FOR SALE 1992 500E, Spruce Green/Cream-Beige, 117kmi, $20k - SALVAGE (San Bruno, CA)

[gsxr]

Oh wow. Interesting that CarFax picked up a total loss in 2007 that is completely missing from the AutoCheck report.

I still think this is strictly a parts car or TrackRat candidate.

 

[T0Pnotch55]

Oh wow. Interesting that CarFax picked up a total loss in 2007 that is completely missing from the AutoCheck report.

I still think this is strictly a parts car or TrackRat candidate.

the seller says it has fresh paint but it doesn’t look like fresh to me, looks like a cheap paint job

 

[gsxr]

the seller says it has fresh paint but it doesn’t look like fresh to me, looks like a cheap paint job

Photos in the current ad are terrible. If interested, ask for pictures in SUNLIGHT, on all sides of the car, especially the front passenger fender. And, photos of the front passenger side under the hood where the accident damage is. Better yet, a long walkaround video. The seller should disclose the accident damage willingly, if not, expect the worst. If you are anywhere in CA, go see it in person.

 

[T0Pnotch55]

Photos in the current ad are terrible. If interested, ask for pictures in SUNLIGHT, on all sides of the car, especially the front passenger fender. And, photos of the front passenger side under the hood where the accident damage is. Better yet, a long walkaround video. The seller should disclose the accident damage willingly, if not, expect the worst. If you are anywhere in CA, go see it in person.

i contacted the seller on FB but he is not very responsive, it looks like the car is located at a shop that does oil change and stuff, i don’t have much hopes that the seller will do any photos or walk around video

 

[Bogeyman]

Seller could resurrect Ansel Adams to take pictures and I still would have to see this one in person.

 

[T0Pnotch55]

Oh wow. Interesting that CarFax picked up a total loss in 2007 that is completely missing from the AutoCheck report.

I still think this is strictly a parts car or TrackRat candidate.

how is it possible to have a clean title when carfax shows total loss? unless its a washed title

 

[fredtga]

$20k is not that bad, most likely he'll take around $17.5-18k.

These haven't been popping up that much lately at salvage/insurance auctions, but when they do, even those crashed ones sell for over $10k+fees.
Even when you check the used parts prices for these cars, the $20k price tag is not that far fetched.

For that price and state, the title branding is not that important anymore in my opinion. Being on a Montana plate at the moment, yes, possible that the title was washed. One thing to keep in mind that if anyone wants to re-register it in California, DMV might pick up on its history and be required for a safety inspection plus smog (of course) and will be issued a salvaged title.

 

[T0Pnotch55]

$20k is not that bad, most likely he'll take around $17.5-18k.
These haven't been popping up that much lately at salvage/insurance auctions, but when they do, even those crashed ones sell for over $10k+fees.
Even when you check the used parts prices for these cars, the $20k price tag is not that far fetched.
For that price and state, the title branding is not that important anymore in my opinion. Being on a Montana plate at the moment, yes, possible that the title was washed. One thing to keep in mind that if anyone wants to re-register it in California, DMV might pick up on its history and be required for a safety inspection plus smog (of course) and will be issued a salvaged title.

not just california, you are risking that in most states, washing title is illegal, also the gap on prices between parts and drivebale cars is very wierd on this specific car, from
parts side of things parts are some what rare/difficoult to find but from car aspect of things the price is calculated based on a well functioning and driving car, in my opinion you cant really compare car for parts price vs car for driving price

 

[Otrebla49]

Wild ballpark, somewhere in mid-teens? All body panels are present, which are pretty valuable. Still, this is basically a driveable parts car, or TrackRat® candidate. Absolutely not worth restoring, IMO. Could also sell to Eastern Europe where it would be patched up and sold as a clean, rust-free, low-mile car for probably crazy monies, praying the buyers never Google the VIN.

Well Dave, I happened to google the VIN - and surprise.. someone already put your suggested 'business plan' (up-pricing by means of 'washing title' for Eastern Europe) in motion..

Look at this other 'FB' (or Plant-Based) post - which is came as a result while searching the VIN!

Same car, but written in Polish (AND + $10k asking price!) ‍ -

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Also sellers/posters are different person(-s, okay people) from what I saw (for EN new profile from 2025 on FB - latter for PL since 2023!)

Let's open the popcorn bag and sit back tonight then..!

Alberto

Ps. Somebody seemed to desperately want to obtain the security code for its radio head unit back in 2015 - while the 500E still was half-destroyed (and that same person maybe wanting to buy/sell the actual car simultaneously, from what I read at beginning of this thread..!?)

 

[gsxr]

The best part is below.



Also, "pifcat2" is a guy named Felix on other MB forums. Wonder if he still owns the car or if it's a different person now.

 

[Otrebla49]

Also saw that hilarious text added below the phone# and jiggled while eye-rolling at once... - in German this would be called 'bedingt fahrbereit' when advertising, which translates into 'partially roadworthy (ready-to-drive)

 

[T0Pnotch55]

it so frustrating when these cars are ending up in the wrong hands and when they put it up for sale they will do anything just to turn up a quick buck

 

[T0Pnotch55]

Well Dave, I happened to google the VIN - and surprise.. someone already put your suggested 'business plan' (up-pricing by means of 'washing title' for Eastern Europe) in motion..

Look at this other 'FB' (or Plant-Based) post - which is came as a result while searching the VIN!

Same car, but written in Polish (AND + $10k asking price!) ‍ -

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

Also sellers/posters are different person(-s, okay people) from what I saw (for EN new profile from 2025 on FB - latter for PL since 2023!)

Let's open the popcorn bag and sit back tonight then..!

Alberto

Ps. Somebody seemed to desperately want to obtain the security code for its radio head unit back in 2015 - while the 500E still was half-destroyed (and that same person maybe wanting to buy/sell the actual car simultaneously, from what I read at beginning of this thread..!?)

on the positive side of things, everything is already recoded here so whoever buys the car and doesn’t do due diligence will be in for a surprise