Rare Porsche-built Mercedes 500E once owned by comedian Jerry Seinfeld shatters auction estimates with record price.
A remarkable moment for collectors of German classics unfolded at the Amelia Island Auctions, where a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E once owned by Jerry Seinfeld sold for an impressive $320,000.
The result set a new record for the model, easily surpassing expert estimates that had placed the car’s value between $176,000 and $228,000.
The high price wasn’t just about the celebrity connection. The car’s history, engineering, and remarkable condition also played a major role. The 500E, part of the W124 generation, was developed through a close partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.
Because of its unique construction—including front fenders widened by about 2.2 inches—the sedan couldn’t be assembled on Mercedes’ standard production line in Sindelfingen. Instead, the cars were partially built by hand at Porsche’s factory in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen before being returned to Mercedes for final completion.
Seinfeld’s car, produced in 1992, remains in extraordinary condition. Auction house Gooding & Company described it as being “nearly new.” The Brilliant Silver Metallic exterior and light gray leather interior appear almost untouched, as if the car had just rolled off the showroom floor.
Even more surprising is the mileage. Over 34 years, the odometer shows just 2,335 miles, an incredibly low figure for a car of this age.
Under the understated bodywork sits a 5.0-liter M119 V8 producing 326 horsepower. That powerful engine, combined with Porsche’s hand-assembly process, helped turn the 500E into a cult favorite among enthusiasts.
For comparison, well-maintained examples of the model typically sell today for around $50,000 to $70,000.
The record-breaking sale highlights the growing demand for pristine youngtimer vehicles—cars from the late 1980s and 1990s that are now becoming modern classics. With its famous original owner, who kept the vehicle until 2016, and its exceptional preservation, Seinfeld’s 500E has officially become the most valuable example of the model ever sold.