Help with information on an E500

[carseller]

Hi,
I'm new to this site.
I have come into possession of what I believe to be a Mercedes E500 but I can't find any information on it, anywhere. I'm looking to confirm details before I purchase it.

All the VIN decoders turn back no information, which is not good.

It is originally a German car, which was then imported to the UK, and now Ireland.
I know it is a 1993 production year car but the registration details all say 1999.

I have tried contacting MB in the UK, no information on the car, and MB Germany but they won't give any information on the grounds that I'm not German.

Any help please?

Edit; It is supposed to be a Porsche type 2758 collaboration between MB and Porsche.

 

[Dario]

How about you post that VIN number so we can talk

 

[carseller]

Thank you, it's WDB1240361B866700

 

[r44raven]

If you are suspicious about the VIN number (i.e. the one shown on the plate on the bonnet slam bar), be sure to check the one that is stamped into the body shell. Open the bonnet, look to your left (as you're looking in the bonnet from car front to back) at the area of the front suspension turret. As the firewall curves around the suspension mount, there is a gap in the silver fire resistant material, and here there is a plastic cover which you can remove; you will find the VIN stamped into the metal underneath.

 

[maw1124]

If the VIN is legit, the “WDB124036” is for 500E. Chassis W124, Type 036. I’m sure others will chime in, but you should see that pretty much everywhere on the car.

maw

P.S. let’s see if this works...https://www.datamb.com/pdf/oaz1nGEyBJX2xv67l

 

[r44raven]

The EPC recognises that VIN as a 500E, delivery date 21 Oct 1992. Colour 199.

 

[carseller]

Thank you for all the information.
My understanding is that one of the differences between the E500 and 500E is BHP.
Can anyone confirm which is the one I have by BHP?

 

[r44raven]

During the course of the manufacture of the E500E, there was a small change to the BHP. Others more knowledgeable than I will be able to elaborate in this.

You're right to be cautious, especially as it seems you have very little history on the car - and some of that is incorrect (i.e. wrong registration date). I'm intrigued as to what is particularly concerning you about the car?

Amongst your investigations, physically check it has the correct engine. Assuming the VIN you have is correct for this car, the EPC is showing the number should be 119 974 12 006561.

 

[nocfn]

And if the body has been chopped, remove the plate off the boot. There is a vin tag there, if it doesn't match either the tag on the door or the plate on the radiator support or the firewall, then at least you know perhaps the boot lid is not original.

 

[carseller]

There is no service history with the car so its past is very checkered. I just want to make sure it is the car it claims to be before I take the plunge and buy it.
Where would the engine code be on the engine, I can't spot it in the usual places?
I've the lend of a hoist for a few minutes later and want to get it all tidied up.

 

[r44raven]

If you remove the front section of the plastic air box cover which sits on top of the engine (it unclips directly upwards), the engine number is located near the front/top of the intake manifold, sort-of near where the radiator hose connects to the engine. If the car has been neglected, it'll probably be covered in congealed dust/oil, and you'll need to scrape this off.

 

[gsxr]

The EPC recognises that VIN as a 500E, delivery date 21 Oct 1992. Colour 199.

That VIN is definitely a 500E. And it's a Euro-spec car. Please update your forum profile with your location, the majority of members are in USA, so it helps to know if you are outside the USA. As mentioned above it's clearly not a 1999 model year, assuming the VIN is accurate. BHP is irrelevant, early cars had a different fuel injection computer that increased power slightly at WOT (early cars also had a bunch of other differences). This car should be the 'later' version with automatic serpentine belt tensioner, etc.

You determine 500E (pre-facelift) vs E500 (facelift) by appearance. A car built in Oct-1992 should be pre-facelift, but a previous owner could have done the facelift upgrade... either due to personal preference, or due to repairing accident damage. Facelift cars (E500) did not begin production until approximately Jun-1993.

Photos attached of engine number location, and chassis VIN location.

 

[JC220]

Hi,
I'm new to this site.
I have come into possession of what I believe to be a Mercedes E500 but I can't find any information on it, anywhere. I'm looking to confirm details before I purchase it.

All the VIN decoders turn back no information, which is not good.

It is originally a German car, which was then imported to the UK, and now Ireland.
I know it is a 1993 production year car but the registration details all say 1999.

I have tried contacting MB in the UK, no information on the car, and MB Germany but they won't give any information on the grounds that I'm not German.

Any help please?

Edit; It is supposed to be a Porsche type 2758 collaboration between MB and Porsche.

Im from Ireland too - it sounds like you have bought the car already. I was not sure how’s many E500E’s are here... I know em inside out if you would need any advice or help

 

[carseller]

Not bought it yet. As the name suggests, we sell cars, we are a small independent used car dealership that specializes in the more unique side of cars.
We like to get to know each car inside and out before we buy it to retail.
Thank you everyone for your help, a massive amount of knowledge.
The engine code lines up with what should be in the car - 119974 12 006561 - but we still aren't sure of the BHP on it.

 

[lowman]

Not bought it yet. As the name suggests, we sell cars, we are a small independent used car dealership that specializes in the more unique side of cars.
We like to get to know each car inside and out before we buy it to retail.
Thank you everyone for your help, a massive amount of knowledge.
The engine code lines up with what should be in the car - 119974 12 006561 - but we still aren't sure of the BHP on it.

the car in this matter is a oct 1992...which makes it a 326 PS car...the face lift from late 1993 has 320 PS

 

[gsxr]

The engine code lines up with what should be in the car - 119974 12 006561 - but we still aren't sure of the BHP on it.

Again... the BHP does not matter. It's a 500E, that's all you care about. And, it has the 1993-up modifications with auto belt tensioner & reduced weight internal components (link).

Anyway, assuming this is a big deal for whatever reason, based on the VIN this particular chassis / engine will be 315hp (US / SAE bhp), or 320ps. Per the EPC, the change to non-WOT enrichment for Euro-spec was as of chassis B840527 and this car is B866700.

Swapping the LH module (fuel injection computer) to the early version (1990-92) will boost power back up to at least 322hp / 326ps. A previous owner may have already done this, but you'd need to remove the CAN box cover and snap a photo of the modules inside, to verify the part numbers.