OWNER Ntrepid (1992 500E)

[Ntrepid]

Hello gorgeous!

VIN: WDBEA36E6NB761844
Build Date: April 1992
Mileage: 73,397

UPDATE: 28 June 2020

So sometimes life gets in the way. I've had this car for 10 months and I just have not had the time to focus on it. Lots of other projects as I know you all can appreciate. This weekend I finally got some time set aside to work on the car. So I thought that I would make this owner thread a little different in that I will manage a list of all of the items I want to do with this example and then, as I complete them, edit this entry and link to the post which shows the work I have done. Some things will be small while others will be bigger.

Engine & Transmission:

• Replace air tubes (See post #26)
• Replace coolant reservoir & sensor (See post #26)
• Replace hose to coolant overflow reservoir (because of post #26)
• Replace aluminum fuses
• Replace oil cap (See post #26)
• Replace insulators, rotors and caps
• Replace radiator grill and chrome strips (See post #26)
• Replace spark plugs @ 75K
• Complete transmission flush, new filter, and gasket @ 75K
• Change oil and filter @ 75K
• Change power steering fluid and filter
• Replace low pressure supply line to power steering pump
• Change fuel filter
• Replace the winshield fluid reservoir

Suspension:

1. Install updated LCAs
2. Install SA calipers and rotors
3. Install steering damper
4. Install new tie rods
5. Install new drag link
6. Replace SLS accumulators
7. Replace SLS reservoir
8. Install Limited springs

Interior:

1. Shampoo carpet and mats
2. Install Limited stainless steel door sills
3. Install pull switches in doors
4. Install new headliner
5. Install MB OEM autodimming rearview mirror
6. Replace door strikers
7. Replace current gear shift with V8 gear shift
8. Refinish wood @ Madera Concepts
9. Replace accelerator, brake, and emergency pedal pads with sport pads
10. Service rear sunshade with Teflon
11. Replace third brake light (See post #27)
12. Update map pockets
13. Reinstall factory radio (Remove Kenwood SiriusXM aftermarket head unit)
14. Treat seats with Leatherique
15. Service First Aid kit
16. Repaint instrument cluster needles

Lighting:

1. Replace gear shift bulb with LED
2. Replace ashtray bulb with LED
3. Replace instrument cluster bulbs with LEDs (white, red, blue, amber}
4. Replace headlight switch panel and knob bulbs with LED
5. Replace overhead seatbelt bulbs with LED
6. Replace climate control bulbs with LEDs (SRS will need a capacitor)
7. Replace puddle lights with LEDs
8. Replace rear reading lights with LEDs
9. Replace vanity mirrors with LEDs
10. Replace rear seat illumination with LED
11. Replace trunk illumination with LED
12. Replace 3rd brake light with LED (See post #27)​

Exterior:

1. Install EVOs
2. Install front license plate delete
3. Paint correct body
4. Repaint bumpers
5. Replace the windshield wiper blade with a 124/202 OEM blade (See post #26)
6. Service the wiper motor
7. Replace the wiper arm cover
8. Remove roof rails and have them either anodized or covered with black matte vinyl wrap
9. Vinyl wrap the front and rear windshield border
10. Vinyl wrap the rear passenger door window leading edge border
11. Replace side mirror boots
12. Replace driver's mirror with convex mirror
13. Replace NAM lights with Euros
14. Wire fogs to Euro lights
15. Service sunroof
16. Service antenna

Trunk:

1. Replace trunk liner
2. Install emergency triangle
3. Install W220 bucket & tool kit (add compressor)
4. Replace trunk stops

 

[Kyiv]

2nd one?

 

[captruff]

Anthracite grey! DB#172

 

[TerryA]

She’s a Beauty!!

 

[skikrazey]

Beautiful color! Congrats!!!

 

[Jlaa]

Pefectement!! And .... it is a 500E !!

 

[Rouven036]

Congratulations!

 

[Hakie]

Looks good! What is the story?

 

[JC220]

Congratulations it looks in great shape and low miles

 

[Ntrepid]

Looks good! What is the story?

Thank you! I'm glad you asked about its story.

I was on this Board back in the Fall on 2016 and someone (who also has an Anthracite Grey 036) linked to a Craigslist posting for this car. I reached out to the number in the posting (which turned out to be the Board member) and he provided me with the contact information for the seller. The Board member had posted it on CL for the owner as they were long time friends. When I spoke to the owner, he said his name was Phil said that he had recently changed his mind as his wife, Janet, was not ready to let it go. They had purchased it new and his wife was lamenting its eventual sale. So knowing that the original indication to sell meant it was only a function of time before it would be available again, I asked Phil if I could reach out from time to time just to stay in touch to which he agreed. He said he was going to move the car from Southern California where he has a medical practice to his Tahoe home to enjoy as he was beginning to spend more time there.

