SOLD 1993 500E, Pearl Black/Cream-Beige, 178kmi, $50K (San Francisco, CA)

[NiceVibrationandHarshness]

Hello Folks,

Selling a car I hope will stay in this community: this is a '93 I bought off John Calvert (@rocketeer performance on this board) via BAT back in 2021. John was a very active member on this board and kept very good care of this car (and drove it!). I have done my best to do the same. I wanted to offer it here first in case its the right car for one of you.

VIN: WDBEA36E7PB917716

Datacard: Mercedes VIN Decoder | Decode Your Mercedes-Benz VIN

Bring a Trailer listing (from 2021- when I purchased the car from John)
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1993-mercedes-benz-500e-38/


Key repairs since I bought the car from John (see spreadsheet for documentation of repairs):

-new front wheel bearings​

-SL600 front brake calipers​

-new OEM radiator​

-repaired throttle body/shift position sensor​

Note: I replaced the 18" multipiece AMG wheels with real (from Mercedes Classic) 17" EVO 2s. You all can debate if that was the worst decision ever; but I like the more understated look of the these, much to John's chagrin.

Link to driving video: https://youtu.be/AiRcMDJibp0?si=ZHhuSMjc4ig1IEmG


This car gets a LOT of compliments for how well preserved it is for a driver example. Please let me know if you have questions or would like to come drive the car. It's located in San Francisco.

I have more photos and a spreadsheet of more details I can send to potential buyers (but I've hit my photo limit for this post).

Selling because I bought this car to get myself through a long knee surgery and rehab period where I couldn't drive a manual (and my girlfriend could take me to appointments etc.). Happy to chat with anyone interested about the car, the work that's been done to it, who did the work etc.


Thanks! - Sean

 

[NiceVibrationandHarshness]

Sorry folks! @RocketeerPerformance just pointed out a very glaring error on my part: this car has been "mostly California owned"- here is the Carfax. It was purchased in Massachusetts in '93, then went to California in '96. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[TimL]

Your car looks really neat with the Evos!

Shame you’re letting the car go though

 

[NiceVibrationandHarshness]

Thanks @TimL ! And thanks for updating the listing @gsxr! I love this car; but I only have a 1 car garage and really want a manual/sports car again. I'm definitely new to the 500E; but thankfully have lots of knowledgeable friends/friends of friends here in the Bay Area to be a good steward of the car. Would love anyone interested to come see and drive it.

 

[NiceVibrationandHarshness]

The car just got accepted to BAT since there were no serious takers here. Let me know if anyone has questions. Happy bidding to anyone interested!

 

[gsxr]

The car just got accepted to BAT since there were no serious takers here. Let me know if anyone has questions. Happy bidding to anyone interested!

It can take months for the right buyer to find the classified here (or elsewhere). BaT will reach a wider audience but the right buyer still has to find you during the 7-day window. Hopefully, BaT didn't demand an unreasonably low reserve, as they seem to have been doing moreso since Hearst bought them out a few years back.

GLWS, the car looks sharp!

 

[NiceVibrationandHarshness]

Thanks so much @gsxr. You've always been so helpful here and on BAT. Yeah, I figured BAT would just move the process along since it's already been there (but also wanted to give any board members a shot first). BAT gave me a reasonable reserve, probably since the car has already been on the site?

 

[Dario]

The car just got accepted to BAT since there were no serious takers here. Let me know if anyone has questions. Happy bidding to anyone interested!

Well I hope BAT will give you reserve. BAT has not been hot for 500E’s generally especially lately. They just sold 95K miles clean 500E for $29000.

 

[NiceVibrationandHarshness]

I did get a reserve @Dario . So we will see...

 

[MK500]

Nice car. Is that a wine bottle holder on the passenger side of the center console?
If so, very cool.

 

[gsxr]

On BaHaT:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1993-mercedes-benz-500e-62/

This 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 mated to a replacement four-speed automatic transmission, and it is finished in Black Pearl Metallic over beige leather. The car rides on 17″ six-spoke alloy wheels and is equipped with Eisenmann exhaust-system components, a power sunroof, headlight wipers, and heated and power-adjustable front seats as well as automatic climate control, cruise control, and an aftermarket head unit and speakers. The seller acquired the car on BaT in May 2021 and subsequent work involved repairing vacuum leaks, overhauling the cooling system, and replacing the front-right steering knuckle and hub assembly along with the sunroof cables and the front brake pads and rotors. This W124 500E shows 177k miles and is now offered with a service summary spreadsheet, a Carfax report, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.

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 Black Pearl Metallic with beige pinstripes and gray lower-body cladding. Additional exterior details include a hood ornament, a power sunroof, headlight wipers, fog lights, and a power antenna. The Carfax report contains a March 2021 entry describing “minor damage” with no further information provided. The left-side doors and rear fender were repainted under previous ownership along with the right-side A-pillar, right-rear door, left-side mirror housing, and headlight trim. The sunroof cables were replaced in October 2023, however, the glass panel occasionally requires manual assistance to close. The front recovery hook cover is missing.

Silver-finished 17″ six-spoke alloy wheels are mounted with 245/45 Michelin Pilot Sport All Season tires. A self-leveling suspension and brakes sourced from a 600SL model are said to have been installed. The front-right steering knuckle, hub, and wheel bearing were replaced in February 2021 along with the front brake pads and rotors. The power steering pump was replaced in February 2023.

