E500 questions

[e500.org]

Hello all

I've come across an E500 which i'm thinking of buying - can you help decode the VIN? WDB1240361B746788. It's at a bargain price so i'll be going in for a full overhaul but it's recently had the SLS spheres replaced, all brakes replaced, etc etc so lots of work. It does ride really well but it has a few problems (apart from the bodywork!)...

- the gearbox jumps in some gears and sometimes won't go into 4th - any ideas? Does the E500 share the gearbox with the SL500/S500? I seem to think it's actually a different box...

- appears to be a 1992 but with a facelifted boot and bonnet. Someone has also retrofitted the IR system - am I right in thinking the 500E had a key entry only? Someone must have gone to some trouble to retrofit it?

- the console switches are also full - i.e 8 switches across - anyone recognise them? Not seen something like this so must be modified?



- the alloys are Hartge - thought they made these for BMW's and not Mercs? They are currently fitted with spacers.



The car is a UK based one but from what I can see is almost entirely rust free even though it's been sitting outside for ages...

Cheers,

Bill

 

[2phast]

Does it actually have a supercharger?

 

[e500.org]

^ nope unfortunately it doesn't ha - optimistic badging! It has a few dumb badges on the bootlid too (E500 AMG/Lorinser lol) also has what appears to be an original AMG ducktail spoiler (one of the corners has fallen off and it's got AMG written on the inside) and a lorinser exhaust too.

 

[Allgonquin]

IMHO everything shown/described so far points towards a car which has had a hard life with multiple owners, needing serious money to bring it back to some semblance of good condition. If you are buying it as a project car and the price is right, and there is no corrosion, go for it. The badges alone are red flags to me, but that's just me. There is a chin spoiler as well which you didn't mention. I'm sure one of our members can figure out the extra switch(es). You didn't mention how it actually runs - ?

Rgds,
Chris

 

[gsxr]

The 3 extra switches on the far right are not factory... AFAIK. They appear to be from other models, some sort of modification.

 

[e500.org]

The car actually runs well. Engine is smooth and powerful. Not crashy over bumps. No knocking or smoke from the exhaust.

Agreed its a high owner/miler car but please remember it'll be the basis for a restoration.

New paint, interior work, new bushes all around, new glass etc etc. Just need a good base to start with and the gearbox makes me nervous.

 

[e500.org]

Its had tonnes mechanical work done over the last year or so. The gearbox is giving issues so the owner has thrown the towel in. That's where I come in...

 

[bing]

So how much does the owner want for it ? If you want the board's opinion you might want to reveal this ! Gearbox is a major issue and yet you say it runs well ?

 

[e500.org]

So how much does the owner want for it ? If you want the board's opinion you might want to reveal this ! Gearbox is a major issue and yet you say it runs well ?

Hey Bing - been a while - you well mate?

Yeah so driving around she's fine. Sometimes struggles with 4th.

Engine warms up, oil pressure at 3 bars, nice and strong. No rattles etc. Left it on forages and it didn't overheat. Rad is new along with pipework etc.

Looking to pay about £3k mate but the body is poor! Surprisingly no corrosion though. Keen to know where it was originally from as German cars are normally very rusty.

Cheers
Bill

 

[e500.org]

The 3 extra switches on the far right are not factory... AFAIK. They appear to be from other models, some sort of modification.

Thought so bud - do you recognise what they are/do. Seemed to do nothing when pressed! Sunblind is also broken. list gets longer every time I think about the car...

 

[bing]

Those extra buttons indicate door lock/unlock, suspension height adjust, interior light switch and reading lamp switch. Aside from the door lock/unlock button which is normally located next to window button and mirror adjust on the centre console, they are not factory on 124s as Dave mentioned. And normally the "snow chain" button is on the right too. My guess is they're just for show to fill in the blank panel, which also explains the array of ebay badges on the exterior.

Guys, can you help decode , please, to establish origin: WDB1240361B746788

Cheers!

 

[Melville]

Re: the IR key system, as far as I know this option was common (or at least not really rare) outside of N. America on W124s.

