SOLD 1994 E500, Silver/Black, 69kmi, $20k (Hollyweird, CA)

[gsxr]

No affiliation. Note that the car has the wrong headlight lenses - can't tell if it's just the lenses, or if the entire headlamps are incorrect. Looks decent otherwise:

VIN = WDBEA36E4RC105643

UPDATE 7-29-2012: AutoCheck report attached, indicates front impact in 1996, possible odometer rollback.


Autotrader - page unavailable

This 1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 (Silver exterior color with black leather interior) is a hand-built co-creation of Mercedes and Porsche. Of the 1994 s, only 374 of this prototype model were imported into the United States. The car was built as a prototype to test components for integration into future models at a cost to Mercedes of over $100,000.00 per vehicle. Because of its look, limited numbers, hand-built construction, and unique pedigree this E500 is already considered a CLASSIC by Mercedes Benz and Porsche. It accelerates 0-62 mph in slightly over 5 seconds. ​

​

It is RARE and in PRISTINE CONDITION, LOW MILES (69,547), METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED, GARAGED, NON SMOKER!!! This 1994 Mercedes E500 includes every option available at time of purchase including, but not limited to, power steering, trip odometer, clock, air conditioning, cruise control, tilt wheel, tachometer, intermittent wipers, power brakes, anti-lock brakes ABS, four wheel disc brakes, chrome alloy wheels, Pirelli tires, wood trim, body side molding, tinted glass, front, power memory, reclining bucket seats, heated quad leather seating, driver and passenger air bags, front center arm rest, rear center arm rest, seatbelts and rear shoulder harness, power windows, power sunroof, theft deterrent system, map pockets, power door locks, power rear view mirrors, rear window defroster, front fog lights, AM/FM stereo cassette, 5 disc CD changer, additional power outlets, and integrated telephone.​

 

[edfreeman]

Any history on this car would be appreciated. Looks like I may be in the market.

 

[DarkStar]

Looks pretty nice except the headlights.

 

[gsxr]

Agreed. If someone can get the VIN, I can try to run an AutoCheck report on it...

 

[tmc_1960]

Hi, I'm new here and joined because I'm interested in these cars. I have talked with the owner of this car - he said he's got two of them and has owned it since 1996. He said that it had received some front and rear repair work from minor incidents -- my guess is that's how it ended up with the other headlight lenses. He was supposed to be in contact with me after a recent visit to his mechanic...anyone else talk with him?

tmc

 

[bing]

He said that it had received some front and rear repair work from minor incidents -- my guess is that's how it ended up with the other headlight lenses.
tmc

....and hence the incorrect placement of trunk badge.

 

[edfreeman]

I presume the incorrect headlight lens thing is that they seem to be for the other W124's where the fog is where our high beam is. I've looked at the tails of most of the '94's on here, and the rear badge placement seems all over the place. Where is proper placement?

Killed my '93 last week, will show you guys after I figure out how to do pictures and figure out which forum a KIA is most appropriate.

 

[gsxr]

Attached PDF file shows the proper, factory location of the rear emblem.

 

[bgreene30]

Seems about 5-7k giving it the benefit of the doubt without seeing it, just me?

 

[edfreeman]

Hi, I'm new here and joined because I'm interested in these cars. I have talked with the owner of this car - he said he's got two of them and has owned it since 1996. He said that it had received some front and rear repair work from minor incidents -- my guess is that's how it ended up with the other headlight lenses. He was supposed to be in contact with me after a recent visit to his mechanic...anyone else talk with him?

tmc

The owner has been very good and did give me the VIN. The two auto check sources both show impact with a tree prior to his ownership, which would explain the headlight lenses. He also stated a minor parking lot incident cost him a rear bumper strip. Wouldn't be out of the question for that first incident to have resulted in more paint work than just the front.

Anyhow, off my radar, though if it were closer, I'd go see it and crawl all over it to assess the rework from the incidents. In the absence of those datapoints, I'd likely be ordering up a PPI and planning a flight to drive it back.

 

[gerryvz]

Is there any reason why the VIN couldn't be posted here, or at least given to me for my database ?


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[edfreeman]

Oversight . . . sorry . . .

