thank you

I emailed the Mercedes-Benz classic center and they got me sorted out. The email is classicdatacards@mbusa.com

Here's an example of what to expect. I had a beautiful 1991 560SEC that I restored and I bought the data card. It was $150 USD, which is a bit pricey. But given how much money/time I sank into that car, it was negligible by that point

https://clifton.io/assets/cars-1991-560sec-datacard-6nov2018.pdf

 

[gsxr]

Brian, for the $150, did they only provide the PDF linked above?

 

[bclifton]

Brian, for the $150, did they only provide the PDF linked above?

If I remember correctly, they mailed a printed copy too But yeah... I wasn't sure what to expect... but it fell short. I was honestly hoping they would print out one of the original blue/white data cards that came with the car originally. That was just wishful thinking though

 

[gsxr]

Oh wow. AFAIK, any dealership service tech can print that out for you, for free... they should be ashamed to charge $150.

 

[Rouven036]

Pre vedoc documentation is chargeable service from mb to the agent. It's around '85 model year or so. By then you actually get a copy of the old style data cards.
As it is chargeable, we also forwarded these to the customers... As per the (porsche community Speak) ADM these cost could be reaching 150USD, cost to dealer is around 50ish

 

[mrindiafromuk]

Hey everyone,

I’m super excited to have finally picked up a 500e. But if the registry on this site is accurate, I may have acquired something really special.

I purchased one of only three in the world 500e’s painted in Avantgarde Blue Azzuro. It’s a color that appeared as one of three iterations of the 190e Avantgarde Sportsline. But what makes this 500e even more special is its interior spec. It too is done in the same unique interior scheme as the 190e Avantgarde Sportline Blue Azzuro. Each seat has a panel of center inserts as well as piping in a different color.

It’s believed this car was ordered new by Lorinser in this unique scheme for promotional purposes and eventual customer sales.

I’ll post better pictures when the car is in my possession. But for now…….

Very Awesome car Congratulations . Please can you open the radio head unit screen and share pictures of where the screen stops. I have hesitated to buy a head unit with motorized screen thinking it might end up angled down . I have used one of these for now so as to not have to modify the dash. Also the model of the unit would be awesome ans does it have apple play

 

[2phast]

Why there is only 1 500E with velour? Only 1 Limited in Porsche colour? Why 1 500 6 liter is with 129 fabric? Cause owners wanted it so. No other reason.

These cases are understandable Arkady . Some people don't like leather or want a special color, and their choices were also high quality options. but no one was trying to make the 500E resemble a lesser model.

BTW, I am still looking for that Yellow 500E ! The 1992 crystal green was located, but you don't want to see it...

That yellow 500e is out there, spoke with the guy who purchased it a long time ago. Color code was not used on any Mercedes, so it must of been a paint to match color.

VIN and data attached

 

[036]

That yellow 500e is out there, spoke with the guy who purchased it a long time ago. Color code was not used on any Mercedes, so it must of been a paint to match color.

VIN and data attached

Wow..... can we get some pictures???
And yes, of course 691 is 1 of 1.

 

[2phast]

Wow..... can we get some pictures???
And yes, of course 691 is 1 of 1.

I can't seem to find the few that were achieved. The owner had posted these on his cardomain page, but it does not appear to be active anymore.

 

[gsxr]

If anyone has an old bookmark/favorite/URL, try the Wayback machine or other archive to see if it might be saved somewhere.

 

[2phast]

Wow..... can we get some pictures???
And yes, of course 691 is 1 of 1.

Hmm, you posted about this car way back in 2012 as you found pictures on a Russian forum.

Someone else said it was sent back to Germany and painted black. Not sure where that story came from

 

[doolar]

Hmm, you posted about this car way back in 2012 as you found pictures on a Russian forum.

Someone else said it was sent back to Germany and painted black. Not sure where that story came from

Maybe @Taxi Driver knows, iirc the yellow car was sold from Sweden to Germany, where it was painted black.