OWNER Supercharged 1993 500E

[okra]

hi all!

I’ve owned a few W124s over the years but they’ve always been S124s/wagons. Finally found myself in a sedan that happens to be a 500E and supercharged! It made its way over to the west coast from Texas and I picked it up from a mercedes enthusiast in Washington.

I’ve found a few posts on it in the forum and it sounds like it came from someone named Hans whom potentially was an Alpina mechanic at some point.

I believe the car has seen a few owners since him and unfortunately none of them took as good care of it as he did so it needs a lot of love but I’m excited to dig in!

My truck blew up going to pick it up so I’ve barely taken any pictures of it but here’s one to hold yall over until I grab more.

 

[yao500e]

hi all!

I’ve owned a few W124s over the years but they’ve always been S124s/wagons. Finally found myself in a sedan that happens to be a 500E and supercharged! It made its way over to the west coast from Texas and I picked it up from a mercedes enthusiast in Washington.

I’ve found a few posts on it in the forum and it sounds like it came from someone named Hans whom potentially was an Alpina mechanic at some point.

I believe the car has seen a few owners since him and unfortunately none of them took as good care of it as he did so it needs a lot of love but I’m excited to dig in!

My truck blew up going to pick it up so I’ve barely taken any pictures of it but here’s one to hold yall over until I grab more.

View attachment 225536

Wow! Supercharged M119??!!! can you share details? low, medium or high boost? ECU tuning details?

congrats!

 

[gsxr]

Cool! That car is well-known, Hans was the owner/founder of TGA (Texas German Autohaus), website here.

It's an Albrex supercharger setup. From memory it's low/medium boost (maybe 0.5-0.7 bar?) with slightly reduced compression. I think there's a piggyback ECU that fires a 9th injector under boost but otherwise retains all factory engine management. Hans claimed it dyno'd at 457hp when it was running properly but no dyno graph was shown, and I suspect that was based on an optimistic conversion from RWHP to crank HP.

More details in this thread.

BTW, congrats on the score, and welcome to the forum!



EDIT: Moved discussion about this supercharger installation to the thread linked above, to not clutter up the OWNER thread.

 

[TerryA]

@okra,
Your new ride has been discussed on this forum many times in the past between 10/2010 & 11/2014 when Hans Richter co- owner of Texas German Autohaus (TGA) owned it. It had been MIA to this forum until @yao500e brought it up today and you actually turned up with the actual car.

Hopefully we will get to hear more from you and your experiences with this one of a kind 500E in the US. Many members here are anxious to know more about the Albrex supercharger installation and spec’s.

I’m sure you will find our forum very knowledgeable and helpful with your revival of this rare car.

Welcome to the Forum &

 

[okra]

Hi all, appreciate the warm welcome! I’ve been lurking on the forums for awhile and have already found lots of solid info. The car needs a lot of work in every aspect but I’m excited to start figuring it out.

It’s unfortunately got some rust spots and is not running well right now so the plan is to get it mechanically sound then focus on the body work.

Will take more pictures tonight and update with some details too.

 

[DJ RaMiN]

hi all!

I’ve owned a few W124s over the years but they’ve always been S124s/wagons. Finally found myself in a sedan that happens to be a 500E and supercharged! It made its way over to the west coast from Texas and I picked it up from a mercedes enthusiast in Washington.

I’ve found a few posts on it in the forum and it sounds like it came from someone named Hans whom potentially was an Alpina mechanic at some point.

I believe the car has seen a few owners since him and unfortunately none of them took as good care of it as he did so it needs a lot of love but I’m excited to dig in!

My truck blew up going to pick it up so I’ve barely taken any pictures of it but here’s one to hold yall over until I grab more.

View attachment 225536

Looking good! Congrats! Love the flag, BTW!

 

[okra]

Looking good! Congrats! Love the flag, BTW!

