Mercedes-Benz 500E
Encyclopedia
From 1990 to 1994 Mercedes-Benz sold a high performance version of the W124, the Mercedes-Benz 500 E (W124.036). 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 '500 E' through model year 1993, for model year 1994 it was face-lifted along with the rest of the range and renamed to 'E 500'.
(R129
) roadster. Sports car braking performance also came from SL components: front SL 500 300 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 600 SL
. Rear brakes on all years were 278 mm brakes from the 500 SL. In the USA, the 500 E came fully loaded, with the only options available to the buyer being a dealer-installed CD changer and an integrated cellular telephone. The 500 E 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 500 E is already considered a "classic", even within Mercedes-Benz.
1505 of the "super" sports sedans were imported into the USA between 1992–1994, or roughly 500 cars per year of importation.
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.
The 500 E/E 500 underwent few significant changes during its three-year production run. Models from 1992 and 1993 are virtually indistinguishable from each other on the exterior, with the most notable change being a slightly less powerful (-7 HP) engine in the 1993 and 1994 model for USA. The 1994 E 500 model is more easily identified because of the cosmetic changes that affected all E-Class cars that year (updated headlights, grille, and trunk-lid; the bumpers were painted the same color as the car). The engine, however, remained unchanged from the 1993 500 E. 1994 models carried an upgraded sound system made by Becker or Alpine, replacing the two-piece Becker 1432 unit used in model year 1992 and 1993 cars. Significantly, 1994 models had larger front and rear brakes than 1992 and 1993 models, courtesy of the R129 SL600 roadster. Numerous running changes were made to the car's mechanical systems during its production life.
The 500E and E500 were known by Porsche as Type 2758 in that company's official nomenclature. As of June 2011, an example of a 1995 E500 Limited is on display in the new Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen, Germany.
. These models were called the "E 60 AMG". The car's engine produced 376 bhp at 5,500 rpm and 428 lb/ft at 3,750 rpm allowing the car to accelerate 0–62 mph in 5.2 seconds. — compared to the 500 E's claimed 5.9 seconds. Towards the end of production of the W124 chassis, AMG also made E 60 AMGs which had 399 hp at 5,750 rpm and 454 lb/ft at 3,810 rpm upon special request. Modifications included the replacement of the original components with AMG parts, including the suspension, exhaust system, instrument cluster and 17" AMG OZ 3-piece wheels (optional). Many of the E 60 AMG's seen today are actually 500 E's and E 500's sent to the AMG factory at a later date to have the engine changed to the 6.0L V8. The original E 60 AMG models carry the "957 AMG Technology Package" in their VIN number's Options List.
Porsche
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
; 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 '500 E' through model year 1993, for model year 1994 it was face-lifted along with the rest of the range and renamed to 'E 500'.
Specifications and General Information
The 500 E had a naturally aspirated 5.0 V8 engine derived from the 500 SLMercedes-Benz SL-Class
The Mercedes-Benz SL is a grand tourer manufactured by Mercedes since 1954. The designation SL derives from the German Sport Leicht, or Sport Lightweight — and was first applied to the 300SL 'Gullwing' named also after its gullwing or upward-opening doors.The term SL-Class refers to the...
(R129
Mercedes-Benz R129
The Mercedes-Benz R129 automobiles were produced from 1989 through 2002. They were sold under the SL-Class model names. The R129 replaced the R107 SL-Class in 1989 and was in its turn replaced by the R230 in 2003 .-Models:-Model history:...
) roadster. Sports car braking performance also came from SL components: front SL 500 300 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 600 SL
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
The Mercedes-Benz SL is a grand tourer manufactured by Mercedes since 1954. The designation SL derives from the German Sport Leicht, or Sport Lightweight — and was first applied to the 300SL 'Gullwing' named also after its gullwing or upward-opening doors.The term SL-Class refers to the...
. Rear brakes on all years were 278 mm brakes from the 500 SL. In the USA, the 500 E came fully loaded, with the only options available to the buyer being a dealer-installed CD changer and an integrated cellular telephone. The 500 E was only with four seats in left hand drive, with the four leather seats supplied by Recaro
Recaro
RECARO GmbH & Co. KG, commonly known as Recaro, is a German company based in Kirchheim unter Teck in the vicinity of Stuttgart, known for their automobile bucket seats...
(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 500 E is already considered a "classic", even within Mercedes-Benz.
