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1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E

This 500E for sale in New York looks particularly handsome in black over black leather with the Euro market headlamps, just itching to be let loose to eat up some serious highway miles at a rapid pace.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E on eBay

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Year: 1992
Model: 500E
Engine: 5.0 liter V8
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage: 39,989 mi
Price: Reserve auction

Exotic Classics is proud to offer this 4 owner 1992 500E with less than 40,000 miles.From 1990 to 1994 (model years 1991–1994), Mercedes-Benz sold a high-performance version of the W124, the Mercedes-Benz 500E. The 500 E was created in close cooperation with Porsche; each 500 E was hand-built by Porsche, being transported back and forth between the Mercedes plant and Porsche’s Rossle-Bau plant in Zuffenhausen, Germany during assembly — taking a full 18 days to complete each model. Design began in 1989 and into 1991. Called ‘500E’ through model year 1993, for model year 1994 it was face-lifted along with the rest of the range and renamed to ‘E500.’ The 500E had a naturally aspirated 5.0L V8 engine derived from the 500 SL roadster. Sports car braking performance also came from SL components: front SL500 300 mm disks with 4-piston calipers came installed on the 1992 and early 1993 cars. The later 1993, and all 1994 cars came with the upgraded 320 mm set taken from the 600SL. Rear brakes on all years were 278 mm brakes from the 500SL.

In the USA, the 500E came fully equipped, with the only options available to the buyer being a dealer-installed CD changer and an integrated cellular telephone. The 500E was only with four seats in left hand drive, with the four leather seats supplied by Recaro (the fronts heated). Called the “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” by the press, performance tests of the day yielded impressive results: 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) times of 5.5 to 6.0 seconds and acceleration through the quarter-mile (0.4 km) in 14.1 seconds at 163 km/h (101 mph). The top speed was redline limited at 6,000 rpm to 260 km/h (160 mph). It was rated at 16.8 L/100 km (14 mpg) in the city and 13.8 L/100 km (17 mpg) on the highway.With its aggressive stance: 1.5 inches wider track, 0.9 inch lower profile, flared fenders, side skirts, front air-dam and wide tires, the 500 E is easily distinguished from its lesser brethren. Because of its look, limited numbers, hand-built construction, and unique pedigree, the 500E is already considered a “classic”, even within Mercedes-Benz.It is little-known, but 120 cars were produced between January and approximately May 1995, as last-request cars for special customers before the series ceased production. These last cars were produced in the Porsche Rossle Bau building alongside Audi RS2 sport wagons, as that production contract went into full swing with the same work-staff that built the 500E and E500.

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It’s still fairly possible to get a 500E/E500 for reasonable money, if you are brave and are willing to procure a car with over 100,000 miles on it. That’s not to say by that point the car would be useless, but you know going in that this won’t be a cheap vehicle to run on most fronts. This 500E, however, won’t come cheap. I would expect the reserve is nearing somewhere around $30,000, as the best examples are crossing that line these days and then some.

-Paul

25 Comments

  1. KevinR
    KevinR December 28, 2013

    Bad link. Goes to the Hammer auction page.

  2. Paul
    Paul December 28, 2013

    The link has been fixed now.

  3. KevinR
    KevinR December 28, 2013

    They have the car listed on their website at $44,900 so I think it’s a safe bet the reserve is set well above the $30k mark.

  4. Ry
    Ry December 28, 2013

    I think it’s cheesy when sellers lift large blocks of text from Wikipedia and don’t cite it.

  5. MDriver
    MDriver December 28, 2013

    this seller/dealer usually has some nice examples of uncommon cars at prices that are top of the market to setting top prices in the market…
    that said….for 45k ask….I’d rather pay the 50k and get that 6.0 HAMMER.
    the 500E/E500 is a fine sports sedan…very understated with only the slight fender bulges giving something away…..
    funny nobody balks at the price of this and yet get all funny when 40k is asked for an E39 M5 with similar low miles ….LOL

  6. audemars
    audemars December 28, 2013

    What a great Saturday. Three awesome low mile cars: First a 911 Club Sport, then a 300E AMG Hammer, and now a 500E.

