What is the real difference between E420 and E500?

[.925]

Hello Gents, this is my first post on this forum.
I plan on taking 3 cars and making it into one and whatever is left over will be sold off in parts. I acquired 3 Mercedes, a 94 E320 TE/Estate/Kombi, a 94 SL500 with a fender bender and a 95 E420 that has a slipping transmission and I will try to use as many suspension components from the E420 and drive train from the SL500 and shove it all into my Wagon.

As I researched for various parts, I used my E420 VIN# WDBEA34E7SC253326 and realized that some of the main suspension components are shared with the E500 and E420 since their part numbers interchange, like the rear coil springs 124-324-12-04, Rear Stabilizing bar 124-326-24-65, Rear Shock Absorber 124-320-20-31, Rear suspension crossmember 129350014 and even the Steering gear 124-460-68-01. As far as the front, the Stabilizing bar, Springs and Shock absorber were E420 specific which made me believe the E500 is mostly different in the front not counting the rear end gear ratio.

Which is why I purchased the E420 so I can upgrade my E320 Estate. I used to own a E420 and it was fun and smooth to drive but finding nice ones these days are super rare and 500E are either run into the ground with many hidden problems or are violently expensive to acquire. So since 500TE doesn't exist from the factory, I think it will be a fun build and rare car to own when executed. If somebody could share or donate a E500 VIN number to research part numbers, it would help me a lot for this journey. I am not trying to buy E500 fenders and quarters and build a clone, just want to focus on a running driving E500 TE.

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[gsxr]

Hello Gents, this is my first post on this forum.

I plan on taking 3 cars and making it into one and whatever is left over will be sold off in parts. I acquired 3 Mercedes, a 94 E320 TE/Estate/Kombi, a 94 SL500 with a fender bender and a 95 E420 that has a slipping transmission and I will try to use as many suspension components from the E420 and drive train from the SL500 and shove it all into my Wagon.

Building a V8 wagon will be a huge project, but with a great end result.

As I researched for various parts, I used my E420 VIN# WDBEA34E7SC253326 and realized that some of the main suspension components are shared with the E500 and E420 since their part numbers interchange, like the rear coil springs 124-324-12-04, Rear Stabilizing bar 124-326-24-65, Rear Shock Absorber 124-320-20-31, Rear suspension crossmember 129350014 and even the Steering gear 124-460-68-01.

Rear coil springs are not the same between 034 and 036; neither are the sway bars or shocks. What exactly are you using to look up part interchange? The rear subframe and steering gear is identical though, ditto the steering linkages and control arms.

As far as the front, the Stabilizing bar, Springs and Shock absorber were E420 specific which made me believe the E500 is mostly different in the front not counting the rear end gear ratio.

It's all different up front too, but the Sportline version of the E420 uses a lot of the E500 components.

Which is why I purchased the E420 so I can upgrade my E320 Estate. I used to own a E420 and it was fun and smooth to drive but finding nice ones these days are super rare and 500E are either run into the ground with many hidden problems or are violently expensive to acquire. So since 500TE doesn't exist from the factory, I think it will be a fun build and rare car to own when executed. If somebody could share or donate a E500 VIN number to research part numbers, it would help me a lot for this journey. I am not trying to buy E500 fenders and quarters and build a clone, just want to focus on a running driving E500 TE.

Look in the For Sale section and pick a VIN out of there.

Also, poke around the forum with the Search function. There was an old thread or two getting into the weeds on the detailed differences between the 034 and 036. Since you are building a 500TE / E500 TE hybrid anyway, it won't really matter unless you want to obtain some of the E500E-specific items (springs, struts, etc) instead of using the E420 bits. The fun part will be swapping over the CAN box, wiring, and V8 engine crossmember. Find the old thread with the Imperial Red wagon that Pat Hamilton built like 8-10 years ago, which was sold to Ron Scoma, who has since sold it again.

You should start a thread detailing this build, I'm sure a lot of people would like to follow along!

 

[.925]

Rear coil springs are not the same between 034 and 036; neither are the sway bars or shocks. What exactly are you using to look up part interchange? The rear subframe and steering gear is identical though, ditto the steering linkages and control arms.

Hi, I was using a USA parts vendor called MBdirectparts.com, just the first dealer I found on google, a couple of days ago, I visited my local dealer but he couldn't help me much without a VIN. But I took your advice and found a VIN to a 93 500E.
Once I get closer to start the transformation of this Wagon, I certainly will start a proper thread. I have no problem with the metal fabrication that is required but the engines harness and wiring will be interesting, I just have to approach it one wire at the time. This is why I choose to purchase complete cars and can steal and cheat as needed.