WDBEA36E4RC105643

 

[gerryvz]

No worries ... I was just thinking the seller perhaps didn't want the VIN posted publicly ... Sometimes this is the case though I don't know why.

Thx for helping complete this one. It also provides basis thread if this car comes up for sale again in the future...

Cheers,
Gerry


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[gsxr]

How about the possible odometer rollback...? See attached.

 

[edfreeman]

Owner says his secretary estimated the miles while registering it in Colorado (car was in California) while he was away. I expect that is true, given that he's owned the car since sometime in '96 and the other mileage readings go along with it. If you check Carfax, you'll see they have that 2003 reading labelled in 1998, which makes it look worse. I advised him to contact them and get that corrected.

 

[rol607]

Seems very high price given accident history, paint and odometer issues.

 

[gsxr]

It's not easy finding a 500E with no accident issues. Both of my 500's have prior accidents, one was worse than the other. The older the cars get, the harder it will be to find the elusive low-miles, accident-free virgin. Price on this one seems a bit on the high side but you can always make an offer. Looks like a mid/upper teens car to me, assuming there are no significant issues found during a PPI.

 

[rol607]

It's not easy finding a 500E with no accident issues. Both of my 500's have prior accidents, one was worse than the other. The older the cars get, the harder it will be to find the elusive low-miles, accident-free virgin. Price on this one seems a bit on the high side but you can always make an offer. Looks like a mid/upper teens car to me, assuming there are no significant issues found during a PPI.

I offered him mid teens and he did not even respond. That was when it was first listed.

 

[redred]

I sent him a message to see if the car is even available. Still no response.

 

[redred]

Contacted him by phone and have set up an appointment to see the car tomorrow.

 

[rol607]

Contacted him by phone and have set up an appointment to see the car tomorrow.

Excited to see what you think.

 

[szvook]

Maybe I should drop by as well.

 

[redred]

Maybe I should drop by as well.

Are you interested in it as well, or just want to take a look at it? Being a noob any insight from the experts would be very much appreciated!

 

[szvook]

Are you interested in it as well, or just want to take a look at it? Being a noob any insight from the experts would be very much appreciated!

Just to take a look. And I'm far from being an expert. If do go, it can only be on the weekend.

 

[edfreeman]

I'm interested in hearing about it also. I've had an email dialog going with the owner, tough to kick tires from 2000 miles away, but he has no details on events that might have changed those lenses or moved that badge, just that there was an event, and the dealer that sold it to him said it was minor.

 

[redred]

Hopefully going to see this one on Monday now. I guess he got a crack in the windshield and wanted to get it taken care of prior to showing the car. Also had it serviced this week, although he didn't go into details about what work he had done on the car.

 

[redred]

Well took the car out for a drive today. Paint is in great shape. I realize it has probably been repainted since the initial accident, but if so they did an impeccable job. No overspray in the door sills, engine bay or trunk area. Wind shield was cracked so he replaced it last week.

Interior is in really nice shape. A small amount of wear on the drivers side seat, mainly around the left side bolster. AC blows nice and cold and even on a super hot day like today, the car did cool down quite rapidly.

Engine fired up right away and sounds smooth. Gear changes were nice and smooth on the up-shift and down-shift. Brakes feel a little off to me. Probably needs new pads. Tires were in good shape with decent tread life left on the Pirelli P-Zero's. Acceleration was nice and smooth and the down shift was smooth when I stomped on the gas.

I got to drive the car for about 25 minutes and he was very gracious with his time.

As already mentioned, he told me about the rollback issue on the mileage. The car is registered in Colorado. He has a home here in LA and a home in Aspen so he keeps it registered in Colorado. Apparently at the time that he changed the registration to Colorado, he had his secretary do it and she messed up the mileage some how. He swears up and down that the mileage listed on the car is accurate. He owns two of them. The silver one and a pearl black one. He also has a nice 2006 S600 so he claims he splits the driving between the three cars to keep the mileage down. He drives the silver one the least amount since he is trying to sell it.

All in all not a bad looking car. I am really new at this so I have no idea if it's worth $20k or not. I told him I had another one to look at next weekend and he was quite nice about it. He's a pretty nice, older man who clearly has a love for Mercedes cars. He sure seems to know quite a lot about the E500E legacy and the W124.

