500e

[Rob77]

I must admit that I wasn't aware of all the enhancements that went into a 500E and you obviously appreciate these refinements. But the 500E clearly has the same bodywork issues as any other W124 of the period and this one has mechanical issues that should have been sorted out before it went on sale which would worry me straight away. I'm also lost as to why anyone would see a LHD car as more attractive than a RHD car here in the UK.

However, for most people the attraction will be mainly about performance or else they would buy a 1991 W124 with 215,000 miles on the clock for about 1/15th of the price of this car.

And because the attraction is mainly about performance I'd have a few issues:

- You'll soon come up against more modern cars with more performance
- They'll cost less
- The steering wheel will be where it should be
- They won't look like an old Hamburg taxi

Please don't misunderstand me - I am a big fan of the W124 and currently own one. And I am not a fan of the quicker Scoobies / Evos that will out-drag an 500E. I have no problem having an old car that looks like a cheap old car or spending a considerable sum on a car that looks a little bit special. However, I'd have a big problem with spending a lot of money on something that looks like it came from an advert in the local free-ads paper (which this one does) on the basis of its superior performance only to find that this performance, although very good, is unexceptional by modern standards.

You made your point earlier in this thread and, of course, you are fully entitled to think what you like of any car. However, you seem to want the last word on a subject you admit to having zero experience of, which I find bizzarre.

Regarding your latest thoughts, you claim to be a big fan of the W124 and yet say the 500E looks like an old Hamburg taxi and/or it looks like a cheap old car. You criticise its performance saying you'll soon come up against more modern cars with more performance. In what world will that happen? Do you seriously go around looking to race other cars on the road nowadays? Where? In a 500E? Are you a teenager or something?

Just guessing but maybe you only like the W124 you have because it is a cheap old car that does what you need of it. Bear in mind people do buy them for other reasons

 

[Scott_F]

You made your point earlier in this thread and, of course, you are fully entitled to think what you like of any car. However, you seem to want the last word on a subject you admit to having zero experience of, which I find bizzarre.

Regarding your latest thoughts, you claim to be a big fan of the W124 and yet say the 500E looks like an old Hamburg taxi and/or it looks like a cheap old car. You criticise its performance saying you'll soon come up against more modern cars with more performance. In what world will that happen? Do you seriously go around looking to race other cars on the road nowadays? Where? In a 500E? Are you a teenager or something?

Just guessing but maybe you only like the W124 you have because it is a cheap old car that does what you need of it. Bear in mind people do buy them for other reasons

I have plenty of W124 experience so why is that bizarre ? And I can offer a valid opinion on this particular version without having owned one but will be happy to be further enlightened by you sharing your experience of ownership.

My comments regarding performance are not criticisms - just facts. I have acknowledged the car's performance whilst pointing out that others now do it better if that is what you are looking for.

I don't understand your comments about racing other cars and teenagers. However, in going down that route you have raised another valid point - why pay a premium for performance that you can't use ? I expected from my earlier posts that you would have discerned that I don't engage in that sort of driving hence my lack of interest in a 500E or the other street racers that I mentioned. I thought it would have been self-evident.

And on your final point - my current W124 was certainly not cheap but I remain very pleased with it !

 

[Doodle]

The exclusivity that comes with owning a 20 year old W124 ?

This comment sums it up perfectly. You are one that doesn't "get it", and probably never will.

For some, the 500E is special; for others it's just a 124 saloon with a V8 shoehorned in the front and the steering on the wrong side. Such is the diversity, and long may it continue...we can't all like the same thing.

Equally, consider the potential counterview for your car Scott - it's just a crappy old out of date Merc.

 

[Dee-124CAB]

why pay a premium for performance that you can't use ?

In that case, why buy a anything that does over 70 MPH?

I think an E500 would be very usable, point to point cross country/continent it would be more than fast enough.... Cannot think of a better car to eat the miles yet not be boring on a long trip....

 

[Scott_F]

This comment sums it up perfectly. You are one that doesn't "get it", and probably never will.

Absolutely - and I said as much in my opening post.

 

[Doodle]

Absolutely - and I said as much in my opening post.

So where was the point to your posts then?

I refer to the first statement in Rob77's previous post.

 

[Scott_F]

So where was the point to your posts then?

I refer to the first statement in Rob77's previous post.

To point out that whilst many here obviously think the 500E is marvelous others have a different but equally valid point of view perhaps ?

 

[Doodle]

To point out that whilst many here obviously think the 500E is marvelous others have a different but equally valid point of view perhaps ?

I thought as much You wouldn't perchance be a Jehovah's Witness too?

 

[NW_Merc]

I'm also lost as to why anyone would see a LHD car as more attractive than a RHD car here in the UK

It's not because it's LHD, they couldnt make a RHD 500E because of the size of the engine and the position of the brake servo. It's not an ordinary 5.0L run of the mill car, it's a car that wasn't available easily in this country and hence you had to import it from either Germany or beyond. I dont understand why you're making such a big deal about it, you dont understand or see the attraction, thats fine, there's no need to compare it to cars which arent even in the same league. Performance? I'd have a 500E over a Scooby or Evo any day of the week and I wish I was as fortunate as Talbir to buy at least one never mind three.

