SOLD 1994 E500 Limited, Sapphire Black/Black/Gray, $140k (California)

[CA E500LTD]

Sold on BaT for $85k plus fees, see post #45 below.

Up for sale is my 1994 E500 Limited with sapphire black (009U) paint over black/gray leather (288) and wood finish in black bird's eye maple (732). Current mileage is 85,258m/137510km. The vehicle is currently sitting on AMG Monoblock 18" wheels but comes with original 17" light allow wheels EVO - design (658), including the spare. Service receipts from Japan and the US accompany the vehicle, along with the original tools and manuals in both English and Japanese. The original radio head which connects to the disc changer in the trunk also comes with the vehicle but a bluetooth option is currently installed. Also included is one original key. Runs perfect and the drive - well if you know.

Vehicle was recently ceramic coated and everything works from the clock to the seat heaters. Imported from Japan in 2024 and currently sitting on a Montana Title.

VIN = WDB1240361C144479

Asking price is $139,500.

 

[gsxr]

Previous sale information at this link.

Car went from Germany to Japan, eventually ended up in Poland, and was recently imported from Poland to USA. Unless maybe it went from Poland back to Japan and then to USA? New cluster housing looks much better.

GLWS, and welcome to the forum!

 

[Otrebla49]

Welcome to the forum too @CA E500LTD

Previous sale information

Only adding infos about how previous auction ended in 2023/24:

https://www.classic.com/a/collecting-cars-auctions-e45zAkn/lots/1994-mercedes-benz-e500-limited-nBOA3ZW

GLWS!
Alberto

 

[gerryvz]

LoooL ... seller joined in September 2025. This is just his first post.

 

[CA E500LTD]

True on both fronts - didn't know about the site before then but lots of good information and members

 

[036]

Asking price is $139,500.

Is that a joke?

 

[cascade]

EUR 75,000 (USD $88,500) to USD $140,000 does seem like just a small uplift.

Can you detail out the work that's been done to the car since acquisition, to justify the price?

Perhaps the ceramic coating you had applied, is using 24K gold dust?

 

[Bogeyman]

Maybe he's from the future???

 

[CA E500LTD]

Come check it out if you are interested - replaced cluster, refinished all the wood trim, installed new hydrolic accumulators, sourced correct euro headlight lenses, resprayed both front and rear bumper, repaired and refinished bolsters, engine service (replaced distributor rotors, valve cover gaskets, rubber booth, electronic throttle body, throttle body hoses, replaced vacuum hoses, etc)

Only 18k gold dusk for the ceramic but feel free to make an offer.

 

[gerryvz]

That $140K is an asking price, correct?

Are you a dealer?

 

[CA E500LTD]

Not a dealer

 

[gsxr]

Come check it out if you are interested - replaced cluster, refinished all the wood trim, installed new hydrolic accumulators, sourced correct euro headlight lenses, resprayed both front and rear bumper, repaired and refinished bolsters, engine service (replaced distributor rotors, valve cover gaskets, rubber booth, electronic throttle body, throttle body hoses, replaced vacuum hoses, etc)

The headlight lenses do appear to be correct E500, but are for LHT (Left Hand Traffic)... UK / Japan / Australia.

Are the headlights themselves original Mercedes or Hella? Or are they Depo headlights with E500 lenses?

 

[CA E500LTD]

Hella headlights - thanks for asking

 

[cascade]

500Eboard PunchList™

1. Car’s lower cladding and bumper inserts have been repainted
2. Significantly creased leather in rear seat side bolsters
3. Seatbelt release buttons are somewhat faded to a reddish-pinkish hue
4. Original/stock Becker radio has been replaced with modern Continental unit; CD changer installed in factory location in trunk — still operational?
5. Significant dirt & detritus in spare tire well. Trunk area needs thorough cleaning
6. Odd, non-factory red sticker pasted on fuse box cover underhood
7. Windshield wiper mechanism/hinge cover significantly faded to gray
8. Incorrect (diesel-specific W124) hood pad installed
9. SLS fluid tank badly yellowed; circular sticker turned to brown
10. Appears to have headlight lenses for left-hand-drive countries
11. Tools in factory toolkit badly corroded / oxidized
12. Pattern of Limited leather on steering wheel is badly gouged and worn
13. Driver’s seat outer side bolster shows significant wear; has creasing and beginnings of a hole in the seam/stitching
14. Car’s sunroof appears to be significantly mis-adjusted, and shows as sunken in photos
15. “E500” badge on trunk positioned significantly lower than in factory position
16. Car has Montana registration yet shows California plates. Per California law, Montana registration is patently illegal***
17. Driver’s side edge of rear windscreen showing delamination along edge
18. Odd indentation or rectangular pattern on top of front seat folding armrest lid
19. Passenger-side front edge of center-console rolltop compartment has gouges out of MB-Tex covering
20. "Mercedes-Benz Product” windshield sticker was only used on US-market cars; was not originally installed by factory on this car
21. Incorrect (significantly too short) and chromed lug bolts used on car
22. Car is missing originally equipped factory fire extinguisher under front of driver’s seat
23. Original equipment MB Evo II wheels have been replaced with AMG Monoblock II wheels
24. Exhaust system has been replaced with non-factory system
25. Car’s original wood veneer color/pattern has been changed/replaced with a darker, more bland pattern
26. Odd whitish sticker remnant on plastic radiator cover

