The 500E was one of my and my dad's dream cars. He bought one back in 2008, when he could afford one, and me and him went to pick it up in my 300CE. My dad passed away late last year, so now I'm the caretaker of his 1993 Nautic Blau with blue interior 500E. He loved Evo Magazine and watching HG on UA-cam, he'd be very happy with this video for sure. Cheers Harry!
Like you I am a car guy and better still, the son of a car guy. As a ten-year-old I experienced my dad in his 3.8L Jaguar Mk 2, dropping like a bad habit a flatulent Mercury Marauder that was tailgating us. My first driving experience was at age 13 on a deserted road in a 1963 Olds Starfire convertible. I learned to operate a manual on the long-throw shifter of my dad’s Alfa Spider 1600. My best-ever road trip spanned the Southwest at the helm of a Citroën DS 21, averaging 30+ mpg in comfort beyond the comprehension of any Cadillac owner. At 18 my muscle-car friends were mystified when I dropped them on a twisty road in a 115 hp Rover 2000 TC. In my 20s I owned a Series 2 E-Type, thanks to my dad not trading his in but instead passing it on to me. Those cars brought us closer together than anything else. (FYI at age 74 I am fending off dementia in the best sports car ever built, a current-generation Mazda MX-5.)
beautiful story and very special memories. Your dad would have loved this video but I'm glad you get to see this car featured on his channel. Keep the car forever if you can!
@@johntechwriter Funny, my parents had a Jag Mk 2 when I was born in -75, my very first memories is from a road trip to Italy in that car when I was three. My dad had Alfa's too (and so did I). My first car was a 1975 Jag XJ6 btw. :)
*cough* the W124 actually was one of the first Cars to use LEDs. The AC, switch for the recirc and the rear defrost had LEDs in 1984. And if you ordered the automatic climate control, you had lots more LEDs. Funnyly enoguh, the LCD Temp display in the Cluster did not have LEDs, they where the same incandecent bulbs that where in the switches.
People like you are out of touch what a modern mercedes customer wants. Just lease a vehicle on the firm and I don't care much about reliability. What I care about is that my car continues playing my spotify playlist exactly where I turned off the music on my phone when I was leaving the office, mate. Besides that, the driving experience and safety aspects are simply beyond compare. The car enthusiast scene is always moaning about repairabilty and simplicity being great but the truth is most people want to get from A to B in the most comfortable, efficient and luxurious way possible. I know people who drive mercedes and they don't know whether they have a 4cyl or a 6 cylinder engine in their car. It simply does not matter to 95 % if people.
But the truth about the 500E is also that back then, one Stuttgart carmaker helped another Stuttgart carmaker to survive. Porsche was in a very bad economic situation, and the order from Mercedes injected liquidity into the company. Nowadays, such “help” between companies would probably no longer exist. Thank you very much for the presentation and reminder of this automobile.
You are misunderstanding the relationship that occurred. Porsche does contract engineering all the time, and are well known for it. There was no “liquidity infusion”. They got paid for services provided. Same with Harley and Porsche.
@@opposedrocket3different situation, BMW and Toyota jointly-developed the Z4/Supra from the beginning. Co-developing new models has been around for decades and still continues to this day. The 500 E was a case of an existing car being further developed by Porsche.
And what’s crazy is Mercedes was already making enormous profits from 1986 until the time this car was built. They weren’t being financially stupid and could’ve kept making cars to this standard. It’s just that Toyota/Lexus managed to make their vehicles so much more *efficiently* vs the Germans. The materials and R&D weren’t any cheaper for the Japanese, but the manufacturing was. Mercedes needed to cut costs fast so rather than redesign production, they cheaped out on materials to match Lexus pricing in the US.
@@TomK-ti8kp Interesting insights but I must quibble on materials not being cheaper on the Lexus. Mechanically maybe that is true, but the interiors don't have nearly the same hard-wearing durability as a contemporary Benz does. The leather wears, the buttons get shiny. Not so with the Mercedes. With the Lexus you get the feeling they spent a lot of time on focus groups and how much cost cutting they could get away with. Mercedes from the era are engineered from the ground up to be the best car they could make, with cost a seemingly distant consideration.
@@verdict1163 honestly, I stand corrected on the leather seats. I have seen Mercedes leather (both the genuine and MB-Tex materials) from this era resist cracking astoundingly well vs Lexus leather. Even on cars with 250,000 miles, Mercedes leather appears hardly-used I guess my point is that the materials would cost the same to Toyota as it would to Mercedes if they’re buying them from the same suppliers (Bosch, Siemens, Denso, Continental, etc). And from what I recall, Toyota did buy some of their parts from European suppliers for the LS models.
sadly as an owner you don't get to enjoy it moving as much as passerbys....that said it makes up for that in the corners; handles better than my old x308 xj, and thats saying a lot.
THIS is the kind of video I love Harry doing - affordable classic cars that can be driven daily today. I own a 1993 300e and they are great cars in their own right.
Two comments about the transmission: Contrary to popular belief, the "S" does not stand for Sport but for Standard - that also explains the question why it takes off in 2nd. Mercedes is not exactly known for the level of sportiness as a BMW M. To make it take off in first without activating the kickdown switch, set it to B first (to the right of 2) and put it back in D. Another neat gimmick: 3 (and 2, to a certain degree) raises the shift points. Thank you for this fine review of a very special car.
This is when Mercedes was so much more distinguished than other European cars, quality, engineering and class with power that for the time an outstanding example of automotive excellence! Great show as always!!
quality of quick rusting)) with 4-speed auto it drives like grandma sofa comparing to M5 r34, what engineering? put heavy V8 and old 4-speed auto in weak 124 body? steering is awful comparing to M5 and Lotus Omega. very overhyped car, very
A nice change away from reviewing the usual sports to supercars. Clicked straight away as you don't see much full in depth reviews of the 500E so thanks Harry.
At 9:09, the thump of the door closing resonates so well with the echo of Harry's Garage, it is just the most delightful audio detail ever. Makes you instantly worship W124 engineering. Pinnacle is the word.
Another great video, thanks Harry! I have a 1995 E420 with the 'small' (as in 4.2-litre) V8, developed by Mercedes to counter the Lexus LS 400 in North America, where most of them were sold. Less sporting than the 500E, but it still had uprated suspension, 16in wheels and brakes from the SL600. The engine is effortless, making for a great long-distance cruiser. I can confirm that holding the transmission in 2 and 3 lets the engine sing. The 400E/E420 had the standard bodyshell and are rarer in Europe than the 500E/E500, so they're even more of a sleeper. I've had several Mercedes from this era (including an R129 SL500 and a 190E 2.6), but this is my all-time favourite.
@@V8_screw_electric_cars Mercedes sold V8s on a regular basis since the 60s, even V8 manuals in a number of cars, sometimes 80% of their engine choice was V8s (R107, C107), what are you talking about? The BMW V8 was introduced only in 1992
That's a fabulous machine, I always loved the shape of the W124! I didn't really get the comparison with the E28 M5 though. When the 500E was launched the contemporary M5 was the E34.
I was just going to make your point about the direct comparison being the E34 M5, as the E28 was two years out of production by 1991. The E34 had already-great aero, the M5 subtle improvements that made for things like zero axle lift front and rear at it's electronic limit of 255kph, making the rear spoiler for customers who just wanted the looks. As good as the Merc 500E is, and they are fantastic cars, contemporary road tests all ranked the E34 M5 as much quicker across the ground. They pretty much all concluded that if you wanted a self-shifter, the 500E was the only option, but if you wanted the 'ten-tenths' car then the E34 M5 was the car to buy. Sadly we never got the 500E here. We've owned two E34 M5s, and still have our E39 M5, but I would have loved to see what the 500E was like in the day.