Thanks man! Are we the same? haha

I didn’t get much time to do a proper shoot so here are a few pictures of it as it’s sits in the corner of my shop.

These give you a good idea of its condition. I want to say it hasn’t been taken care of in the last 5-7 years?

Prior to that it sounds like it was maintained and loved very well. Goal is to get it back to its old self so it can resume being a daily driver.

 

[okra]

Video
Video 2

Looks like I can’t upload videos here so maybe these will work. Both videos are from the PO. Still has the rough cold start and it runs pretty bad so I’ve just parked it in a corner. Stock piling parts and want to knock out a few maintenance things before I try to start it again.

Waiting on the break out box to arrive so I can see what codes it has too.

 

[okra]

@okra,
Your new ride has been discussed on this forum many times in the past between 10/2010 & 11/2014 when Hans Richter co- owner of Texas German Autohaus (TGA) owned it. It had been MIA to this forum until @yao500e brought it up today and you actually turned up with the actual car.

Hopefully we will get to hear more from you and your experiences with this one of a kind 500E in the US. Many members here are anxious to know more about the Albrex supercharger installation and spec’s.

I’m sure you will find our forum very knowledgeable and helpful with your revival of this rare car.

Welcome to the Forum &

I’m still learning and understanding how the supercharger is setup but I will share everything I find as I go along. I have another project hogging the lift right now but once I wrap that up the 500e will get its turn.

Can confirm it is an Albrex unit and it does in fact use a piggyback setup for a 9th injector.

 

[yao500e]

I’m still learning and understanding how the supercharger is setup but I will share everything I find as I go along. I have another project hogging the lift right now but once I wrap that up the 500e will get its turn.

Can confirm it is an Albrex unit and it does in fact use a piggyback setup for a 9th injector.

awesome update.

i am curious on psi or bar?
intercooler system?
extra oil cooling?
what type of supercharger is it?

of course no rush on any of this information and thank you

 

[gsxr]

The video links worked. Strange that it won't keep running at idle. I'd start by checking the simple stuff first. See if fuel pressure at the rail is normal. If that's ok, for grins try disconnecting the MAF and see if there's any difference. When you get the blink code reader, clear all codes, then see which codes return quickly after driving a bit. Might be tricky to diagnose without access to live data via HHT-Win on SDS (Star Diagnostics).

BTW, that plastic headlight lens is NLA. Yours is in very good condition, appears one of the PO's had replaced them. Patch the hole as best you can.

 

[doolar]

BTW, that plastic headlight lens is NLA. Yours is in very good condition, appears one of the PO's had replaced them. Patch the hole as best you can.

And patch it now, or at least make sure it's kept waterproof with tape or something. Moisture inside the lens will quickly ruin the plastic chrome finish on the inside that's unique to the E500E.

 

[DLL]

That's a heck of a find! What's the back story?

 

[gerryvz]

Hard to believe that was a full 15 years ago that I first saw that car. I saw it a number of times on various visits to TGA before I moved to Maryland in October 2017. Very sorry to hear that the car has changed hands several times and has a backlog of deferred maintenance. Hans was (mechanically) pretty meticulous about the car, and as far as I know it always ran very well. Cosmetically I'd say it was a 7 or 8 out of 10, but it was a daily driver / well-driven car, so one would expect that.

Here's to bringing this rare example back up to good nick.

 

[gsxr]

Nearly 350kmi on the clock too!

 

[yao500e]

Nearly 350kmi on the clock too!

definitely a car worth restoring to nearly NEW condition. It can be done. dont worry about $, do it for passion!

 

[okra]

definitely a car worth restoring to nearly NEW condition. It can be done. dont worry about $, do it for passion!

I'm on the same page! Just working on convincing my bank account haha.

Unfortunately, I think we have some detonation...I turned the car on to show some friends and couldn't help but give it a little rev. Heard a good ping during a good rev before shutting it off. It's going back to sitting until I take care of the leaks, fluids, and general maintenance I have planned. I'm leaning towards an engine out situation so it'll probably be down for a minute.

