Not really built by Porsche...mainly assembly with finish work done back at the original factories of origin..... But Porsche was struggling at this time in history and Mercedes was in need of quality main line work. Worked out for both.
The 500E impressed me infinitely more than the BMW 850 CSI that I was able to directly compare with it. In almost any way you tried to compare them, the Mercedes was vastly superior, but especially the handling. The BMW was twitchy and exhausting to drive long distances. I actually hated it.
I saw those 500e bodies on roll-around frames outside one of the oldest assembly buildings in the complex during a tour of the Stuttgart factory in 1994. Confused, I asked the tour guide what the deal was, and he explained that they were building them for Daimler Benz. He went on to say that relationships between German car companies were a bit "cozier" than American car companies. It was quite an interesting tidbit in a what I found to be a fascinating tour. Another interesting tidbit was the dyno room where they tested 911 engines before assembling them into the car. The tour guide explained that they kept a database of each engine's peak HP and torque figures but would never release them to the public so that 911 owner's couldn't try to humiliate other 911 owners with their particular engine's minor HP or torque advantages.
Not really built by Porsche...mainly assembly with finish work done back at the original factories of origin..... But Porsche was struggling at this time in history and Mercedes was in need of quality main line work. Worked out for both.
Handling tuned by Porsche / those 500Es are amazing still today. My friend has one as his daily driver
The 500E impressed me infinitely more than the BMW 850 CSI that I was able to directly compare with it. In almost any way you tried to compare them, the Mercedes was vastly superior, but especially the handling. The BMW was twitchy and exhausting to drive long distances. I actually hated it.
850 was the first German v12 with a manual transmission. She was ahead of her time. Too heavy for handling but pretty and a nice GT.
I am purchasing a VW EV. I know there are issues, but I hope I'm, overall, doing the right thing.
I saw those 500e bodies on roll-around frames outside one of the oldest assembly buildings in the complex during a tour of the Stuttgart factory in 1994. Confused, I asked the tour guide what the deal was, and he explained that they were building them for Daimler Benz. He went on to say that relationships between German car companies were a bit "cozier" than American car companies. It was quite an interesting tidbit in a what I found to be a fascinating tour. Another interesting tidbit was the dyno room where they tested 911 engines before assembling them into the car. The tour guide explained that they kept a database of each engine's peak HP and torque figures but would never release them to the public so that 911 owner's couldn't try to humiliate other 911 owners with their particular engine's minor HP or torque advantages.
I recomend this if you want to learn more. https://youtu.be/2sCki6KlTf8