FOR SALE FS: 1992 500E Silver / Blue, 165kkm, Japan import, $28k (Jacksonville, FL)

[ace10]

ADMIN EDIT: Price dropped to $28k by May 2019. Thread title updated. AutoCheck attached below photos.

NO AFFILIATION

VIN = WDB1240361B742670

https://www.unitedimportscars.com/v...500e-e-sedan-4f8f0ac480d40b48b971907d2fed6edd

Mercedes-Benz VIN Decoder

1993 Mercedes-Benz 500e E 4-Door Sedan​

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Exterior Color: Silver ​

Interior Color: Black ​

Stock Number: 13556 ​

Mileage: 103,038 ​

Title: Clear ​

VIN: WDB1240361B742670 ​

Internet Price: $29,770 ​

Absolutely immaculate, Euro spec Mercedes 500E. The car has roughly 164k kilometers, which is about 103k miles. There are really no excuses for this car. It is showroom clean in and out and it runs like a new Benz. Smooth transmission, all the power, every button and know works as designed. It still has original Becker radio and CD changer as well as the original remote for the radio. Several service records from Japan, where the car came from. All keys, recent tires and floor mats. The car will be sold with FL clean title. Active registration in Japan until we purchased it, which means all service up to date. Must see and drive to believe the condition of this car.​

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EDIT: Dealer states that the car is an MY93. Datacard shows this as a 1992. Built in 3/1992. Dealer states interior color is "Black," pics and Datacard show Royal Blue leather.



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[Jlaa]

I love the blue interior - blue seats, blue carpet, blue dash, blue console .... manufacturers don’t do this anymore

 

[Dario]

I love the blue interior - blue seats, blue carpet, blue dash, blue console .... manufacturers don’t do this anymore

I have this same color interior and it does not waer nicely over time plus good luck finding small bits and piece to match

 

[a777fan]

Original remote??? Can someone explain?


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[Jlaa]

It looks like some Beckers (perhaps not the US market BE1432) came with a remote.

http://yahoo.aleado.com/lot?auctionID=s601807348

Check out the picture of the Becker in the dash of this car --- it looks slightly different from the US BE1432 --- The on/off button area, in particular.

 

[outrbnks]

The buyer will have to solve the headlight problem, Japan left hand traffic lenses & reflectors don't cut it on USA roads. May end up with non-500E headlights until they can be acquired, 500E lenses are NLA right now... Nice looking car

PS: anyone know what build code 758 is? Don't see it even listed on the spreadsheet list...

 

[Efraim]

PS: anyone know what build code 758 is? Don't see it even listed on the spreadsheet list...

758 = Radio Becker Mexico 2000 Japan

 

[steve h]

You can sell the headlights to any UK 500E driver

 

[TerryA]

Overall a nice looking car in the pics. I think interior looks great. The car is detailed nicely. Price seems realistic for a Dealer.

Headlights and speedo need to be changed. Also maybe the Becker Mexico for the Japanese market may have to be changed. I have a remote for my Nacamachi but IMOP, I find it to be useless toy.

Need some chassis pics.

 

[a777fan]

Just noticing the data card says : “Caution, do not leave card in vehicle”

What sort of nefarious acts could you get up to with the info on that card?


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[ace10]

After the earlier mentions about the potential issues with Japanese market cars, I started to wonder what other concerns accompany a car like this one.

And don't get me wrong... I think this one looks pretty darn nice in the pics. Silver over blue is a really good look.


So there's the issue of radio frequencies.
And the headlights are going to be for Left hand traffic.

Speedometer will be in KPH, which isn't a huge deal, but it's something to consider.

I know rust is always mentioned on Japanese market cars.

Any other JDM-specific mechanical peculiarities?

Is there a Carfax/Autocheck equivalent for JDM vehicles?

I don't know if this car went through an auction, but does anybody have a good reference guide (in English) to understanding those auction condition reports?

Any other tips, trick or hints?



[if this belongs in a separate thread... make it so!]

 

[RicardoD]

Blue interior is gorgeous on this car. Definitely makes it unique to the era and is aging well.

 

[panthercity]

This car is now live on bring-a-trailer.

 

[Pathung]

Has anyone successfully registered such an imported car in California?

 

[outrbnks]

Has anyone successfully registered such an imported car in California?

I have registered a similar 500E in New York State, which covers all the US customs legal documents, and NY State requirements, but to be specific to your question about CA, I guess your concerned about passing air standards for CA. I believe that gsxr mentioned in another thread a while back that all 500E's have the same air pollution setup from the factory, no matter what market they were built for. If that is true, then there should be no problem passing the tests.

When I imported mine back in 2016, I spent a lot of time researching NY state DMV requirements as well. The information your looking for is probably published on the CA DMV website. If your really interested, then check online with the CA DMV, call or go see them personally.

The only odd thing I encounter each year when being inspected, the NYSDMV inspection system doesn't like the non-US vin when they scan the registration sticker, but they are able to do a manual entry walk around each time, and the inspection sticker is issued anyway.

Nice looking 500E, good luck if your going after it.....

 

[ace10]

So the car sat in Jacksonville for about half the year, and then was moved across the country, but is still owned by the original dealer?