 

[Scott_F]

It's not because it's LHD, they couldnt make a RHD 500E because of the size of the engine and the position of the brake servo. It's not an ordinary 5.0L run of the mill car, it's a car that wasn't available easily in this country and hence you had to import it from either Germany or beyond. I dont understand why you're making such a big deal about it, you dont understand or see the attraction, thats fine, there's no need to compare it to cars which arent even in the same league. Performance? I'd have a 500E over a Scooby or Evo any day of the week and I wish I was as fortunate as Talbir to buy at least one never mind three.

If you read the post from Talbir he said; "I would rather have a LHD car over it's RHD equivalent. Infact, 40% of my collection is LHD". I was questioning why this would be so.

And with the greatest respect, it's clearly not me that's making a "big deal" here. I've raised some valid points and you guys have got yourselves all worked up into a lather and come rushing to defend a car that you obviously admire !!

I have no intention of ever owning a 500E or any of the other cars mentioned so I don't really mind what other people think of them. However, whereas I can at least recognise that the 500E has a lot of plus points you don't seem to want to hear any dissenting voices that don't tally with your own view.

 

[Niks]

A LHD car vs a RHD, thats an interesting debate. Only benefit of a LHD which I can see is when your parked up, the pavement is on your side. At the same time, im not sure how I would tackle drive-throughs or tolls . I guess you'd have to own a LHD car here to see any benefits, im sure Talbir will tell all.

 

[bh13coupe]

A LHD car vs a RHD, thats an interesting debate. Only benefit of a LHD which I can see is when your parked up, the pavement is on your side. At the same time, im not sure how I would tackle drive-throughs or tolls . I guess you'd have to own a LHD car here to see any benefits, im sure Talbir will tell all.

this will be an easy fix for car parks and tolls
Rapid Electronics - Draper Litter Picker/Pick Up Tool (Length 820mm)

I am reading this thread with a smile.
When I finally get my 500e I will put an E220 badge on the back
The 500e is a marmite car, you either love them or don't get it.

Can we move on now

 

[Rob77]

... it's clearly not me that's making a "big deal" here. I've raised some valid points and you guys have got yourselves all worked up into a lather and come rushing to defend a car that you obviously admire !!

I have no intention of ever owning a 500E or any of the other cars mentioned so I don't really mind what other people think of them. However, whereas I can at least recognise that the 500E has a lot of plus points you don't seem to want to hear any dissenting voices that don't tally with your own view.

Not making a big deal? You've so far made 11 posts in this thread and all saying the same thing

I have no real desire to own a 500E either I just can't bear reading all your repetitive posts that you seem to genuinely mistake for either factual analysis or informed debate

 

[talbir]

No probs on opinions on the 500e which are contrary to compliemntary....not everyone has the same taste and that's a good thing !

I've read a few times in this post about the 500e being a w124 with a V8 shoe-horned in it. That's not strictly correct - the 500E was modified at drawing board to fully accomodate a V8 and it's drivetrain. All engine bay parts were redesigned to accomodate the m119 - it was a drawing board project made real.

The description of shoe-horning belongs to the w124 AMG Hammer.....AMG genuinely did 'stuff' in the quad-cam M117. The engineering is not classy at all...they all look like back-yard conversions !

The experience however is very different to the 500e...the Hammer is raw and explosive like a 1980's 911 Turbo....the 500e is refined and dignified in it's performance and would be more like a 997 Carrera 4S.

I can't see how the 500e looks like a Hamburg taxi....stock w124's may do because that's what Hamburg taxi ranks used, but the 500e looks rather different to a stock w124. sits lower, skirted bumpers, wide-arch fenders. Stand directly in front of a 500e and then a stock w124...the difference will be immense !

As for scoobys and imprezas, i've never had any of my 500e's outdone by them....and trust me, they have tried very hard ! Yes, they are quicker over the first 50 yards but then the torque of the 500E comes into it's own....and they can't actually overtake it !

thanks
talbir

 

[Charles Morgan]

I agree Talbir, they have a real presence around them.

I'd love to see yours in action.

I remember when they first came out, I was working for someone who had a W114 350 SEL 6.3 as well as a 190e 2.6. He was beside himself with excitement at the 500e and I think something rubbed off. To me they were the ultimate autobahn Q car, an expression of that palpable engineering joy at the tail end of the engineers dominance of the German car industry - they are wirschaftwunderlich.

 

[scillyisles]

Maybe the thread should have been entitled "500E - only for positive comments".
I tend to collect special limited edition cars so on that basis the 500E fits the bill and I have considered adding one to my collection. However, I do understand the points that Scott_F makes - the LHD issue in particular.

 

[BillyW124]

This was a very good read.

i love the 500E top machine.

 

[talbir]

i too thought LHD would be an issue....what i love about it is that because factory ergonomics were designed for a LHD in the first place, everything feels so much more natural with steering on the left.

I actually hate RHD cars now, i can't believe the way i feel about LHD cars ! I just absolutely love them !

cheers
talbir

 

[Scott_F]

Not making a big deal? You've so far made 11 posts in this thread and all saying the same thing

Hardly ! And it's also interesting to note that whilst Talbir (who actually owns an E500) has been happy to offer an informed view, you are one of those who's got very defensive (but hasn't owned one). Perhaps you could offer a similar, less emotional opinion if you spent some time in one and less time on your high horse.

I have no real desire to own a 500E either I just can't bear reading all your repetitive posts that you seem to genuinely mistake for either factual analysis or informed debate

Don't read them then. Simple solution for you.

 

[swannymere]

Someone's on a fishing trip.