SOLD SOLD: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

[DarbyH]

Admin update Aug-5, 2012: Price changed to $20,000 and year changed to 1992, per info is post #18.
Admin update Jan-2, 2013: Price changed to $22,500 per info is post #26.
Admin update July 16, 2013: Car has been sold. Thread title updated.

I have a 1991 500E which I am offering for sale. I have owned the car since the mid 1990's and I am the second owner. The car is entirely original with a mileage of approximately 52,000 original miles, thats right 52,000. Even with this low mileage it has seen continous light driving. It is the teal blue color and the inside is beige. It has been garaged all of its life and hence my dilema. I need the room now for another car I recently purchased.

The car was recently serviced at Red Kieffer's shop in Douglasville, Pennsylvania. Red Kieffer's Auto Repairs, Inc. was an Authorized Mercedes-Benz Service Dealer from 1967 to 1995. The only issue identified as likley to need service in the future are the wiring harnesses because of age. This is indicated by periodic flashing of the SRS and ASR indicator lights. These systems appear to be functional. The car runs as it always has and remains fast. All of the switches,sun roof, seats, windows and locks are fully functional.

I am asking $35,000 $22,500 for the car. I am located about 40 miles north of Philadelphia near Pottstown.

This car is also listed on BenzWorld:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/sale-wanted-trade-giveaway/1661467-1991-500e-sale.html

 

[DarbyH]

Re: 1991 500E for sale

I am having trouble uploading the pictures. I am following the directions as best as I can but still will not add my pictures. Any help will be appreciated.

Thank you

 

[gsxr]

Re: 1991 500E for sale

For the photos, make sure you are not uploading full-size images direct from the camera (i.e., 2MB or larger files). They should be re-sized first, preferably under 1MB each. The forum will choke on super-high-res images. If the car is USA-spec, it will be a 1992 500E, not 1991... although it may have been produced in late 1991. My '92 500E was built in Aug-1991 and has that date on the driver door jamb decal, but it's still a 1992 model year, as encoded into the VIN. Speaking of which, could you post the VIN of the car?

Thanks!

 

[DarbyH]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

Thanks, I was not resizing the pictures. The door plate indicates the production date of 4/91.

 

[DarbyH]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

More picture finally

More available upon request

 

[DarbyH]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

More pictures

 

[szvook]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

Hmmm...$35K for the car...that's a bit of a stretch, and with a potential harness replacement looming. I would have that replaced before hand, that might help the sale.

 

[gsxr]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

That is a very early build car, but it's definitely a 1992 model year... the 10th digit in the VIN is "N" which indicates 1992 model year (click here). 1991 model years would have "M" in the 10th digit.

Love that color, paint code 888 is Teal Blue (aka Beryl). AutoCheck report attached for WDBEA36E6NB522214 , everything looks AOK...

 

[need2speed]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

You know I love that color ;-) Hope you get your price...so I can up mine!

 

[gerryvz]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

Dave is correct with his VIN check-letter analysis. In addition, to the best of my knowledge, there were officially no model year 1991 500Es imported for the US market. MBUSA offered the car here officially as a 1992 model. Some of the early 1992 US models would likely have been BUILT in the late spring/summer/fall of 1991.

Indeed, this car (if a North American model, as it appears to be) by my database would be one of -- if not THE -- earliest documented 1992 model that I've ever seen or have any sort of detailed records for, beyond standard MB VIN/datacard stuff. I have very detailed records of several other North American cars (early 1992 models) being built in the August 1991 time frame, so indeed your car is quite interesting and perhaps would have been an early "testbed" model for the US market.

It is an extremely rare color for the North American market, as well, so it should be quite attractive to buyers.

My major sticking point is your asking price. Given today's market on these cars, you are in the neighborhood of $10,000 too high on your asking price. A Southern car with nearly identical miles/excellent condition/enthusiast-owned, from here in the Houston area, a car that I have seen very up close and personally, recently sold for the mid-$20K range. That is a recent benchmark for pricing as the car was "for sale" -- though not aggressively so by the owner, as he didn't need to sell the car from his collection -- for more than two years. I'm not saying you can't/won't get $35K for the car, but that is a price point that even Hatch & Sons has difficulty selling these cars at to their well-heeled clientele.

