Vehicle Description
Chassis No. WDBEA36E3NB734312
OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
Mercedes had a simple goal in the 1990s for their W124 generation
of E-Class, they wanted to prove their Munich-based rival BMW was
not the king of sports sedans with their M5. The board at Mercedes
wished to use the newly launched M119 V8 in the compact W124
chassis, but it would not fit as the frame rails were too close
together. Although great for offset impact protection or use for
inline engines, it was unacceptable for a V8. In order to expedite
the process, Mercedes dispatched a team to walk down the street to
meet Porsche Engineering Consultants and have them help design the
widening of the frame and a revision of the suspension. This
process also resulted in the now coveted two-inch wider fender
flares that would house the improved suspension and brakes. A setup
that would allow the car to out-accelerate, out-brake, and
out-handle the M5.
There was a problem, though. The 500E was now 2.2 inches too wide
to fit down the regular W124 production line. Mercedes would again
turn to Porsche and have them assist with the car's production. A
body was sent to Porsche to have the frame modified to accept the
larger V8 before being sent back to Mercedes, where it would
receive its paintwork. The painted body and a literal crate of
parts would be sent to yet another Porsche factory for hand
assembly. Once completed, Porsche sent the car back to Mercedes for
final inspection before shipping it to the customer. This
incredible process meant that it took 18 days to manufacture one
car!
This DB199 Blue Black Metallic 500E completed its production
process in March 1992 before heading to the US. The interior is
finished in Anthracite leather with electrically adjustable and
heated Recaro front seats and unique bucket-style seats in the
rear. The engine breathes easier thanks to a carbon fiber RENNtech
air intake and stainless steel rear muffler. The appearance has
been enhanced by upgrading the original eight-hole wheels to
six-spoke Evo II wheels. A few known issues with 500E models were
addressed in late 2005. The lower engine wiring harness,
transmission, and torque converter were all replaced. Today the car
shows 81,515 miles at the time of cataloging, offering an excellent
opportunity to drive a car that until recently was only understood
by serious Mercedes fanatics. The secret is out, these rare
vehicles with outstanding build quality have grabbed the attention
of collectors and enthusiasts alike.
