

This 2003 Mercedes-Benz E500 was originally delivered to R.A.B. Motors in San Rafael, California and shows first registration in Sacramento, California in October of 2002. Finished in Brilliant Silver Metallic (744) over Charcoal leather (831), power is provided by a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter M113 V8 paired with a five-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Equipment includes Airmatic Dual Control suspension, four-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with memory, Burl Walnut trim, a power glass sunroof, premium audio, and rear-door sunshades. The car now shows approximately 119k miles. Recent service includes an air-conditioning recharge, suspension-compressor replacement, transmission service, engine mounts, front lower control arms and ball joints, brake pads and rotors, and valve-cover gaskets, spark plugs, and ignition wires. This E500 is now offered by the private seller in San Jose, California with one key, manufacturer’s literature, service receipts, the original window sticker, floor mats, a first-aid kit, a clean Carfax report, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.
The exterior is finished in Brilliant Silver Metallic (744) with body-colored bumper covers and protective side moldings accented by chrome trim. Exterior equipment includes fog lamps, a power glass sunroof, mirror-integrated turn signals, and an upright Mercedes-Benz hood ornament. The seller reports that the paint has been polished and corrected, followed by application of a five-year ceramic coating. Clear protective film has been applied to the headlamps, and the windows wear 35-percent tint. No prior repainting or body repairs are reported by the seller, and detailed exterior photos are provided in the gallery.
Factory 17x8.5” five-spoke alloy wheels wear Ironman tires measuring 245/45 at all four corners with 2023 date codes. Airmatic Dual Control provides adjustable ride height and selectable damping settings. Recent suspension work includes replacement of the air compressor, both front lower control arms, and front lower ball joints. The seller also reports replacement of the front and rear brake pads and rotors. The Carfax records front-strut replacement in 2018 and ABS pump/motor replacement with a brake-fluid service in 2021. No suspension sagging or warning messages are reported.
The cabin is upholstered in Charcoal leather (831) with matching carpeting and Burl Walnut veneer accenting the dashboard, doors, and center console. Both front seats are power adjustable with three-position memory, and the steering column is electrically adjustable. Additional equipment includes four-zone automatic climate control with rear controls, a factory audio head unit, premium sound, cruise control, a power sunroof, and manually retractable rear-door sunshades. A replacement factory radio was installed under current ownership. Rubber floor mats are pictured, and the seller reports no nonworking accessories.
The leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel fronts a 160-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, an analog clock, and gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. A central digital display provides trip information and vehicle messages. The seller reports that the current reading is 119k miles. The information display reads “No Malfunction.”
The naturally aspirated 5.0-liter M113 V8 features three valves and two spark plugs per cylinder and was factory rated at 302 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. Power reaches the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission. June and July 2026 service paperwork covers an air-conditioning recharge, suspension-compressor replacement, engine mounts, transmission fluid and filter, front suspension work, brake-pad replacement, and valve-cover gaskets, spark plugs, and ignition wires. Older Carfax entries document fuel-tank replacement in 2015, radiator and coolant-reservoir replacement in 2023, and battery replacement in January 2026. The seller reports that the most recent engine-oil service was performed approximately 4,500 miles ago and notes no known fluid leaks or mechanical faults.
The Carfax report shows two-owner history exclusively in California, 56 service-history records, and no reported accidents, damage, or odometer discrepancies. The first owner is shown retaining the car for more than 23 years, with a second owner recorded in June 2026. The original window sticker lists Brilliant Silver paint, Charcoal leather, optional rear-door sunshades, and the E2 Value Added Package with a glass sunroof and premium sound system, for a total retail price of $58,385. This E500 is offered with one key, manufacturer’s literature, service receipts, the window sticker, floor mats, a first-aid kit, a clean Carfax report, and a clean California title.
The early W211 E500 has a lot going for it. The familiar M113 V8 and five-speed automatic give it the relaxed character we appreciate in a Mercedes sedan, while Airmatic, four-zone climate control, and a cabin full of leather and wood make longer drives particularly inviting. Brilliant Silver over Charcoal is about as traditional a specification as you could ask for, and the factory five-spoke wheels suit the shape without needing much embellishment. On a car like this, the service history deserves as much attention as the odometer. This example brings a long California history, 56 Carfax service entries, and recent work addressing the suspension, brakes, engine mounts, ignition components, and transmission. The retained window sticker and receipts add useful documentation, while the rear-door shades are a nice option we don’t see on every E-Class. For someone looking for a V8 Mercedes to drive and enjoy, there’s plenty of appeal in an E500 whose recent attention extends well beyond a polish.
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