So, you may want to adjust your pricing expectations downward somewhat. It continues to be a buyer's market in these cars, and I expect it to be for at least the next 5+ years until the 500E reaches the 25-year "true classic" status. I believe at that point it will slowly begin to appreciate.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[Jimbo]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

Sweet car...def a rare one.

Any other vynil delaminating on the interior of the car. I see the drivers door pocket is peeling; are the b-pillars in a similar state ?

For 35 grand the car would have to be completely perfect, I would think, for a serious buyer to take notice. I love the orginality of it, but in this case a new set of 'correct' factory euro-lites for $600 would go a long way in the bling it up for sale dept.

 

[gsxr]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

I'd skip messing with the headlights (let the new owner decide on that) and instead spend some bux fixing the car. At the current asking price it must be flawless, and intermittent SRS and/or ASR warning lights are not acceptable. It needs to have the harness and ETA replaced at a minimum, along with troubleshooting (pull codes) for the SRS system to see what's up. Even with all that fixed, and new harnesses/ETA, it will be a tough sale north of $30k... at least in the present USA market.

 

[DarbyH]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

Sweet car...def a rare one.

Any other vynil delaminating on the interior of the car. I see the drivers door pocket is peeling; are the b-pillars in a similar state ?

For 35 grand the car would have to be completely perfect, I would think, for a serious buyer to take notice. I love the orginality of it, but in this case a new set of 'correct' factory euro-lites for $600 would go a long way in the bling it up for sale dept.

This was an over view set of pictures. The interior is really flawless and the inside still smells new, like leather should smell. Here is a picture of the passenger side. I will take another picture of the drivers side door this evening.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

Definitely an early 1992 model: it has the regular steering wheel (non-Sportline) as well as no light on the dash panel.

 

[036]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

Definitely an early 1992 model: it has the regular steering wheel (non-Sportline)

500E had only Sportline Wheel, 390mm. Form was a bit different- early models like this Beauty ( also my car) had "spreaded legs", "old" Design- till march 1992 and WDB1240361B742968.

Look here
http://benzclub.ru/forum/showpost.php?p=1478892&postcount=29

 

[gsxr]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

Correct... the early cars had a smaller diameter (390mm) wheel but with the plain/standard airbag.

Mid-92 production onward received the triangle-shaped Sportline-only airbag.

Both were 390mm diameter.

 

[DarbyH]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

Thanks for this information Gerry. I had to start some where with the price. Most of what I had seen on the net were cars with well over 100,000 miles on them and they looked sort of ragged. It is hard for me to believe that a car that sold for 80 grand new with so few made would be so inexpensive 20 years later. I bought another car and have not the space in my garage to keep the 500. For reasons I DO NOT understand, my wife will not give up her garage space for the new vehicle, just can't understand that. She drives a damn Accura1

Part of my thinking was that if someone were interested I would lower the price becuase of the wireing harness issue and the knowledge that it would run between 3 and 5 thousand to get that fixed. Just what I have learned so far. On a BenzWorld post it said that it was a do-it-yourself project. OK but I have trouble seeing that. I don't think I could do it...........

I am taking the car to the Deutsche Classic in Fleetwood Pennsylvania which is this weekend. I will post as to how things go there.

 

[DarbyH]

Re: FS: 1991 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $35,000 (Pottstown, PA)

I have changed the asking price to $20,000 as is. I listed the year incorrectly and it should be 1992.

 

[edfreeman]

Darby,

On Benzworld, a gentleman who has seen the car mentioned an AC problem, some oil “sweating,” heating issues, etc., in addition to your disclosed SRS and ASR indicator lights that may be related to the wiring harnesses. Can you comment on those? Also, it appears the car went north of 50k miles in 2004, and has only been driven a scant couple k since, is there any particular reason for that? Do you have any recent pictures of the undercarriage?

 

[DarbyH]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $20,000 (Pottstown, PA)

Ed,

In response to your earlier note to me I offer the following.