@@contributor7219there's no doubt that BMW really stepped it up with the E34 M5 although it started to lose some of that Q-car appeal. On standard wheels the earliest M5, launched in 1984 remember, was a dark destroyer. The next M5 made its presence more felt, and this 500E, even more so. Not being a blinkered, tribal brand idiot, although I'd probably pick the M5 of these two, that's only if I could have only one. So if someone tossed me the keys to the Merc, I'd be extremely happy.
@@SampleTracks2224 Yes, I agree the E28 was very much the ultimate Q-car, and if running in 'base' Euro form with the same TRX alloys fitted to other BMWs of the era it was almost indistinguishable from any other 'lesser' E28. Once fitted with the 16" cross-spokes it was a little easier pick as those wheels were only fitted as standard to 'M-cars' of that era. One of the contemporary road tests of the E34 here highlighted the same Q-car aspect of the E34 as well, with one being tested alongside a local high performance sedan. The journo mentioned being at the track when a group of young guys didn't give the E34 a second glance as they fired a battery of questions about the local car. It was only after the journos pointed out what the M5 actually was that it became of interest as well. Unless you knew exactly what you were looking for, the first E34 M5, in its day, disappeared into the masses just as effectively as the E28 did in its day. The 'update' version of the E34, with its 'throwing star' wheels was a little easier to spot. I think what Merc (Porsche) did most effectively with the E500/500E was set their future formula of auto-only 9/10ths cars to the 10/10ths car that BMW Motorsport built in the manual only M3/M5. The E500 and later AMG cars had/have the 'have your cake and eat it too' combination of driving ease and high performance not really found in the M5s of that era. Local M5 delivery here started with the E34, so unless it's a personal import we never got to play with the E28 M5. Ditto the E500 due to it being LHD only. All amazing cars though and we were very privileged to be the keepers of a couple of E34 M5s, despite missing out on the others.
The drag coefficient of the W124 standard sedan was actually 0.30. The 0.26 car was a non-wide body W124 modifed and tuned by AMG (5.6L, 360 PS) which was able to reach a top speed of 303 km/h. That car predates the 500 E, which is basically a W124 with a wider body and the engine of the R129 500 SL.
With all due respect, coming from a massive fan of the channel - Harry got the timing slightly wrong. BMW E28 was the first one, then the C3 Audi 100 was launched in late 1981/1982 (we had a beautiful 1986 example for more than a decade) - and THEN came this Merc (first models of W124 in late 84). The E-Class learned A LOT (as did the next bimmer - the E34 5 series) - from the C3 Audi 100 in terms of aerodynamics. The flush side glasshouse, the hidden windscreen wiper, the flowing rubber ears for the door mirrors - all that was "invented" in Ingolstadt by Audi, and only then went to both Stuttgart for the Merc and Munich for the bimmer. Either way - amazing to hear this V8 rumble coming from this understated (but not under-appreciated, especially recently with eighties cars fetching crazy money) sedan. Thanks for the video, best of luck from Latvia. Edited: just can't help writing some more. Loads of work to do, so of course it's writing time. When Harry turns the car on and says "all gauges settle" - I'm struck by something. Comparison to modern era cars. This merc... Or any car from that era. You turn it on. The revs fall to just below 1000, the engine quietly hums - and, especially in a car of this caliber, it gives off solidity. Tremendous amount of respect. Pride of the engineering. Of the german solidity, premium, understated class. This in all German cars of the era. Accomplishment of every technical detail. The engine just turned on, there are no idiotic screens with no Apple Carplay or Voice-controlled touch-AI functions. There are no humidifiers or aromatic dispensers, no ambient lighting, no phone integration, no fart noises coming from the seats. The engine is on, you can barely hear it, it will carry you at astonishing speeds for thousands of kilometres - or it can just stand there, ticking over. There are no noise limiters, no gas particulate filtres waiting to become clogged, no coffee cup icons coming on the dash after 3 hours driven. It's a solid partner you can rely on proudly developed by some of the best engineers of the world. If you want clowns, childishness and goofyness - go buy a French car, or a Japanese K-Car. This moment somehow reminded me of the Russian movie Bimmer. The movie was pretty crap - but the main star of the first movie (there were two, the other even more crap) - was a 7 series 740i from the E38 generation. At the end of the movie, the car kind of "died" in the woods left there with engine running as the gas ran out after several days. But until then - it was just waiting there to be driven. Solidly, calmly, all systems go. Something, I think, modern people do not - and can not - appreciate or begin to understand. There are connected phones, subwoofers and Bluetooth, bright screens and constant pop-up notifications warning you of all the idiotic stuff going on with this "poor environmental hazard" that has now become the CAR (truth be told - this 5 litre E class is many times more environmentally friendly than any Tesla - because it has prevented another car from being built - FOR 40 years now!). Just amazing, amazing technological achievements, the cars - something we are unable to appreciate any longer... because every time we utter the word Mercedes, the stupid "how may I help you" comes up with idiotic colourful clown-like styled message. Well, here we are. Just give me a car with solid dials that hums along without all the crap where you go into 4 menus to switch on or off a function. Who started it all, anyways? And who wants it?
I always loved the Mercedes Auto Gear Shifter line. With the line you choose the gears, you know when you are in Drive exactly without watching at the gear lever. So easy. Also the lever for speed control on above the indicator. Works so phantastic. If you used to it once, you will miss it in modern cars.
The W124 is, IMO, a contender for the finest exec car made (relative to its time) and the 500E was the cherry on top of the cake. An epic car and it just looks so good too.
I had a 300E new in 1990 but always aspired to the 500E… I even had it lowered slightly to give it the same look! Those were the days…no speed cameras and less cars on the road….fantastic!
I was only 14 when these were launched and thought they were the best thing ever. The closest I’ve come to owning one is when I bought a 1990 300E. It was 22 years old when I purchased it and was a wonderful, wonderful car. I still dream of the 500E😅
Drove one in Germany in 1992. Got to an indicated 259 kmh. Amazing car. We also had a 300E Sportline on that trip which handled beautifully but the 500E was such a sleeper.
An absolute Sunday evening treat for a chap who was 15 years old when this car came out! I remember reading reviews of it at the time. Now, every time I see any W124 the purity of design and just their ‘Germaness’ shines through. I think we all enjoy the mix of modern car reviews, really very interesting and useful discussion videos (like the one on electric cars the other week) and then reviews of lovely old things like this, to help remind us all why we enjoyed cars so much in the first place! Thanks to Harry and team.
I mean this in the most respectful way, but your videos feel like I'm sat down having a chat with my granddad. Thank you for your knowledge and enthusiasm, these videos are great.
That's the 1994 E500 Limited runout model with a diamond cut version of the 8.25J x 17-inch 190E 2.5-16 Evo 2 alloys and a special interior with two-tone patterned leather and dark grey Bird's Eye Maple wood trim. I owned one from 1994 to 1998. The first owner was the boss of the Mercedes dealer in Bielefeld, Germany. The gentleman who bought it from me four years later lived in Ireland and had a 997 Turbo S. He was after a comfortable and fast LHD car for touring Europe. In the early days I found the brakes inadequate and swapped them for Brabus / Alcon brakes, which had incredible stopping power. In fact my local MOT garage said they had never seen such powerful brakes on their test equipment! I also added Brabus 25mm spaces and longer bolts to help fill out the big wheel arches as even these 17-inch wheels sat too far in and I did not want to corropt the ride with wider wheels and tyres. The slightly wider track helped turn-in and reduced the roll angle as well. The normal 500E / E500 like the silver car Harry drove here came with 8.0J x 16-inch alloys. This produced a slightly better ride but less mechanical grip.