 

[edfreeman]

Good to hear it is in good shape. The seller has been very cordial to me, as well, though I can't go kick the tires myself. When I asked about a few things, he said the wiring harness hadn't been replaced, but was "just fine" according to his mechanic, and your test drive at least confirms the wrong wires aren't touching each other . . . I asked for maintenance records, and he said he'd fetch them from his mechanic, maybe 5+ years worth, which should show the level of attention it has received. That was a few weeks ago, though, and I haven't seen them.
I'd say $20k if a PPI on a rack showed the accidents were really minor (I expect they were) and there really are maintenance records showing proper attention. My biggest fear would be to pay him in the neighborhood of $20k, then make a down payment on Jono's new shop . . . I had a similar fear with the Teal one on here.
I'm still considering a PPI, the distance challenges me, though, and I'd rather see those records first. Maybe I'll email him again.

 

[redred]

You should contact him. He was very upfront about the mechanic. He's taken the car to the same mechanic for years. I asked about the wiring harness and he assured me that it was in really good shape. Everything certainly worked well as far as I could tell.

 

[sheward]

I agree, Arnt. Excluding any misrepresentations about mileage and bodywork/accidents which are quite easy to verify, a car with this low mileage is going to return many years of service. As has been said by others, all used/older cars will need some work. Odds are this car is a long way away from needing big ticket items such as transmission work or timing chain/rails. I tend to be more concerned with issues like rust, bodywork, leather, glass, etc. IMO this car sounds and looks like a good value.

drew

 

[edfreeman]

On its way to Tennessee . . .

 

[Hi-Power]

On its way to Tennessee . . .

Congratulations about your new E500. It's a nice and desirable color combination. Please keep us updated and post pictures once you receive it!

 

[Glen]

Congrats!

 

[redred]

Awesome!!!! Congratulations!

 

[KarlC]

Welcome aboard, looks like your starting with a nice low mile example !

 

[edfreeman]

Actually, it's my second. Wrecked the first doing something stupid.
Wife and a friend is driving it here. She says she may want to keep it. We'll see how that ends.

 

[redred]

Good luck with that. I have a feeling once I get a 500e that my wife will want to drive it all the time.

Congrats again. Glad it was you that picked this one up!

 

[edfreeman]

Arrived safe and sound with 2200 miles of bugs on the front. Only issues noted thus far is a tail light that won't respond to a new bulb, the dash lights are out (will try bulbs, potentiometer wiping didn't work), a tap tap tap that means an oiler tube ain't oiling, and a little scrape from a curb the driving partner did (*sigh*) that'll hide easily with touch up, but cost me the tow hook cover. Are those covers the same as on the '93's? I have one of those if it is.

Otherwise, the car is strong, shifts well, is tight. I expect Jono will find more to do to it, but I expect it won't break me to have it properly sorted out.

 

[rol607]

Can you share the price you paid?

 

[sheward]

Way to go! That's a long drive, a drive especially suited to a E500E. I imagine you enjoyed some miles of high speed cruising out there in our midwest. Maybe you can let us know when you take it over to Jonos. I'd like to check it out. Congratulations.

drew

 

[yvrbenz]

Actually, it's my second. Wrecked the first doing something stupid.
Wife and a friend is driving it here. She says she may want to keep it. We'll see how that ends.

Yeah...be prepared to have to get a second one. Dad first traded in two 1977 W116 280SEs for the Bornite one. Mom got a hold of the keys and within a couple of months dad was looking for a 500E of his own. :lol:

 

[kannan1024]

Congrats and enjoy!