The AC was charged about two weeks before I met Benzitch at Willow Grove, PA, and worked fine when it was taken to the Deutsche Classic show. On my way to Willow Grove the AC did not cool at all. Can't say what the problem was but my MB tech friend looked at it and thought that a seal may be dry so we will charge it again as see if it holds. The oil sweating on the front of the engine is correct and I had not noticed. I cannot comment as to the etiology of it at this time. My tech friend was able to run a diagnostic test and "pull codes". One code indicated that the wheel speed sensors had a problem. We cleaned them and that code did not reoccur. A pressure sensor code does keep appearing and I do not know why that is. It may, so I have been told, be related to the wiring harness issue. I am not sure what to say about the "heating issue". I do not remember what we discussed about that. I can say that there are no overheating problems with the car presently. The suspension accumulators seem to be without problems because the ride is as it has always been, pretty smooth and firm. I asked the technician who had taken care of the car when I first got it about the throttle actuator. He told me that in his experience with these cars that the original ones had problems and that mine had been replaced. The company for whom he worked went out of business some time ago but he has access to the service records and will see if he can find the ones for my car. I do not have any recent under carriage pictures. The car since I have owned it has been stored in a garage with a seal concrete floor beneath which is plastic sheeting so it is a dry environment. I keep another older car there which has never had corrosion issues. I will get a picture for you. Regarding the mileage, my commute changed years ago, 125 miles round trip, and I stopped using the car on a regular basis because of the gas prices, ok I am cheap, but that is the reason. Additionally since much of that commute is PA turnpike I did not want the body getting dinged up on the pike and also wanted to avoid the inevitable tickets because of my tendency to drive way over the limit in that car.

I cannot remember what I said about getting the harness fixed. I spoke with the garage where I live that works on MB. The tech told me, with more than mean hesitancy, that the earliest that he would begin a job like that would be in October. I am willing to attend to that but would like to get it done before then. I don't think that I would take it to a dealer to get it done and they may not do it anyway. I don't know anyone else in the Philadelphia area that could do that. Comments and advice is welcome.

 

[Jimbo]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $20,000 (Pottstown, PA)

FWIW, changing out the (upper) wiring harness is pretty straight forward if not very easy.

There are about 17 connectors; lay the new one next to the old that is still installed and start changing one connector at a time. Should take no more than a few to 3 hours/beers in your garage.

20 grand sounds like a great deal Darby. I'm sure someone will step up to that price.

 

[jhodg5ck]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $20,000 (Pottstown, PA)

If the AC is an evap problem it's not a great price..

Jono

 

[DarbyH]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $20,000 (Pottstown, PA)

Well, from all that has been written here and on BenzWorld it is necessary that the harness be replaced/fixed. The garage does not want to start that job until October though..................

FWIW, changing out the (upper) wiring harness is pretty straight forward if not very easy.

There are about 17 connectors; lay the new one next to the old that is still installed and start changing one connector at a time. Should take no more than a few to 3 hours/beers in your garage.

20 grand sounds like a great deal Darby. I'm sure someone will step up to that price.

 

[gsxr]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $20,000 (Pottstown, PA)

Well, from all that has been written here and on BenzWorld it is necessary that the harness be replaced/fixed. The garage does not want to start that job until October though..................

Strange, as it's only about a 2 hour job for a professional mechanic.

 

[jhodg5ck]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $20,000 (Pottstown, PA)

Indeed..I can't imagine why one wouldn't just knock it out, unless they REALLY didn't want to work on the car. That, or they're just bloody lazy -> more work -> stay later. If they're @ the 16 hours a day # I can understand their reluctance but I don't know of many other shops that work that much.

J

 

[gsxr]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $20,000 (Pottstown, PA)

Update from the BW thread:

"I have had the opportunity to complete the repairs that I wrote about in the previous posts. The ASR and SRS lights are now off now that there is a new wiring harness in place. New thermostat, auxilliary fans repaired, converted to the more available coolant for the AC, new radio amplifier (one did not work).

The price is $22,500 after the repair work."

Thread title updated with new price.

 

[DRW]

Darby's '92

Hi All,

I am seriously considering Darby's '92 Teal 500e. He is a great guy and a gentleman. He is providing pics. and I am wondering if anyone has seen it in person and if anyone lives near him in PA. I'd like to get some addl' eyes on it and I am also wondering if anyone knows of a good PPI shop nearby.

Thanks!
David

 

[mistermiata]

Re: Darby's '92

David...I am in the Philly suburbs. Not sure where in PA the car you are interested is in, but I can give you the name of 2 shops in my area that can do a good PPI.