It wasn’t fully built or fully developed by Porsche. The production process involved a lot of toing and froing between Sindelfingen & Stuttgart On the gearbox S is for standard, not sport. Absolutely fabulous car!!!!
I think they still use that "standard" nomenclature. My GL has M and S options for manual and... there's no way full auto = sport. Mind you, the M option isn't fully manual either. It doesn't hold the car in gear, only limits how far up the gearbox it'll go to.
Porsche fully built the car, with the exception of the paint work. Also, if you do your research, Porsche actually did all the development and resolved the compatibility issues, with installing all the foreign components in to the W124 chassis ie steering, brakes, suspension, engine and transmission etc
Sounds like the kickdown cable needs adjusting... I used to set them to kick down at about 60% of throttle travel, and adjust out all the free play in the throttle cable. Made a big difference - particularly on the diesels! Nick Froome, W124
Did these cars use a kick down switch or a vacuum sensor to control kick down? Because I know some 722.3 transmissions won’t upshift if there’s a vacuum issue.
Got any hints for keeping the ASR happy through the transmission linkage. I had, still have one that was very particular about the linkage adjustment there behind the intake manifold. US spec 400e
I used to buy them in germany and belgium back in mid 90s bring them home and sell it for a tidy profit, its a weapon. if you know you know. I personally had a jet black with black interior full spec and installed 2 radio antenas on either side of back wing and when the car fired up and they popped up it made the car look so so cool. And most didnt know what this car was even today they dont but you can see its precense.
Am definitely enamored of Harry’s estate and the quaint English countryside in which it resides, as shared in this video. Also appreciate this retrospective showcase of a vehicle that was/is relevant to my formative (aka when I finally had funds to acquire such iconic vehicles) “post-university” years.
Never mind Peak Mercedes, this was Peak Car. No widescreen haptic driver modes and augmented lane departure DPFs. Just a beautifully hewn car which is perfectly suited to its surroundings
I think this shares most of the features of peak car, but they actually came a bit later. The cars designed after this in the 90s but also built in the 2000s are the best. After the 2000s the computer aided design got crazy powerful and the designs got crazy efficient in every way, hence what we have what we have today. The ECUs etc are still a bit first or 2nd gen (e.g. 80s tech) in this. By the early 2000s the chips had developed to what a lot of are still produced and used today and to the forseeable future. Also the actual manufacturing methods of components and bodies have not really advanced after Audi's fully aluminium bodied A8 in 1994. Only Tesla has been pushing boundaries with the huge castings.
Those wooden steering wheels are a tactile delight! Great cars! I had a 560 SEC of the same era and that had a "hewn from silod" feel. Fabolous car for a lifetime!
I owned a 250D for 9 years and added 90,000 miles. The build quality was incredible, the engine, at 190,000 miles, as good as new. I loved the look, how she drove, very nimble and yet always felt like I could drive her forever. When I came to sell her it took 20 minutes.
You're on top form, Harry, what a joy and what a car! All that was missing was a drop of rain to get that wiper going. So many styling and build quality memories of my humble H reg 190E 1.8 manual, which I covered the UK coast in for over 10 years, serious nostalgia triggered by your film. I really enjoyed your enthusiasm and the chance to learn about a car I had no idea existed. Cheers, keep the oldies coming, great proper cars.
The bodies on these are so nice and look advanced even by today's standards. It all just flows and fits; they look as if they're carved from a solid block of alloy.
This is truly a proper QCar - thank you Harry, thank you Hairpin Motor Company, thank you to the individual (s) that have looked after this example so well. Finally a big thank you to the engineers at Mercedes & Porsche for creating this amazing car.
Still one of my favorite cars to this day. My town though small had 3 back in the day, my father had one, one of his colleagues also had one, actually still had it to this day and an NBA basketball player in town had one too and they were all the same color. My uncle had a 400E which was also a pretty cool car. The guy my father shared his office with had that super rare Mercedes 190E 2.3-16 I think, I remember he imported it. Those flared fenders on the 500E always let people know it was a Boss Benz.
Harry I was expecting this video for long time and finally you made it. Mercedes-Benz E-500 is one of those cars thar really makes you smile inside. Design that marks more than an era of car design, an era by itself. One I was a Kid in Spain that rear lights that front composure. The proportion and the clarity of things. Of course we can not compare performance of the cars of today, neither live in the same time but that truly was the time for me when cars meant something...
I absolutely love the E28 M5 but this sedan beats it for me. I would STILL be happy and proud to buy one of these if given the chance. Mercedes + Porsche... what pedigree!
Yes, although the proper comparison would be to the E34 M5 in my opinion. That was produced from 1988 until 1995, this 500E from 1990 to 1995 so at the time, that was your choice (and the Opel/Vauxhall Omega/Carlton by Lotus, although they we're cheating a bit on the powerside by fitting turbos).
Can't imagine what the 500E is like. Had a 300E which, as Harry explained, was super-smooth and super-comfortable with great build quality. The best Harry's Garage i have watched (and i love his XJ12C).
Cool to see a w124 at the channel) This interior is my daily experiene, I've got a 124 300 turbo diesel estate, 1995, been my daily driver for the last 15 years, and the newest car I've ever owned) It does the job, not bothered to replace it, I love the lines
I was lucky enough to own a 500E in 1993 and ran it for 7 years, what a fabulous car it was too, fantastic to drive and ultra reliable, I remember the Mercedes dealer I bought it from telling me it was the car Formula 1 drivers preferred to drive as their everyday car, having owned one I can well imagine that this was indeed the case.
Thanks for posting, it must have been a great car to rock around in at the time. Only true cognoscenti would know what it was, which is another big factor in its appeal. Are you a lucky owner of a Benelli Sei by any chance? Just a guess 😉
9:20 I had reason to poke around a W124 a few months ago and there are thoughtful touches like that absolutely everywhere, from nose to tail. That level of attention to detail just doesn't happen anymore in mainstream cars (and yes, modern Mercedes is mainstream, just with an aspirational image built on cars like this).
My 1993 R129 and my 2008 W221 both have the mechanic position bonnet catches. Just like the wiper stalks being identical. Great example of: if it’s well engineered, why change it? What a treat to see these 500’s, thanks Harry!
I have a '92 500E as well as an '88 M6. Harry's dead on about the smoothness of the 500E and the way it gets down the road. The 500E is much more a freeway weapon than a B-road terror,though - if you're doing 70 mph and you need to get around someone, it doesn't take very long in the 500E and when you look down at the speedo you're probably doing a buck-twenty and didn't feel it. This was a dream car for me since it was new (as well as the M6) and I was fortunate enough to get both when I did as I couldn't afford them now!
Epic car, and thank you for sharing. A car I closely followed in the 90's. Understatement at it's finest. Beautifully over-engineered. No idiotic, wretched fake air vents and no pretentious styling.
