Two tone vs one tone, value?

[Whitemamba23]

Forum members, is there any added “value” in keeping a 500E/E500 two tone as delivered from factory? Does that originality aspect of the body color have any difference on the value of the car both now and in the future? Let me know your thoughts below.

 

[dionphaneuf]

You never give up a two tone!

 

[r44raven]

If the owner of an E500E chooses to paint the skirting for a monotone look, I don't think it would markedly effect the resale value - mainly because it would not be a mega-bucks job for any new owner to revert the car back to twotone.

 

[036]

If you want one tone you buy a Limited.

 

[gerryvz]

In my opinion, not really. Depends on the views of the buyer -- some buyers want strict factory color / two-tone, and others enjoy the more "modern" look of a mono-tone car. Plenty of people in both camps.

Of course there were a few factory colors that were monotone -- you can see those in the Wiki that covers paint codes. So if you want a factory mono-tone car, you get one of those, or you paint your car mono-tone.

I have never explicitly heard of a car being worth less or going for less because it was mono-tone. I think it is more important when a car is repainted (whether two-tone or going to mono-tone) that the original factory color is kept. Poorly executed repaints will, in my opinion, reduce the value of a car.

 

[sheward]

I feel as the others do. It is easily reversable.

 

[gsxr]

I'd have sworn there was an old thread from years ago discussing this exact topic.

If it's a low-mileage collector example where you want to not devalue the precious odometer, keep all the paint colors factory. But shoot, in those cases, non-factory paint will scare away buyers.

If it's not a garage queen and something you actually drive, do whatever makes you smile when you look at the car.

 

[sheward]

It has been discussed. Nothing wrong with your memory.

Paint recommendation: monotone or two tone | Body Shop

Hi all! I need to send my car to the body shop in the upcoming weeks because I need to paint and repair both bumpers, front right fender, and the lower cladding. I´m debating whether I keep my 93 500E dual tone or if I go all black (199 paint). I wanted to know your opinion on which one to...

www.500eboard.co

 

[gsxr]

Thanks, Drew! IIRC there may be some even older threads. My search kung fu is weak. Maybe @xfadmin can find them. Hmmm, maybe combine into a monster thread and make it a sticky in Body Shop?

 

[sheward]

Yes, there were. This thread is pertinent.

500E Color Change - 199 to 040 ??? | Body Shop

Am I crazy to consider a color change on my 124.036? Currently I have [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Verdana]199 pearl black with tan (mushroom) interior but I would love 040 Black. My car needs some body work for 2 quarter size rust spots on the door and some rock chips on the rear quarter panels. At...

www.500eboard.co

and some discussion from back in 2014

Skirt Color Matching | Body Shop

From what i read, it was only in '94 that Mercedes started matching the paint of the skirt/fenders to the rest of the car. I wanted to ask if most people here prefer this look or the 2 tone from the previous years? Have you painted the skirts on your car to match the car color?

www.500eboard.co

 

[cascade]

Thanks, Drew! IIRC there may be some even older threads. My search kung fu is weak. Maybe @xfadmin can find them. Hmmm, maybe combine into a monster thread and make it a sticky in Body Shop?

Do you not have the same, exact administrative powers on this forum as @xfadmin?

 

[gerryvz]

Do you not have the same, exact administrative powers on this forum as @xfadmin?

 

[195910]

Original 2 tone looks very special now.

But there are exceptions:
040 has to be monotone as there is high contrast between the satin finish lower panels and the mirror like 040 black.
The other is a documented change by a tuner (e.g Brabus conversion).

I personally prefer the 2 tone finish.

 

[gsxr]

Do you not have the same, exact administrative powers on this forum as @xfadmin?

Almost, but as previously noted, my search kung fu needs fine-tuning from Master Shifu.

 

[gerryvz]

Perhaps some time with a Xen(Foro) Master could sharpen your skills and help you advance from a green-belt admin to a brown-belt level?

 

[Whitemamba23]

Thank you for sharing your comments everyone!

Normally I put the lower panels body color but on the 500 the two tone look is amazing. Tough choice!

 

[Iperfly78]

Thank you for sharing your comments everyone!

Normally I put the lower panels body color but on the 500 the two tone look is amazing. Tough choice!

Good morning to everyone.
I write from Italy. My 500E 1991 has like color code 929U (vin decoder). At the moment the car is monotone. Has the U any value about it? Or all the 500E were two tone? Thank you

 

[8899]

1994 Mercedes-Benz E500

Bid for the chance to own a 1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #20,205.

bringatrailer.com

 

[gsxr]

Good morning to everyone.
I write from Italy. My 500E 1991 has like color code 929U (vin decoder). At the moment the car is monotone. Has the U any value about it? Or all the 500E were two tone? Thank you

Most 500E were two tone, but a very few colors were monotone / one tone. All Limiteds were monotone, for example, and I think all Acrtic White / Polar White were also monotone?

929 (Nautical Blue) was originally two tone though.