OWNER iredellt (E500 Limited)

[iredellt]

Hi

As suggested, starting a fresh owner thread for my E500 Limited.

The car may be known to some, it is Perry's car (Ruffles) and understood to be the only E500 Limited (and one of the few E500s) in Australia. Certainly the only one in Perth!

I've known of the E500 for some time, but given our rules and the LHD only nature of the beast, it seemed impossible to find one here. After living overseas for some time I returned to Perth and saw the car around a few shows, met Perry and waited patiently for him to sell!

This may be a somewhat bare owners thread, because as you will see from his threads, he has lavished significant time and money on the car, which presents in wonderful condition. The car is a real credit to his work and determination, it is simply wonderful. So there is very very little, almost nothing, for me to do! I think I found a single interior light out, plus replaced a faded wiper cover! Not much, so I guess I also deserve to buy another project car! But I will continue the custodianship of this great vehicle. I joined the forum a month or so ago in anticipation and have been delving into the wealth of information here.

Attached a couple of photos of a recent run, and with my R129, a late 1996 (del. 1997) SL500 (M119 with 5-speed trans).

Cheers

Tristan

 

[gsxr]

Beautiful car(s)... I'm amazed Perry sold it. Congratulations, and welcome to the forum!

 

[iredellt]

An update on the Limited.

I've not been very active on this thread, given there hasn't been much to do. I have been driving it, quite a lot, it is an amazing vehicle. I felt it was running a little rough so distributor caps were checked, were scored, and therefore replaced during a recent service and that seems to have solved the issue (point noted from other threads that this will likely occur again).

I did take the opportunity to replace the headlights with brand new OEM units for a car event coming up at the end of this week. The old ones aren't too bad but these new units really take the look to another level. After experimenting with the LEDs (and reading others' experiences on here) decided to go with Philips Xtreme 130+ halogens. Those with the new lights are a vast improvement on the old ones. Hard to capture in photos but I've included some below anyway.

Also a couple of outdoor shots, which didn't last long as the mercury has just tipped over 40C (104F) here. I did go for a brief spin with air con on, the car never went above 100 even in stop start traffic. I do hope its cooler for the show.

Shots below.

Cheers, Tristan


Old unit.

Old vs. new.


Pretty clean in there!


New.


Lights on... they look whiter than that in person.. honestly!


Gratuitous shot - they really look great in the sun, they *pop*


Gratuitous shot #2...

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Wow, it is absolutely stunning!

One thing I would like to note: There is a filler plate for the front bumper intended for the swiss license plates. Part number A 124 885 18 23.
Like your plate, they are smaller than the regular German plates.
Maybe it fits your plate too, just in case you want to get rid of that chrome frame...

BTW: Nice R129 too!

 

[iredellt]

@744Brillantsilber - thanks, that's very interesting to know, just looked up the part and seems to be available - let's see.

Cheers

 

[gerryvz]

It is really imperative that if you change the caps, that you ALSO change the rotors and the insulators behind the whole assembly, at the same time. As has been noted in DOZENS of threads on this forum, the insulators are quite often the problem with poor running, NOT the caps and rotors.

 

[iredellt]

It is really imperative that if you change the caps, that you ALSO change the rotors and the insulators behind the whole assembly, at the same time. As has been noted in DOZENS of threads on this forum, the insulators are quite often the problem with poor running, NOT the caps and rotors.

Thanks! Indeed I read these posts (I know how to use the search button) and the whole lot was done.

 

[gerryvz]

(I know how to use the search button)

Can you help instruct others on such?

 

[iredellt]

O

Can you help instruct others on such?

ooo that’s pushing the boat out a bit...

 

[iredellt]

I hadn't realised it had been so long between updates... A few things since December to continue on the quest for perfection:

1. Seats were crooked, as reported by others, it transpired the cables had come out of their homes on one side and therefore the seat raise mechanism was faulty on each side. Fixed with help from the excellent thread by @gerryvz.

This is how bad they were when i tried to raise them:



Nice and clean underneath:



2. The faded wood has been driving me crazy. Faded in the front, with some cracking, and cracked in the back. So that spent 2 months being redone. A couple of photos below, sorry some aren't the best quality...

Before:





After:




Cheers

Tristan

 

[iredellt]

Maybe this is better..

 

[TimL]

Totally agree with you that it's a real eyesore when the wood is faded. Drove me nuts on my car too. Your pieces turned out really nice!

 

[iredellt]

 

[e500.org]

Car looks absolutely incredible, that's how I aspire my E500 LTD to look. I need to pull my finger out and get the original steering wheel and gearknob fitted. Then get my EVO-IIs diamond cut. Well done sir!

 

[e500.org]

Maybe this is better..
View attachment 130173

Those aftermarket floor mats look really good! Very close to the originals, I'd be glad running those in my car! Oh and the BEM wood looks perfect!

 

[iredellt]

Car looks absolutely incredible, that's how I aspire my E500 LTD to look. I need to pull my finger out and get the original steering wheel and gearknob fitted. Then get my EVO-IIs diamond cut. Well done sir!

That’s very generous of you.. your car is pretty much as good i would think! Do you already have the wheel and gearknob? If so I suspect half the battle is won!

 

[iredellt]

I cannot believe it has been over two years since I posted here! I read a lot but clearly don't post enough.

No real updates on the E500, mechanical work and preventative maintenance done as and when required. Small fuel leak repaired (new hoses), new MAF, small detailing works and constant improvement.

Been running it as a daily over summer here, is such a good daily, a total dream. Couple of pictures at the hardware store and into work, as well as its current B12 garage mate..

Cheers all

 

[sheward]

stunning!

 

[TimL]

Your car looks beautiful and so does the garage space! Love those posters!