Gorgeous flat plane crank m119 v8 all mated services were machined to perfection all screws were drilled and tapped. He mentioned there was no wear on the engine in the Sauba C9. A guy in America had a sl500/M119 and used to traverse United States. He clocked up half 1,000,000 miles. they pulled all 4 camshafts, measured them on a micrometre and there was no visible wear. The M119V8 is possibly the finest engine produced by any manufacturer anywhere in the world ever and probably will never be repeated. There was not one single recall on anyone of those engines. I hope I never have to sell my SL 500/M119. It is the absence of any unpleasantness that makes driving my SL 500 the most pleasurable experience.
I do like the W124, whenever I see one here in Germany, I have a good look, and they are all looking really good for the age, the cloth upholstery is always fantastic.
I've owned a 500E (regretfully sold it) and I was an MB Tech when W124's where current and I can absolutely assure you, the 6 cylinder versions come nowhere near close, not even the bi turbo M103 300E I drove.
@@jeshurunagyei7064 yes I used to look after one in the UK, Turbo Technics did a kit and Hughes of Beaconsfield used to sell cars new with the kit fitted.
I can recommend phase 2.5 (2005-8 with the 7 speed ‘box) CLK500s as the next best thing, if you don’t want the aggressive looks and rough ride of an AMG. CLKs were thankfully built a cut above other Mercs at this time yet a nice one is still only worth from £5k to £8k. Super-refined, 0-60 under 6 secs and an easy de-limit they’ll breeze through 170mph.
@@neilturner6749 an E55 Kompressor is much much better, 12-18 grand, 476 hp , and a comfortable Airmatic DC ride and quality interior, far superior to a CLK500.
As always a first class video. And that era of Mercedes is just so much more respected and desirable as compared to now. And what a fantastic collaboration with Mercedes and Porsche. What an attitude! I dont think we can even dream of such a real mechanical engineering collaboration today. All we get is badge engineering.
Hi Harry, thanks for reviewing this legendary car. As many mentioned already, S is for Standard on those cars. But V8 mercedes had a B mode to the left of 2 which locks it in 1st gear providing a faster start. Those gearboxes always started in 2nd gear for a longer life. Thanks. Keep it up 👍
"... the engines were producing more power at the end of the race than they were at the beginning, and there was no wear." Motor engineering lore like this is the cherry on life's cake.
i watch this 2-3 times a week for the last month this is the most beautiful sedan made in my opinion being born in 82 when these cars came out i was at the right age i remember this being the first car i saw took my breath away it was love at first sight 😂😂
The "S" in MB gear boxes is normally for "Summer" (NOT FOR "SPORT"), the "W" for "Winter", if it has an "E" ("Economic"), it is like de "W" and the "S" is for "Standard". In those days if you wanted "Sport" you use the "kick down" of the throttle and/or change gears manually.
I’ve heard this ‘Porsche-built 500E’ a few times over the years but never told quite so eloquently right now. Thank you Harry! Always, always such a pleasure to learn from you 🎉❤
Very good looking cars. Clean and classic lines. This whole range had really nice interiors too, with straightforward accessible controls that aren’t subsumed in electronic ‘menus’.
The 500E was one of my and my dad's dream cars. He bought one back in 2008, when he could afford one, and me and him went to pick it up in my 300CE. My dad passed away late last year, so now I'm the caretaker of his 1993 Nautic Blau with blue interior 500E. He loved Evo Magazine and watching HG on UA-cam, he'd be very happy with this video for sure. Cheers Harry!
You lucky, lucky son of a gun. Sorry about your dad.
What a great memory, thanks for sharing. My condolences to you and your family 🙏🏼👍🏼
Like you I am a car guy and better still, the son of a car guy. As a ten-year-old I experienced my dad in his 3.8L Jaguar Mk 2, dropping like a bad habit a flatulent Mercury Marauder that was tailgating us. My first driving experience was at age 13 on a deserted road in a 1963 Olds Starfire convertible. I learned to operate a manual on the long-throw shifter of my dad’s Alfa Spider 1600. My best-ever road trip spanned the Southwest at the helm of a Citroën DS 21, averaging 30+ mpg in comfort beyond the comprehension of any Cadillac owner. At 18 my muscle-car friends were mystified when I dropped them on a twisty road in a 115 hp Rover 2000 TC. In my 20s I owned a Series 2 E-Type, thanks to my dad not trading his in but instead passing it on to me. Those cars brought us closer together than anything else. (FYI at age 74 I am fending off dementia in the best sports car ever built, a current-generation Mazda MX-5.)
beautiful story and very special memories. Your dad would have loved this video but I'm glad you get to see this car featured on his channel. Keep the car forever if you can!
@@johntechwriter Funny, my parents had a Jag Mk 2 when I was born in -75, my very first memories is from a road trip to Italy in that car when I was three. My dad had Alfa's too (and so did I). My first car was a 1975 Jag XJ6 btw. :)
Golden age of Mercedes. Quality and timeless style.
You are certainly correct. The W124 was probably Merc's finest mass-produced car, i'd like another one day if i could find a good un.
germany too
I've never clicked on anything faster in my life. A legend being reviewed by a legend.
Me as well!
Same as me. True😂🎉
Another one here. Salt to wounds.
Stupidly sold mine after having enjoyed it for 8 years and 100,000 miles.
@@PetriTemisevaoh no, why have you sold it?
same here!
Lovely to see a proper, well-engineered car being reviewed, with not an LED display in sight!
Couldn't agree more! What we've lost along the way.
*cough* the W124 actually was one of the first Cars to use LEDs. The AC, switch for the recirc and the rear defrost had LEDs in 1984. And if you ordered the automatic climate control, you had lots more LEDs. Funnyly enoguh, the LCD Temp display in the Cluster did not have LEDs, they where the same incandecent bulbs that where in the switches.
Sorry mate, there is a LED temperature gauge in the instrument cluster 😉
I'm not opposed to LED. A lot of plastics may in better shape today.
You know Harry’s the real deal when he flashes his “in period” shots. They’re awesome!
Proper car journalist.
No modern Mercedes could lace the boots of the cars from this era of the brand.
Indeed! They’re crappy nowadays. No better than anybody else in the industry. Back then, they were the best engineered and built cars in the world!
People like you are out of touch what a modern mercedes customer wants. Just lease a vehicle on the firm and I don't care much about reliability. What I care about is that my car continues playing my spotify playlist exactly where I turned off the music on my phone when I was leaving the office, mate. Besides that, the driving experience and safety aspects are simply beyond compare.
The car enthusiast scene is always moaning about repairabilty and simplicity being great but the truth is most people want to get from A to B in the most comfortable, efficient and luxurious way possible. I know people who drive mercedes and they don't know whether they have a 4cyl or a 6 cylinder engine in their car. It simply does not matter to 95 % if people.
Wrong: This has not very good dynamics, a horrible slushbox, it's a bit recalcitrant and heavy. W205 and W213 are far sportier and better connected.
Absolutely, they're crap now and I'd buy a Toyota instead
@@pistonburner6448 Agreed. Give me a W213 E63 S Estate over this any day of the week.
When a merc looked like one.
Actually if I remember correctly, the "S" on the transmission stands for Standard, not Sport.
Correct!
That would explain the "lazy" behaviour!
@@stevemawer848 W is Winter and starts the car in 2nd, S starts off in 1st
@@paulknight1332not always, depends if you engage the kick down or not.
No, Second. Kickdown was required to take off in first.
just the noises as you open and close every part of them - the satisfying sounds of quality engineering.. sublime!