 

[e500.org]

Those extra buttons indicate door lock/unlock, suspension height adjust, interior light switch and reading lamp switch. Aside from the door lock/unlock button which is normally located next to window button and mirror adjust on the centre console, they are not factory on 124s as Dave mentioned. And normally the "snow chain" button is on the right too. My guess is they're just for show to fill in the blank panel, which also explains the array of ebay badges on the exterior.

Guys, can you help decode , please, to establish origin: WDB1240361B746788

Cheers!

Cheers Bing. Thought so, just seems like loads of work for no reason!

The snow chain button has been relocated on the left hand bank.

The door sills are stainless steel writing Mercedes Benz.

 

[gerryvz]

There's a lot going on in that row of switches, LOL!

The IR key system was never available on W124 models in the United States. It made its debut in our great country starting with the W210 models (and R129, etc.) but from 1996 onward.

If the car is not about to hit 4th gear, as a first step I'd IMMEDIATELY drain all of the ATF from the transmission (pan and torque converter) and change the filter and put in new fluid. See if a fluid change does anything. I had this type of issue with the transmission being reluctant to upshift much past 2nd gear and it ended up being a fluid issue.

If that doesn't help, then you've got bigger problems, and a gearbox rebuild is very likely in order. May as well begin budgeting the GBP 2,000+ for the rebuild now....

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

The IR key system was never available on W124 models in the United States. It made its debut in our great country starting with the W210 models (and R129, etc.) but from 1996 onward.

This is correct for the E-class... it debuted in USA with the W210 in 1996 model year. Real shame MBNA didn't spec IRCL for all facelifted 124's.

The IRCL system was present earlier in USA on other chassis... the W140 had it from start of production in 1992, and the R129 may also have had it from start of production, but I'm not sure. Jono could likely confirm.

 

[e500.org]

Gerry

Thanks for chiming in. Big risk I know! Out of all the work which has been done mechanically the gearbox oil and filter hasn't been touched.

Can you decode the VIN above?

Regards

Bilal

 

[gerryvz]

My Euro-spec 1995 G-wagen has the infrared (IR) system, combined with electric door locks rather than the vacuum locks. Electric locks rule !!

I don't believe that the US-spec R129s had IR locks for the first few years of production.

 

[gerryvz]

I don't believe that the US-spec R129s had IR locks for the first few years of production.

It appears like my prior statements are incorrect ... looks like the R129 did have the infrared lock (IRCL) system from its US debut for the 1990 model year (and the US W140 from its 1992 model year debut).

Sorry about the mis-statement.

 

[bing]

Data card :

Hope it's readable

Looks like first delivery was Fulda, Germany , code 218

 

[e500.org]

Thanks Bing. Very helpful mate.

I'm toying whether it's worth getting...

 

[Klink]

This is correct for the E-class... it debuted in USA with the W210 in 1996 model year. Real shame MBNA didn't spec IRCL for all facelifted 124's.

The IRCL system was present earlier in USA on other chassis... the W140 had it from start of production in 1992, and the R129 may also have had it from start of production, but I'm not sure. Jono could likely confirm.

Don't forget everybody. Except for the 500, the '94 facelift for the 124 in the USA was combined with a marketing agenda!
These were billed as completely new models! "That's why they changed the name!" was the marketing mantra here in the land of the free. Except for the 500, the facelift came with a fair amount of "de-contenting", with things that people tend not to notice being relegated from standard to optional, the elimination of the 2.8 L version in the US, and a large price cut! They were eliminating standard features on these cars at that point in time not adding them. Putting IRCL on them would've been exactly counter to what MBUSA was doing with the 124s at the time. Try finding at facelift 320 with seat memory, adjustable steering column, and the improved sound system that had been standard on the 3.2 L sedans and coupes just the model year before.
The facelift had two faces...

 

[sheward]

Very interesting.

drew

 

[xilly]

Hello

If you buy the car and want to sell the Hartge rims, I'm interested for my BMW E30

tx

william