In the late 1980s, Mercedes-Benz wanted to develop a performance sedan based on their W124 E-Class to compete with BMW’s impressive M5. With Mercedes engineers busy working on the upcoming S-Class, the company approached Porsche to help with the project. Porsche redesigned the car’s chassis to fit the new 5.0-liter V-8 out of the 500SL, as well as modified the suspension and drivetrain to match. In 1990, Mercedes-Benz debuted the resultant 500E – an understated sedan with impressive performance.

This lovely example is finished in stunning Black Pearl Metallic and showed just 35,150 miles at the time of cataloguing. The 500E has over 70 pages of service records from throughout its life, including from Canepa of Scotts Valley, California, which spent over $19,000 on servicing, selective bodywork, Wurth Stone Guard undercoating, middle and rear exhaust hangers, and a concours-level detailing. Its current fastidious caretaker purchased the 500E from Canepa in 2019, and in his care the Mercedes-Benz has benefited from approximately $16,000 of further maintenance at Mercedes-Benz of Pembroke Pines, Florida and Palm Beach Classics.

It is no surprise that the 500E has gained a serious following among enthusiasts thanks to its powerful V-8, luxurious interior, and exceptional build quality. When paired with the timeless W124 design, the 500E truly stands as a high watermark for Mercedes-Benz performance sedans.