cc: @The Emperor
For $140K, I would expect ZERO flaws, not to mention very very low mileage.


*** It is illegal by California law to keep a Montana registration on a vehicle, if your primary residence is in California; if the car is kept and used mostly in California; and if you claim that Montana (or a sham Montana-based LLC) is the real registration state to avoid California taxes and DMV fees. California can pursue back taxes, penalties, fines and other enforcement if it finds you should have registered a vehicle there.

 

[The Emperor]

 

[gerryvz]

Not a dealer

Your assertion appears incorrect, given the notation on the license plate.


This now connects the dots, with regard to the near 2x uplift on the price as noted by @cascade. Classic flipper-dealer tactic.


You could have your dealer license yanked for breaking California law regarding registration of the vehicle, unless it (and you) are currently physically residing in the state of Montana.

 

[CA E500LTD]

Perfectly legal and no laws being broken for a car to sit on a wholesale dealer plate but thanks for the input

 

[gerryvz]

Word for the wise: people who blatantly lie on this forum, especially dealers who try to pass themselves off as ordinary sellers, are not particularly respected nor treated well here. For this car, we have documented history that extends well before your ownership.

Anyone buying this car from you, will likely Google the VIN and come across this thread, so they can see what and where the car is and has been, what it previously sold for, and what type of person they are dealing with.

 

[CA E500LTD]

Sunroof was not completely shut during the photos (as it is often open due to terrific weather) and the original EVO II wheels (a photo of which was included) are included with the vehicle

 

[CA E500LTD]

Word for the wise: people who blatantly lie on this forum, especially dealers who try to pass themselves off as ordinary sellers, are not particularly respected nor treated well here. For this car, we have documented history that extends well before your ownership.

Anyone buying this car from you, will likely Google the VIN and come across this thread, so they can see what and where the car is and has been, what it previously sold for, and what type of person they are dealing with.

Thanks for your input - more than half the licenses issued in California are wholesale licenses which are not dealers

 

[gerryvz]

Wholesale dealers cannot technically sell vehicles in their inventory, to the general public. They can only sell to other dealers.

Retail dealers (also who have dealer plates) can sell both to other dealers and to the general public.

So, why are you offering this car here on this site, for sale, when California law states very clearly, that wholesale dealers can ONLY sell to other dealers? You are advertising the car here to a "general public" audience. Dealers don't typically buy cars through this site.

Again, if you were to sell the car to a member of the general public here, or anywhere else, that is abuse of the wholeseale dealer plate and a clear violation of California law. Your "everybody's doing it" statement doesn't hold water. Advertising this car as a wholesale dealer to the general public is ethically shady, at very best.

 

[gerryvz]

more than half the licenses issued in California are wholesale licenses which are not dealers

And this statement is also a lie -- complete and utter bullshit.

If a California wholesale plate is not a dealer plate, then why does it have "DLR" on the left-hand side of the plate?

California DMV issues tens of millions of vehicle license plates annually (31 million issued in 2024).
Dealer/wholesale plates number in the tens of thousands, since they are tied directly to dealer inventory and dealer licensing.
It's very very easy to posit that (retail+wholesale) dealer plates issued annually would be WAY under 1% of total California plates in circulation.

 

[CA E500LTD]

More than half the dealer licenses issued are wholesale licenses - my apologies if you thought I was referencing license plates - wholesale dealers will use a retail person if needed to complete the transaction with a private party. I believe you referred to that as "cannot technically sell to the general public." Nothing nefarious or illegal. Wholesale dealers are also issued "DLR" plates. Not a single statement is a lie or otherwise but I understand you want to warn the general public about what you think is a shady or unethical seller/person.

