SOLD 1994 E500 Limited, 50kkm, Sapphire Black/Gray, Gooding auction (Pebble Beach, CA)

[Ntrepid]

Moderator edit: Sold again in summer 2026 for $170K + fees at Gooding Pebble Beach. See post #43.

1994 E500 Limited, 49Kkm, Sapphire Black/Gray, BaT (Richmond, British Columbia, Canada)

No previous history found here. No affiliation.

VIN: WDB1240361C162392

https://www.lastvin.com/vin/r1M9Wdw5Ozj2qgNvD

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1994-mercedes-benz-e500-21/ <-- Sold for $91k + fees


Robert

 

[Ntrepid]

Price is Right for this one is up. Double your chances at winning by playing Game 14 which is live too.

Game 15: Price is Right - WDB1240361C162392 (009 Limited in Canada) | Off-Topic Discussions

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1994-mercedes-benz-e500-21/ Here are the rules: Only one entry per person (cost of entry is PayPal to [email protected] using F&F option $5) and your submitting a price to this thread enters you into this game Entry must be submitted to this thread 48 hours...

www.500eboard.co

Robert

 

[TimL]

What's the deal with those front seats? Did someone get overzealous with the leather dye and decided to pattern the seat surrounds (they are black on the Limited and on this car they seem to have a grey pattern)? Weird. Nice car though. Buyer better budget a few grand for the correct right hand traffic headlights

 

[TerryA]

Nice example w/31K miles on the clock. It looks pretty unmolested to me.

Is Alpine Radio stock?

At $29K w/7 Days to go, it should bring the BIG BUCKS $$$$

 

[gsxr]

What's with the VIN tag on the upper radiator support? Looks like it was pried off and then never re-attached properly?

 

[2phast]

What's with the VIN tag on the upper radiator support? Looks like it was pried off and then never re-attached properly?



View attachment 130070

Although I have never seen one of these "add on's" it looks like some sort of decal that has shrunk due to engine heat

 

[2phast]

Nice example w/31K miles on the clock. It looks pretty unmolested to me.

Is Alpine Radio stock?

At $29K w/7 Days to go, it should bring the BIG BUCKS $$$$

No, thats not a stock radio, aftermarket.

 

[gsxr]

Although I have never seen one of these "add on's" it looks like some sort of decal that has shrunk due to engine heat

That's what I thought at first, but it appears to be a metal tag that was riveted on, and pried off. Bizarre.

 

[Eno]

What's with the VIN tag on the upper radiator support? Looks like it was pried off and then never re-attached properly?



View attachment 130070

Dave, in Belgium it is a mandatory requirement for these types of rubber/plastic VIN nr plate.
This is an original VIN tag.
All Belgian ordered Mercedes Benz’s in the 90’s have these types of VIN plates.

 

[2phast]

Dave, in Belgium it is mandatory requirement for these type of rubber/plastic VIN nr plate.
This is an original VIN tag.
All Belgian ordered Mercedes Benz’s in the 90’s have these type of VIN plates.

So it is a plastic VIN tag? It sure looks like discolored and warped plastic.

 

[AMG5PT4]

Are the headlights still Japan market right hand drive/left hand traffic?

 

[TimL]

Are the headlights still Japan market right hand drive/left hand traffic?

Yes

 

[gsxr]

Dave, in Belgium it is a mandatory requirement for these types of rubber/plastic VIN nr plate.
This is an original VIN tag.
All Belgian ordered Mercedes Benz’s in the 90’s have these types of VIN plates.

Eno, thanks for confirming, that's what I thought. It sort of looked like an aluminum plate riveted on, but it's hard to tell from the photo. If it's rubber or plastic, or a decal, I wonder why it would be riveted on. I was mostly confused as to why it appeared to have been removed, based on the warped edges at the rivets.

 

[gsxr]

Are the headlights still Japan market right hand drive/left hand traffic?

Yup. But there's no easy way to tell if only the lenses were changed, or if the entire headlamp was changed. Reflectors should match the lenses. You can tell what the lenses are from the photos, but not the reflectors.

 

[e500.org]

Very nice LTD E500, absolutely stunning.

Couple of observations / nitpicking (shouldn't take away from how well this car presents)

1) Has the US blinkers, didn't come on E500 LTD from factory.
2) Aftermarket stereo Alpine
3) Trunk bump stops need replacement
4) Coolant and SLS reservoirs original (I'm ok with this)
5) Missing original LTD floormats
6) Tinted windows rear
7) Steering wheel not original spec
8) Potentially missing the door lock switch that most of them come with

This one is going to fetch big bucks

 

[stickyvicky]

1,blinkers according japan DMV, other stuff not a problem it all, looks great
2. next owner can put becker stereo back 50-75 bucks, and even better go to Becker pay 125$ and they install bluetooth to this stereo
all other things does not affect 50000kms car and excellent shape

 

[JAB12]

The seller already hinted at start of his comments, based on comparable to the $123K limited that sold from Canada on BAT back in Nov. 2020. He is looking to break that mark based on ODO reading. I predict $140s. Very nice car. Still prefer the pleated door cards of the non limited models. @Ntrepid I entered both PIR games 14 and 15. Hoping other members will join and reconvene as those games are fun.

