Between 1991 and 1995, Mercedes-Benz produced exactly 10.479 copies of the legendary 500 E. Five-liter V8, 326 PK and 480 Nm provided the fastest serial-produced sedan of that moment. How many are left?
That cannot be said with certainty, but overall we can do a calculation: 30% of the cars will have driven 30.000 km per year. They have now been thanked for their proven services and have been absorbed in the parts circuit. Another 10% will have been killed in collisions and another 10 a 15% stolen and disappeared. There are approximately 4.500 speczemars left, of which more than half will be above the 200.000 km. A good 500 E is now difficult to find.
Prices for such cars have risen sharply in recent years. A good copy with an attractive, demonstrable mileage now costs between 15 and 35 mille. The time when you bought a 500 E as an investment seems to be largely over. The asking prices are strong and whoever owns one will no longer sell it. The collector should have made his move five years earlier, it seems.
A search on the internet indeed shows scarcity. And specimens for which downright ridiculous amounts are requested. Handy traders cunningly anticipate changes in this small market, which means that every now and then a copy pops up with platinum brake lines and 18-carat gold valve caps. At least .... that you can expect on the copy that we found in Alkmaar for almost fifty mille?
if you are looking for a 500 E, don't take it overnight and do a thorough market research first. Then you buy a stable, reliable car and you know that you are not paying (much) too much. It's just a tip...