  7. audemars
    audemars December 28, 2013

    I will be following this sale closely. Lower mile examples have gone up quite a bit this year.
    I’m estimating $35,000 on this one.

  8. Ry
    Ry December 28, 2013

    @mdriver – consider this my balk! Show me the last E500/500E that sold (not asked, but sold) for half that (ie $22.5k). The last one I can find on eBay (that sold) is a ’92 500E w/ 175k that ended on 12/8/13 for $7300. No it’s not an apples to apples comparison, but is this worth 6x more than the high mileage one? If you’re really into Benzes, is this the best use of your $45k?

    For my money, in the big bad Benz dept, I’d get the more rare, 0-60 in 4.1 sec 2006 E55 Estate w/ 75k miles and a BIN of $35k. http://ebay.com/b/Cars-Trucks/6001?Make=Audi%7CBMW%7CMercedes%252DBenz%7CVolvo%7CVolkswagen%7CPorsche&Model%2520Year=2010%7C2009%7C2008%7C2007%7C2006%7C2005%7C2004%7C2003%7C2002%7C2001%7C2000%7C1999%7C1998%7C1997%7C1996%7C1995%7C1994%7C1993%7C1992%7C1991%7C1990%7C1989%7C1988%7C1987%7C1986%7C1985%7C1984%7C1983%7C1982%7C1981%7C1980%7C1979%7C1978%7C1977%7C1976%7C1975%7C1974%7C1973%7C1972%7C1971%7C1970%7C1969%7C1968%7C1967&Vehicle%2520Mileage=Less%2520than%2520100%252C000%2520miles&rt=nc&_dmd=1&_fsrp=0&_sacat=6001&_sop=16&_stpos=97330&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5336332035&toolid=20008&mkevt=1&MBDACmisc=1kymJxm No, it wasn’t made in a Porsche factory, but I don’t care. 😉

  9. Allenman
    Allenman December 28, 2013

    Porsche engine?

  10. Ry
    Ry December 28, 2013

    @Allenman – a MB Engine, tweaked by Porsche, and assembled by Porsche at the Porsche Rossle Bau factory in Zuffenhausen. Porsche also assembled the Audi RS2 there (at the bare minimum I know it’s front grille RS emblem has the word “Porsche” at the bottom, perhaps other badges as well, the wheels almost identical to Porsche Turbo Cup wheels), and their own 959 Supercar, as well as at least some of the 930 era version of the 911.

  11. MDriver
    MDriver December 28, 2013

    @Ry I think you missed my point…..I was not saying that I agree or would buy this car at that price point…my point was that this car will probably trade close to that and no one will think twice…yet when similar E39 M5;s are offered up by a dealer like EAG people roll their eyes….and a 500E/E500 is comparable to an E39 M5 IMHO
    Personally I would rather spend the 50k on a low mileage 6.0 real AMG Hammer…than a 500E….
    personal preference…..
    and yes the 06 E55 Estate was a rare bird 67 produced for the US market..
    rarer still is the 09 E63 Estate 24 produced for the US market..

  12. MDriver
    MDriver December 28, 2013

    also at Ry…there is an 06 E55 Estate in black for sale with 45k on the odo at a Merc dealer for 30k ask

  13. Ry
    Ry December 28, 2013

    @Mdriver, you’re correct, I did miss your point! Hah, thank you for clarifying. I see what you’re saying though. It’s hard to (at least for me) draw conclusions from the “actual” marketplace and sellers like this one on eBay, or EAG – where we don’t really know the spread between the asking price and the selling price, or how long a specific car is at a dealer before it sells. When cars are in the grey area between uniquely desirable to “collectible,” it’s weird territory where things aren’t as clear cut as they are for stuff like older Porsches & Ferraris where you can go to Hagerty Insurance (or RM or Barret Jackson, and actually get pretty accurate info on value.

    Though I find the EAG business model kind of icky and head scratching, at least they (unlike this particular seller) tend to have a more comprehensive history on their cars as well as personal command of the models. And, it appears to work for them.

