Input wanted - Considering 1993 500E with Swiss spec - Pearl Black/Gray, 215kkm

[Surf Blau]

Hello forum!

I am uncertain where to post this, but I am considering a car originally sold in Switzerland in early 1993 (pre-facelift) and would like your input on it. I am in Europe myself as well, so I'm not worried about the continent-specific differences.

VIN = WDB1240361B950836

Link to details on LastVIN.com

Option list according to LastVIN:
228 AUXILIARY HEATER
241 FRONT SEAT LH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
242 FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
249 AUTOMATICALLY DIPPING INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
412 ELECTRIC SLIDING ROOF WITH TILTING DEVICE
441 STEERING COLUMN, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE
540 ROLLER BLIND, ELECTRIC, FOR REAR WINDOW
552 THEFT WARNING SYSTEM FOR SWITZERLAND
570 FOLDING ARMREST, FRONT
592 HEAT-INSULATING GLASS, ALL-AROUND, HEATED REAR WINDOW PANE, BAND FILTER
620 VEHICLES WITH CATALYST TECHNIQUE
630 ECE - WARNING TRIANGLE
682 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
810 SOUND SYSTEM
823 VEHICLES FOR SWITZERLAND, ADDITIONAL PARTS
855 NEW AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
880 CLOSING SYSTEM WITH INFRARED REMOTE CONTROL

First of all some questions about the options:

1. What is included in "823 Vehicles for Switzerland, additional parts"?
2. Was the CD-changer and electric antenna standard equipment, or perhaps included in "810 Sound System"? I see them on the car, but not in the option list.
3. How does the "552 Theft Warning System for Switzerland" differ from the standard alarm system?
4. Does the option "855 New Automatic Transmission" indicate that it has a revised transmission sans the issues some of these cars have?

I have not had a chance to inspect the car in person yet, but hope to do so in a few days time. According to the ad and the seller it does not have a load of documentation, but enough to give a good impression of its previous life. It spent some time in the UK before coming to Norway, so it has at least been registered to three owners (the Norwegian seller has owned it since it was imported in 2017). Here are a few pics of it:


















The car has done just over 200Kkm (about 125K miles), and has been serviced regularly. The previous owner told me he spent quite some time looking at cars before settling on this one, after getting thumbs up from more knowledgeable friends from the Mercedes Club.

Now, a few questions based on what I can see in the pictures;

1. Are the diamond cut wheels original? If so, why are they not in the data card?
2. What are the differences between the radios with "Becker" and those that say "Mercedes-Benz" (despite being visually "the same")? Is one made by Becker and the other by Alpine?
3. The headliner is sagging, which is a common issue on W124s from what I've understood - but I thought it was mainly an issue with cars from warmer climates. Could this indicate the need to check other things more thoroughly, and how complicated is it to have it fixed? I noticed that the grab handles on the rear headrests also sag, which I've also never seen on cars from temperate to cold climates. The speedo needles have a bright orange color though, which counters the theory that it has spent a lot of time in strong sun.

Finally a more general question; What's your opinion based on these pictures, and what's your advice on what to check or clarify when inspecting it? Thanks in advance!

 

[gsxr]

First of all some questions about the options:

1. What is included in "823 Vehicles for Switzerland, additional parts"?
2. Was the CD-changer and electric antenna standard equipment, or perhaps included in "810 Sound System"? I see them on the car, but not in the option list.
3. How does the "552 Theft Warning System for Switzerland" differ from the standard alarm system?
4. Does the option "855 New Automatic Transmission" indicate that it has a revised transmission sans the issues some of these cars have?

1. I'm not sure, but another forum member may know details of code 823.

2a. CD changer was not standard, this was typically a dealer-installed option, at least in USA. I assume it was the same/similar in Europe.
2b. Electric antenna was standard worldwide, AFAIK.
2c: Sound System includes a 6-speaker, 10-driver audio system (rear deck speakers have dual tweeters each) that has midbass drivers in the front doorboards, along with dual amplifiers for everything. It was a pretty good audio system for the early 1990's.

3. Same as #1 above... I'm not certain. This description may not be accurate, it could be an alarm system which was not necessarily specific to Switzerland.

4. The description for code 855 is wrong. The transmission is the same for all years E500E, it's a 722.3 four-speed. Search the forum for previous discussions about code 855.

1. Are the diamond cut wheels original? If so, why are they not in the data card?
2. What are the differences between the radios with "Becker" and those that say "Mercedes-Benz" (despite being visually "the same")? Is one made by Becker and the other by Alpine?
3. The headliner is sagging, which is a common issue on W124s from what I've understood - but I thought it was mainly an issue with cars from warmer climates. Could this indicate the need to check other things more thoroughly, and how complicated is it to have it fixed? I noticed that the grab handles on the rear headrests also sag, which I've also never seen on cars from temperate to cold climates. The speedo needles have a bright orange color though, which counters the theory that it has spent a lot of time in strong sun.

1. Nope, those wheels are not original. Diamond-cut 8-hole stock wheels were never offered on any year E500E. Someone replaced / upgraded them.

2. I believe all of the radios in the style shown in the photos were made by Becker. Some later units (with a rotary volume knob) were made by either Becker or Alpine.

3. The sagging headliner is very common. It's more common in warm/hot climates, but it's basically an age-related issue.

Finally a more general question; What's your opinion based on these pictures, and what's your advice on what to check or clarify when inspecting it? Thanks in advance!

From the few photos, it looks nicer / cleaner than most. Search the forum for past discussions on PPI's and what to look for in general. Make sure there's minimal rust on the undercarriage. The driver seat outer bolster is a common wear point. Unless there's a thick stack of records documenting open-chequebook maintenance, plan on the usual €5k-10k in deferred maintenance, but this applies to any E500E purchase. It's nice to make sure the car runs and drives like an E500E should, but this is difficult if you've never driven a good one for reference, or if the shop doing the PPI hasn't either.

BTW - welcome to the forum!

 

[gsxr]

Also BTW: Auxiliary heater is a rare option. Passenger memory seat is nice, ditto for Sound System and IRCL.

 

[TerryA]

Looks nice. I don’t think the wheels are original but look great. Note the speedometer shows 245445 km/151K miles.

I have a 93 with a similar 143K miles w/ no major problems. Properly maintained these cars will last forever. I guess it comes down to you actually seeing the car up close and personal. Taking for a test drive if possible and if you like it agreeing on a purchase price.

You can check the “500E500 For Sale” here on the 500Eboard OR check the Bring a Trailer (BaT) Auction for comparisons.

Good Luck

 

[Surf Blau]

Thanks for your replies and welcome! Hopefully I will become a regular (ie: having my own E500E) soon