FOR SALE 1992 500E, Silver/Black, 111kmi, BaT Auction (Tacoma, WA)

[Ntrepid]

Admin edit: For sale again May 2025, see post #18 below. Thread title updated with new info.



1992 500E, Silver/Black, 109kmi, BAT Auction (Excelsior, MN)

VIN: WDBEA36E5NB761432

Looks to be one not owned by someone here. Long term ownership since 1995. Looks to be in pretty nice shape. Would be interested to know the underside given it is in Minnesota. (Admin edit - see undercarriage photos from 2025 auction in post #18 below.)

1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E

Robert

1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E​

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This 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E was first purchased from Sears Imported Autos in Minnetonka, Minnesota, where it was reportedly resold in 1995 to its current owner. The car is finished in Brilliant Silver Metallic over Anthracite leather and powered by a 5.0L V8 mated with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Approximately 75k of its 109k indicated miles have been added under current ownership, and recent service included an oil and filter change as well as repairs to the brakes and rear shocks. This W124 is offered by the seller on behalf of its owner with service records from new, manuals, a window sticker, a clean Carfax report, and a clear Minnesota title in the owner’s name.​

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The 500E was assembled by Porsche in Zuffenhausen and fitted with a special front air dam, flared fenders, and side skirts. This example is finished in Brilliant Silver Metallic with grey lower body cladding, and the condition of the finish is shown in several gallery photos below. The seller states the driver’s side door sills have been repainted. The 500E featured a wider track and lower ride height than other W124 models. Factory 16″ 8-hole wheels are mounted with Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires. The included Carfax report shows no accidents or other damage.​

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The interior is finished in Anthracite Black leather and features heated seats with memory on the driver’s side, a power-adjustable steering column, and a powered sliding sunroof. The 6-digit odometer shows approximately 109k miles. The 5.0L M119 V8 is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission and was originally rated at 322 horsepower with 354 lb-ft of torque. Recent service included an oil and filter change as well as repair of the brakes and rear shocks.​

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The sale includes factory literature as well as a collection of detailed service records totaling approximately $40k from new according to the seller. The window sticker shows factory colors, equipment, and a total price of over $82k.​

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[TerryA]

Re: 1992 500E, Silver/Black,109kmi, BAT Auction (Excelsior, MN)

From looking at the pics on my I-phone 6 it looks to be a nice car. It looks pretty original. Interior looks good from what I can tell. I see no rust on the topside. If it’s a rust bucket it’s pretty well hidden. None in the door jambs. Maybe it spent winters in the garage.

The Seller appears to be a (3rd Owner) Dealer. I would assume it has a reserve on it.

I think if it sells it will go for a Batshit crackpipe price unless somebody brings up some dirt on it or proves it’s a rust bucket.

I’m with Robert and Jlaa and would like to see pics of the hidden stuff and the undercarriage.

 

[ace10]

Re: 1992 500E, Silver/Black,109kmi, BAT Auction (Excelsior, MN)

Looks like this one will be a decent pace car for ntreprid's 036 in VA and wf758's car in TX.

 

[gsxr]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Silver/Black, 109kmi, BAT Auction (Excelsior, MN)

Looks nice overall, although the interior (front seats, etc) seem to have a bit more wear than I'd expect from a lower-mile garaged car.

Bummer the (NLA) rear bumper inserts are missing, at least on the passenger side. Is that overspray I see in that area? Maybe there was more repainted than the driver door sills?

DEFINITELY need undercarriage photos, although with that huge stack of LOF papers (mostly with 10W-30, d'oh) I don't think the usual BaT buyers will even care.

 

[Jlaa]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Silver/Black, 109kmi, BAT Auction (Excelsior, MN)

I asked about the condition of the battery well under the metal battery tray, the spare tire well sans spare tire, the lower wiring harness, and the engine/transmission mounts.

So far the seller has since responded to other questions raised after my own, but not those which I asked. Hopefully the seller gets around to addressing these questions as the car really does look very very sharp from the top side!!

 

[maw1124]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Silver/Black, 109kmi, BAT Auction (Excelsior, MN)

Bummer the (NLA) rear bumper inserts are missing, at least on the passenger side...

What are these bumper inserts?

maw

P.S. never mind, I see. That’s a level of detail I haven’t paid to my car. I don’t even know if they’re there. I guess it’s because I’m not throwing melted rubber up that way constantly...

 

[Jlaa]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Silver/Black, 109kmi, BAT Auction (Excelsior, MN)

I wish the seller luck. It certainly looks really impressive from the topside photographs and the huge stack of receipts is impressive.
However, the seller is not being as responsive as top-shelf-BAT sellers typically are.