 

[daantjie]

In my back yard too, now I just need to win the 6/49 Lotto today

 

[Sam SL]

What is this wire (pic 144) with the goofy looking connector?

 

[mercepor]

"2. next owner can put becker stereo back 50-75 bucks, and even better go to Becker pay 125$ and they install bluetooth to this stereo"
not sure about that
the orignal stereo for the LTD is the Becker Exquisit, which is more in the 300-500usd range

 

[Jlaa]

What is this wire (pic 144) with the goofy looking connector?View attachment 130128

Strange to see that after the catalyst. If it was before the catalyst I would say it is an 02 sensor. Since it is after the catalyst and this is not an OBD2 car that requires pre & post catalyst 02 sensors .......

Exhaust gas temp probe? not really sure....

 

[gsxr]

Exhaust gas temp probe? not really sure....

Jlaa is correct. That is an exhaust gas temp probe, for the "EXH TEMP" warning light required in Japan. Seen that on a few different cars that vacationed in Japan.

 

[JAB12]

Why don't they take that off and disconnect the light. What's up with measuring the temperature of the exhaust? It blows hot gases isn't that what they are designed to do?

 

[Jlaa]

Why don't they take that off and disconnect the light. What's up with measuring the temperature of the exhaust? It blows hot gases isn't that what they are designed to do?

I suppose some places are concerned with running too lean = too hot = stuff starts melting / is not too good. I'm more used to monitoring EGT in turbo applications where running lean is REALLY REALLY BAD, but in a naturally aspirated scenario where the car is almost always running closed-loop with the 02 sensor, monitoring EGTs doesn't really seem that productive.

That said, I'm thinking in terms of the American experience. I can imagine on the autobahn, where you might running open loop WOT for some period of time (top speed?) EGTs become really important.

I do think, that the molex connector they used there could be improved ---- they could change it to a high temp / weatherproof version. Small detail.

 

[Sam SL]

I contacted the seller to view the car in person. Thus far no reply.

 

[AMG5PT4]

Is the spare wheel in the Limiteds also an EVO II? If not, my NOS high sheen wheel would look great in the trunk of this car.

 

[iredellt]

Is the spare wheel in the Limiteds also an EVO II? If not, my NOS high sheen wheel would look great in the trunk of this car.

Sure is

 

[500AMM]

Very nice LTD E500, absolutely stunning.

Couple of observations / nitpicking (shouldn't take away from how well this car presents)

1) Has the US blinkers, didn't come on E500 LTD from factory.
2) Aftermarket stereo Alpine
3) Trunk bump stops need replacement
4) Coolant and SLS reservoirs original (I'm ok with this)
5) Missing original LTD floormats
6) Tinted windows rear
7) Steering wheel not original spec
8) Potentially missing the door lock switch that most of them come with

This one is going to fetch big bucks

(I have never seen original Limited floormats, it's not listed in the brochure either. But the brochure says colour matched carpet, which in my mind points to the three Limited interior options 286 green, 287 red, 288 grey - but I have never seen that either, all have black carpets. However, I've seen a few Limiteds with a color matching border on the floormats, but I've thought it was aftermarket.)

Update: I searhed and found a thread about the colour matching carpet. Interesting news to me, still learning.

WANTED - WTB: E500 LTD Floor Mats | Wanted to Buy

Long shot but looking for the E500 LTD tailored floor mats. Attached photo of what they look like, essentially a grey border on the MB mats. Any leads would be great. TIA

www.500eboard.co

Strange that the door lock switch is missing, I thought that was a part of the OE anti-theft alarm.

 

[iredellt]

(I have never seen original Limited floormats, it's not listed in the brochure either. But the brochure says colour matched carpet, which in my mind points to the three Limited interior options 286 green, 287 red, 288 grey - but I have never seen that either, all have black carpets. However, I've seen a few Limiteds with a color matching border on the floormats, but I've thought it was aftermarket.)

Update: I searhed and found a thread about the colour matching carpet. Interesting news to me, still learning.

WANTED - WTB: E500 LTD Floor Mats | Wanted to Buy

Long shot but looking for the E500 LTD tailored floor mats. Attached photo of what they look like, essentially a grey border on the MB mats. Any leads would be great. TIA

www.500eboard.co

Strange that the door lock switch is missing, I thought that was a part of the OE anti-theft alarm.