 

[edfreeman]

Here's the verdict from Jono on the car the mechanic in CA said was in fine shape:

I have taken photos, and one small video of the 500E's issues which I'll lay out below:​

• Front struts are Worn, strut buffers are beat to hell, which is a clear indicator of internal damping being a shadow of it's former self.
• Engine and transmission mounts are collapsed, so much so the exhaust is hitting the chassis cross member..
• Caps/Rotors/Plugs are Worn. Wires I will need to test, I would like to freshen the coils after this much beating, and if the wires are more then ± 15% I'd like to change them.
• Valve cover gaskets are leaking.
• Cam Oiler Tubes, @ least two if not more have popped.
• Brake fluid over due, over 6% moisture content.
• Power Steering fluid/filter
• Transmission fluid/filter/gasket
• Differential [fluid]
• Hydraulic [SLS] fluid
• Tie Rods and Center link boots broken.
• Drivers Side Lower Control arm bushing is letting go.
• Lower Control Arm ball joints @ heavy angle, indicative of internal wear becoming excessive.
• ALL engine room harnesses are badly degraded:
  • Main Injector [upper engine[ harness
  • Starter [lower engine] Harness
  • Throttle actuator [ETA] harness
• Rear tail light on pass side leaking, signs of moisture having accumulated in pass side spare tyre well (grommets popped out to let moisture out)
• Rear suspension front/lower/tow links are borderline in their bushing play.
• Fan clutch is Weak/no longer engaging as it should, ie high temps.
• EZL has never had it's thermal paste replaced/renewed.
• Sunroof rails don't look to have ever been cleaned/lubed.
• Tyres are in need of refreshing.
• a number of panels/covers missing..incorrect hardware.
• Cracked front bumper.

Here are the photos and Video mentioned above:​

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24059001@N06/sets/72157631667771733/​

Pay close attention to the picture showing how the engine and transmission mounts have the exhaust resting on a cross member . . .
I expected wiring harnesses, a re-do of the suspension, and a few other items. The engine mounts scared me a bit that it was driven 2200 miles here by my wife. Once Jono has tallied up the damage, I'll send all this to the seller, as, at the very least, he needs to find a mechanic if he's going to own one of these. That mechanic said the wiring harness was in great shape . . . I was going to replace it anyway . . .

Buyer beware on the other.[/quote]

 

[redred]

Here's the verdict from Jono on the car the mechanic in CA said was in fine shape

Wow..... that's pretty bad!

 

[rol607]

Wow! What a terrible misrepresentation of his car. I wanted his other one until I read the write up on it the other day here on the forum. And that was all top surface issues for the most part. Everyone has stated "Lee" is such a great guy, fine it hard to believe. Sad.

 

[redred]

He was extremely nice. Either he's a top notch scammer, or he just doesn't know what he has. My guess is, his top notch mechanic isn't so top notch......

 

[rol607]

You should speak to him again and let him know the truth about what he sold and may be selling with the other one.

 

[gsxr]

I suspect the seller had no idea about most of those items. It's his mechanic that apparently needs to have his eyes checked or something.

After looking at the photos, I'd say most of it is simply normal wear & tear, and deferred maintenance. The only thing that really got my attention was the amount of sludge/gunk visible inside the valve cover. That looks to me like non-synthetic oil was used, AND it wasn't changed as often as it should have been. This isn't the end of the world, there are a few ways to properly clean this up (and using engine flush products is NOT the proper way), but it's a bit disappointing.

Jono, if you have the valve covers off, please take some more pics of the camshaft area while it's opened up!

UPDATE: More photos posted. Wow, that engine interior is SERIOUSLY sludged. I'm absoultely convinced that my previous suspicion is correct (non-synthetic oil was used, and it wasn't changed on schedule). A few years with good synthetics should clean it up though.

 

[edfreeman]

I fully intend to, and mainly because he was a very nice guy who seemed to really like his cars. I'll take it on faith he remains a nice guy and has a nincompoop as a mechanic. This is truly a car that the very basics and cosmetics were kept, nothing else.

I'll be OK . . . once Jono's done, I'll have a fine, low mileage example. I expect there aren't many Dr. No kinda cars out there, and I left some room in the price to address some things.

 

[DerFuror]

As difficult as the logistics may be, if you (the potential buyer) are considering plunking down up to 20 large on one of these vehicles, you had best travel to wherever the car may be & physically be involved in a thorough PPI at a Mercedes shop or you are gonna take it in the keester almost everytime.

The fact the E500E cars do as well as they do under conditions of deferred maintenance or neglect is a testimony to its robust design.

Welcome to the Club. You'll soon find out the Recaro driver's seat is definitely a good place to be.