This 1996 Mercedes-Benz E50 AMG was originally sold new in Japan and was never offered stateside. The car was imported into the United States in September 2021 by the selling dealer and now has a Florida title. Finished in Brilliant Silver Metallic (744) over Anthracite Leather (581) interior, power comes from a 5.0L M119 engine which sends power to the rear wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission. Service records in Japanese will accompany the car and the car wears newer tires and brakes. Of the 141k kilometers (~87,600 miles) currently on the car, approximately 450kms (~280 miles) have been added by the selling dealer. Standard equipment includes AMG bodywork, 18” monoblock wheels, heated front and rear seats, a power rear sunshade, power-folding side mirrors, automatic climate control, a trunk-mounted CD changer, and orthopedic seats. This Euro spec W210 AMG is being offered with service records, two keys, manufacturer’s literature, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Florida title.
Finished in Brilliant Silver Metallic (744), this E55 features an AMG styling package which includes sculpted front and rear bumpers, extended side skirts, factory rolled fenders, AMG badging, and dual chrome exhaust outlets. Other exterior features include fog lights, headlamp washers, and a sunroof with tilt function. As a Euro spec example, there are no amber corner lights on the front bumper strips and instead, a turn signal indicator light is located on each front fender. The seller notes inspection of each body panel and underbody determined this to be a rust-free example. The seller believes both sides have previously been repainted on the car. Blemishes include some clear coat cracks on the passenger’s side lower rear bumper corner and both side strips along the roof. Additional detailed photos of the exterior can be seen in the gallery.
Factory staggered 18” AMG Monoblock wheels with machined lips are fitted with Triangle Sportex tires that measure 235/40 up front and 265/35 in the rear. Minor curb rash can be seen on some of the wheels as seen in the gallery and the seller reports the tires are newer along with newer brake pads and rotors. Euro spec W210 AMGs came with a slightly lower ride height from the factory compared to US models.
The cabin is trimmed in Anthracite Leather (581) and accented with black birdseye maple wood grain adorning the center console, dash, and doors. Matching wood door handles and accent strips are fitted on all four doors. Features include an electric rear sunshade, a power sunroof with tilt function, mutli-contour front seats, heated front and rear seats (a very rare option), dual automatic climate control, power-folding side mirrors, a trunk-mounted CD changer, and pass through ski bag in the trunk. An aftermarket reverse camera and dash mounted screen have been installed which the seller states is easily removable if desired. The headliner shows some sagging and the dash has minor cracks as seen in pictures. The OEM floormats will come with the car and are pictured in the trunk.
An AMG steering wheel featuring dual-horn buttons frames the AMG gauge cluster which displays a 280km speedometer and 7k-rpm tachometer along with auxiliary gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. The center screen displays outside temperature and time with all working pixels in working order and no warning lights. The odometer now reads 141k kilometers (~87,600 miles), approximately 450kms (~280 miles) that have been added by the selling dealer.
The AMG-tuned 5.0L M119 V8 engine was rated at 347 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque when new and was mated to a 722.6 automatic five-speed transmission which sends power to the rear wheels. Service records in Japanese will accompany the car.
This 1996 E50 AMG is now offered with service records, two keys, manufacturer’s literature, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Florida title.
A video below shows interior details as well as a start up and idle of the engine.
The MB Market Insights
As an early model W210, the E50 was the first AMG version of the W210 to be offered. Reportedly only 2,960 units were built world wide, all of which were left-hand drive, and none of which were offered for sale stateside. The first AMG version to be offered stateside came in 1999 with the M113-powered E55. That makes the E50 even more special as it came with the M119 powerplant and more closely resembled it’s pre merger predecessors. The pre facelift styling of W210 AMG is often overlooked by the later updated models but with lower production numbers, we find them equally as appealing if not more unique. It’s extremely rare to catch wind of an E50 AMG stateside and this example comes in a classic color combination with low miles and appears to have been well-kept. We love the options on this E50 as well. Not only does the Euro specs come with a slightly lower ride height from the factory, this AMG also has rear heated seats, power-folding side mirrors, and a ski bag pass through located in the trunk; All details we miss here stateside for the 55s. Values for all W210 AMGs have been steadily rising thanks to classic styling, low ownership costs, and most of all, they mark the end of an analog era of Mercedes which enthusiasts today will always desire.