Indeed, I thought they were listed in the brochure but would have to go back and look... I suspect it is the border on the floormats, which seem unavailable. I have had custom ones made to match but of course they don't have the Mercedes badge...

 

[TimL]

Yes, it was the stitching on the outside of the floor mats that had the Limited colors. See post 22 for the Limited that Auto Leitner had for sale which had the correct floor mats.

WANTED - WTB: E500 LTD Floor Mats | Wanted to Buy

Long shot but looking for the E500 LTD tailored floor mats. Attached photo of what they look like, essentially a grey border on the MB mats. Any leads would be great. TIA

www.500eboard.co

 

[e500.org]

As far as I understand the limited border floormats are original from mb. Maybe certain markets only as limited was sold all over Europe? Mine was originally delivered to Russia and I think mine came with them from new.

Seen too many photos of these cars where they look the same, I have the rear set with me but no MB stamps or numbers as far as I can remember (they're in storage now).

 

[gerryvz]

Photos -- Group 1 of 3

 

[gerryvz]

Photos -- Group 2 of 3

 

[gerryvz]

Photos -- Group 3 of 3

 

[PHK]

It's back! Gooding/Christie's Pebble Beach, August 15th. Is it auction filler (not enough hypercars to make an auction) or seller's theory that high-end auctions draw bigger bucks? I suppose flipper figures buy at one auction and sell at another but in a more prestigeous setting. I suppose he's got +/- $100K in it and needs to sell it for $150K to cover purchase, insurance, storage, and interest before he breaks even. GFL.

1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 Limited

View the 1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 Limited at Gooding Christie’s's Pebble Beach Auctions. Contact us for more information.

www.goodingco.com

 

[PHK]

Besides accruing interest, it seems that in 1,000km its instrument cluster fuzz has grown, too!





But at least the outside temperature guage is now working.

And the Alpine radio is gone.




`

 

[FD.]

It's back! Gooding/Christie's Pebble Beach, August 15th. Is it auction filler (not enough hypercars to make an auction) or seller's theory that high-end auctions draw bigger bucks? I suppose flipper figures buy at one auction and sell at another but in a more prestigeous setting. I suppose he's got +/- $100K in it and needs to sell it for $150K to cover purchase, insurance, storage, and interest before he breaks even. GFL.

It's a five-year gap between the BaT auction and the current Gooding/Christie's sale, not five months.

To me, a five-year holding period is more about hobby investing—perhaps even collecting—than flipping.

P.S. The E500 Limited actually looks right at home in the current auction lineup.
It's a perfect reminder to all of us that a 30-year-old car isn't a '62 Ferrari 250 GTO or '70 W100 anymore.

 

[gsxr]

The replacement Becker is the older 1432-style. Was this ever used in facelift cars, even in Europe? In USA the 1492 would be correct, but I don't know what head units were offered overseas. Not easy to convert back from aftermarket HU to 1432...

 

[AdamCabrio]

The replacement Becker is the older 1432-style. Was this ever used in facelift cars, even in Europe?

Not 100% sure, but I believe in facelift 036 cars in Europe the Becker Exquisit was used, can't remember whether that would be BE 1490 or BE 1690.

 

[PHK]

It's a five-year gap between the BaT auction and the current Gooding/Christie's sale, not five months.

To me, a five-year holding period is more about hobby investing—perhaps even collecting—than flipping.

Perhaps a flipper who does not find a buyer in 5 months and winds up owning the thing for 5 years might be considered a hobby investor. Certainly not a user or a collector. I am looking forward to seeing how the “investment” works out.

 

[gsxr]

Not 100% sure, but I believe in facelift 036 cars in Europe the Becker Exquisit was used, can't remember whether that would be BE 1490 or BE 1690.

Thanks! That aligns with my recollection as well. Put another way, I thought all facelift 026's (maybe all facelift 124?) had radios with a round volume knob. I thought the old volume toggle-bar and @Jlaa's chiclet-button controls went away with the facelift.

 

[FD.]

Thanks! That aligns with my recollection as well. Put another way, I thought all facelift 026's (maybe all facelift 124?) had radios with a round volume knob. I thought the old volume toggle-bar and @Jlaa's chiclet-button controls went away with the facelift.

That's correct, here is the screenshot from 12/94 pricelist for all 124 (for some reasons without E500) in Germany.

 

[Bogeyman]

Sold for $170K + fees ($190k with vig - Ed.) at Gooding Pebble Beach.

1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 Limited

Without Reserve Chassis: WDB1240361C162392 Salesroom Addendum Please note that this vehicle will not be sold for use or resale in California or to a non-dealer California resident. One of 951 Examples Built for the 1994 Model Year The Ultimate W124 Developed in Collaboration with...

bid.goodingco.com