NO RESERVE! - 1996 Mercedes E500

No Reserve!

Highlights

﹒Project car imported from Japan earlier this year and UK registered

﹒Very rare car with well preserved body-shell

﹒Requires a small amount of work to restore to full health

﹒Offered with no reserve

The Background

Hard though it may be to believe today, back in the late 80’s, Porsche was struggling a bit. So when Mercedes decided that their design team was too busy working on the next S Class to realise its ambition of shoehorning the 5 litre V8 from the SL into the W124 E Class, Porsche offered its services. Part of their redesign involved widening the wings to incorporate subtly flared wheel arches which in addition to looking great, also provided a visual clue to those in the know to help distinguish this Q car from the rest of the range. One side effect was that the bodyshell would not fit along the Mercedes production line and so Porsche were commissioned to build the car as well. This provided their under-utilised “Reutter-Bau” plant with a valuable lifeline as they ultimately went on to build over ten thousand of examples of the 500E, later known as the E500. Happy co-incidence or a ‘holistic’ approach to design? The answer is lost in the mists of time.

Either way, the Porsche team did a typically thorough job, widening the track by 38mm, using the brakes from the SL and tuning the chassis to cope with the 326bhp put out by the 4973cc M119 V8 with 32 valves through the 4 speed automatic gearbox to the rear wheels. Dubbed “the wolf in sheep’s clothing” at the time, it was only available in left hand drive and sold in limited numbers in the UK. This was not solely because the steering wheel was on the ‘wrong’ side, but also the price; the fact that the E500 was largely hand-assembled meant that it commanded a significant premium over its closest rival, BMW’s M5.

Those who did take the plunge were rewarded with a 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed limited to 155 mph, not too shoddy even by today’s standards. All this was wrapped up in the usual tank-like build quality of the W124 and the model quickly gained modern classic status among Mercedes enthusiasts, previewing as it did the direction that the company would take with its ever closer relationship with and eventual acquisition of AMG.

The History

This particular example was acquired by the vendor as part of a collection of cars put together by a private collector in Japan. Little is known about its background in Japan other than that is believed to have been stored in a warehouse for approximately four years prior to export.

It was imported to the UK around nine months ago and has since received sufficient attention to achieve an MOT pass but there are a number of items which remain to be addressed and which the seller does not have the time to attend to. As a result this is being sold as a fully UK registered ‘project car’ which, with a relatively small amount of attention, should be able to be restored to its former glory.

Since arriving in the UK, the car has received a full service and a rebuild of the brake callipers, though it has yet to be fully tested on British roads. We’ll cover the known areas that require some work in the following sections.

The Paperwork

Let’s not beat around the bush: there’s an MOT and a V5 and that’s your lot. However, the condition of the car speaks for itself and the Japanese do have a deserved reputation for looking after their high performance machines.

The Interior

As is evident from the photographs, the interior is generally very well preserved. There is little sign of wear on the four Recaro seats or the carpets and the wood veneer on the rear console has been refinished. Only the veneer on the dashboard shows some cracking around a presumably aftermarket metal stud which has been added and whose function is unknown. The steering wheel has the optional wood finish on it but if that is not to your taste then the car also comes with an non-wood spare.

There are some items that will require attention: the electric driver’s seat adjustment, while still functioning, has lost the covers to some of its switches. The electric rear blind is not operational and only the driver’s electric window works. Some of this may be down to over-enthusiastic application of the valeter’s pressure washer to the engine bay but it will need some diagnostic work.

Once addressed, the interior should be back to looking its best which is to say one of the finest of its time.

The Exterior

As with the interior, the exterior has worn very well with a few blemishes consistent with its age but no signs of rust bubbles or big scratches. A machine polish has restored most of the paintwork’s lustre and the wheels by Carlsson, the noted Mercedes Benz tuner, give the car a distinctive look although could use a refurb to bring them up to the standard of the bodywork. The tyres all have a good tread depth. Underneath, the car is typical of Japanese imports in being very clean aside from some surface corrosion on the suspension components.