Wow this is going cheap so far. Maybe people don't understand the rarity? This was the last DOHC V8 until the M156 appeared around 2007. AMG camshafts and other unique bits on this unicorn.
To answer the previous question, yes, the W210 E50 (and even rarer E60) are both based on the 210.072 E420 chassis. They had option code 957 indicating an AMG engine along with other upgrades (brakes, suspension, etc). Link below to datacard showing code 957:
https://www.lastvin.com/vin/g5xV0d1b7o7Eya4LD
Several articles about the E50 are at the link below, scroll down to AMG_E50:
https://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/articles/
The link provided by seller shows the curb weight of the E50 to be 250 lbs heavier than the E55 but I don't believe that's correct. The curb weight on the E55 is 3,746 lbs not the listed 3,549 which puts the weight on an E55 almost on par with the E50 (3,801). FWIW
@MBTech96 you are correct, the E50 is based on the E420 Avantgarde. I assume this is because that was the only v8 chassis option for the w210 at the time. To my knowledge (and someone correct me if I'm wrong), AMG was originally formed by former Mercedes engineers. They worked independently with Mercedes to build specific performance versions of models. Around the mid 90s they signed a contract with Mercedes to utilize their dealer networks to sell these vehicles more commonly (ironically, I think first vehicle offered was a w124 version of the E50 AMG). I have always wondered if this came about in response to Mercedes needing Porsche to assemble 500Es in the early 90s, as they were heavily tied up with production of the w140. In regards to the w210 E50 model, I believe the engine features modified cylinder heads by AMG, and was tuned to have a higher compression ratio compared to that of the normal 5.0L m113 engine. The exhaust was also tuned, and I believe the brakes are the same style of those on the R129 SL500. It was offered in 1996 and 1997, as the m113 was coming which featured a SOHC with 3 valves per cylinder in order to keep up with stricter new emissions requirements.
Lots of neat touches on this special 210. Obviously the heated rear seats and pass-through for skis are incredible to see in this country but other subtle easter-eggs such as the front fender sidemarkers indicate this car is something special. Also interesting to note, the FIN indicates this is an E420 (210.072). Possibly the body started life as a regular E420 before heading to AMG? My knowledge of early-AMGs is limited and I'm curious about the relationship between MB and AMG in the mid-90's.
All of these special features should make any AMG fan very pleased. GLWTA!
@J_Lloydthe car has lots of power and great torque. I have driven an E55 but it was a long time ago and it would be hard for me to do head to head comparison right now. The Internet says both cars have almost equal performance until you go over 200kph. Here is a link I found:
https://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/ebss1vg7duvg
@UI_Classics How does the performance on this thing compare to that of a W210 E55 in real world driving conditions? I understand the powerplant is smaller but curious to know how that translates. Very cool and rare piece here....THX!
13 Comments
@gsxr Thank you!! Very excited to own this!
Congrats, @amge63swagon !
M119 + 722.6 + factory AMG = awesomesauce. :)
$22,500 bid placed by @amge63swagon
The M119 engine works very well with the 722.6 transmission
$21,750 bid placed by @rmercedes
$21,500 bid placed by @amge63swagon
$21,250 bid placed by @rmercedes
$21,000 bid placed by @amge63swagon
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$19,500 bid placed by @amge63swagon
$18,750 bid placed by @rmercedes
$18,500 bid placed by @amge63swagon
$18,250 bid placed by @rmercedes
$18,000 bid placed by @amge63swagon
$17,000 bid placed by @Dallas
$16,750 bid placed by @rmercedes
$16,500 bid placed by @Mergerdays
$16,250 bid placed by @rmercedes
$16,000 bid placed by @amge63swagon
$15,750 bid placed by @Mergerdays
$15,500 bid placed by @rmercedes
$15,250 bid placed by @JP772
$15,000 bid placed by @rmercedes
$14,750 bid placed by @Mergerdays
$14,500 bid placed by @paulunm
$14,250 bid placed by @rmercedes
$14,000 bid placed by @Mergerdays
$13,750 bid placed by @rmercedes
$13,500 bid placed by @Steaknshrimp500
$13,000 bid placed by @Asbyman
@Yeezers I wouldn’t think there’s any issues with this car in CA but I haven’t lived there in a few years. I never had issues then with similar cars.