The car is fantastic and I think the opinion of some on here that it is way overpriced has been made but willing to answer any questions. If it does not sell I get to enjoy it.

 

[Bogeyman]

Maybe you picked the wrong audience.

 

[CA E500LTD]

You are not incorrect

 

[PHK]

The headlight lenses do appear to be correct E500, but are for LHT (Left Hand Traffic)... UK / Japan / Australia.

Are the headlights themselves original Mercedes or Hella? Or are they Depo headlights with E500 lenses?

Those Hellas in LHT are very rare if not NLA in the UK. But maybe not enough to support the asking price.

 

[gsxr]

Now on BaHaT, listed by West Coast Dean (aka "Wob").

1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 Limited

Bid for the chance to own a 1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 Limited at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #239,906.

bringatrailer.com

This 1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 is one of 951 Limited models produced worldwide for the model year, and it spent time in Japan and Poland before being imported to the US in 2024 following the current owner’s purchase. Powered by a 5.0-liter M119 V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, the car is finished in Sapphire Black over gray leather upholstery with patterned inserts. Equipment includes 18” AMG Monoblock wheels, a power sunroof, fog lights, a self-leveling rear suspension, Automatic Slip Control, automatic climate control, heated power-adjustable front seats, cruise control, and a Continental head unit with Bluetooth connectivity. This W124 E500 Limited shows 135k kilometers (~84k miles) and is offered in California on dealer consignment with a clean Carfax report and a clean Montana title in the name of the seller’s LLC.

The E500 was designed and produced in collaboration with Porsche, with final assembly completed by Porsche in Stuttgart. This example is finished in Sapphire Black and features matching bumper covers and lower cladding. Additional exterior features include replacement TYC headlights with washers and wipers, integrated fog lights, a retractable antenna, and a power sunroof.

The 18” AMG Monoblock wheels are mounted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires that have 2024 date codes. The car is equipped with Automatic Slip Control (ASR) as well as a self-leveling rear suspension. The E500 featured a wider track and lower ride height when compared with other W124 models, and it shared its front disc brakes with the contemporary R129 SL. The rear hydraulic accumulators were replaced and the oil was changed in 2024.

The heated power-adjustable front seats are upholstered in gray leather with patterned inserts and are complemented by color-coordinated door panels and steering wheel trim. Amenities include automatic climate control, a power-adjustable steering column, cruise control, and a Bluetooth-capable Continental head unit. The right front seat switch was replaced, the interior trim was refinished, and the air conditioning was recharged in 2024.

The four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel frames a 260-km/h 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 135k kilometers (~84k miles). The ignition cylinder was replaced in December 2024.

The 5.0-liter M119 DOHC V8 was factory rated at 322 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque. The spark plugs, distributor rotor, valve cover gasket, and throttle body were replaced in 2024, and a Fleiben cat-back exhaust system was installed at that time.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. The transmission fluid and differential fluid were changed in 2024. The Carfax report is free of accidents or other reported damage from its first entry in June 2024.

The vehicle has not been inspected by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair or Air Resources Board, and it has not passed a California emissions test.

 

[stfallet]

On one of the above pictures there is the non-remote key in the ignition. Does that mean the immobilisation system is removed?

Following the link, why is there a custom build exhaust in there? Or am I mistaking? Further there are many additional small details that don't seem to fit.

I as well find the extra turning lights on the side are not as part of the original specs. Are they a requirement in JP?

I wonder if it was make out of two - one

 

[gsxr]

On one of the above pictures there is the non-remote key in the ignition. Does that mean the immobilisation system is removed?

Did any 036 have immobilisation? I thought it was standard IRCL (remote IR locking). I don't recall any version of DAS / immobilisation offered on the 036, even late production in Europe/ROW.

Following the link, why is there a custom build exhaust in there? Or am I mistaking? Further there are many additional small details that don't seem to fit.

Different catalysts are welded into an original catalyst pipe, and there is a cat-back system with straight pipe into the aftermarket rear muffler. Possibly because all that stuff is NLA now. Description says it's a Fleeeeben cat-back system, which is very nice stuff - not cheap. Search the forum for details on that exhaust.

I as well find the extra turning lights on the side are not as part of the original specs. Are they a requirement in JP?

Fender repeaters were used in a few different countries, and sometimes is added as an "upgrade" to look cool. The previous owner of my E500 added these.

 

[stfallet]

Did any 036 have immobilisation? I thought it was standard IRCL (remote IR locking). I don't recall any version of DAS / immobilisation offered on the 036, even late production in Europe/ROW.



