I think I found out something really interesting about the Mercedes-Benz 500 E. It’s often called the “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” because, on the outside, it doesn’t scream performance, but under the hood, it’s a beast. I checked out its production history, and what I found was pretty cool—this car came to life thanks to a secret collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Porsche in the early ’90s.
Mercedes-Benz was juggling the S-Class development at the time, so they called on Porsche to help with the chassis redesign. The goal was to fit the M119 5.0L V8 engine into the W124 E-Class chassis without compromising on the luxury ride. This wasn’t just a regular production line job. I found out that the assembly was split between two locations: Porsche’s plant in Zuffenhausen hand-built the chassis, then it was shipped to Mercedes’ Sindelfingen plant for painting, and finally, it made its way back to Porsche for final assembly. The entire process took 18 days, which is insane when you think about how much care and precision went into every unit.
The 500 E was pretty rare for its time—only around 10,000 units were produced from 1990 to 1995, with only 1,528 of those being shipped to the U.S. I checked the specs and was really surprised at how well it held up against other performance sedans of its era. This car could go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds and hit a top speed of 250 km/h, all while maintaining that Mercedes luxury.
Here’s a quick look at the specs:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5.0L V8, M119 |
| Power | 322 hp @ 5,700 rpm |
| Torque | 354 lb-ft @ 3,900 rpm |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h (155 mph) |
| Fuel Consumption (City) | 16.8 L/100 km (14 mpg) |
| Fuel Consumption (Highway) | 13.8 L/100 km (17 mpg) |
| Brakes (Front) | 300 mm disks with 4-piston calipers |
| Brakes (Rear) | 278 mm from the SL 500 |
| Production (Total) | 10,479 units |
| USA Imports (Total) | 1,528 units |
What’s crazy is that, despite its incredible performance, the 500 E wasn’t trying to shout about it. The track was widened by 38mm, the profile lowered by 23mm, and the car sported flared wings and wide tires, but it didn’t have the over-the-top look of other high-performance cars of the time. It maintained that classic Mercedes look—subtle, understated, and clean.
I also found that Mercedes used the same brakes as the SL 500, which tells you how serious they were about handling. When I dug deeper, I learned that the car was priced at around $81,800 in the U.S. when it was released in 1992. But in 1994, they released the E 500 Limited Edition, which came with unique interior trim and even rarer specifications, with only 951 units ever built.
If you’re into rare performance sedans, this car is absolutely one to keep on your radar. It’s widely regarded as a “modern classic” and, even today, it’s seen as a symbol of understated performance. The 500 E wasn’t just a sedan—it was a demonstration of what could happen when two legendary companies, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, came together to create something extraordinary. Whether you’re an F1 fan or just appreciate a true powerhouse, this car’s legacy still stands strong. It’s a piece of history that packs a punch and a lot of character.