So roughly for the next two years, I would send Phil texts on the first or second day of the quarter only to say "Hi" and let him know what I was doing on my cars. Obviously in Julys and Januarys I would wish he and his wife a Happy 4th or Happy New Year. Every now and we'd go back and forth on a car topic (and never asking if he had changed his position on selling the car) like when he bought an S550e or when I was at Legends in August 2018 and showed him some incredible MBs. It was great to getting to know him as a person.

Fast forward to October 2018 and I was really busy with a few projects mostly at work and I had completely forgotten to send my quarterly update via text. It was on 9 October I got a text from Phil late in the evening (as Phil lived in SoCal and 3 hours behind me in VA). which said "Do you still want to buy my car?" Luckily I was still awake and could not peck out a "Yes!" response fast enough. So we decided to catch up the next day as he knew it was late. When we spoke I told him that I had just listed my 93 500E for sale the previous month and had come to terms that I may be without a 500E for a bit until the time came and he decided to sell his. He shared the price his wife said he could sell it for to which I agreed and then we started planning on a day to come out and see the car. We agreed that the car would be held for me and after seeing it, if I decided I still wanted the car, we would complete the transaction.

So in January I flew out on the first flight to Reno and Phil picked me up in the car. He drove it a bit and then we pulled off the highway and into a subdivision for me to take them helm. I drove it up the mountain and into Tahoe where we stopped for lunch. It handled and performed exactly like mine at home did (even though we were at higher elevation -- it must have been the 7 more HP!). After lunch, we drove back to his house where I was able to meet Janet and take a closer look at the car. The car was everything he said it was and more. It was in incredible shape and, sitting with him at lunch as he talked about buying the car (and he had brought all of the paperwork including the original Purchase Order and sales brochures), I got to know more about its history in his stewardship. I then agreed to purchase the car, we went to the bank (luckily we had the shared the same one), and I transferred to him a downpayment of 1/2 in exchange for the title to take back with me to VA. We then went back to his place and talked about life. They ordered in pizza from an Italian restaurant they like. Time passed and soon it would be time for me to take a 10P flight from Reno back to VA as I was on a critical transition project for work. The redeye would get me in at 6:30A and I would be in the office by 7A. Phil had planned to take me to the airport but his wife was concerned about him driving through the mountains late at night. So they offered me to use their guest bedroom to get showered up (knowing my schedule I had brought a change of clothes) and while I did, they called for a limo service to take me back to Reno.

The plane departed Reno on time and then began the big wait until the moment you see above.

I did not have an owner thread for my last car which I regretted so I'm going to start documenting my new one for the group.


Robert

P.S. Phil and I have formed a friendship as we still talk on the phone/FaceTime in the months since I left Reno. He has invited my wife and I to Tahoe to visit and stay with them. I plan on inviting him to Legends of the Autobahn in 2020 for the celebration of 30 years of the E500E.

 

[Glen]

Great story. Congrats!

 

[skikrazey]

Great story Robert! Thanks for sharing!

 

[TerryA]

Robert,

Wow, You have hardly missed a step between the sale of your beautiful 93 and your new “92 Anthracite Beauty”. It really looks like you purchased a really nice example. I’m sure your going to enjoy your new ride with that extra zip from the 7+hp as much or more than the 93.

Thanks for the story.

lol

 

[Jlaa]

What a lovely story, R! Seemingly a lesson in the value of persistence, patience, and an understanding family! And not to mention the C36 which you have been restoring in parallel!

I look forward to seeing you and your cars again in Monterey, and watching your light restoration process for your new 500E.

 

[vatc5637]

Look forward to seeing it "in the flesh" . Hope that you get to drive it more than your old 199 . . .

 

[Kyiv]

May I ask, why sell one 500E only to aquire another right away? Thanks

 

[Ntrepid]

May I ask, why sell one 500E only to aquire another right away? Thanks

Of course. When I originally put my 199 500E up for sale, I was planning on being without one until the one I had found was put up for sale. I was prepared for that to be a few years potentially. To my surprise, it was about a month.


Robert

 

[mud]

Lovely Robert!

 

[Hakie]

Great story, Robert. It was worth the wait. You had to be patient. Wish you all the luck with the car. It’s a beauty!

 

[Melville]

Over the weekend, Ntrepid, 8899 and I met up to check out Robert's new car (which I call Anthrony in honor of its anthracite hue--which I think is very clever but neither Ntrepid nor 8899 seem to agree). The car is AMAZING! It is very hard to find any flaws on it. And it hasn't yet undergone the Ntrepid cleaning treatment. That will take the car to the next level.

 

[nocfn]

 

[Jlaa]

When Ntrepid cleans Anthrony, would you please inform us of the progress on Anthrony? I would very much like to see Anthrony, because I am sure Ntrepid will go through Anthrony with a fine tooth comb —- he has, after all, been waiting for Anthrony for a long time! Because, you know, ANTHRONY.