The cabin houses heated and power-adjustable front seats upholstered in beige leather that extends to the rear bench, center console, and door panels. Burl wood trim accents the interior, and amenities include automatic climate control, cruise control, and an aftermarket head unit and speakers. The blower motor was replaced in 2020 and the headliner and door pockets were replaced in 2021. Sound only comes through the right-side channel intermittently and the trunk-mounted switch for the power windows functions occasionally. The power-operated rear sunshade is inoperative.

The four-spoke steering wheel wears an aftermarket leather wrap and fronts VDO instrumentation that consists of a 160-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, an analog clock, and gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature, and oil pressure. The six-digit odometer shows 177k miles, approximately 13k of which were added by the seller. The trip meter and potentiometer were repaired in 2020.

The 5.0-liter M119 V8 was factory-rated at 322 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. An ECU sourced from a 1992 model has been installed and work under current ownership included repairing vacuum leaks and replacing the radiator, thermostat, coolant level sensor, and various coolant hoses. An oil change was most recently carried out in October 2023. The seller notes that moisture collects inside the distributor cap and rotor assemblies and recommends replacing those parts.

A replacement four-speed automatic transmission was installed in June 2015 by Smythe European of San Jose, California. The exhaust system has been fitted with a Time Valve stainless steel Y-pipe and an Eisenmann rear section. The neutral safety switch was replaced and the transmission fluid was changed in October 2023. The seller notes that the transmission disengages second gear when cold. The Carfax report contains the aforementioned 2021 entry noting damage. The California title is a duplicate.

 

[gsxr]

@NiceVibrationandHarshness - what does this mean?

"...transmission disengages second gear when cold..."

 

[MK500]

The driving video shows this. He is very clear about it in the video, pointing it out.

 

[gsxr]

The driving video shows this. He is very clear about it in the video, pointing it out.

Not everyone watches videos. Just curious about the 2nd gear issue, as "disengages" is an unusual adjective - I interpret this as a false neutral (which is not good!) but assume it means something else. I'll check out the video when I have more time.

 

[a777fan]

The driving video shows this. He is very clear about it in the video, pointing it out.

Not everyone watches videos. Just curious about the 2nd gear issue, as "disengages" is an unusual adjective - I interpret this as a false neutral (which is not good!) but assume it means something else. I'll check out the video when I have more time.

I watched the video and am still confused by the description given. I think it flares going from 1-2 when cold.

That said these things should start in 2 at all times unless it has FGS or the shift lever is in ‘B’, right?

 

[gsxr]

I watched the video and am still confused by the description given. I think it flares going from 1-2 when cold.

Ah, that makes more sense. A part-throttle flare can often be fixed with either a modulator adjustment, and/or stiffer springs for the affected shift.

That said these things should start in 2 at all times unless it has FGS or the shift lever is in ‘B’, right?

Correct! Or, if you mash the pedal from a stop it will drop to 1st.

 

[gsxr]

RNM, high bid $22k... dang! Mostly bottom feeders:

 

[Dario]

Man 500E sales got COOOOLD might as well keep them at this point. They are in 400E/E420 price range now

 

[gerryvz]

Yep...toughest market in many years IMHO. But that is going to change in a good direction end of this year. Reduction(s) in interest rates will also help....

 

[NiceVibrationandHarshness]

Hello 500E Board. Just wanted to let folks here know that my 500E is still for sale. Originally listed here at a much higher price, now significantly discounted given the current market and feedback from a reserve not met auction on BAT. That BAT auction had high bidders with very new profiles (who never sent me any messages during or after the auction)- so I decided to just hold on to it for a while (and work got busy).

But able to show the car again now to anyone interested. Here is the original link to my 500E board listing (only a few hundred miles have been added since, no other service or issues since). It's a fantastic car that, I hope, will go to the right home.

The car is in San Francisco. Let me know if you are interested or have any questions.

 

[NiceVibrationandHarshness]

Hello 500E Board. Just wanted to let folks here know that my 500E is still for sale. Originally listed here at a much higher price, now significantly discounted given the current market and feedback from a reserve not met auction on BAT. That BAT auction had high bidders with very new profiles (who never sent me any messages during or after the auction)- so I decided to just hold on to it for a while (and work got busy).

But able to show the car again now to anyone interested. Here is the original link to my 500E board listing (only a few hundred miles have been added since, no other service or issues since). It's a fantastic car that, I hope, will go to the right home.

The car is in San Francisco. Let me know if you are interested or have any questions.

And meant to say big thanks to @gsxr for putting an interested buyer in touch. Much appreciated!

 

[Siebenthal]

Just sent you a DM in regards to your car.

I am located in San Francisco as well!

Thank you!

 

[yevgenievich]

Hello, I would be interested but would have to work out shipping. If others pass, please let me know

 

[NiceVibrationandHarshness]

@gsxr - Not sure what happened with this listing; but I did not repost this car for sale on Friday. A few weeks ago I reposted the car here for $25K- and got a few responses. But the car did sell this weekend locally. I was at a car show in Marin and ran into Jason Cammisa, who referred me to a friend of his looking for a 500e. So the car is staying in San Francisco! - and in the hands of a great owner with several other Mercedes of this era @RocketeerPerformance

 

[gsxr]

Congrats on the sale! I think someone (xfadmin?) merged your separate thread into this one since it was for the same car - not positive though. Hopefully you got your current asking price for it!

 

[NiceVibrationandHarshness]

Ah, thanks @gsxr . Not quite...$22,500 if you want to include that in your tracker. But as we messaged about, it's a soft market right now. Just glad it went to a fellow enthusiast who appreciated it's condition and will drive it consistently.