Classic pearl of the future - Mercedes Benz 500 E (W124)
It is actually already a classic today, even though it has only just reached youngtimer age. This refers to the Mercedes Benz 500 E, based on the model-maintained 124 series, which was built between 1989 and 1993.
The 500 E was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 1990. And it looked wide and flat, as its fenders were built slightly outwards and the chassis had been lowered by 23 millimeters. Fat 225/55 ZR 16 tires filled the wheel arches. In the engine compartment, a further developed five-liter V8 four-valve engine with Bosch LH-Jetronic injection did its job. The unit produced 326 hp, later 320 hp, which was enough to accelerate the saloon from 0 to 100 km/h in just over six seconds and in a few seconds more to 250 km/h, where it was then electronically limited.
Sports car performance for five people and plenty of luggage, as the utility value of the standard W124 saloon, which was also widely used as a cab, was not compromised.
However, the price prevented the sedan, which was built and finally assembled by Porsche, from becoming widely available. In 1990, the car cost DM 134,520; at the end of the production period in 1993, the price was DM 145,590. In terms of price, it was also able to compete with the leading sports cars of the time.
Incidentally, the model-maintained E 500 (1994) was then again produced by Mercedes itself and is therefore perhaps somewhat less exotic than the 500 E built by Porsche. However, it was not cheaper in Sindelfingen either and it was still fast enough. Nevertheless, a total of over 10,000 of these five-liter saloons are said to have been built, so they are not really that rare.
Saloons usually have a harder time in the collector's world than convertibles and coupés, and the 500 E is probably an exception here, as these models are already significantly more expensive than their less sophisticated and powerful brothers. A classic pearl ....