Again, there are a few areas to attend to: the front valance is missing a small grille from the offside, the driver’s mirror is missing the cover for the mounting plate, one of the door handles is cracked and the roof strip is coming away at the rear on the nearside.

None of these are urgent issues and could be addressed over time as it’s currently very presentable. But it shouldn’t take a whole load of effort.

The Mechanics

Mechanically the car is believed to be standard save for a fully adjustable coilover suspension setup and a stainless steel exhaust. What definitely isn’t as per the original design is an ever-present battery warning light which, following a couple of replacement batteries is believed to be alternator-related. The car starts with a boost pack every time but intermittently with just the battery for power. The problem lacks a definitive diagnosis at this stage but should be within the grasp of a competent car mechanic.

The Appeal

The W124 comes from what is widely regarded as the peak period for Mercedes quality levels and the merits of any of the many variants have been widely discussed on carandclassic.co.uk. But the E500 is not just any W124, but one with a thumping 5 litre V8 which has been engineered and assembled by Porsche.

Now it seems that we live in a time when anything over a certain age bearing the ‘Porsche’ moniker attracts an ever-increasing valuation and that seems to be rubbing off on the E500 too. Although too small in number in the UK to form a representative sample, over in the US where they are more numerous, values have been steadily climbing over recent years.

So whilst this is not a mint example ready to show off at Mercedes concours events, it’s not that far off and any investment required to bring it back to life is likely to be recouped very quickly. The only question then is whether to preserve it or use it. There are strong arguments for either option but only the next owner will get to decide. Best get bidding if you want to be in the enviable position of making that choice!

**The images in this listing have been provided to us by the seller**

Notice to bidders

Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.

As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.

See our Terms & Conditions here.

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification

Year 1996
Make Mercedes
Model E500
Colour Black
Odometer 126,373 Kilometres
Engine size 4973