 

[gsxr]

I was kinda surprised the EZL had the standard trim plug (maximum ignition advance).

You can replace that with a different trim plug to reduce timing -3° or -6°, which may help avoid detonation under boost. Also make sure you are using the highest octane gas available at the pump where you live.

 

[okra]

I was kinda surprised the EZL had the standard trim plug (maximum ignition advance).

You can replace that with a different trim plug to reduce timing -3° or -6°, which may help avoid detonation under boost. Also make sure you are using the highest octane gas available at the pump where you live.

I wonder if it has been replaced by a PO since Hans had it? tbh I'm still getting familiar with the EZL - I was looking at this document W124 Performance but still learning. I'm pretty sure I need a MAF and figured I should replace the EZL if I can find a known good unit.

 

[gsxr]

I wonder if it has been replaced by a PO since Hans had it? tbh I'm still getting familiar with the EZL - I was looking at this document W124 Performance but still learning.

The link above does not apply to M119 engines. Use this doc for M119 trim plug data.

I'm pretty sure I need a MAF and figured I should replace the EZL if I can find a known good unit.

Don't replace the MAF unless you are certain it's dead. They are NLA. You need SDS with HHT-Win to view live data to figure out if it's working properly or not. However if you get persistent fault codes for the MAF, it may be defective.

No need to replace the EZL either. They either work or they don't. Typical failure modes are either firing on 4 cylinders, or the engine won't start at all (no spark).

 

[okra]

awesome update.

i am curious on psi or bar?
intercooler system?
extra oil cooling?
what type of supercharger is it?

of course no rush on any of this information and thank you

I should be digging into all this in the next month or so. I still have another project on the lift so I gotta knock that out. It's an Albrex 1526 which I believe is part of the package for the R129. It's got an aluminum intercooler much like any new aftermarket turbo kit. Reminds me of top mount kits for jdm cars but I'll grab a picture of it when I dig in. No extra oil cooling as far as I've seen but again waiting to dig in.

The video links worked. Strange that it won't keep running at idle. I'd start by checking the simple stuff first. See if fuel pressure at the rail is normal. If that's ok, for grins try disconnecting the MAF and see if there's any difference. When you get the blink code reader, clear all codes, then see which codes return quickly after driving a bit. Might be tricky to diagnose without access to live data via HHT-Win on SDS (Star Diagnostics).

BTW, that plastic headlight lens is NLA. Yours is in very good condition, appears one of the PO's had replaced them. Patch the hole as best you can.

I need to confirm fuel pressure at the rail but for now I've just tried a new fpr and unplugging the MAF. Blink code reader should be delivered today so excited to see what is stored.

And patch it now, or at least make sure it's kept waterproof with tape or something. Moisture inside the lens will quickly ruin the plastic chrome finish on the inside that's unique to the E500E.

I'm trying to find the least ugly way to patch it but for now it's staying inside so should be good. I would like to keep the US spec lenses so we'll see.

That's a heck of a find! What's the back story?

One of my internet friends picked this up from their friend in Texas. They bought it without seeing it in person as it was advertised as a daily driver then drove it to the west coast...ran into a lot of issues getting it back but it did make the trip under its own power. During this time, I was restoring a 1989 Saab 900 Turbo...we both lost interest in out projects so we ended up trading with some cash on top on my end.

Nearly 350kmi on the clock too!

Looking to put another 350 myself! Once I get it running right it will replace my 240k mile 05 M3 as my daily. Love me a good high mileage car.

 

[okra]

The link above does not apply to M119 engines. Use this doc for M119 trim plug data.



Don't replace the MAF unless you are certain it's dead. They are NLA. You need SDS with HHT-Win to view live data to figure out if it's working properly or not. However if you get persistent fault codes for the MAF, it may be defective.

