Experts Auto Cars

W124, the Mercedes-Benz 500 E (W124.036). The 500 E had a naturally aspirated 5.0 V8 engine derived from the 500 SL (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). 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). 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. 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. Common performance improvements include wheel and tire replacement, aftermarket exhaust kits, and replacement or reprogramming of the Electronic Control Unit, which removes the 155 mph (249 km/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. For the 1993 and 1994 model years, twelve E 500 Limited's were outfitted with a 6.0L M119 V8 engine by tuner AMG. 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.

The S65 AMG comes as standard with front active multicontour seats with massage and dynamic handling function and NECK-PRO head restraints and rear multicontour seats with massage function. All seats feature active ventilation and heating as well as the PRE-SAFE positioning function. Standard equipment on the S63 AMG includes 12-way electrically adjustable AMG sports seats with front active multicontour seats including massage and dynamic handling function, with seat heating and ventilation, PRE-SAFE positioning function and NECK-PRO head restraints. The Premium leather upholstery boasts sporty, AMG-specific seat fluting and natural leather in the seat side bolsters. Both AMG sedans come with an AMG sports steering wheel with silver-colored aluminum shift paddles, specially shaped grip area and perforated nappa leather around the steering wheel spokes. The AMG main menu also provides the driver with information about engine oil temperature or the battery voltage, and the RACETIMER, which enables the driver to calculate lap times - on a private racing circuit, for instance. The RACETIMER records the time for the fastest lap, the average and maximum speeds and the lap distance.