$12,750 bid placed by @JP772
Will this vehicle be a problem to register and pass smog with in California?
Wow this is going cheap so far. Maybe people don't understand the rarity? This was the last DOHC V8 until the M156 appeared around 2007. AMG camshafts and other unique bits on this unicorn. To answer the previous question, yes, the W210 E50 (and even rarer E60) are both based on the 210.072 E420 chassis. They had option code 957 indicating an AMG engine along with other upgrades (brakes, suspension, etc). Link below to datacard showing code 957: https://www.lastvin.com/vin/g5xV0d1b7o7Eya4LD Several articles about the E50 are at the link below, scroll down to AMG_E50: https://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/articles/
$12,500 bid placed by @Mergerdays
The link provided by seller shows the curb weight of the E50 to be 250 lbs heavier than the E55 but I don't believe that's correct. The curb weight on the E55 is 3,746 lbs not the listed 3,549 which puts the weight on an E55 almost on par with the E50 (3,801). FWIW
@MBTech96 you are correct, the E50 is based on the E420 Avantgarde. I assume this is because that was the only v8 chassis option for the w210 at the time. To my knowledge (and someone correct me if I'm wrong), AMG was originally formed by former Mercedes engineers. They worked independently with Mercedes to build specific performance versions of models. Around the mid 90s they signed a contract with Mercedes to utilize their dealer networks to sell these vehicles more commonly (ironically, I think first vehicle offered was a w124 version of the E50 AMG). I have always wondered if this came about in response to Mercedes needing Porsche to assemble 500Es in the early 90s, as they were heavily tied up with production of the w140. In regards to the w210 E50 model, I believe the engine features modified cylinder heads by AMG, and was tuned to have a higher compression ratio compared to that of the normal 5.0L m113 engine. The exhaust was also tuned, and I believe the brakes are the same style of those on the R129 SL500. It was offered in 1996 and 1997, as the m113 was coming which featured a SOHC with 3 valves per cylinder in order to keep up with stricter new emissions requirements.
Lots of neat touches on this special 210. Obviously the heated rear seats and pass-through for skis are incredible to see in this country but other subtle easter-eggs such as the front fender sidemarkers indicate this car is something special. Also interesting to note, the FIN indicates this is an E420 (210.072). Possibly the body started life as a regular E420 before heading to AMG? My knowledge of early-AMGs is limited and I'm curious about the relationship between MB and AMG in the mid-90's. All of these special features should make any AMG fan very pleased. GLWTA!
$12,000 bid placed by @Steaknshrimp500
$11,500 bid placed by @DCESAL
@J_Lloyd the car has lots of power and great torque. I have driven an E55 but it was a long time ago and it would be hard for me to do head to head comparison right now. The Internet says both cars have almost equal performance until you go over 200kph. Here is a link I found: https://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/ebss1vg7duvg
@UI_Classics How does the performance on this thing compare to that of a W210 E55 in real world driving conditions? I understand the powerplant is smaller but curious to know how that translates. Very cool and rare piece here....THX!
$11,000 bid placed by @Steaknshrimp500
Rear heated seats on a 210?!
$10,250 bid placed by @Mcpamg
$10,000 bid placed by @Steaknshrimp500
$7,200 bid placed by @Mcpamg
$4,000 bid placed by @TheDanMan
$250 bid placed by @Mcpamg