But the truth about the 500E is also that back then, one Stuttgart carmaker helped another Stuttgart carmaker to survive. Porsche was in a very bad economic situation, and the order from Mercedes injected liquidity into the company. Nowadays, such “help” between companies would probably no longer exist. Thank you very much for the presentation and reminder of this automobile.
Toyota has infused significant amounts of $$ into Subaru, Mitsubishi, and Suzuki. But your point is well taken, it was a classy thing to do.
Porsche also got help from Volvo and Harley Davidson.
You are misunderstanding the relationship that occurred. Porsche does contract engineering all the time, and are well known for it. There was no “liquidity infusion”. They got paid for services provided. Same with Harley and Porsche.
What about the A90 Supra and the ND Miata ? Those would not exist if BMW and Fiat hadn't cooperated with Toyota and Mazda
@@opposedrocket3different situation, BMW and Toyota jointly-developed the Z4/Supra from the beginning. Co-developing new models has been around for decades and still continues to this day. The 500 E was a case of an existing car being further developed by Porsche.
This car is 35 YEARS OLD and still holding its own. Amazing design, styling nd engineering.
Love these retro-reviews Harry! Much more interesting to watch than these boring new EV's...more like this please; Love it!👍🏻😃
I can only agree with this.
EV's most boring "gadgets" on earth😅 cheers from car enthusiast and collector
Yeah EVs are boring. Only Harry can make them interesting enough to watch
This is what you get when an iconic car manufacturer locks the CFO in a cupboard - and then follows its heart. Just glorious…..
And what’s crazy is Mercedes was already making enormous profits from 1986 until the time this car was built. They weren’t being financially stupid and could’ve kept making cars to this standard.
It’s just that Toyota/Lexus managed to make their vehicles so much more *efficiently* vs the Germans. The materials and R&D weren’t any cheaper for the Japanese, but the manufacturing was. Mercedes needed to cut costs fast so rather than redesign production, they cheaped out on materials to match Lexus pricing in the US.
@@TomK-ti8kp Interesting insights but I must quibble on materials not being cheaper on the Lexus. Mechanically maybe that is true, but the interiors don't have nearly the same hard-wearing durability as a contemporary Benz does. The leather wears, the buttons get shiny. Not so with the Mercedes. With the Lexus you get the feeling they spent a lot of time on focus groups and how much cost cutting they could get away with. Mercedes from the era are engineered from the ground up to be the best car they could make, with cost a seemingly distant consideration.
That era Mercedes hold up so well it doesn't make sense. I'm about to buy one simply because that aspect amazes me. @@verdict1163
@@verdict1163 honestly, I stand corrected on the leather seats. I have seen Mercedes leather (both the genuine and MB-Tex materials) from this era resist cracking astoundingly well vs Lexus leather. Even on cars with 250,000 miles, Mercedes leather appears hardly-used
I guess my point is that the materials would cost the same to Toyota as it would to Mercedes if they’re buying them from the same suppliers (Bosch, Siemens, Denso, Continental, etc). And from what I recall, Toyota did buy some of their parts from European suppliers for the LS models.
Hahaha.. we're probably the last generation to enjoy the greatness of the V8s!!
Bruno Sacco did superb work on this generation Mercedes. The R129 has also aged gracefully. Classics all.
sadly as an owner you don't get to enjoy it moving as much as passerbys....that said it makes up for that in the corners; handles better than my old x308 xj, and thats saying a lot.
Agreed! Any time I see one, I send a thought to Bruno Sacco.
THIS is the kind of video I love Harry doing - affordable classic cars that can be driven daily today. I own a 1993 300e and they are great cars in their own right.
Not sure everyone will agree £80k is affordable 😂
“Great car in their own right” speaks volumes….
That's a great Merc but I don't think it's an affordable car lol
What a beauty. I wish cars looked as simple and purposeful like this again..
One of the greatest cars ever made...
Two comments about the transmission: Contrary to popular belief, the "S" does not stand for Sport but for Standard - that also explains the question why it takes off in 2nd. Mercedes is not exactly known for the level of sportiness as a BMW M.
To make it take off in first without activating the kickdown switch, set it to B first (to the right of 2) and put it back in D.
Another neat gimmick: 3 (and 2, to a certain degree) raises the shift points.
Thank you for this fine review of a very special car.
Good reason to read the manual! ;-)
This is when Mercedes was so much more distinguished than other European cars, quality, engineering and class with power that for the time an outstanding example of automotive excellence!
Great show as always!!
quality of quick rusting)) with 4-speed auto it drives like grandma sofa comparing to M5 r34, what engineering? put heavy V8 and old 4-speed auto in weak 124 body? steering is awful comparing to M5 and Lotus Omega. very overhyped car, very
and yet the contemporary M5 of the era was considerably slower even with the manual transmission 😂
@@Pan_Galactic_Gargle_Blasterno, it’s faster actially
@@silhouette300
comparing 1993 models
e34 m5: 0-100 6.2s
500e: 0-100 5.5s
@@Pan_Galactic_Gargle_Blaster wrong info, 124 e500 6.4 sec
Harry the smile on your face in this car is only matched by the Quattro sport video. You clearly have fond memories of this era 👍
Another iconic 80s car, a dream pair
A nice change away from reviewing the usual sports to supercars.
Clicked straight away as you don't see much full in depth reviews of the 500E so thanks Harry.
At 9:09, the thump of the door closing resonates so well with the echo of Harry's Garage, it is just the most delightful audio detail ever.
Makes you instantly worship W124 engineering.
Pinnacle is the word.
Peak car design really. Cars that matched man's level of evolution.
Agree. Not long after since, cars started to get worse - and so did people.
Another great video, thanks Harry! I have a 1995 E420 with the 'small' (as in 4.2-litre) V8, developed by Mercedes to counter the Lexus LS 400 in North America, where most of them were sold. Less sporting than the 500E, but it still had uprated suspension, 16in wheels and brakes from the SL600. The engine is effortless, making for a great long-distance cruiser. I can confirm that holding the transmission in 2 and 3 lets the engine sing. The 400E/E420 had the standard bodyshell and are rarer in Europe than the 500E/E500, so they're even more of a sleeper. I've had several Mercedes from this era (including an R129 SL500 and a 190E 2.6), but this is my all-time favourite.
I think few mercedes sold with those big engines back then much more likely to find BMW V8, Mercedes wasn't perceived as sporty brand yet.
@@V8_screw_electric_cars Mercedes sold V8s on a regular basis since the 60s, even V8 manuals in a number of cars, sometimes 80% of their engine choice was V8s (R107, C107), what are you talking about? The BMW V8 was introduced only in 1992
@@alexmercer8042 90% of W124 were 4cyl or straight 6, much more likely to find BMW e34 5 series V8.
@@V8_screw_electric_cars I don't recall specifying to W124 only? Is that what you're saying, V8 W124 vs V8 E34?
A proper Mercedes Benz, a car that will never be built to such a high standard again, simpler times.
What a great car, so much engineering for longevity. How far we have strayed.
That's a fabulous machine, I always loved the shape of the W124! I didn't really get the comparison with the E28 M5 though. When the 500E was launched the contemporary M5 was the E34.