Different catalysts are welded into an original catalyst pipe, and there is a cat-back system with straight pipe into the aftermarket rear muffler. Possibly because all that stuff is NLA now. Description says it's a Fleeeeben cat-back system, which is very nice stuff - not cheap. Search the forum for details on that exhaust.



Fender repeaters were used in a few different countries, and sometimes is added as an "upgrade" to look cool. The previous owner of my E500 added these.

We need to make sure that we don't get lost in translation, sorry in case we do:

We had in the end 80s early 90s a huge issue on car thefts in Germany (can not judge the other markets, but I would assume similar). It was to the extend that the insurance companies started to refuse insuring cars. The agreement was to install an immobilisation device ("Wegfahrsperre") which needed to be TÜV approved. It needed to be with variable code and if I remember correctly to components needed to run the engine.

Daimler decided to install the IR Remote (Code 885), with changing codes to activate or deactivate the immobiliser. See the last line: Anerkannte Wegfahrsperre gemäss AZT/TÜV

 

[gsxr]

Ahhhhh. Could be the immobilisation was just the anti-theft alarm system, which may have disabled the starter. The USA had something similar as of model year 1993. A standard key should still work fine in the ignition cylinder.

True immobilisation is where the key has a chip/transponder that will prevent the ECU from allowing the engine to start (it will crank, but not fire) unless the proper key/chip belonging to that ECU is used. That was phased in on the 210 chassis with ME 1.0, but also some 1995-vintage 140 chassis with LH-SFI. Models with this setup cannot have the ECU swapped without a lot of additional work.

 

[stfallet]

Ahhhhh. Could be the immobilisation was just the anti-theft alarm system, which may have disabled the starter. The USA had something similar as of model year 1993. A standard key should still work fine in the ignition cylinder.

True immobilisation is where the key has a chip/transponder that will prevent the ECU from allowing the engine to start (it will crank, but not fire) unless the proper key/chip belonging to that ECU is used. That was phased in on the 210 chassis with ME 1.0, but also some 1995-vintage 140 chassis with LH-SFI. Models with this setup cannot have the ECU swapped without a lot of additional work.

A standard key only works if you have disabled the immobiliser with the IR Remote beforehand. You can unlock the car through the passenger side, but you will not be able to start it. Unless the immobiliser was disabled beforehand with the IR remote (green light flashing)

I did skip the W210 and only had a W211 again. Here the key had a two stage system. Remote unlocking of the car would not deactivate the immobiliser. The immobiliser would be unlocked an IR communication from the key and ignition lock. Which is basically a modified BMW anti theft system BMW used an induction coil in the ignition lock.

 

[gsxr]

Ah, so the IRCL is needed to enable the starter. Got it. I think this could be bypassed / disabled since there is no connection to the ECU as on later versions.

 

[stfallet]

Ah, so the IRCL is needed to enable the starter. Got it. I think this could be bypassed / disabled since there is no connection to the ECU as on later versions.

I'm not to that depth into the details, but I doubt there is a simple workaround, at least on the German / Swiss (probably all European) models:
1. The E500 was until 1999 the most stolen car in Germany. In 1999 it dropped to gave way to the M5
2. We are talking German engineers. I'm sure they did not do a simple straight forward cheap solution
3. Mercedes had a huge interest to get the theft numbers under control as insurance premiums in certain regions where getting close to 20% p.a. of the list price of the car
4. The CAN-bus allowed a sophisticated integration for the R129, W140 and W124 with the V8 engines.
4. Mercedes is finally offering since 2024 the IR Keys again after huge complaints that cars were immobile. If there was a workaround, I'm sure they would have published that via the WIS - Part number for the replacement keys A1407603306

 

[PHK]

...

Fender repeaters were used in a few different countries, and sometimes is added as an "upgrade" to look cool. The previous owner of my E500 added these.

These "fender repeaters" were a requirement in the UK at the time, for instance.

 

[gsxr]

I had no idea the E500 was the most-stolen car in Germany for a number of years! That's crazy!

However, with no ECU lockout, you just need to get the starter to engage and ignition switched on. We've not had any forum members (yet) report issues with the immobiliser on these late-production 036's.

 

[PHK]

In 1991, 500Es coming into the UK did not have factory security systems. But the market demanded that dealers install after-market systems which, certainly in my case, was a no-cost dealer add-on.

 

[gsxr]

500E's coming to North America for 1992 model year also had no factory security system of any kind. However, it was standard as of 1993 model year on all 124 chassis sold in North America. It was a simple starter lockout though. Unlocking the door would disarm the alarm. If the door was not unlocked with the key, the alarm would prevent the key from engaging the starter, so the engine would not start.

