FOR SALE 1994 E500, Silver/Black, TMU, $0.1M (Scottsdale, AZ) - Japan car

[gsxr]

UPDATE 1: Car is for sale at a new dealer August 2025, see post #'s 9-10 for details. Thread title updated.

UPDATE 2: Price drop to $37k, speedometer NOT original, see post #14+15. Thread title updated.

UPDATE 3: Price increase to $100k ... see post #19. Thread title updated.


WARNING TO POTENTIAL BUYERS: The instrument cluster / speedometer has been replaced and has a 6-cylinder faceplate. The displayed km's are likely incorrect, see post #15 below. Also, the ASR traction control system has been physically removed from the car and replaced with standard ABS. See post #20 for details.



1995 1994 E500, Silver/Black, 66kkm, $50k (Tempe, AZ) - Japan car

No affiliation. Wrong headlights. Zero information. Japan vehicles do not have the engine oil cooler, and have the same brakes as USA (not the fancy dual-mode system found on ROW models as of approximately April 1993 production). Also, this car is a 1994 Japan model year (code 804), not 1995. USA/Canada and Japan have "model years" which do not align with manufacture date, ROW cars use production date.

VIN = WDB1240361C153294

Datacard: https://www.lastvin.com/vin/1NZMgEKqG8yAarnlo

@canyoncarco, are you able pull a Carfax based on the license plate (02A6AT Arizona) to get the VIN? The usual license plate decoders are coming up blank on this one.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/d/tempe-1995-mercedes-benz-e500/7759568371.html#

1995 Mercedes Benz E500 - $50,000 (Tempe)​

​

1995 E500 W124​

41k miles​

Euro spec​

Just Serviced (major service)​

​

For more info call (520)808-3132​

 

[2phast]

Strange euro spec car. No manual headlight adjust and, no W/S mode on the shifter. Rear trunk lid is US or JDM spec as well

All I see is darker wood, auto dimming mirror (missing mini sun visor) and factory sensor for the alarm remote control.

If it is a euro car, someone tried to undo all the euro options it originally had and install the incorrect headlights.

 

[gsxr]

Good catch, Rik! No E/S switch means this was originally delivered to Japan, which (last I checked) was not located in Europe. Japan cars did not get the E/S switch, larger brakes (same as USA), and no oil cooler either. Japan and USA 034/036's are very, very similar mechanically.

 

[TimL]

really poor photos (lighting), but that front seat looks pristine.......

 

[canyoncarco]

VIN = ???

@canyoncarco, are you able pull a Carfax based on the license plate (02A6AT Arizona) to get the VIN? The usual license plate decoders are coming up blank on this one.

Dave,

This is the VIN#: WDB1240361C153294 based on the AZ plate number. Carfax report is basically blank.

Cheers,
Manny

 

[Bogeyman]

I wouldn't be surprised if the whole interior has been redone. Wood is darker than original. Phone # traces to a dry ice detailer.

 

[canyoncarco]

Ad states 41k miles but Carfax entry shows 46,xxx February 2024

 

[gsxr]

Dave,

This is the VIN#: WDB1240361C153294 based on the AZ plate number. Carfax report is basically blank.

Cheers,
Manny

Thank you Manny! The datacard (link added to first post) confirms this is a Japan-spec vehicle.

 

[bclifton]

Not sure if this changed hands? Has some info about seat replacement and it coming from the UAE. Price at $44,991

They do show VIN in post too and it is WDB1240361C153294

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/ctd/d/scottsdale-1995-mercedes-benz-class/7872080993.html

Used Cars, Trucks, & SUVs for Sale in Scottsdale AZ | Auto Boom of Scottsdale

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Car is one of the cleanest 1995 Vehicles you will find. Super well taken care of Interior and Exterior Paint Still Looks Great. Come down and see her for yourself. Vehicle Original Retail Price in 1995 was around 87k.

Arrived in the US from UAE in August of 2023. Seats were redone in UAE with Genuine Leather, feels like you are in a brand new car and its 30 years old.

 

[gsxr]

Looks like it's either the same seller, or it changed hands to a different dealer.

Instrument cluster is not original and has been modified... Japan cars did not have a "Check Engine" light. And, the ASR light is missing.

Odometer numbers do not line up well either which is suspicious. Be careful out there.

 

[nocfn]

I will take the seats for 10

 

[TimL]

No way that this steering wheel has only seen 41k miles. What could have caused the deformation of the passenger airbag trim piece? Never seen that before

 

[Bogeyman]

Maybe a high heeled shoe from a displeased passenger?

 

[gsxr]

Price drop to $37k? I wonder if the $37k is from the actual owner, and the $45k is/was via consignment at the above dealer.



https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1266215308620585/

Seller: https://www.facebook.com/tyler.malkou.1/

Seller's description​

1995 Mercedes 500 E Porsche Built W124 5.0 V8Imported from Japan. Car has been gone through top to bottom by EuroComp in Tempe. Car is very clean. Open too reasonable offers or trades.