Andy

 

[DRW]

Re: Darby's '92

thanks, that would be great. It's in Pottstown, PA. Is that near you?

 

[mistermiata]

Re: Darby's '92

About an hour away.....I may be able to look at it on Sunday if you want.

PPI can be done at Mike Tilson Motorcars on the western edge of Philly, or a place in Phoenixville(closer to Pottstown)called Possum Hollow Motorsports.
Also, a member of this board, Mike McNair works at a shop that knows E500E's, located in Media, PA. You may want to pm him.

Andy

 

[DRW]

Re: Darby's '92

Thanks Andy! What is the forum name of the E500E fellow?

DRW

About an hour away.....I may be able to look at it on Sunday if you want.

PPI can be done at Mike Tilson Motorcars on the western edge of Philly, or a place in Phoenixville(closer to Pottstown)called Possum Hollow Motorsports.
Also, a member of this board, Mike McNair works at a shop that knows E500E's, located in Media, PA. You may want to pm him.

Andy

 

[Egreaves20]

Re: Darby's '92

I met Darby in PA and test drove the car last summer. What is he asking these days?

 

[8899]

Re: Darby's '92

Here's the original FS link:

http://www.500eboard.com/forums/sho...E-Teal-Cream-Beige-52kmi-22-500-(Pottstown-PA)

 

[biohound1975]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

Purchased the Car from Darby today and drove it home to Northern VA from Pottstown, about 3.5 hour drive. Car ran smooth with no issues.

 

[8899]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)



HUGE Congrats! Where in Northern Virginia???? I can't wait to see it in person!

 

[Ron500E]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

Good price, Great color. And with a MUSHROOM color interior too!!! Congrats.

Ron

 

[biohound1975]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

Greg, I live near Fairfax, VA....funny, an elderly gentlemen less than a mile down the road has a 1992 Brown 500E with pinstripes. Stopped by his house on my way home from Darby's to introduce myself. He recommended getting service in Rockville, MD at Rick Ellinger's TL/L Imports, 100 English Terrace, Rockville, MD. Guess I will take my car there for the 60,000 mile maintenance when that time comes. The Gentlemen provided me a MB Club membership form to fill out. If I remember right, he owned his 500 for 3 or so years.

Prior to purchase, I had Darby's car PPIed. According to Red Kieffer's Auto Repairs Inc, who specializes in MBs in Douglassville, PA the results were: "Left w/w nozzle (clean or replace); Front and RR strut boots ripped (cover only, no negative effects)."

Also, when I was under the car after my first test drive a few weeks back, I noticed a very light fluid leak. According to the PPI it is likely the "Power steering hose from reservoir to pump." According to Kieffer's as well as my own assessment, it is not a significant amount. Something I will keep an eye on though.

In summary a "Very good condition vehicle" according to the PPI. Hopefully, Kieffer's provided an accurate assessment. They seemed to be very professional and knowledgeable.

I won't go into details on the price, but I think I got a fair price. I was able to fall into the range that was suggested by one of the forum's subject matter experts.

Hopefully, I will keep the car for a long time to come.....may sell it when and if a my wife says we can expand the family.

 

[8899]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

Greg, I live near Fairfax, VA....funny, an elderly gentlemen less than a mile down the road has a 1992 Brown 500E with pinstripes. Stopped by his house on my way home from Darby's to introduce myself. He recommended getting service in Rockville, MD at Rick Ellinger's TL/L Imports, 100 English Terrace, Rockville, MD. Guess I will take my car there for the 60,000 mile maintenance when that time comes. The Gentlemen provided me a MB Club membership form to fill out. If I remember right, he owned his 500 for 3 or so years.

Is the older gentleman with the brown '92 500E named Stan???

Definitely recommend that you take your car to Rick at RC Imports. You can even take your parts with you as well!

"The Gentlemen provided me a MB Club membership form to fill out. If I remember right, he owned his 500 for 3 or so years."

Huh? Is this the same gentleman with the brown 500E or someone else?

 

[biohound1975]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

Greg.
His nick name was Ad...think short for Addison. Thanks for the correction on Rick's shop's name, I misread my notes.