IIRC when I made inquiries on the car, I was told that the (driver's?) door had been repainted. The BaT listing now states that the entire car had been resprayed in Japan.

Here's the auction report. I tried to get it translated, but couldn't find someone who could do it.

 

[gsxr]

Japan-spec cars are closer to USA-spec, for example they do not have an engine oil cooler. Unless geography changed more than I thought, Japan was not located in Europe. Probably the BaT copywriter getting over-enthusiastic.

Also, the ad copy mentions “factory left-hand-drive specific headlights”, however in the photos you can see the car has “factory left-hand-TRAFFIC specific headlights”… meaning Japan/UK/Australia, not USA/Europe. The correct lights/lenses are NLA. And those HID burners need to come out ASAP. Weird that the FL title shows 1993 instead of 1992 - DMV error?

A couple dozen undercarriage photos with the car on a lift would help. Note this car has no sunroof, no rear roller blind, may not have rear reading lamps (need photo to verify), and passenger front memory seats – all different than USA models. I wonder what CA would require to title/register, besides factory cats? Pretty sure they won't like the missing CEL (which was a USA-only item).

Strong opening bid!

 

[sheward]

The early steering wheel would suggest 1992.

drew

 

[gsxr]

The early steering wheel would suggest 1992.

Estimated production date is March 1992, which would be late 1992 USA model year. No idea where FL DMV got 1993 from, unless the paperwork from Japan showed it as 1993. I know in Europe sometimes the "model year" is actually when the car was first registered, which is how some 036's end up as 1996 or some weird thing across the pond. Doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[Harv]

Estimated production date is March 1992, which would be late 1992 USA model year. No idea where FL DMV got 1993 from, unless the paperwork from Japan showed it as 1993. I know in Europe sometimes the "model year" is actually when the car was first registered, which is how some 036's end up as 1996 or some weird thing across the pond. Doesn't make any sense to me.

I'm thinking thats what happened here. I believe Japan titles cars based on their first registration date. So this car must of not been sold in Japan until 1993.

 

[outrbnks]

Estimated production date is March 1992, which would be late 1992 USA model year. No idea where FL DMV got 1993 from, unless the paperwork from Japan showed it as 1993. I know in Europe sometimes the "model year" is actually when the car was first registered, which is how some 036's end up as 1996 or some weird thing across the pond. Doesn't make any sense to me.

Just looked at all the import documents in the file for my Japan Bornite 500. The EPA document only has a location for manufacture date, but the DOT document does have both dates, manufacture date and model year. In my case on the DOT document, the manufacture date was Nov/91, and the model year was-is 92, and it is correctly registered and titled as a 1992.
I'm guessing the DOT import document for this Silver car must have said 93 model year, perhaps back tracked to a Japan reg/title??

If I were to buy this 500E, (I'm not), I'd attempt to correct that mistake if at all possible, just to have all ownership doc's agree with normal process.

Also, I would want ALL import documents to come with the car, to prove it was imported legally. Getting a clean FL title would not be enough for me, without all import papers provided and verified, I would not buy it. Hopefully the FL dealer kept all the import documents with the car, I do't see them in pictures or hear them described.

 

[magicbigdaddy]

My experience is once a vehicle is "titled" within a State here in USA that is both the beginning and ending history of said vehicle. When a car crosses the boarder Homeland Security issues documents which include VIN verification, duty if required etc. Those documents are taken to local DMV and they issue a title for the car. I am not aware of any titled car in USA to be confiscated or deported if brought into this country thru proper channels. If concerned just take a photo copy of the cars title to your local DMV and they can look it up on a national database and let you know if any issues exist. I have purchased and sold many Mercedes that were brought into USA over 25 years ago along with some within the last couple years without any issues. Mike

 

[gerryvz]

This car seems quite subdued on BaT. Even that 500E auction stalker, "Unhinged Troll," hasn't bothered to chime in.

 

[gsxr]

15 mins left and 2 bidders...

 

[gerryvz]

YouTube video links added, for posterity.

 

[gsxr]

Hey, did BaT ban UHT?

 

[gerryvz]

No, UHT is "transitioning" to a new identity.

Bids are climbing fast, but I think $28-30K is top top top dollar for this one.

 

[gerryvz]

$25,250. About market correct in today's environment, I believe.

 

[Teddy_West]

Not gonna lie, I am a little jealous LOL

 

[gsxr]

$25,250. About market correct in today's environment, I believe.

~$26,500 plus transport, all in. Seems reasonable given the few oddities, and lack of detail photos (I didn't watch the VV / Vertical Video). Driver side of that engine splash panel looks awfully damp, buyer will be in for the usual $5k+.

 

[Jlaa]

Dude what a greaaaat deal, even w another 5k of work!

Only issue is questionable ability to register it in CA, if that matters to you. Still though —- well bought!

 

[Harv]

I think this is well bought. Blue interior is killer.

 

[ace10]

It was on the market in FL @28K. Likely sold for $25-6. The only thing that changed in the interim is that the car was moved to the Left coast.

 

[gerryvz]

18 months ago, this car would have been pushing $35-40K

 

[Benz]

I regret not buying this car for 17k I spoke to the seller way before he listed it