 

[gerryvz]

When Ntrepid cleans Anthrony, would you please inform us of the progress on Anthrony? I would very much like to see Anthrony, because I am sure Ntrepid will go through Anthrony with a fine tooth comb —- he has, after all, been waiting for Anthrony for a long time! Because, you know, ANTHRONY.

No TYC blower motors and non-working dashboard/center console lights for Mark Anthrony !!!

 

[Jlaa]

...for Mark Anthrony !!!

@Ntrepid is that you??

 

[gerryvz]

I think @MarkAnthrony is a combination of @Melville and @Ntrepid

 

[Ntrepid]

Started the weekend focused under the bonnet. Lots of small things to tackle.

Targets included the replacing the air tubes (a bit crusty), the oil cap, and the coolant reservoir & sensor.

The new oil cap is now easier to grab and twist.


New air tubes clean up the M119.


This coolant reservoir and cap look to have seen a lot of heat cycles.


Oh and I think @gerryvz said that the hose to the coolant overflow reservoir gets brittle. Luckily there is a How To on that.


A little Spray Nine cleans up the block really nicely. Will have to come back with a surgical pressure washer later.




Finished product (for now)


Nothing beats the real thing.


27 years of Southern California sun on the left


Radiator grille and surround back on the car.​

 

[Ntrepid]

So my car has a gray interior (278) which means my 3rd brake light housing is gray. Since these are NLA and most, if not all units suffer damage from the incandescent build melting the top step in the lens (as seen in the picture below), one has a couple of options:

1. Replace the lens
2. Replace the unit

I took Door #2. The good news is that I was able to remove the lens from the original unit. BTW, it sits in the housing so you actually have to push it up and out (as if you were going to push it through the windshield). Note that when doing this that the plastic housing (especially the thin top piece) is brittle. To get this lens out with the back off, grip each side and use your thumbs to alternately push each corner up - as I have found they have the least glue - until one side gives. Then start working around the perimeter until the whole lens is free.

My unit did not suffer any broken tabs either when I removed the back. It is back on the unit which is in safe storage. I'll have to keep my eye out for a unit with a good lens.

Almost forgot, I did take the opportunity to replace the incandescent with an LED but I now think I need one which emits red.

New unit in a new home.​

 

[Jlaa]

So my car has a gray interior (278) which means my 3rd brake light housing is gray. Since these are NLA and most, if not all units suffer damage from the incandescent build melting the top step in the lens (as seen in the picture below), one has a couple of options:

1. Replace the lens
2. Replace the unit

I took Door #2. The good news is that I was able to remove the lens from the original unit. BTW, it sits in the housing so you actually have to push it up and out (as if you were going to push it through the windshield). Note that when doing this that the plastic housing (especially the thin top piece) is brittle. To get this lens out with the back off, grip each side and use your thumbs to alternately push each corner up - as I have found they have the least glue - until one side gives. Then start working around the perimeter until the whole lens is free.

My unit did not suffer any broken tabs either when I removed the back. It is back on the unit which is in safe storage. I'll have to keep my eye out for a unit with a good lens.

Almost forgot, I did take the opportunity to replace the incandescent with an LED but I now think I need one which emits red.

View attachment 106533View attachment 106534View attachment 106535View attachment 106536

View attachment 106537
New unit in a new home.​

Small wins! I tried futzing with that bulb and replacing it with an LED but no amount of fooling would get the bulb out warning light to stop crying bloody murder.

I did not feel like modifying the traces in N14, so I put the incandescent bulb back in.

 

[Ntrepid]

I tried futzing with that bulb and replacing it with an LED but no amount of fooling would get the bulb out warning light to stop crying bloody murder.

I have a spare light bulb housing that I would be happy to send you. All you have to do is press the notch up from the bottom and the whole housing slide rearward. Toss the one with the bulb you can gets out and use this one!


Robert

 

[Jlaa]

I have a spare light bulb housing that I would be happy to send you. All you have to do is press the notch up from the bottom and the whole housing slide rearward. Toss the one with the bulb you can gets out and use this one!


Robert

Thanks! I think I need to describe my travails better. What I mean is that I replaced the bulb in the CHMSL without an issue --- I replaced the incandescent bulb with an LED bulb. However, after doing so, I would get the "bulb out warning" on the dashboard. This is caused by the N14 bulb out warning relay.

I swapped out various LED bulbs in the CHMSL with other LED bulbs, but could not get the BOW on the dashboard to shut up. The only two ways I know to get the BOW on the dashboard to shut up are:

1) Modify the N14 BOW relay by cutting some of the traces on the PCB or
2) Put an incandescent bulb back in.

 

[nocfn]

or use that new brand of bulb in the cluster.