OWNER Jouser

[Jouser]

Happy to share that I purchased @TimL's car this weekend on 4/26/2025 and drove it back to the bay area safe and sound.
Here is the link to reference the car's previous (very well documented) history on the forum.

A very, very, very, special shout out to @744Brillantsilber for connecting Tim and I.

I met Merlin back in 2019 when I was studying in Hannover. We connected in Stuttgart, and have been friends ever since. I recently visited again this past December-January and we traveled around Eastern Europe together. Great man, great family, and a true friend! Without Merlin, I would not have the knowledge I have on w124s, nor the dedication to this little hobby we all share. Thank you, pal!

OWNER - TimL | Owners and Their Cars

Sorry to see you leaving this community Tim, but of course priorities change in life. Wish you all the best for the future!

www.500eboard.co

 

[gsxr]

Congrats on the score! Tim's car was one of the best-maintained 036's outside of Jono's garage, lol...

 

[Jouser]

Because of this purchase, my newly forum acquired 1995 E320 Wagon (fantastic car) has to go. There is nothing wrong with it - I just cannot have 5 cars.

SOLD - 1995 E320 Wagon - Ex Gerry/Dave/Ken car - 260K miles, flawless no excuse running (SF Bay Area, CA) | Off-Topic Discussions

Moderator update: This car is for sale by the new owner, see post #39 below. Hey all! Fair warning, I will have to update this post a LOT, because I am collecting my thoughts and receipts and jogging my memory. Sadly, the time has come for me to rehome my beloved (and I do mean that) 1995...

www.500eboard.co

 

[gsxr]

Because of this purchase, my newly forum acquired 1995 E320 Wagon (fantastic car) has to go. There is nothing wrong with it - I just cannot have 5 cars.

Totally agree that 5 cars is a problem.

You need at least 7 or 8.

 

[nocfn]

5 cars 2 drivers, what is the issue... Who washes them?

 

[Jouser]

Totally agree that 5 cars is a problem.

You need at least 7 or 8.

View attachment 213016

I would but...

 

[Jouser]

5 cars 2 drivers, what is the issue... Who washes them?

My girlfriend lives in SF (without a car) and is likely moving to PHX for her new role in the orchestra. I normally chauffeur with my white glove service, car washes are done by me at my parent's place in OC, or by me here in Fremont. The cabrio will likely stay in Socal with them, and "D1" is there too at the moment.

Isabel likes "Wags", but I will likely send her to PHX in D1 or encourage her to get something cheap, (new or used) so she doesn't have to worry about running hot, NLA parts, quirky stuff we men live for.

 

[nocfn]

Well there sometimes is a need for general transportation that is simply fixed by Buford at pepboyz in a pinch, on the road and out of state. Nails won't break in the waiting room...

 

[TerryA]

@Jouser,
Congrats Jouser, It’s sad to see TimL give up his car but at least I know the guy who got it. Will I we see you at the MBCC Cars & Coffee next month?

 

[Jouser]

@Jouser,
Congrats Jouser, It’s sad to see TimL give up his car but at least I know the guy who got it. Will we see you at the MBCC Cars & Coffee next month?

Indeed, I’ll have my red car again. This time around, you don’t need to worry about me stealing your ‘93!

 

[JwashE]

Welcome aboard @Jouser! Your new car is among the best. Congrats!

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Wishing you many miles and smiles with that lovely 500E!
I know you worked hard for it and still remember how disappointed you were after Riccardo decided to keep his instead of selling haha

 

[Jouser]

UPDATE:

I had a difficult time getting this car registered at AAA because it is a Canadian car, and the black emissions sticker on the passenger side of the hood area (PN 124 584 94 17) does not mention California (and was partially rubbed off by a buffer anyways).

I was told to go to the DMV; and that I did... I had with me some notes about California Version Cars 494, this car being a 50 state car, etc... The only thing that saved me was a saved letter from Mercedes of Canada saying the car complies with all US EPA rules, etc. This was saved by the PO before TimL when they had brought the car from Canada to Southern CA. They also saw that this car was previously registered in CA, so that was a big +.

I ended up getting a CA license plate and was told the CA title will be in the mail within 30 days.