No need to replace the EZL either. They either work or they don't. Typical failure modes are either firing on 4 cylinders, or the engine won't start at all (no spark).


View attachment 226059

ok, thanks! The PO told me there as an issue with this MAF but it "worked enough" to get them home.

I need to look into SDS. It's on my list. Will try to confirm my fault codes tonight after work but definitely this week.

Good to know about the EZL, it does misfire when you first start it after sitting for a day or more...does end up smoothing out once it's idling. I still believe this is a fuel issue but need to confirm fuel pressure.

 

[gsxr]

Good to know about the EZL, it does misfire when you first start it after sitting for a day or more...does end up smoothing out once it's idling. I still believe this is a fuel issue but need to confirm fuel pressure.

Misfiring is almost always related to secondary ignition, especially if the misfire starts a few minutes after a cold start, as the engine is just reaching operating temp. Click here and read the entire thread. Add the vents/slots described, while also checking for oil leaks at the exhaust cam radial seal, and the intake cam advance solenoid area.

 

[okra]

Misfiring is almost always related to secondary ignition, especially if the misfire starts a few minutes after a cold start, as the engine is just reaching operating temp. Click here and read the entire thread. Add the vents/slots described, while also checking for oil leaks at the exhaust cam radial seal, and the intake cam advance solenoid area.

Should have time to check for leaks this weekend. And I'm going to do new caps and rotors in my first wave of maintenance so will check for the mod / do the mod.

Breakout box came in and hoping to have time to check for codes today. First time using one and I'm guessing it's the same as OBD II when it comes to having the key on when plugged in? Have some YouTube videos queued up but I don't think I found anything 500E specific.

 

[gsxr]

For blink codes, read the thread linked below, and ONLY use the PDF documents attached to that thread for code translation. There are instructions in there also:

FYI Thread 'HOW-TO: Checking DTC's (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) on the 500E/E500'

Jul 30, 2012

UPDATE: To buy a pre-built code reader, click here (NLA by 2023) or click here (still available in 2023) for an affordable one from eBay. If you do not have a "breakout box", make sure you select the type of reader with the small 1mm pins, i.e. for 400E, not the type with the large 4mm pins. A breakout box is highly recommended... this has numbered 4mm sockets, makes it much easier to use the code reader. The breakout box is $300+ from Mercedes as of early 2014, but clones are available from Chinese...

• gsxr
• Replies: 18
• Forum: De-Coding

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[okra]

Thank you! I promise to better utilize the search function

 

[DJ RaMiN]

Thanks man! Are we the same? haha

I didn’t get much time to do a proper shoot so here are a few pictures of it as it’s sits in the corner of my shop.

These give you a good idea of its condition. I want to say it hasn’t been taken care of in the last 5-7 years?

Prior to that it sounds like it was maintained and loved very well. Goal is to get it back to its old self so it can resume being a daily driver.

View attachment 225601 View attachment 225602 View attachment 225603 View attachment 225604 View attachment 225605

Yes! Haha

I like to see this car running! Where in Bay Area are you? Let me know if you need help anything!

 

[okra]

Yes! Haha

I like to see this car running! Where in Bay Area are you? Let me know if you need help anything!

Appreciate that man! I’m in oakland. Will definitely let you know and same goes to you. You’re also welcome to swing by and check the car out whenever.

Today, I got around to giving the breakout box a go. Seems like the only codes stored are for pin 16(?) for climate control. Gonna do some more reading and give it another go though.

 

[DJ RaMiN]

Appreciate that man! I’m in oakland. Will definitely let you know and same goes to you. You’re also welcome to swing by and check the car out whenever.

Today, I got around to giving the breakout box a go. Seems like the only codes stored are for pin 16(?) for climate control. Gonna do some more reading and give it another go though.

For sure! I'm in San Jose, but will definitely visit sometime! I'm also thinking to do some meets/events in the east bay.