In the late 1980s, two of Germany’s most revered automotive brands worked together to create a one-of-a-kind sports sedan. The Mercedes-Benz 500E looks like a luxury four-door to the untrained eye. But under the sheet metal is a hot rod built by Porsche. A 1992 500E in Miami, Fla. that’s modified even further was recently listed on eBay.
Mercedes-Porsche Marriage
The 500E came from a marriage of convenience. Mercedes-Benz wanted a V-8-powered high-performance version of its W124 E-Class sedan, which typically was powered by four- and six-cylinder engines. The firm had delayed its flagship S-Class - opens in new window or tab. debut and was scrambling to bring it up to snuff in light of new competition. Meanwhile, Porsche - opens in new window or tab. had fallen on hard times and was struggling financially.
item 1 of 19
Both companies were headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, so the minister president of the German state negotiated a deal. Porsche would re-engineer the W124 chassis and suspension to accommodate the V-8 and its newfound weight and power. This required a wider track that was too broad to be built on Mercedes’ narrow W124 assembly lines. Porsche took on the 500E’s assembly as well.
The result is an understated but impressive machine. The engine, plucked from the top-of-the-line R129 500SL - opens in new window or tab., provides 322 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Tests in the day measured 0-to-60 times as low as 5.5 seconds despite the car’s four-speed automatic transmission.
To fit the larger V-8, Porsche pushed the 500E’s front wheels outward by 1.5 inches. This change necessitated subtly flared fenders. Casual observers would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the 500E and a Mercedes-built E-Class.
Striking Color
That is definitely not the case with the car for sale. This 1992 500E, originally delivered in Brilliant Silver, was modified by Japanese tuning house Auto Fashion Factory Spirit. It received a striking paint job in Bornite Metallic, color code 481. The color flip-flops from brown to dark purple depending on the angle of light. It’s a rare hue that was, according to Mercedes Market - opens in new window or tab., offered only in 1993 in the US, where it was also known as Blackberry.
Additionally, the car for sale wears side skirts and rear fascia designed by AMG - opens in new window or tab.. The Mercedes specialist, prior to corporate ownership, tuned a very limited number of 500Es (said to be around 45) with an upgraded 6.0-liter Mercedes-Benz V-8 engine - opens in new window or tab. and sportier underpinnings. To be clear, despite some AMG body work and stickers, this car is not one of those E60s, which were only produced from 1995 to 1996.
Buffalo Hide
The listed car also comes with hand-stitched buffalo hide upholstery, as well as custom wheels, front fascia, and exhaust by AFF. The brakes were upgraded with Brembo kits - opens in new window or tab. that double the number of pistons per caliper. AFF also lowered the car with a complete suspension redo.
With only 10,479 Mercedes 500E sedans produced, purists may balk at this level of customization. However, the car has an undeniable presence. The cross-town partnership of two of Germany’s great brands created a rare factory Mercedes hot rod. Why not make it look like one? Now that Porsche is under VW - opens in new window or tab. group ownership and a sister company of Audi - opens in new window or tab., it’s unlikely we’ll ever see a collaboration between these two giants again.
About the author
Share your feedback
This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.