I was reading Ntrepid's guide to being an awesome BaT seller ---- and this seller has not met all the criteria unfortunately. For example

- He was asked multiple times about whether both upper and lower wiring harnesses were done. He answered that the wiring was done (a bit vague) --- maybe he doesn't know.
- He was asked for undercarriage photos, which were not supplied
- When asked for rear spare tire well photos, the photos he supplied were tiny and grainy
- He did provide two driving videos, kudos to him --- but those videos were driving at parking lot speeds (10 mph) w/o any impression of how the car runs through the gears.

It might be that the car is really a stellar example, but the salesmanship is lacking. That would be a shame, because if the car is really a stellar example, then I hope it gets all the money. I'm a big fan of that adage "you are buying the seller's reputation" or something like that...

 

[ZombieBranz]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Silver/Black, 109kmi, BAT Auction (Excelsior, MN)

i’m gonna take a guess and say the silver one doesn’t sell.

 

[msq]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Silver/Black, 109kmi, BAT Auction (Excelsior, MN)

Just sold for $37,500....almost 40K with buyers fee

 

[ace10]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Silver/Black, 109kmi, BAT Auction (Excelsior, MN)

BaTshit crazy. As is the norm for that venue.

 

[ZombieBranz]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Silver/Black, 109kmi, BAT Auction (Excelsior, MN)

Well I was wrong on that call lol. Didn’t seem like much banter in the comments and seller didn’t do themselves much of a favor with some of the pics and lack of details but still a strong finish.

 

[Ntrepid]

The videos were Francis Ford Coppola epic.


Robert

 

[msq]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Silver/Black, 109kmi, BAT Auction (Excelsior, MN)

Didn’t seem like much banter in the comments and seller didn’t do themselves much of a favor with some of the pics and lack of details but still a strong finish.

Agreed, I didn't see that coming either

 

[Jlaa]

The videos were Francis Ford Coppola epic.


Robert

hahaaha. I think the seller left a few shekels on the table. An Ntrepid style marketing job probably would have yielded an even higher transaction price. ‘Twas quite exciting!

 

[Maui]

Wow, seems like a lot for that car!

 

[TTG]

Wonder how much the black one with Euro Headlights (BTW, another black one just got listed) will sell for.

 

[ace10]

Wonder how much the black one with Euro Headlights (BTW, another black one just got listed) will sell for.

That car belongs to wf758, a member of this forum:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1992-mercedes-benz-500e-14/

https://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10262

 

[Bogeyman]

It's back to BAT...

1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E

Bid for the chance to own a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #190,321.

bringatrailer.com

1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E

This 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E was delivered new to Johnson Autohaus Ltd. of St. Paul, Minnesota, and it was acquired by the current owner [for $38k] on BaT in October 2018 from its previous owner of 23 years. Finished in Brilliant Silver Metallic over black leather upholstery, the car is powered by a 5.0L V8 mated with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes 16″ eight-hole alloy wheels, a power sunroof, fog lights, Automatic Slip Control, automatic climate control, a Becker cassette stereo, heated power-adjustable front seats, and cruise control. This W124 500E shows 111k miles and is now offered on dealer consignment with a window sticker, owner’s manuals, service records, a tool kit, a Carfax report, and a clean Washington title.

The 500E was assembled by Porsche and featured wheel arch flares, revised bodywork, and a lower ride height when compared to other W124 models. This example is finished in Brilliant Silver Metallic (744) with gray lower cladding and features include headlights with washers and wipers as well as integrated fog lights, a retractable antenna, and a power sunroof. The Carfax report lists damage reported in an October 2017 entry, though no additional information is available. Paint chips are visible on the front end, evidence of paintwork is noted on the right quarter panel, and photos of paint meter readings are viewable in the gallery below.

The 16″ eight-hole alloy wheels are mounted with 225/55 Continental ExtremeContract DWS 06 Plus tires that were installed in March 2025. The car is equipped with Automatic Slip Control (ASR). Braking is handled by four-wheel ventilated discs. The rear hydraulic shock absorbers are said to have been replaced under previous ownership. The selling dealer notes that the self-leveling suspension fluid was evacuated and changed, and the brake fluid and power steering fluid were flushed in preparation for the sale.

The cabin features heated power-adjustable front seats upholstered in black leather along with a color-coordinated lower dashboard, door panels, and carpeting. Wood veneer trim accents the interior, and amenities include automatic climate control, a Becker cassette stereo, a power-adjustable steering column, dual front airbags, and cruise control. The left door sills were repainted under previous ownership. Cracks are noted in the trim finish above the hazard switch and the center console window switches, and the rear portion of the headliner is loose.

The four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel frames a 160-mph speedometer, a tachometer with a 6k-rpm redline, an analog clock, and gauges for oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The six-digit odometer shows 111k miles, approximately 2,600 of which were added under current ownership.