    I find it kind of a disservice to auto enthusiasts that eBay doesn’t keep completed auctions searchable for a period of more than 30 days or whatever it is now. I’m sure many cars have been through eBay multiple times (often by multiple owners, over time…) it would be a powerful tool if one could see all of a VIN’s previous listings and sales, not to mention same model in similar MYs.

    PS – could you post a link to the other E55 estate you found? I can’t find it searching for E55 under category: cars (mercedes). Thx!

  14. Martin
    Martin December 29, 2013

    My favorite Benz.. after the Gullwing of course.. 😉

  15. audemars
    audemars December 29, 2013

    @Ry
    I have a 26,000 mile 500E that I had appraised end of November for $38,000. The insurance company underwrote the ‘agreed value’ policy for that amount.
    Also, with HAGERTY being one of the most reputable collector car insurance companies in the market, below is their valuation on the 500E. Their high value, is in the low $40’s:

    http://www.hagerty.com/valuationtools/HVT/VehicleSearch/Report?vc=886032

    Also, Hatch & Sons has sold a couple of relatively low mile 500E’s in the high range. A friend of mine bought the silver one this year, and paid top dollar:

    http://www.hatchandsons.com/pages/sales/

  16. Carter
    Carter December 29, 2013

    Ry, the RS2 utilized a few Porsche pieces, such as the wheels, brakes, and mirrors. I believe the wheels were actually 968 front spec but could be wrong.

  17. Martin
    Martin December 29, 2013

    Not to mention 993 turn signals and fog lights in the Porsche designed bumper.
    There were few other pieces like the hubs to make the brakes and wheels possible.
    However Porsche missed the mark by giving the RS2 very narrow 7″ wheel on which the 245 section tires looked very funny indeed. An 8″ would have been a better choice and some RS2 owners go for the 9″ wheel.

  18. scott
    scott December 29, 2013

    MDriver – I’m with you on a couple points.

    I had a Smoke Silver 94 E500 and while it was pretty, unique and fast, it was just too typical “Ho-Hum” Mercedes for me. Nothing very exciting about it. http://thesaylors.net/AboutUs/Mercedes_Benz_E500.html

    My latest addition this year is an 02 E39 M5 with 47K miles. The PO bought this car from EAG and I can say, it is exceptional in every way. SO much more entertaining with the MT6 than the E500/500E. But in all fairness, 8 years do separate them. EAG’s prices for M Cars are commensurate with mileage and justified. Most are low mileage, perfect examples and worth every penny. I only wish I had $70K around when they decided to loose the 10K mile Alpine/Black! What a car. http://enthusiastauto.com/qsearch/?id=4675&form_display=51#.UsBc-pR4bsc

    See you on the M5 Board!

    Scott

  19. Bryan
    Bryan December 29, 2013

    I know the Odometers on that vintage Mercedes dont always tend to line up perfectly (mine doesnt), but that one seems a bit TOO far out of wack…

    Normally I’m not an odometer skeptic but this one might raise some suspicion.

  20. Ry
    Ry December 29, 2013

    @audimars & @scott, thank you for coloring in the background on the E500 market a bit more for us, I appreciate it.

    @carter & @martin, thank you for more RS2 tidbits. I’m a little foggy on that model as I sit here now, though (over a decade ago) when I owned a 20V of that era I was much more well versed (I hope!). That RS2 front bumper and one piece hood/grille is so much more attractive than the models with the regular hood and grille that stayed planted between the headlights. I actually ordered the parts from Germany to do the hood & bumper conversion (with audi projector beam headlights and all) but ended up selling the parts w/ my car when I sold it a few months later.

  21. audemars
    audemars December 30, 2013

    Time flies. Checked my 500E file and realized I’ve had the the RUF article magazine 7 years already !
    Still interesting though.

  22. audemars
    audemars February 7, 2014

    UPDATE: A friend of mine called Exotic Classics and put a deposit on this car a few days ago.

  23. audemars
    audemars February 26, 2014

    Got the Update. He paid close to $40,000 for this car.

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    google March 7, 2014

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