 

[a777fan]

If you are serious about doing this, I’d get an ISPPI subscription. Thats the only ‘official’ way to figure out what parts go where and interchange among the different chassis.

Gosh… who was the guy in the UK that did this not so long ago… he documented his journey pretty well on here if I remember correctly. The search function will likely find you his thread, or someone else with a better memory will chime in with his handle.

 

[dionphaneuf]

That S124 looks quite nice. The M104 ones are way better, IMO, than the M103 ones. You might want to consider leaving as is and trying to find an M103 car with a blown head or some cosmetic roughness (you'll be replacing fenders I presume) rather than sullying what looks to be a solid wagon.

 

[.925]

That S124 looks quite nice. The M104 ones are way better, IMO, than the M103 ones. You might want to consider leaving as is and trying to find an M103 car with a blown head or some cosmetic roughness (you'll be replacing fenders I presume) rather than sullying what looks to be a solid wagon.

I won't be replacing any fender or quarters anytime soon. My main goal is to get the M119 engine shoehorned and have a running driving car.
I like the M104, it is smooth but there is no emotional attachment and the power band is a bit weak below 3500 rpm but what I learned about building cars is that you always want to find the nicest one you can find. I don't want to spend money on a facelift and All over paint jobs, when it is not needed. all I will do is perhaps lower it a bit, add some period correct AMG wheels, Build a SS exhaust and get the suspension right because I will want to drive it, I want the suspension to be the be as good as the rest. On my way home driving 10h, my ass went numb after 2h so I will look into upgrading the seats with either adding a layer of memory foam to the compressed horse hair cushion LOL or go full bananas and adding some Recaro CSE seats.
I have found a E500 interior for sale for a $1000 that is in very rough condition that will need to be upholstered. either way, it will be money well spend.

f you are serious about doing this, I’d get an ISPPI subscription. Thats the only ‘official’ way to figure out what parts go where and interchange among the different chassis.

I will look into this, thank you!

Gosh… who was the guy in the UK that did this not so long ago… he documented his journey pretty well on here if I remember correctly. The search function will likely find you his thread, or someone else with a better memory will chime in with his handle.

I did read that thread It was an eye opener and I am super envy of that car, which gave me hope, he also went full bananas and went through what seems a restoration as well a conversion and added many E500 electronic features. My M119 poweplant has 125K miles which is considered low miles and will leave it all alone until the dust has settled and have a running driving car. Last summer, I have restored my 1986 Chevy K30 Military truck, removed the 140hp 6.2L diesel and added a 6.0 LS engine with a 4L80e trans, added A/C and rewired the entire truck. I did it because it doesn't exist, I like owning things that don't exist or are very rare.

 

[ace10]

The answer is 80.

 

[gsxr]

Hi, I was using a USA parts vendor called MBdirectparts.com, just the first dealer I found on google, a couple of days ago,

That site is Husker Mercedes, a dealer in Nebraska with good pricing. The website is a generic Revolution Parts platform that many dealers use, and each has their own pricing. However, ALL of these sites are ABSOLUTELY USELESS for checking part number interchange or confirming fitment. DO NOT use any of them for part information. Period. It will cause you a ton of grief. Use these sites only for buying parts. And NEVER give them a VIN when ordering, or they may "fix" your "wrong" parts ordered. They don't understand that some people are building hybrid customs like the 500TE.

I visited my local dealer but he couldn't help me much without a VIN.

The dealer wants a VIN, but doesn't need a VIN. And in this case, it won't help much at all. Unless the local parts guy is willing to spend hours helping you, get your own EPC (or ISPPI subscription) and you can get all the p/n's yourself. More info in this thread.

On my way home driving 10h, my ass went numb after 2h so I will look into upgrading the seats with either adding a layer of memory foam to the compressed horse hair cushion LOL or go full bananas and adding some Recaro CSE seats.

I can't remember if the horsehair (rubber-mat) cushion is NLA or not for the stock seats, but it's worth checking into. There are also stiffening inserts that can be used if the springs are sagging. The spring frame is NLA.

I have found a E500 interior for sale for a $1000 that is in very rough condition that will need to be upholstered. either way, it will be money well spend.

Remember that only the front seats fit the wagon. You don't need the whole interior. The cushions / horsehair pads are NLA, but you can get new leather covers from GAT or GAHH. And remember that the stock wagon & E420 seats use different cushions/pads/leathers vs the E500E seats.