I was just going to make your point about the direct comparison being the E34 M5, as the E28 was two years out of production by 1991. The E34 had already-great aero, the M5 subtle improvements that made for things like zero axle lift front and rear at it's electronic limit of 255kph, making the rear spoiler for customers who just wanted the looks. As good as the Merc 500E is, and they are fantastic cars, contemporary road tests all ranked the E34 M5 as much quicker across the ground. They pretty much all concluded that if you wanted a self-shifter, the 500E was the only option, but if you wanted the 'ten-tenths' car then the E34 M5 was the car to buy. Sadly we never got the 500E here. We've owned two E34 M5s, and still have our E39 M5, but I would have loved to see what the 500E was like in the day.
@@contributor7219 USA?
@@contributor7219there's no doubt that BMW really stepped it up with the E34 M5 although it started to lose some of that Q-car appeal. On standard wheels the earliest M5, launched in 1984 remember, was a dark destroyer. The next M5 made its presence more felt, and this 500E, even more so. Not being a blinkered, tribal brand idiot, although I'd probably pick the M5 of these two, that's only if I could have only one. So if someone tossed me the keys to the Merc, I'd be extremely happy.
@@SampleTracks2224 Yes, I agree the E28 was very much the ultimate Q-car, and if running in 'base' Euro form with the same TRX alloys fitted to other BMWs of the era it was almost indistinguishable from any other 'lesser' E28. Once fitted with the 16" cross-spokes it was a little easier pick as those wheels were only fitted as standard to 'M-cars' of that era.
One of the contemporary road tests of the E34 here highlighted the same Q-car aspect of the E34 as well, with one being tested alongside a local high performance sedan. The journo mentioned being at the track when a group of young guys didn't give the E34 a second glance as they fired a battery of questions about the local car. It was only after the journos pointed out what the M5 actually was that it became of interest as well. Unless you knew exactly what you were looking for, the first E34 M5, in its day, disappeared into the masses just as effectively as the E28 did in its day. The 'update' version of the E34, with its 'throwing star' wheels was a little easier to spot.
I think what Merc (Porsche) did most effectively with the E500/500E was set their future formula of auto-only 9/10ths cars to the 10/10ths car that BMW Motorsport built in the manual only M3/M5. The E500 and later AMG cars had/have the 'have your cake and eat it too' combination of driving ease and high performance not really found in the M5s of that era. Local M5 delivery here started with the E34, so unless it's a personal import we never got to play with the E28 M5. Ditto the E500 due to it being LHD only. All amazing cars though and we were very privileged to be the keepers of a couple of E34 M5s, despite missing out on the others.
The drag coefficient of the W124 standard sedan was actually 0.30. The 0.26 car was a non-wide body W124 modifed and tuned by AMG (5.6L, 360 PS) which was able to reach a top speed of 303 km/h. That car predates the 500 E, which is basically a W124 with a wider body and the engine of the R129 500 SL.
With all due respect, coming from a massive fan of the channel - Harry got the timing slightly wrong. BMW E28 was the first one, then the C3 Audi 100 was launched in late 1981/1982 (we had a beautiful 1986 example for more than a decade) - and THEN came this Merc (first models of W124 in late 84). The E-Class learned A LOT (as did the next bimmer - the E34 5 series) - from the C3 Audi 100 in terms of aerodynamics. The flush side glasshouse, the hidden windscreen wiper, the flowing rubber ears for the door mirrors - all that was "invented" in Ingolstadt by Audi, and only then went to both Stuttgart for the Merc and Munich for the bimmer. Either way - amazing to hear this V8 rumble coming from this understated (but not under-appreciated, especially recently with eighties cars fetching crazy money) sedan. Thanks for the video, best of luck from Latvia. Edited: just can't help writing some more. Loads of work to do, so of course it's writing time. When Harry turns the car on and says "all gauges settle" - I'm struck by something. Comparison to modern era cars. This merc... Or any car from that era. You turn it on. The revs fall to just below 1000, the engine quietly hums - and, especially in a car of this caliber, it gives off solidity. Tremendous amount of respect. Pride of the engineering. Of the german solidity, premium, understated class. This in all German cars of the era. Accomplishment of every technical detail. The engine just turned on, there are no idiotic screens with no Apple Carplay or Voice-controlled touch-AI functions. There are no humidifiers or aromatic dispensers, no ambient lighting, no phone integration, no fart noises coming from the seats. The engine is on, you can barely hear it, it will carry you at astonishing speeds for thousands of kilometres - or it can just stand there, ticking over. There are no noise limiters, no gas particulate filtres waiting to become clogged, no coffee cup icons coming on the dash after 3 hours driven. It's a solid partner you can rely on proudly developed by some of the best engineers of the world. If you want clowns, childishness and goofyness - go buy a French car, or a Japanese K-Car. This moment somehow reminded me of the Russian movie Bimmer. The movie was pretty crap - but the main star of the first movie (there were two, the other even more crap) - was a 7 series 740i from the E38 generation. At the end of the movie, the car kind of "died" in the woods left there with engine running as the gas ran out after several days. But until then - it was just waiting there to be driven. Solidly, calmly, all systems go. Something, I think, modern people do not - and can not - appreciate or begin to understand. There are connected phones, subwoofers and Bluetooth, bright screens and constant pop-up notifications warning you of all the idiotic stuff going on with this "poor environmental hazard" that has now become the CAR (truth be told - this 5 litre E class is many times more environmentally friendly than any Tesla - because it has prevented another car from being built - FOR 40 years now!). Just amazing, amazing technological achievements, the cars - something we are unable to appreciate any longer... because every time we utter the word Mercedes, the stupid "how may I help you" comes up with idiotic colourful clown-like styled message. Well, here we are. Just give me a car with solid dials that hums along without all the crap where you go into 4 menus to switch on or off a function. Who started it all, anyways? And who wants it?
I always loved the Mercedes Auto Gear Shifter line. With the line you choose the gears, you know when you are in Drive exactly without watching at the gear lever. So easy. Also the lever for speed control on above the indicator. Works so phantastic. If you used to it once, you will miss it in modern cars.
The W124 is, IMO, a contender for the finest exec car made (relative to its time) and the 500E was the cherry on top of the cake. An epic car and it just looks so good too.
I had a 300E new in 1990 but always aspired to the 500E… I even had it lowered slightly to give it the same look! Those were the days…no speed cameras and less cars on the road….fantastic!
I was only 14 when these were launched and thought they were the best thing ever. The closest I’ve come to owning one is when I bought a 1990 300E. It was 22 years old when I purchased it and was a wonderful, wonderful car. I still dream of the 500E😅
Drove one in Germany in 1992. Got to an indicated 259 kmh. Amazing car. We also had a 300E Sportline on that trip which handled beautifully but the 500E was such a sleeper.
An absolute Sunday evening treat for a chap who was 15 years old when this car came out! I remember reading reviews of it at the time. Now, every time I see any W124 the purity of design and just their ‘Germaness’ shines through. I think we all enjoy the mix of modern car reviews, really very interesting and useful discussion videos (like the one on electric cars the other week) and then reviews of lovely old things like this, to help remind us all why we enjoyed cars so much in the first place! Thanks to Harry and team.
just pause at 19.10 minute mark ,what an utterly gorgeous shot ,respect to the video crew 10/10
I much prefer these type of car videos, then the unattainable super car ones.
I mean this in the most respectful way, but your videos feel like I'm sat down having a chat with my granddad.
Thank you for your knowledge and enthusiasm, these videos are great.
This car is legendary. Easily one of the best cars ever made
Up with the E39 M5
Absolutely. They'll be around and still driving in 100 years.
@@adams7405 Yep.
🤣🤣🤣
@@sirmounted8499 Mercedes of that era were built like tanks.
