Classic: Mercedes-Benz 500 E

Posted on 19-12-2015 to 18:00 by larssb – 44 Comments”

An anniversary: rarely interesting. Smack the Droeftoeters 75 years? Oh.. A quarter of a century, the Hurt Male voice choir? Mwâh. But wait, the fabulous Mercedes-Benz 500 E celebrates its 25 year anniversary. That is indeed a homage as well, with all due respect.

In all respects, because what a car introduced the Stuttgarters at the Paris motor Show in October 1990. A wolf in sheep’s clothing, the definition of a sleeper. In the first instance, was not very that this was the absolute top of the indestructible W124-series was. The most notable were still the extended wheel arches, custom front bumper color-with integrated front fog lights, jumped a little less in the eye. That the car is more than 2 cm lower did not even see anyone immediately, a full 200 D-taxi, showed the same silhouette.

But not under the hood. Because there was of course the raison d’être of the 500 E: the M119 5.0 liter V8 with an output of 326 HP. This singing was a year and a half previously introduced in the 500 SL (R129) and was, as well as its automatic controlled gearbox, as a custom, 17 mm lower “standard deck”-version in the cabin of the 500 E is mounted. The same lifting block was then also used for the derivative versions of the 4.2 litre V8. For the 500 E was the Bosch KE fuel injection system was replaced by the more modern LH-Jetronic system from the same German manufacturer. Bei uns ist alles besser.

There was no word of a lie. For while Mercedes-Benz themselves become also quite a nice and reliable car in could, was for the übersportieve 500 E enlisted the help of neighbor’s Porsche. In united co-developed and built two dedicated car manufacturers, this disguised supercar. The car bodies were built and painted at Mercedes in Sindelfingen, the final assembly and adjustment were done at Porsche in Zuffenhausen. There plucked the two manufacturers of the fruit, because apart from the fact that Mercedes benefited from Porsches unique expertise in the sporting field, was the production of this supersporter early 90s, very welcome in Zuffenhausen. Nieuwgeld-kiloknaller-Cayenne was not yet on the stack, it ran yet not always storm in the showrooms of Porsche in those years.

So it was not so strange that these 500 E by a few, was even referred to as the four-door Porsche. That was Porsche at the time, still not in the range. In the past everything was better. Now yes, in any case less complicated. Because this 500 E had a clear and honest set-up: a scrawny, turboloze V8 driving the back axle without mountains within electronics in a variety of situations on the fingers tapped, corrected or otherwise afblufte. Okay: ABS was standard and ASR seemed that every stoplichtsprint only slots was to be milled into the asphalt. By this system, that is also not to be turned off was, reached the Benz to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The limiter handle as usual in the German herenakkoord of 250 km/h. But that speed felt comfortable, with 4 man completely relaxed they chatted while on the left lane.

Bathed in luxury, because there were not many options to tick: a CD changer and a phone. This was except for the except under the bonnet (the battery was forced to move to the boot) also inside the car was packed. A Karo, or with a choice of leather covered sporting interior, a leather sports steering wheel, air conditioning, and a Becker or Alpine stereo were but a few of the standard features in this bulder-Benz, you came really nothing deficit. Except admiration and jealousy. The bloedsnelle Mercedes continued to look so understated that no one there is the supercar in recognized, gold diggers were brushed past.

Also after the facelift of 1993, where the appearance was light adapted. A slightly less angular, and in the hood and integrated grill, a modified same boot and taillights, slightly modified headlights and clear turn signals were the most striking changes. On the type code, for the quad rocket was the E 500, because the W124 now as E-series by the usually almost eternal life. It was, of course, still a Einspritzer, the achtcilinder had, however, 6 HP return for the sake of the environment. But with 320 still available pieces was the suffering good to overlook. And soon even totally forgotten.

That was thanks to AMG, that in ‘94 and ‘95 a small series of the 500 E came out with a 6.0-liter, 381 HORSEPOWER version of the M119 V8. Later were settled there 500 E’s afterwards with this block, but the real, born Affalterbachers are identified by the “957”AMG Technology Package code. Also exhaust and suspension system were made by Mercedes’ huistuners adjusted. Mercedes-Benz itself had been a special version of the supersedan released, the 500 E Limited. This limited edition distinguished itself from the regular 500 by the two-tone leather on furniture and wheel, 17 inch EVO-ⅱ rims, stainless steel instaplijsten and a fraction richer equipment with some other wood and sun protection. With this AMG version included there were a total 10.479 500 E/E 500’s built, until in 1995, the very last copy of this icon with the hand and lots of passion built.

This month exactly 25 years ago received the first 46 winners, the keys of this very special brute in a suit. Driving home for christmas, in a 500-E! I would continue to drive, I’m sure. I don’t need to gourmet.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz 500E

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