 

[gsxr]

Just noticed the speedometer is not original. The faceplate has the wrong upshift points... should be roughly 65, 120, 180 kph. The part number A1245429069 on the faceplate is for a 6-cyl car (M104 HFM, .032/.052/.092/etc). This also explains why the numbers do not line up properly with the "window" on the faceplate, the 6-cyl cars have a mechanical speedo/odo and the odometer numbers are 1-2mm higher on the V8 electronic speedo/odo. This cuts off the top of the numbers displayed, and shows some of the next numbers further down.

This car is definitely TMU (True Mileage Unknown).


UPDATE 1: It has the factory catalysts which is great, but the resonator is incorrect (not 036)... unknown muffler as well.

UPDATE 2: Resonator / muffler appear to be 400E components, see new photos in post #19 below.

 

[yumu1009]

Hey all, new to the forum. A buddy of mine told me someone was using the pictures of my car for sale. This has been confirmed to be a fake listing. This E is currently sitting in my storage with many other cars. Hope that clears the air here a bit. Thanks - p.s. I learned a few things about my car lol

 

[gsxr]

So the car isn't "sold" as shown on Fakebook, just the scammer got caught?

 

[yumu1009]

Nope and I don't anticipate selling anytime soon.

 

[Bogeyman]

Showing on Hemmings for - are you ready - $99,995. Reminds me of Earl Scheib...

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1995-mercedes-benz-e500-mesa-az-2909204

https://www.streetsideclassics.com/vehicles/4643-phx/1995-mercedes-benz-e500

 

[gsxr]

These photos are much better than the previous pics available. It appears the front bumper is an aftermarket replica of an AMG Gen 2 bumper, not original. It also has incorrect / wrong lights in the bumper, note they are not the correct shape... this is because the correct lights are obscenely expensive (and, NLA).

Also, the front fender cladding pieces are not correct for E500E. I can't tell if they are standard pieces tweaked to fit, or if they are 3D repops, but either way they do NOT fit properly and it shows. The rear bumper inserts behind the rear tires are missing on both sides.

All seat leather is new, as mentioned in one of the older ads... but 124 seat leather DOES NOT need replacement at only 76kkm (47kmi). Makes you wonder how bad the original leather was, and how many km's are actually on the car (my guess, 200-400kkm). All the original Burled Walnut wood was replaced with Bird's Eye Maple. Driver side ball joint boot is cracked and leaking, and will need replacement ASAP to save the NLA balljoint/LCA assembly (should have both sides replaced).

The rear glass is standard, not the fine-wire type (not sure if this was normal in Japan?). All plastic clips are missing from the trunk ledge plastic trim. Why is the carpet removed from the fuel tank, and why is the spare tire not in the tire well? Fuel pump plastic cover missing. Looks like the roller blind is present, but there is no console switch for it. Zero photos of the headliner. Probably more issues too, besides what's visible in these photos.

As a bonus, the EZL is for a 4.2L engine. Buers should check the engine serial and verify if it's the original motor, or at least a 5.0L engine.

But anyway, besides all of that. There's a special feature on this car I have never seen, in 20+ years of following 036's for sale. This car had the ASR downgraded to standard ABS!! The ABS system may or may not work... ABS systems use a single rear speed signal from the a sensor at the differential pinion (input shaft), but the E500E (and all 124's with ASR) have dual sensors at the output shafts. Either the diff must be replaced, OR some electronic converter box is needed to change the rear axle signal to something the ABS system can use.

 

[Joe500]

Also incorrect tire size (245/40/17). Should be 245/45/17, makes the tires look too small.

Also the hub caps look terrible, why are they yellowish in the middle? (pic 68)

Also the cruise control stalk is missing its cap (pic 38/39)

Also I don't believe Japan-market tachs had "Premium Unleaded Fuel Only" so that's been tampered with too.

Also the passenger side airbag is badly adjusted.

Also the window switches are recessed into the center console wood or the wood is not clipped in properly.

Also the datacard shows memory seats on both sides, but there are no memory buttons on the passenger side door.

Also the datacard shows additional blinker lights, but the fenders are smooth.

Also the datacard shows infrared remote locking, but the pictures show only one regular key.

Also the side skirts should not be flush with the front fender cladding.

Also both horns are installed under the hood.

Also images 35/36 show paint over the fender washers, and the holes between the washer filled in with something.

Also Japan market cars have wider Euro-style openings for the rear license plate, while this car has the narrower US-style opening.

Also intake tubes are incorrect. They do not sit properly on the headlight intakes, and they go inside the airbox openings. They should install on the outside circumference of the airbox openings (at least the passenger side tube).

Also I would understand having short term memory issues and mixing up the center console buttons, but at least put the hazard button in the middle!

 

[gerryvz]

Nope and I don't anticipate selling anytime soon.

So your anticipation ran out, and you are now selling the car?

Or is this latest listing another scam?

I’m confused.

 

[Joe500]

ALSO

Pic 52 shows that the rear side storage pockets are missing.

And the rear center console is missing the raised bar that you would use to slide the console open.

And Japan-market cars have the vacuum headlight adjustment, while this car doesn't.

Seriously, why have all the parts been swapped/tampered with?

 

[gsxr]

Seriously, why have all the parts been swapped/tampered with?

I get the impression this car wandered down a dark alley off the wrong street in a bad part of UAE, and hasn't been the same since.