The dark one in the garage looks extremely classy. Very nice.
That's the 1994 E500 Limited runout model with a diamond cut version of the 8.25J x 17-inch 190E 2.5-16 Evo 2 alloys and a special interior with two-tone patterned leather and dark grey Bird's Eye Maple wood trim. I owned one from 1994 to 1998. The first owner was the boss of the Mercedes dealer in Bielefeld, Germany. The gentleman who bought it from me four years later lived in Ireland and had a 997 Turbo S. He was after a comfortable and fast LHD car for touring Europe.
In the early days I found the brakes inadequate and swapped them for Brabus / Alcon brakes, which had incredible stopping power. In fact my local MOT garage said they had never seen such powerful brakes on their test equipment! I also added Brabus 25mm spaces and longer bolts to help fill out the big wheel arches as even these 17-inch wheels sat too far in and I did not want to corropt the ride with wider wheels and tyres. The slightly wider track helped turn-in and reduced the roll angle as well. The normal 500E / E500 like the silver car Harry drove here came with 8.0J x 16-inch alloys. This produced a slightly better ride but less mechanical grip.
It wasn’t fully built or fully developed by Porsche.
The production process involved a lot of toing and froing between Sindelfingen & Stuttgart
On the gearbox S is for standard, not sport.
Absolutely fabulous car!!!!
I think they still use that "standard" nomenclature. My GL has M and S options for manual and... there's no way full auto = sport.
Mind you, the M option isn't fully manual either. It doesn't hold the car in gear, only limits how far up the gearbox it'll go to.
"The production process involved a lot of toing and froing between Sindelfingen & Stuttgart" This was what Harry told.
@@robertharris7027 I wrote my comment way before Harry mentioned it as I saw the title.
@@arthurdardalis 🙂
Porsche fully built the car, with the exception of the paint work. Also, if you do your research, Porsche actually did all the development and resolved the compatibility issues, with installing all the foreign components in to the W124 chassis ie steering, brakes, suspension, engine and transmission etc
This is my dream car. Such a stealthy beast!
Sounds like the kickdown cable needs adjusting... I used to set them to kick down at about 60% of throttle travel, and adjust out all the free play in the throttle cable. Made a big difference - particularly on the diesels! Nick Froome, W124
Did these cars use a kick down switch or a vacuum sensor to control kick down? Because I know some 722.3 transmissions won’t upshift if there’s a vacuum issue.
@@TomK-ti8kp V8 cars all have a kickdown switch, just shove your foot into the carpet.
928s are the same, but the Bowden ‘lockdown’ cable needs adjusting to make it feel lively. 928 have the floor ‘mash’ switch too.
Got any hints for keeping the ASR happy through the transmission linkage. I had, still have one that was very particular about the linkage adjustment there behind the intake manifold. US spec 400e
Much more interesting that the modern kitchen appliances with wheels that make up the new EV / hybrid market 👍
Agreed, though it must be said Harry’s recent review of a Tesla was revelatory.
@@johntechwriter 120 years ago a bunch of guys in flat caps, standing beside their steam engines probably said something similar about the Model T! 😂
- MB refer to that as putting the bonnet into 'service position' when it is fully upright like that. Such great cars these are.
Ooooh glad to see you've gotten around to this classic.
I used to buy them in germany and belgium back in mid 90s bring them home and sell it for a tidy profit, its a weapon. if you know you know. I personally had a jet black with black interior full spec and installed 2 radio antenas on either side of back wing and when the car fired up and they popped up it made the car look so so cool. And most didnt know what this car was even today they dont but you can see its precense.
Am definitely enamored of Harry’s estate and the quaint English countryside in which it resides, as shared in this video.
Also appreciate this retrospective showcase of a vehicle that was/is relevant to my formative (aka when I finally had funds to acquire such iconic vehicles) “post-university” years.
Never mind Peak Mercedes, this was Peak Car. No widescreen haptic driver modes and augmented lane departure DPFs. Just a beautifully hewn car which is perfectly suited to its surroundings
I think this shares most of the features of peak car, but they actually came a bit later. The cars designed after this in the 90s but also built in the 2000s are the best. After the 2000s the computer aided design got crazy powerful and the designs got crazy efficient in every way, hence what we have what we have today.
The ECUs etc are still a bit first or 2nd gen (e.g. 80s tech) in this. By the early 2000s the chips had developed to what a lot of are still produced and used today and to the forseeable future. Also the actual manufacturing methods of components and bodies have not really advanced after Audi's fully aluminium bodied A8 in 1994. Only Tesla has been pushing boundaries with the huge castings.
Those wooden steering wheels are a tactile delight! Great cars! I had a 560 SEC of the same era and that had a "hewn from silod" feel. Fabolous car for a lifetime!
I owned a 250D for 9 years and added 90,000 miles. The build quality was incredible, the engine, at 190,000 miles, as good as new. I loved the look, how she drove, very nimble and yet always felt like I could drive her forever. When I came to sell her it took 20 minutes.
You're on top form, Harry, what a joy and what a car! All that was missing was a drop of rain to get that wiper going. So many styling and build quality memories of my humble H reg 190E 1.8 manual, which I covered the UK coast in for over 10 years, serious nostalgia triggered by your film. I really enjoyed your enthusiasm and the chance to learn about a car I had no idea existed. Cheers, keep the oldies coming, great proper cars.
The bodies on these are so nice and look advanced even by today's standards. It all just flows and fits; they look as if they're carved from a solid block of alloy.
The details make it so much more modern than the standard car
Great old school engineering. I used to own a 2012 C63, and with closed eyes, listening to the acceleration of this car takes me back to my C63.
This is truly a proper QCar - thank you Harry, thank you Hairpin Motor Company, thank you to the individual (s) that have looked after this example so well. Finally a big thank you to the engineers at Mercedes & Porsche for creating this amazing car.
This and the w140 are the pinnacle of 90s Mercedes. Very cool to see one in the wild nowadays.
Wonderful. I would love it if we regularly see more classics from the last 15-30 years, when engineers still called the shots. Thanks Harry
Still one of my favorite cars to this day. My town though small had 3 back in the day, my father had one, one of his colleagues also had one, actually still had it to this day and an NBA basketball player in town had one too and they were all the same color. My uncle had a 400E which was also a pretty cool car. The guy my father shared his office with had that super rare Mercedes 190E 2.3-16 I think, I remember he imported it. Those flared fenders on the 500E always let people know it was a Boss Benz.
The subtle rumble at take off in this video's opening - that's how its done 🙂
Harry I was expecting this video for long time and finally you made it. Mercedes-Benz E-500 is one of those cars thar really makes you smile inside. Design that marks more than an era of car design, an era by itself. One I was a Kid in Spain that rear lights that front composure. The proportion and the clarity of things. Of course we can not compare performance of the cars of today, neither live in the same time but that truly was the time for me when cars meant something...
I absolutely love the E28 M5 but this sedan beats it for me. I would STILL be happy and proud to buy one of these if given the chance. Mercedes + Porsche... what pedigree!
Yes, although the proper comparison would be to the E34 M5 in my opinion. That was produced from 1988 until 1995, this 500E from 1990 to 1995 so at the time, that was your choice (and the Opel/Vauxhall Omega/Carlton by Lotus, although they we're cheating a bit on the powerside by fitting turbos).
Except no manual, just old-fashioned slush box.
@@craigyirush3492 Understood. However, this would be my touring car... just to eat up miles... auto wouldn't be an annoyance for me.