The 5.0-liter M119 DOHC V8 was factory rated at 322 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. The main engine wiring harness is said to have been replaced at approximately 81k miles, and the fuel pressure regulator, injectors, and seals were replaced in 2017, per the selling dealer. The oil was changed and the coolant was flushed in March 2025.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission that was serviced in March 2025. Additional photos of the underside condition are presented in the gallery.

The window sticker lists initial delivery to Johnson Autohaus Ltd. of St. Paul, Minnesota, as well as factory colors, options, equipment, and a total suggested retail price of $82,150. Manufacturer’s literature, a tool roll, and service records will accompany the car. The Carfax report shows the aforementioned damage entry.

 

[gsxr]

More pics.

 

[gsxr]

That underside looks ROUGH. The initial concerns by @Ntrepid seven years ago were fully justified. Kudos to the seller for putting it on a lift and fully disclosing the condition (via photos).

 

[gsxr]

Did anyone subscribe to comments before this got posted? I'm curious any time a comment is deleted...

 

[dasboshi]

ooooh - is the underbody something a dryice treatment could fix?

 

[gsxr]

ooooh - is the underbody something a dryice treatment could fix?

Nope.

 

[dasboshi]

welpp. time to continue my search... haha

 

[JwashE]

Would be fun to get a punch list for this one..

 

[gsxr]

Cracks me up seeing all the paint meter readings, when there's this much brown underneath... just imagine what you can't see in the photos.

 

[Bogeyman]

Maybe we should develop "rust meter readings"?

 

[TimL]

Maybe we should develop "rust meter readings"?

 

[JwashE]

What do we think this thing is actually worth?

 

[maw1124]

The same $40k it was always worth.

maw

 

[duuder]

Cracks me up seeing all the paint meter readings, when there's this much brown underneath... just imagine what you can't see in the photos.

 

[gsxr]

What do we think this thing is actually worth?

Value highly depends on your rust tolerance. I wouldn't have touched this with an eleven-foot pole. Maybe if it was free. Nor'east residents are made of tougher stuff and might not mind every fastener underneath welded together by corrosion.

$39k high bid, $41k with fees, figure $45k+ including T/T/T/T.

The first few very high opening bids, all within hours of the listing getting posted, were odd.

$39,000 bid placed by CarCrazy76
$38,500 bid placed by jklf
$34,250 bid placed by LudjakR1
$33,000 bid placed by jimkole123
$32,500 bid placed by eddiemax
$30,000 bid placed by amalespin
$27,777 bid placed by AdamsPolishes

 

[duuder]

Did anyone subscribe to comments before this got posted? I'm curious any time a comment is deleted...

Probably something along the lines of spitting facts

 

[duuder]

Value highly depends on your rust tolerance. I wouldn't have touched this with an eleven-foot pole. Maybe if it was free. Nor'east residents are made of tougher stuff and might not mind every fastener underneath welded together by corrosion.

$39k high bid, $41k with fees, figure $45k+ including T/T/T/T.

The first few very high opening bids, all within hours of the listing getting posted, were odd.

$39,000 bid placed by CarCrazy76
$38,500 bid placed by jklf
$34,250 bid placed by LudjakR1
$33,000 bid placed by jimkole123
$32,500 bid placed by eddiemax
$30,000 bid placed by amalespin
$27,777 bid placed by AdamsPolishes

Forty-Five thousand dollars... I guess that's a good thing considering market conditions. You're 100% right with nor'east cars, they live a hard life and you can tell from underneath

 

[dasboshi]

Cracks me up seeing all the paint meter readings, when there's this much brown underneath... just imagine what you can't see in the photos.



View attachment 213347

That looks worse than my 3rd Gen 4Runner that spent most of its life in the NorthEast...

 

[sheward]

It's difficult to judge rust from a picture. But no one wants it. The other issue is lack of any real mechanical repairs at that mileage.

 

[maw1124]

The other issue is lack of any real mechanical repairs at that mileage.

That's a good point @sheward ... at 92k mine has an encyclopedia of work done with parts that can no longer be found... 32 years is 32 years, whether MA, CA or FL... but in all those places rust is no bueno.

maw

 

[duuder]

That looks worse than my 3rd Gen 4Runner that spent most of its life in the NorthEast...

this car got good money for what it looked like underneath, so... did the previous owner leave the car outside for the 7 years or did the first bat owner did that?

i'm going to assume the latter hence the lack of photos

 

[gerryvz]

Nobody is going to take the time and effort to eradicate that much rust. And that's only what you CAN see. Normally with rust, there is 3-4x the amount of rust lurking unseen, than is typically visible. "Tip of the iceberg" type of situation.

Thus....IMHO......

Rolling parts car.

For $40K in today's market, you can get ONE HELL of an E500E. I would be HAPPY to sell mine for that much, right now.

 

[steve h]

And my totally rust free E500 , a California car is only at $27000. Yes, it has got more miles, but the engine is perfect. I don't understand buying a rust bucket......

 

[duuder]

If we're all selling, im selling too