Because of this unforseen hassle, I decided to buy some stickers from Marcel www.marceldeijkers.nl since he had what I needed.

PN 124 584 8817 is a yellow emissions sticker that is identical to the original black sticker (verbiage), but mentions 494 and California Compliance... Will save the next guy some trouble I guess, or at least save myself if the DMV gives me any further trouble.

I am scratching my head as to why other 1992 500Es on bat had the yellow sticker vs. the black sticker...

 

[gsxr]

I am scratching my head as to why other 1992 500Es on bat had the yellow sticker vs. the black sticker...

The Black sticker is found on cars (both 034 and 036) without a Diagnostic Module (DM) and CEL.

The Yellow sticker is found on cars (both 034 and 036) with a Diagnostic Module (DM) and CEL.

The DM+CEL was only found in North America (USA & Canada), the rest of the world did not have either one. All NA 036's seemed to convert from Black to Yellow in the middle of 1992 model year production. The 034's were a bit different, but it appears that by 1994 USA model year, all E420's were Yellow. There was a mix of both on 1992-1993 400E's. There's an old thread discussing this in more detail, focused on the 036.

EDIT - here's the thread:

Do All W124036 Have Check Engine Lights? | Troubleshooting and Diagnostics

Hi guys, I have been searching the forum for threads about this topic to no avail. I was recently looking into diagnostics for my 1992 500E (production date 10/91) and found an original Mercedes W124 034/036 service manual, which stated that all 1992 California spec 400E's and ALL 1992 500E's...

www.500eboard.co

 

[Jouser]

My California Title came in the mail today making me one relieved 500E owner!

Here are some new stickers I have applied, as well as the proper American front license plate w/ bracket.

 

[Jouser]

Just a teaser:

 

[Jouser]

Lovely day in Belmont! *Jouser official*

 

[DJ RaMiN]

Lovely day in Belmont! *Jouser official*

Hey! Good meeting you today! Thanks for coming!

 

[Jouser]

Lovely day at the 3rd annual Long Beach Classic Center show with “D2” - brought my dad with me, turn out was pretty good today. It’s not the same without @TerryA !

 

[gsxr]

Whoa, an E60...?

 

[TerryA]

@Jouser,
Sorry I missed it this year. Not much enthusiasm to go with my 500E under the weather. Is that your 500E next to the E60?

BTW, I only see you once a year. I think pic 2 of 5 is you and your dad? Correct?

 

[Jouser]

Not my car. Yes, that is my pops.

I didn’t meet any other 500E / E60 owners… these events have gotten bigger over the years, last year seemed to have been a favorite.

 

[TerryA]

You guys look great! Sorry I missed you. I should be able to make it next year.

Take Care

 

[Jouser]

Figured I would share this because I have done this job multiple times on the diesels I own, but this was my first time doing it on the 500E.


My fuel gauge on my Mercedes-Benz 500E was jumping around and not reading consistently. I accessed the fuel sending unit through the trunk access panel. I had to work around my zip-tied CD player setup which made things a little tight but still manageable.


Once I got the unit out, there was the usual buildup and grime on the resistor track and contact points causing the erratic readings. I know some people use Techron injector cleaner and I do think it can help a bit with symptoms, but in my experience it does not actually fix the root issue. Cleaning the sending unit is what actually resolves it.


On this unit there is also a black cap at the bottom near the screw. On mine it would not come off. I tried to gently work it loose, even dropped a wrench into the cylindrical housing to see if it would pop free, but it would not budge at all. I did not want to force it and risk breaking something that may not be designed to come apart.


At that point I used a generous amount of brake cleaner and flushed everything thoroughly while working the float arm back and forth to clean the contact path as best as possible.


Reinstalled everything, made sure the gasket seated properly, and tightened it back down.


After that the gauge smoothed out immediately. It still behaves like an older mechanical sender but it no longer jumps around or drops randomly like before.


One thing worth noting is that these sending units are no longer available and have not been for quite some time, so if yours is acting up it is worth trying to clean and restore it rather than assuming you can just replace it.

PS I saw this 1992 vintage Mercedes-Benz print ad on Marketplace and eBay. It’s from March 1992. I like to think the original owner saw it in a magazine and went straight to the dealer to get his hands on one.