Mercedes 300E AMG “Hammer” v. 500E

by Gunnar Heinrich ::: Mercedes-Benz 300E AMG “Hammer” and 500E

STOP the presses and hold your horses! Turning the corner of the 80s and understeering into the 90s, there was not one, but two hyper-tuned, E-Class super-saloons of power: the 300E AMG a.k.a. “The Hammer” and the 500E.

Yours had recently made the error, grievous as it was, to dare call the 500E “Hammer”. As a commenter rightly explained it’s simply not true. Here’s the difference:

>>> the difference following the jump >>>

As the letter “E” suggests, both Benzes were based on the W124 generation Sacco-era generation 300E. From 1984-1995 the W124 E-Class was Mercedes’ upright, solid if stolid automotive equivalent of the Brooks Brothers suit.

Starting in 1986, then independent tuning haus AMG took the stock 300E and for a variable rate of fees bored out the M117 5.6 Liter V8 powerplant from the magnificent W126 560SEL and 560SEC to produce a whopping 360 hp.

Hence the 300E’s nickname – “The Hammer”.

More ca$h turned the same engine into six liters that pumped up the jam to 375 hp. Both AMG tuned engines displaced the original spec 5547cc, weighed the sedan down 3640 and 3707 lbs, respectively, and powered the Hammer all the way to 178 and 185 mph, respectively.

Naught to 60? Mid fives. Price? $121K all the way to $161K (Ferrari territory in the late 80s) depending on the options which included a $14K AMG suspension.

The 500E was the offspring of a beautiful new friendship between Daimler-Benz and Porsche in 1992. Mercedes delivered the chassis to Porsche’s Zuffenhausen factory along with the  minty fresh M119 5.0 Liter V8 from the R129 500SL and W140 500SEL

The newer V8 was tighter dimensionally – 4,973cc – and less powerful – 322 hp. Curb weight was also heavier than the Hammer at 3,909 lbs. The 500E featured a widened stance with fatter tyres and plenty of subtle aero mods.

Zero to 60? Low sixes. Price? More modest @ $80K.

Porsche engineered steering made the difference transforming the stalwart recirculated-ball system from the 300E into an enthusiastic performer.

So, a recap.

AMG turned the 300E into a super exclusive, mid-five second 0-60 charger. Porsche turned the 500E into an exclusive, low six second 0-60 rocket. Each car uniquely engineered and representing different engine eras at Mercedes – the M117 (used from ’68-’91) and the M119 (’89-’99).

And, perhaps most critically, each worthy of our respect.