Reviving a German V8 Icon — Mercedes-Benz E500 (2004) Gets the Revhigh Treatment
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
There’s something special about the early-2000s Mercedes V8s.
The 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 (W211) is one of those forgotten gems — a luxury sedan hiding a true muscle car heart. With its naturally aspirated 5.0L V8, it delivers effortless torque and timeless German engineering. But like many older performance cars, it was built conservatively from the factory… leaving plenty of power on the table.
So when this clean E500 rolled into the Revhigh workshop, the mission was simple:Unlock everything this V8 should’ve had from day one.
And the results?Nothing short of transformative.
🔧 The Upgrade Package: Intake, Exhaust, and Custom Dyno Tuning
To give the E500 the performance it deserves, we equipped it with:
✔ Revhigh Performance Intake
Designed to increase airflow, reduce restriction, and sharpen throttle response — especially crucial for older NA engines.
✔ Full Exhaust System
From front to back, freeing up the flow and giving the M113 V8 the voice it always wanted.Deep, refined, and aggressive without being obnoxious — the perfect German V8 tone.
✔ Custom Dyno ECU Tune
The heart of the transformation.Hand-calibrated mapping that optimizes ignition timing, fueling, torque delivery, and throttle behavior.
The combination produced a night-and-day difference.
But numbers speak louder than words…
💡 Why Tuning the E500 is Worth It
The early Mercedes M113 engines have incredible durability and tuning headroom.They love breathing upgrades, and a quality tune can:
Correct factory limitations
Improve efficiency
Unlock responsiveness
Add longevity by improving airflow and combustion
For owners of older V8 Mercedes models, these upgrades bring the car back to life — often performing even better than when it left the showroom.
📊 Before vs After — Dyno Proven Gains
🔥 AFTER TUNE
Torque: 621.0 Nm @ 96
Power: 190.4 kW @ 146
🟣 BEFORE TUNE
Torque: 483.2 Nm @ 96
Power: 164.3 kW @ 174
That’s a massive increase in torque — over 135 Nm gained — and a strong boost in power across the entire rev range.
This isn’t just about peak numbers. It’s about how the car drives:
Faster throttle response
Stronger mid-range pull
Smoother, more usable powerband
A more engaging V8 driving experience
It now feels like the luxury muscle sedan it was always meant to be.
🚀 Final Thoughts
The 2004 E500 is a sleeper legend that deserves respect.With the right upgrades, it transforms from a quiet cruiser into a genuinely exciting performance sedan.
At Revhigh, we love bringing life back into these classics —modern performance, timeless V8 character.
If you’re looking to wake up your Mercedes, book your tune or consultation today.
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