500E 500E Rebuild and A.I.

[Harold]

This is my 500E (wrecked) and I have been using A.I. To help me get an idea of how I need to rebuild my 500E. Be honest are the A.I images attached BS, kinda accurate or pretty detailed. Please let me know I don't want to began my rebuild based off inaccurate images.

 

[Draginev]

Sorry to break it for you, but after I've learned thru many pictures of bare chassis during my 3D-modelling, none of these images feel familiar or accurate.

 

[JC220]

Sorry to break it for you, but after I've learned thru many pictures of bare chassis during my 3D-modelling, none of these images feel familiar or accurate.

AI is dumb - full stop. I test it occasionally and reach the same conclusion every time. Don't bother.

Instead use this great site and members. Create an owners thread and help us help you by providing details about you and the project.

 

[gsxr]

Those images are inaccurate and I would NOT trust any dimensions provided. Sorry. You'll need to do this the hard way.

Start by using the factory service manual, there is a lot of information in there. Also may need the Technical Data Manual (not sure though).

 

[doolar]

Artificial Ignorance is just what AI means. There’s no intelligence involved. Not saying that AI is useless, because it’s not. But using it in this fashion will inevitably end up a disaster.

 

[Draginev]

Those images are inaccurate and I would NOT trust any dimensions provided. Sorry. You'll need to do this the hard way.

Start by using the factory service manual, there is a lot of information in there. Also may need the Technical Data Manual (not sure though).

The hard way, is what people lack to take this initiative and efforts. I believe the 50 % of internet today is garbage.
YouTube/google is filled with garbage when you are searching for something.

 

[gsxr]

Also - based on your photo, that 500E may not be worth saving, unless it's super low miles and the rest of the car is absolutely immaculate. You'll need an entire front clip to weld on, and some of the items are 036-specific, and NLA. The bumper / fenders are also NLA and difficult / expensive to source used.

Unless you own a body shop and all the labor is "free", you'll likely end up VERY upside-down financially attempting to repair this.

 

[alabbasi]

I don't think AI can be trusted yet. If you're a vintage Mercedes guy, tell me what's wrong with this picture.

 

[gsxr]

Eh... is the driver sitting in the REAR seat?

 

[alabbasi]

No, it's left hand drive only.

 

[apex55]

This is my 500E (wrecked) and I have been using A.I. To help me get an idea of how I need to rebuild my 500E. Be honest are the A.I images attached BS, kinda accurate or pretty detailed. Please let me know I don't want to began my rebuild based off inaccurate images.

The A.I. renderings actually look surprisingly close for overall panel alignment and stance, but I definitely wouldn’t trust them for structural or fitment details. The big stuff like bumper shape, hood gaps, lights, and general proportions seem useful as a visual guide, but A.I. tends to invent mounting points, body lines, brackets, and even wheel positioning once you zoom in. On a 500E, the little details matter because those cars have so many model-specific parts compared to a standard W124.


If it were mine, I’d use the A.I. images only for motivation and rough planning, then rely on factory photos, EPC diagrams, and measurements from an original car for the actual rebuild. Still though, that shell looks very saveable from what I can see. Hope you bring it back, always worth saving a 500E.