Last of the line: ultra-rare Mercedes-Benz E 500 Limited resurfaces with just 422km

Some cars mark the end of an era quietly. Others, like this, do it with a V8 and a bit of showmanship.

Mercedes-Benz has pulled the covers back on the final E 500 Limited from the W124 generation, now on display at its Stuttgart museum.

This particular car isn’t just rare, it’s the last one ever built, a true “band off the line” example from 1995 with just 422km recorded.

Part of a strictly capped run, the Limited series was introduced in 1994 as a send-off for the range-topping W124. Production was tightly controlled: just 500 units in total, making it one of the most exclusive factory-built E-Class variants of its time.

Porsche-built muscle in a tailored suit

Underneath its restrained saloon shape sits a very different story. The E 500, originally badged as the 500 E, was developed in collaboration with Porsche, pairing Mercedes-Benz luxury with serious V8 performance.

The result was a car that balanced brute force with subtlety. Flared wheel arches hint at intent, but never shout. The tagline from its launch era: “Fire and Silk”, captures that dual personality neatly.

Limited means limited

Visually, the E 500 Limited leans into exclusivity without overdoing it. This final example wears sapphire black paint (one of just two colours offered for the series), paired with distinctive six-spoke alloys borrowed from the 190 E Evolution II.

Inside, things get more bespoke. Buyers could choose from grey, red or green leather interiors; this car features a black and grey combination, matched with dark-stained bird’s-eye maple trim. Even details like the gear selector and carpets were coordinated to suit.

Today, the car's scarcity, and the car’s unusual Porsche link, has cemented its reputation as one of the most desirable modern classics from the brand.

Now sitting as part of a “Youngtimer” exhibition, this final example of the W124 quietly reminds us how understated performance used to look.