Auction Details

Seller Type Private
Location Cheshire
Country United Kingdom

Bidding history

134 bids

Bo•••• £18,250 22/01/21
St•••• £18,000 22/01/21
St•••• £17,750 19/01/21
Ne•••• £17,500 19/01/21
Ne•••• £17,250 19/01/21
Ma•••• £17,000 19/01/21
Ne•••• £16,750 19/01/21
Ma•••• £16,500 19/01/21
Ne•••• £16,250 19/01/21
Ma•••• £16,000 19/01/21
Ma•••• £15,750 15/01/21
Gt•••• £15,500 15/01/21
Gt•••• £15,250 15/01/21
Ma•••• £15,000 15/01/21
Ma•••• £14,750 15/01/21
wi•••• £14,500 15/01/21
Ma•••• £14,250 15/01/21
wi•••• £14,000 15/01/21
Ma•••• £13,750 15/01/21
wi•••• £13,500 15/01/21
Ma•••• £13,250 15/01/21
ge•••• £13,000 15/01/21
Ma•••• £12,750 15/01/21
ge•••• £12,500 15/01/21
Ma•••• £12,250 15/01/21
To•••• £12,000 15/01/21
To•••• £11,750 15/01/21
ge•••• £11,500 15/01/21
To•••• £11,250 15/01/21
ge•••• £11,000 15/01/21
To•••• £10,750 15/01/21
ge•••• £10,500 15/01/21
To•••• £10,250 15/01/21
Ma•••• £10,000 15/01/21
vl•••• £9,999 15/01/21
Ma•••• £9,900 15/01/21
vl•••• £9,800 15/01/21
Ma•••• £9,700 15/01/21
Ma•••• £9,600 15/01/21
vl•••• £9,500 15/01/21
Ma•••• £9,400 15/01/21
vl•••• £9,300 15/01/21
Ma•••• £9,200 15/01/21
vl•••• £9,100 15/01/21
Ma•••• £9,000 15/01/21
vl•••• £8,900 15/01/21
Ma•••• £8,800 15/01/21
vl•••• £8,700 15/01/21
Ma•••• £8,600 15/01/21
vl•••• £8,500 15/01/21
Ma•••• £8,400 15/01/21
vl•••• £8,300 15/01/21
Ma•••• £8,200 15/01/21
vl•••• £8,100 15/01/21
Ma•••• £8,000 15/01/21
vl•••• £7,900 15/01/21
Ma•••• £7,800 15/01/21
vl•••• £7,700 15/01/21
vl•••• £7,600 15/01/21
Ma•••• £7,500 15/01/21
vl•••• £7,400 15/01/21
Ma•••• £7,300 15/01/21
vl•••• £7,200 15/01/21
Ma•••• £7,100 15/01/21
vl•••• £7,000 15/01/21
Ma•••• £6,900 15/01/21
vl•••• £6,800 15/01/21
Ma•••• £6,700 15/01/21
vl•••• £6,600 15/01/21
Ir•••• £6,500 15/01/21
vl•••• £6,400 15/01/21
Ir•••• £6,300 15/01/21
Ir•••• £6,200 15/01/21
vl•••• £6,100 15/01/21
Ir•••• £6,000 15/01/21
To•••• £5,900 15/01/21
Ir•••• £5,800 15/01/21
To•••• £5,700 15/01/21
Ir•••• £5,600 15/01/21
To•••• £5,500 15/01/21
Ir•••• £5,400 15/01/21
To•••• £5,300 15/01/21
Ir•••• £5,200 15/01/21
ol•••• £5,100 15/01/21
Ir•••• £5,000 15/01/21
ol•••• £4,900 15/01/21
Ir•••• £4,800 15/01/21
ol•••• £4,700 15/01/21
Ir•••• £4,600 15/01/21
ol•••• £4,500 15/01/21
Ir•••• £4,400 15/01/21
ol•••• £4,300 15/01/21
Ir•••• £4,200 15/01/21
ol•••• £4,100 15/01/21
Ir•••• £4,000 15/01/21
ol•••• £3,900 15/01/21
Ir•••• £3,800 15/01/21
ol•••• £3,700 15/01/21
Ir•••• £3,600 15/01/21
Ir•••• £3,500 15/01/21
ol•••• £3,400 15/01/21
Ir•••• £3,300 15/01/21
ol•••• £3,200 15/01/21
Ir•••• £3,100 15/01/21
ol•••• £3,000 15/01/21
Ir•••• £2,900 15/01/21
ol•••• £2,800 15/01/21
Ir•••• £2,700 15/01/21
ol•••• £2,600 15/01/21
Ir•••• £2,500 15/01/21
ol•••• £2,400 15/01/21
Ir•••• £2,300 15/01/21
ol•••• £2,200 15/01/21
Ir•••• £2,100 15/01/21
ol•••• £2,000 15/01/21
Ir•••• £1,900 15/01/21
ol•••• £1,800 15/01/21
Ir•••• £1,700 15/01/21
ol•••• £1,600 15/01/21
Ir•••• £1,500 15/01/21
ol•••• £1,400 15/01/21
Ir•••• £1,300 15/01/21
ol•••• £1,200 15/01/21
Ir•••• £1,100 15/01/21
ol•••• £1,000 15/01/21
Ir•••• £900 15/01/21
ol•••• £800 15/01/21
Ir•••• £700 15/01/21
ol•••• £600 15/01/21
Ir•••• £500 15/01/21
ol•••• £400 15/01/21
Ir•••• £300 15/01/21
ol•••• £200 15/01/21
Ir•••• £100 15/01/21

Message C&C Auction Team

The Gallery

The safest way to buy a classic car online

Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller. More about buying with us

About Max Bids

The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.

Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.

Anti-sniping

Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.

Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.

Auto-bidding increments

If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
- Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
- We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.

Bid Amount	Increment
£0 to £9,999	£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999	£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999	£500.00
£100,000 +	£1,000.00

Automatically outbid immediately

When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.

You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.

Matching max bids

When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.

Pre-authorisation

We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.

What are pre-bids?

A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.

Problem with your bid

Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.