Aaron

 

[DRW]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

Congrats on Darby's car, he is a true gentleman and it's a beaut.! I almost flew in to get it, but had family in town and snoozed too long on it. I am happy someone bought it, as it deserved a good new home.. I'll look forward to more pics of yours and any mods planned? BTW, are you the fellow Darby mentioned, who was going to use it as a dd with family? I hope so, all cars should be driven, or, what's the point? IMHO only. God bless airplane hanger collectors, as I also look forward to more options in the mornings too and a hanger would not be so bad

Best regards & keep us informed on the terrific purchase!
DRW

 

[biohound1975]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

DRW
I believe I am they guy Darby mentioned to you.

If I do any mods, it will be a paint job....my daughter said today "that is a girl's blue color." And my neighbor "that was a popular color in the 1980s". On the upside, according to Darby, there are only 6 teal 500Es left in the U.S. Eight were brought in, two were wrecked.

I was going to use it as a daily driver. However, after some consideration, I decided against it. I now plan on driving it on weekends and on road trips. So, I will keep driving my old Camry to work until it dies; it has 290K on it. I also have 430whp 04 WRX STi, but it beats the tar out of me, so it is only good for short road trips. Than there is my old 97 Land Cruiser, I love it, but it gets 16 mpg at its best. So the 500E will be my road trip car. I know, I really need a mini-van, but can't bring myself to it.

I estimate I will put 1 to 3K miles per year on the 500E

 

[Ron500E]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

If I do any mods, it will be a paint job....

That is probably one of the few ways to cut the value in half in such a short period of time. Next to a salvage title repainting a car in a different color will reduce the value more than anything else. In fact I'd rather have most salvage titled cars than one that has been repainted with a color change.
If you didn't want a "girls blue color" colored car you probably should have waited until the right color came up for sale. You bought an old car with all the period charms, and warts, of the era. It should reflect the period in which it was made IMHO.
No one will ever mistake it for anything but a 20 year old car so the "unusual colors" will be accepted as right for the time.
That said, I'd love to find a Teal 129.

Kind Regards,

Ron

 

[gsxr]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

Ron is correct. Changing the color would devalue the car drastically, and also make it seriously difficult to re-sell. Teal (Beryl) is a rare color and some people (myself included) would LOVE to have an E500E in that color. This car was out of my price range, otherwise I'd have seriously considered it. If you want a custom color on a 500E, buy a pearl black one and repaint it... no big loss, lol! Over 50% (!!!) of the .036's imported to USA were pearl black (806 of the 1505 total).

Replace the Camry with a nice 400E/E420 as a daily driver, or better yet, a high-mile 500E as a DD.

 

[8899]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

If I do any mods, it will be a paint job

Aaron - if you a serious about doing a re-paint...perhaps we could work out a trade. How about polar white?

 

[szvook]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

Aaron, if you were to change the color, are you willing to spend that kind of cash and would you completely strip the car down to properly paint the whole car inside and out? If you are willing and are planning to keep the car long term, then go for it, it's only money. If a resell is down the road, do not touch the paint at all.

You have a rare color on a rare car and the Teal color looks quite good on an 036.

 

[szvook]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

buy a pearl black one and repaint it... no big loss

...of these days Dave, one of theses days.

 

[gsxr]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)



Unca Gerry's car is pearl black too, Steve... let's see if he ever reads the forum again and finds this. Right now he's too busy hobnobbing with celebrities in Yurrope.

 

[szvook]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

let's see if he ever reads the forum again and finds this. Right now he's too busy hobnobbing with celebrities in Yurrope.

Once the beer leaves his system, his eyesight might come back...

 

[biohound1975]

Re: FS: 1992 500E, Teal / Cream-Beige, 52kmi, $22,500 (Pottstown, PA)

Gentlemen

I wasn't that serious about the repaint....but it did cross my mind. However, after reading your comments, I realize that I must have had a momentary laps of sanity for even thinking and suggesting it. I won't change the color.

Definitely good to see the passion for the vehicle here. Now that I actually own a 500E, I have allot of studying to do on it. First study topic: The SRS light, it has came on twice at start up and went off after approximately 30 sec to a minute. After it went off the second time, noticed that it turned on and off a couple of times during that same driving session.

V/R
Aaron

 

[ivanned]

I had an SRS light on and it was just the module connector not fully connected. In your case it may be contacts. I'd clean all contacts with Deoxit D5 or similar before spending money.