500 SEL

Combustion principle:
four-stroke petrol (with manifold injection; emission control system with closed-loop 3-way catalyst as an option, from 09.1986 as standard)
Configuration:
front, longitudinal; vertical
Engine type:
M 117 E 50 / 117.965
Number of cylinders / arrangement:
8 / 90° V; light-alloy block
Bore x Stroke:
96.5 x 85.0 mm
Total displacement:
4973 cc (tax classification: 4939 cc)
Compression ratio:
9.0; from 09.1987: 10.0
Rated output:
245 hp / 180 kW at 4750 rpm (with catalyst 223 hp / 164 kW at 4700 rpm); from 09.1987: 265 hp / 195 kW (with catalyst 252 hp / 185 kW) at 5200 rpm
Rated torque:
400 Nm at 3750 rpm (with catalyst 365 Nm at 2500 rpm); from~09.1987: 405 Nm at 4000 rpm (with catalyst 390 Nm at 3750 rpm)
Number of valves / arrangement:
1 intake, 1 exhaust / overhead
Valve operation:
1 overhead camshaft per cylinder bank
Camshaft drive:
double roller chain
Fuel system:
manifold injection, mechanically-electronically controlled~(Bosch KE-Jetronic)
Fuel tank: position / capacity:
above the rear axle / 90 l

Frame design:
steel unit body
Front-wheel suspension:
double-wishbone front axle with torsion bar stabiliser
Rear-wheel suspension:
twist-beam axle (semi-trailing arm axle with starting- and braking-torque compensation), hydropneumatic level control optional
Front springs:
coil springs, supplementary rubber suspension, torsion bar stabiliser
Rear springs:
coil springs, supplementary rubber suspension, torsion bar stabiliser
Shock absorber front/rear:
gas-pressure shock absorbers
Steering:
recirculating-ball power steering
Brake system (foot brake):
hydraulic dual-circuit brake system with vacuum booster and antilock system;~disc brakes front (internally ventilated) and rear
Parking brake (hand brake):
mechanical (foot-operated), acting on rear wheels
Wheels:
sheet-steel wheels (light-alloy wheels optional)
Wheel rims:
7 J x 15 H 2
Tires:
205/65 VR 15
Driven wheels:
rear wheels
Drivetrain:
divided cardan shaft

Gearing:
4-speed automatic transmission
Availibility:
as standard (until 09.1988)
Shifting:
central floor gear shift lever
Clutch:
hydraulic torque converter in automatic transmission
Transmission type:
planetary gear system
Gear ratios:
I. 3.68; II. 2.41; III. 1.44; IV. 1.0; R. 5.14
Final drive ratio:
2.24
Maximum speed:
230 km/h (with catalyst 220 km/h);~from 09.1987: 235 km/h (with catalyst 230 km/h)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h:
7.3 s (with catalyst 8.0 s); from 09.87: 7.2 s (with catalyst 7.5 s)
Fuel consumption:
9.1 / 11.4 / 15.4 l (with catalyst 9.6 / 12.0 / 15.9 l);~from 09.1987: 8.8 / 11.1 / 15.8 l (with catalyst 9.4 / 11.7 / 16.2 l)
by Guideline:
80/1268/EEC: figures apply to 90 km/h / 120 km/h / urban cycle

Wheelbase:
3070 mm
Front / rear track:
1555 / 1527 mm
Length:
5160 mm
Width:
1820 mm
Height:
1441 mm
Kerb weight:
1670 kg; from 09.1987: 1690 kg
by Guideline:
DIN 70020 (ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit)
Gross weight:
2190 kg; from 09.1987: 1980 kg

Units produced:
a total of 72,693 (from 09.1979)
Prices:
09.1985: DM 83,904.00 12.1985: DM 85,443.00 09.1986: DM 87,837.00 06.1987: DM 90,345.00 02.1988: DM 92,511.00 09.1988: DM 93,195.00 02.1989: DM 95,133.00 01.1990: DM 97,869.00 10.1990: DM 101,118.00