Selection of cars that are top of the wanted list.
MILF, Motors I’d Like to Fund
Mercedes 500E
Brief History of the Mercedes-Benz 500E
Origins (Late 1980s)
By the late 1980s, Mercedes-Benz wanted a high-performance version of its W124 E-Class that could compete with BMW’s M5. Instead of developing it entirely in-house, Mercedes partnered with Porsche—a collaboration that would become legendary.
Mercedes–Porsche Collaboration (1990–1995)
- Design & Engineering: Mercedes designed the car conceptually, but Porsche handled major engineering tasks including modifying the W124 chassis to fit the 5.0-litre V8 from the 500SL.
- Production: The car’s widened body and complex assembly required Porsche’s expertise.
- Mercedes built the basic body.
- Porsche modified and assembled the cars in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
- Final inspection happened back at Mercedes.
This “shuttle production” between factories meant each car took 18 days to complete.
Technical Highlights
- Engine: 5.0-litre M119 V8
- ~326 hp (varied slightly by market and model year)
- 0–100 km/h in about 5.5 seconds
- Chassis: Wider track, flared fenders, upgraded brakes and suspension.
- Appearance: Subtle and understated—deceptively ordinary except for its wider stance.
Launch and Reception
- Debuted in 1990, sold from 1991–1995.
- Known for combining supercar performance with luxury-sedan comfort.
- Nicknamed “The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing.”
- Extremely expensive new, making it rare even today (around 10,479 units produced).
Legacy
- Considered one of the greatest Mercedes performance saloons ever.
- Marked a high point of old-school, over-engineered Mercedes craftsmanship.
- The collaboration helped Porsche through a financially difficult period.
- Today, the 500E/E500 is a sought-after modern classic.