Specs, fluids & service · 1993–1994
Mercedes-Benz 500 GE V8 specs, fluids and service intervals
The numbers you need in the garage, on one page: spec sheet, capacities and service intervals, wheels and tires, and the parts to order. Sourced from owners, specialists and the factory; tags marked confirm in manual haven't been checked against a factory source yet.
Spec sheet
| CHASSIS | W463, long wheelbase |
|---|---|
| YEARS | 1993–1994 |
| BUILT | 446 |
| ENGINE | M117 5.0 L V8, 2-valve |
| OUTPUT | 240 PS · 375 Nm |
| GEARBOX | Automatic (4-speed) |
| DRIVE | Permanent 4WD, low range |
| LOCKERS | Centre & rear |
| TYRES | 265/70 R16 H |
| 0–100 KM/H | 11.4 s |
| PRICE NEW | DM 178,250 |
| BUILT IN | Graz, Austria |
By year
| YEARS | PLATFORM | ENGINE | OUTPUT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990–1994 | W463 300 GE | M103 3.0 L I6 | 170 PS | The petrol W463 the 500 GE sat above |
| 1993–1994 | W463 500 GE | M117 5.0 L V8 | 240 PS · 375 Nm | 446 built; LWB only; Amethyst Blue; no front lock |
| 1993 | W463 AMG 500 GE 6.0 | M117 6.0 L V8 (5,959 cc) | ≈300 PS | Individual AMG customer order; RM Sotheby's believes about 13 were converted |
| 1993–1994 | Puch 500 GE | M117 5.0 L V8 | 240 PS | Puch-badged for Austria/Switzerland; RM Sotheby's says three exist |
| 1998–2008 | W463 G 500 | M113 5.0 L V8 | 296 PS · 456 Nm | The V8 returns as a regular-production model |
| 1999 on | W463 G 55 AMG | M113 5.4/5.5 L V8 | 354 PS at launch | AMG's V8 G becomes a series model |
Fluids, capacities & service intervals
Treat a 500 GE as a recommissioning, not an oil change: most surviving examples have low miles and long storage, so rubber, fuel and fluids are old even when the odometer isn't. Parts for the M117 V8 and the 1993-era W463 chassis are model-specific — order by VIN and engine number, and keep the old parts for originality.
| ITEM | SPEC / CAPACITY | INTERVAL | NOTES & PARTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | MB sheet 229-approved oil · capacity confirm in manual | Now, then yearly | M117 5.0 V8. Change it before any long drive on a stored car, and check for leaks once warm. |
| Air filter | M117 element confirm in manual | Now | Check the airbox for nests on a stored truck. |
| Spark plugs & ignition | 8 plugs (one per cylinder) confirm in manual | Now if no record | Inspect the leads, cap and rotor if fitted. |
| Coolant & hoses | MB 325.0-approved coolant, 50/50 with distilled water · capacity confirm in manual | Now | Replace any hard or swollen hoses; a stored car's hoses age faster than its odometer suggests. |
| Automatic transmission (4-speed) | ATF to the MB 236.x sheet for this gearbox confirm in manual | Now | Drain-and-fill with a new filter and pan gasket; check the shift quality cold and hot afterwards. |
| Transfer case | GL-4 gear oil on period W463 cases · ≈3 qt (1997 G 320 owner) confirm in manual | Now, then every 60,000 mi (MB interval quoted by owners) | Fill plug on the front right, drain underneath (14 mm hex). Don't fill it with GL-5 diff oil. |
| Front & rear differentials | GL-5 hypoid gear oil (MB 235.0, 85W-90) · front ≈1.4 L, rear ≈1.8 L (W463 owner data) confirm in manual | Now | The 500 GE has centre and rear locks only — test both on loose ground afterwards.Red Line 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil (1 qt) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Front knuckles, swivels & wheel bearings | Repack knuckles and bearings; grease the swivel balls | If no record; Europa's interval was 40,000 mi | Bearing clearance is set with a dial indicator — use the factory procedure or a G specialist. Owners report much lighter steering after re-greasing the swivels.Genuine Mercedes front wheel bearing, outer 009 981 48 05 — listed for 2002+ W463; confirm fit by VIN · FCP Euro ↗Genuine Mercedes front wheel seal 463 334 01 59 — listed for 2002+ W463; confirm fit by VIN · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Power steering fluid | MB power-steering fluid | Now | Febi power steering fluid (MB 000 989 88 03) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Brake fluid & lock hydraulics | DOT 4 Plus (MB sheet 331.0) | Now, then every 2 years | Stored cars collect moisture in the fluid; flush and bleed every circuit.Genuine Mercedes DOT 4 Plus brake fluid, 1 L · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Fuel pumps, accumulator & filter | Pumps, accumulator and filter replaced together | Now on any stored truck | Both documented 500 GEs cited on this page had this done during recommissioning. Check the tank and lines for varnish.Mercedes electric fuel pumps (search; match the number on the old pump) · FCP Euro ↗Mercedes fuel accumulators (search; match the number on the old unit) · FCP Euro ↗ |
| Vacuum system & lock test | Vacuum reservoir, hoses and switchover valves | Now | Smoke-test or tee in a gauge; replace perished rubber with vacuum-rated hose, not fuel line.Lisle 20300 vacuum gauge / pump tester · FCP Euro ↗ |
Capability
| Power / torque | 240 PS (177 kW) / 375 N·m M117 4,973 cc V8 |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 11.4 s |
| Top speed | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in (2,850 mm) long wheelbase only |
| Wading depth | Slightly less than other Gs Mercedes doesn't publish the figure in its 30th-anniversary story |
Wheels & tires
| Factory tire | 265/70R16 H (Bridgestone, factory) on 16-in alloys |
|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | 5x130 |
| Center bore | 84.1 mm |
| Lug thread | M14x1.5 |
| Biggest tire · Stock | ≈32 in overall diameter |
Common 500 GE V8 repairs
- Front axle seal leakDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Front axle repack (knuckle & wheel bearings)DIFFICULTY 4 / 5
- Fuel pumps & accumulatorDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Diff locks won't engageDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Steering damper & front-end wanderDIFFICULTY 1 / 5
- Sunroof drains & water ingressDIFFICULTY 1 / 5
- Rust on the frame and bodyDIFFICULTY 2–5 / 5
Always confirm torque figures, fluids and capacities against the factory service manual for your VIN. See the disclaimer; some parts links are affiliate links.