Engine
| displacement Engine displacement Engine displacement is the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement from top dead centre to bottom dead centre . It is commonly specified in cubic centimeters , litres , or cubic inches... , type Engine configuration Engine configuration is an engineering term for the layout of the major components of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine. These components are the cylinders and crankshafts in particular but also, sometimes, the camshaft.... valvetrain Valvetrain Valvetrain is an all-encompassing term used to describe the mechanisms and parts which control the operation of the valves. A traditional reciprocating internal combustion engine uses valves to control air and fuel flow into and out of the cylinders, facilitating combustion.-Layout:Valvetrain: The... | max. motive Motive power In thermodynamics, motive power is an agency, as water or steam, used to impart motion. Generally, motive power is defined as a natural agent, as water, steam, wind, electricity, etc., used to impart motion to machinery; a motor; a mover. The term may also define something, as a locomotive or a... power Power (physics) In physics, power is the rate at which energy is transferred, used, or transformed. For example, the rate at which a light bulb transforms electrical energy into heat and light is measured in watts—the more wattage, the more power, or equivalently the more electrical energy is used per unit... at rpm Revolutions per minute Revolutions per minute is a measure of the frequency of a rotation. It annotates the number of full rotations completed in one minute around a fixed axis... | max. torque Torque Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist.... at rpm | top speed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,973 cc Cubic centimetre A cubic centimetre is a commonly used unit of volume extending the derived SI-unit cubic metre, and corresponds to the volume of a cube measuring 1 cm × 1 cm × 1 cm... V8 engine V8 engine A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft.... 32 Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... valve 2xDOHC |
240 kW @ 5,700 |
480 N·m (354 ft·lbf) @ 3,900 |
5.5 secs | 260 km/h (161.6 mph) |
Production figures and yearly changes
| model year | units |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 46 |
| 1991 | 2,566 |
| 1992 | 4,416 |
| 1993 | 1,596 |
| 1994 | 1,735 |
| 1995 | 120 |
| total production = 10,479 | |
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.
The 500 E/E 500 underwent few significant changes during its three-year production run. Models from 1992 and 1993 are virtually indistinguishable from each other on the exterior, with the most notable change being a slightly less powerful (-7 HP) engine in the 1993 and 1994 model for USA. The 1994 E 500 model is more easily identified because of the cosmetic changes that affected all E-Class cars that year (updated headlights, grille, and trunk-lid; the bumpers were painted the same color as the car). The engine, however, remained unchanged from the 1993 500 E. 1994 models carried an upgraded sound system made by Becker or Alpine, replacing the two-piece Becker 1432 unit used in model year 1992 and 1993 cars. Significantly, 1994 models had larger front and rear brakes than 1992 and 1993 models, courtesy of the R129 SL600 roadster. Numerous running changes were made to the car's mechanical systems during its production life.
The 500E and E500 were known by Porsche as Type 2758 in that company's official nomenclature. As of June 2011, an example of a 1995 E500 Limited is on display in the new Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen, Germany.
Aftermarket Modifications
Common performance improvements include wheel and tire replacement, aftermarket exhaust kits, and replacement or reprogramming of the Electronic Control Unit, which removes the 155 mi/h speed governor. To boost acceleration times, some owners disable the car's slip reduction feature and program the automatic transmission to start in first gear instead of the normal second gear. Numerous other modifications exist for the car, including increased displacement up to and including 6.5 liters, nitrous-oxide systems and a few custom supercharger systems to boost output to well over 400HP. Mercedes tuner RENNtech made a series of staged upgrades that included items such as larger air intake boxes, custom EEPROM chips for the fuel injection computer, customized transmission and valve-body modifications, larger diameter front anti-roll bars, a six-speed manual transmission, and ASR-disabling kits. RENNtech also offered (and continues to offer upon request) displacement increases up to 6.0 liters.E 60 AMG
For the 1993 and 1994 model years, twelve E 500 Limited's were outfitted with a 6.0L M119 V8 engine by tuner AMGMercedes-AMG
Mercedes-AMG GmbH, commonly known as AMG, is a subsidiary of the Mercedes-Benz car company specializing in high-performance luxury cars....
. These models were called the "E 60 AMG". The car's engine produced 376 bhp at 5,500 rpm and 428 lb/ft at 3,750 rpm allowing the car to accelerate 0–62 mph in 5.2 seconds. — compared to the 500 E's claimed 5.9 seconds. Towards the end of production of the W124 chassis, AMG also made E 60 AMGs which had 399 hp at 5,750 rpm and 454 lb/ft at 3,810 rpm upon special request. Modifications included the replacement of the original components with AMG parts, including the suspension, exhaust system, instrument cluster and 17" AMG OZ 3-piece wheels (optional). Many of the E 60 AMG's seen today are actually 500 E's and E 500's sent to the AMG factory at a later date to have the engine changed to the 6.0L V8. The original E 60 AMG models carry the "957 AMG Technology Package" in their VIN number's Options List.