 

[gerryvz]

My 1995 G-wagen (made in late 1994) has the IRCL system, which has first-generation primitive DAS that will allow the starter to crank, but not allow the engine to start. This was replaced with several systems in rapid succession over the next couple of years. I actually posted a lot of information about all generations of these early DAS systems in the G-wagen sub-forum, many years ago, when figuring out my setup.

Mine is first-generation and I would expect that it is functionally identical to the systems used in the 1994/1995 production E500s and Limiteds so equipped.

A quick search of the G-wagen forum should find my thread, where I had included some factory docs.

All of this goes WAY beyond the simple starter lockout setup (controlled by a relay) in the US-spec 1993-1995 W124s. And that is easily defeated with a "figure-eight" wire wrapped around a couple of the relay terminals of the relay located behind the instrument cluster of the US cars. I seem to recall defeating this setup on my former 1995 white wagon, when I lived in Texas. I have never defeated it on my 1994 E500 and it is still working as far as I know.

 

[stfallet]

I had no idea the E500 was the most-stolen car in Germany for a number of years! That's crazy!

However, with no ECU lockout, you just need to get the starter to engage and ignition switched on. We've not had any forum members (yet) report issues with the immobiliser on these late-production 036's.

It is quite a discussion in the German W124 forums, across all the MOPF2. Need to check the R129 forums, I expect the same here.

Independent of this, it is a major technical race as well with the modern locking systems, especially keyless goes. There are videos on the internet of people using scanners which basically unlock all cars in the street.....

 

[Efraim]

My German origin car has two alarm/immobiliser units in it, factory origin (SA 551) and one aftersales installation!. Obviously previous owners have read statistics about stealing and wanted to maximize the security.

 

[TerryA]

Now on BaHaT, listed by West Coast Dean (aka "Wob").

This Limited on BaT listed by WOB is up to $65K with 1 hr 40 minutes to go!

 

[gerryvz]

So did this car pass from the flipper/dealer who originated this thread, to the West Coast Dean seller? Or was it consigned to the West Coast Dean?

It's good to see that the car is currently half of what the flipper-dealer was asking here for it. It just goes to show how strong the cannabis tends to run in California.......

 

[Bogeyman]

Bid to $80K - RNM...

 

[gsxr]

Not sure about the flipper-passing, but the auction ended RNM at $80. Wobster said they're close on the price, so we'll see if it's updated to "Sold After", or if the top bidder had a hard stop at $80k.

Solid support in the $50k ballpark but only 2 bidders anywhere near $80k.

Note this is LIGHT YEARS away from the original $140k ask.

UPDATE: "SOLD AFTER" for $85,000 to drive73

That's ~$89k with fees, plus T/T/T/T probably ~$95k, then tack on $5-$10k in deferred maintenance. Well, at least it's a Limited!

Top bids:

$80,000 bid placed by drive73
$77,000 bid placed by smokeufoo
$65,000 bid placed by Carluvr
$55,500 bid placed by 303cars
$51,000 bid placed by camify
$50,000 bid placed by Sammy930
$32,124 bid placed by UncommonMotorCars
$31,000 bid placed by Amelia2
$30,265 bid placed by dahlanb

 

[Bogeyman]

Over 60% of ask - I guess that's good??

 

[gsxr]

I forgot this sold for €75k (~$88k USD) in Poland, back in January 2024. Assuming that buyer is the same person who is selling now, they lost a bit in 2.5 years.

 

[PHK]

This seems to confirm that you can’t spend too much on photography.

 

[steve h]

These "fender repeaters" were a requirement in the UK at the time, for instance.

Also on my Italian spec LTD car Code 341 was fitted. Plus it has another secret switch that will not allow the car to start (it will crank) until you hit it once

 

[FD.]

Didn’t even take a month for Wob from the other thread to show up on the forum again…

F

Post in thread 'BAT & GT3 prices: A study in manipulation'

Apr 2, 2026

It’s great that VIN sleuthing allows these connections to be traced.
But I don’t see anything particularly sensational in this “investigation.”


Flipping car allocations and dealer stock has been a core cashflow generator for US Porsche dealer teams for at least the past quarter century. The only real shift is that the process has become more systematised and tech-driven, with inventory now routed through online platforms.


At the end of the day, this can be read as a fairly accurate reflection of price–demand dynamics on hot models. After all, nothing is stopping Porsche from simply...

• FD.

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