Fabulous filming. Very impressive. The colours were glorious. And then there's the content. On another level. Thank you so much...again.
Better looking than any mid to high end saloon built today. I miss that era. Period.
Can't imagine what the 500E is like. Had a 300E which, as Harry explained, was super-smooth and super-comfortable with great build quality. The best Harry's Garage i have watched (and i love his XJ12C).
Harry smashing the very very best car content yet again . The GODFATHER of the automotive culture.
Cool to see a w124 at the channel) This interior is my daily experiene, I've got a 124 300 turbo diesel estate, 1995, been my daily driver for the last 15 years, and the newest car I've ever owned) It does the job, not bothered to replace it, I love the lines
I was lucky enough to own a 500E in 1993 and ran it for 7 years, what a fabulous car it was too, fantastic to drive and ultra reliable, I remember the Mercedes dealer I bought it from telling me it was the car Formula 1 drivers preferred to drive as their everyday car, having owned one I can well imagine that this was indeed the case.
Thanks for posting, it must have been a great car to rock around in at the time. Only true cognoscenti would know what it was, which is another big factor in its appeal.
Are you a lucky owner of a Benelli Sei by any chance? Just a guess 😉
I have had several previous owners of these tell me they always regretted selling theirs. I’m not there yet…
The I did indeed previously own a Benelli 900Sei also had a CBX and Z13, I now own a BMW K16 so have a thing for 6 cylinder bikes.
@@IanSixbikes-by6ei I've got a Z13, a CBX and a Benelli 6. Got an RC30 too.
The conditions of these cars are nuts! Absolutely stunning!
9:20 I had reason to poke around a W124 a few months ago and there are thoughtful touches like that absolutely everywhere, from nose to tail. That level of attention to detail just doesn't happen anymore in mainstream cars (and yes, modern Mercedes is mainstream, just with an aspirational image built on cars like this).
That was some era of cars!!! You have a wonderful job
My 1993 R129 and my 2008 W221 both have the mechanic position bonnet catches. Just like the wiper stalks being identical. Great example of: if it’s well engineered, why change it? What a treat to see these 500’s, thanks Harry!
Best thing about the car: the sound. Wonderful.
An elegant car, a fast car, well engineered - marvel. You respect it just by looking at it.
I have a '92 500E as well as an '88 M6. Harry's dead on about the smoothness of the 500E and the way it gets down the road. The 500E is much more a freeway weapon than a B-road terror,though - if you're doing 70 mph and you need to get around someone, it doesn't take very long in the 500E and when you look down at the speedo you're probably doing a buck-twenty and didn't feel it. This was a dream car for me since it was new (as well as the M6) and I was fortunate enough to get both when I did as I couldn't afford them now!
Love that my 1995 E320 Coupe shares so much of this DNA...
Epic car, and thank you for sharing. A car I closely followed in the 90's. Understatement at it's finest. Beautifully over-engineered.
No idiotic, wretched fake air vents and no pretentious styling.
Thank you Harry; a golden Mercedes-Benz, from the golden years of Mercedes-Benz!
Everything was so wonderfully subtle and understated! So much better than all the flashiness now.
Looks better than any modern performance car to me ...
What an absolutely fascinating piece of machine in history.
Clean, handsome, elegant styling, and simple, well thought out controls which are so much better than all the touchscreen nonsense of today.
Gorgeous flat plane crank m119 v8 all mated services were machined to perfection all screws were drilled and tapped. He mentioned there was no wear on the engine in the Sauba C9.
A guy in America had a sl500/M119 and used to traverse United States. He clocked up half 1,000,000 miles. they pulled all 4 camshafts, measured them on a micrometre and there was no visible wear. The M119V8 is possibly the finest engine produced by any manufacturer anywhere in the world ever and probably will never be repeated. There was not one single recall on anyone of those engines. I hope I never have to sell my SL 500/M119. It is the absence of any unpleasantness that makes driving my SL 500 the most pleasurable experience.
don't know about the race car but you only get v8 sounds like 500e from good ol Cross plane.
Reviews of past legends are my favourites ❤ Thanks !
Nice to see something older - thank you!
I love it when engineers succeed with their ideas like that very short reverse gearing. Usability at it's best.
The S on the gearbox is Standard on these, not Sport :)
Yes! WAKE UP METCALFE!
@@tonylee-UK 😄
The only difference I’ve been able to detect over 33 years is the up-shift points: noticeably lower in “E”.
I do like the W124, whenever I see one here in Germany, I have a good look, and they
are all looking really good for the age, the cloth upholstery is always fantastic.
The 6 cylinder versions give you 90% of the E500 experience at a fraction of the cost. Absolutely terrific cars.
I've owned a 500E (regretfully sold it) and I was an MB Tech when W124's where current and I can absolutely assure you, the 6 cylinder versions come nowhere near close, not even the bi turbo M103 300E I drove.
@@limsolothey did a Bi-Turbo 300CE?!
@@jeshurunagyei7064 yes I used to look after one in the UK, Turbo Technics did a kit and Hughes of Beaconsfield used to sell cars new with the kit fitted.
I can recommend phase 2.5 (2005-8 with the 7 speed ‘box) CLK500s as the next best thing, if you don’t want the aggressive looks and rough ride of an AMG. CLKs were thankfully built a cut above other Mercs at this time yet a nice one is still only worth from £5k to £8k. Super-refined, 0-60 under 6 secs and an easy de-limit they’ll breeze through 170mph.
@@neilturner6749 an E55 Kompressor is much much better, 12-18 grand, 476 hp , and a comfortable Airmatic DC ride and quality interior, far superior to a CLK500.
As always a first class video. And that era of Mercedes is just so much more respected and desirable as compared to now. And what a fantastic collaboration with Mercedes and Porsche.
What an attitude! I dont think we can even dream of such a real mechanical engineering collaboration today.
All we get is badge engineering.
The asymmetrical side mirrors weren't for aero, simply for better visibility out the passenger side, as far as I know.
Hi Harry, thanks for reviewing this legendary car. As many mentioned already, S is for Standard on those cars. But V8 mercedes had a B mode to the left of 2 which locks it in 1st gear providing a faster start. Those gearboxes always started in 2nd gear for a longer life. Thanks. Keep it up 👍
"... the engines were producing more power at the end of the race than they were at the beginning, and there was no wear." Motor engineering lore like this is the cherry on life's cake.
It's entertaining, but all utter nonsense.
i watch this 2-3 times a week for the last month this is the most beautiful sedan made in my opinion being born in 82 when these cars came out i was at the right age i remember this being the first car i saw took my breath away it was love at first sight 😂😂
The "S" in MB gear boxes is normally for "Summer" (NOT FOR "SPORT"), the "W" for "Winter", if it has an "E" ("Economic"), it is like de "W" and the "S" is for "Standard". In those days if you wanted "Sport" you use the "kick down" of the throttle and/or change gears manually.
I’ve heard this ‘Porsche-built 500E’ a few times over the years but never told quite so eloquently right now. Thank you Harry! Always, always such a pleasure to learn from you 🎉❤
OH YES PLEASE !! replaying Harry closing the doors & listening to the lovely thunk 🤯
Very good looking cars. Clean and classic lines. This whole range had really nice interiors too, with straightforward accessible controls that aren’t subsumed in electronic ‘menus’.
Love these retro-reviews Harry! Would love to see you in a nice Lotus Carlton or AM Lagonda! 😂 Love it!👍🏻😃