190 le

[new to mercs]

hi,im new to all this but thought I would try and get some feedback from you guys.ive come across a low mileage (22k) 1 owner 190 le which has been standing for over 10 years,ive always wanted a 190 and this ones in pretty good shape,would need new tyres,brakes and so on and I am wondering if its worth the hassle or should I get one that's up and running,cheers

 

[bolide]

Not worth the hassle. There are still plenty of nice 190Es around

Nick Froome

 

[John Jones Jr]

More than likely the lowest mileage LE in existence...If the bodywork is good I'd say go for it (presuming it been standing inside) but without seeing the car hard to tell, no matter what model it is.

 

[new to mercs]

bodywork is great just needs a good clean/polish

 

[John Jones Jr]

Is it a 2.0lt Auto and what colour? Have you checked all the known potential rusts areas? Made sure mice or other rodents haven't chewed away at the wiring etc (no joking)?

 

[new to mercs]

yes its a 2.0lt auto in azzuro blue and theres absolutely no rust I haven't checked for mice though

 

[jamesfuller]

I don't want to put you off what could make a very nice car but I feel I should tell you about a current project off mine.
Its a 1990 Alfa Spyder, one owner and not used for 10 years (stored inside) Its only covered 9,000 miles!

As you have said, rubber parts have to be replaced along with an overhaul of the braking system (probably a fuel tank also required)

There have been a few electrical problems,
Mice
Relays
Fuel pump

The clutch is going to need work, all fluids will need changing.

The compression is down in one cylinder so the head will have to come off for investigation.

Once running and driving there will be teething problems.

When the car is finished it will be a classic car with original paint and no welding!

I wouldn't like to try and sway you one way or the other, Just trying to give you an idea of what maybe required as standing around does them no good at all.

As I often say though, at least you know this needs work. You may buy a different car that appears better but you will be doing half this work soon any way!

 

[John Jones Jr]

Nice colour spec. Buy it right allow for obvious expenditure plus a bit and you could end up with a very nice old motor. But as Bolide mentioned there are some good road going 190E's out there for sale, possibly not LE's and not with such low mileage, but they are worth considering also. Anyway, your getting positive vibes from me.

If you do buy it, first fit a new battery, drain the old juice out, add some octane booster, clean the fuel pump replay & the OVP replay pins and hopefully she'll start. Might be worth having a spare set of plugs too. Consider changing the oil too before starting.

Also join one of the 190 clubs, they'll know them inside & out. Bear in mind you could be looking at a new fuel pump, perished suspension bushes, etc or some such.

 

[new to mercs]

cheers guys really helpfull,i guess im going mouse hunting!!!

 

[Sp!ke]

Sounds like a great find. Do allow for some expenditure on top of the purchase price on a car thats sat for this long.

On top of the normal stuff I would also budget for a head gasket replacement.

 

[jamesfuller]

When I have some more time I might put up a quick write up with pics about the alfa in an off topic thread as it may help others when considering barn finds and details of the work they may be going through!

 

[stwat]

It sounds very interesting. What was the reason it was laid up? The main areas of rust on 190's are, the jacking points, remove the covers to check them. Under the rear screen, open the boot and look up under the rear screen with a torch. front wings, front inner wings in the engine bay. Some later cars tend to rust on the floors both at the front and rear. Around the headlight bowls, where the front bumper attaches at the sides. Around the rear lights and number plate area. There is a very good buyers guide over here, http://mercedes-190.co.uk/index/

I wish you the best of luck with it and hope it turns out to be a good one.

Stu

 

[new to mercs]

thanks for the info,the reason its for sale is the owner died years ago and the car was in the garage but the old lady has decided to use the garage for storage so the car is now on the drive...

 

[stwat]

I don't want to put you off what could make a very nice car but I feel I should tell you about a current project off mine.
Its a 1990 Alfa Spyder, one owner and not used for 10 years (stored inside) Its only covered 9,000 miles!

As you have said, rubber parts have to be replaced along with an overhaul of the braking system (probably a fuel tank also required)

There have been a few electrical problems,
Mice
Relays
Fuel pump

The clutch is going to need work, all fluids will need changing.

The compression is down in one cylinder so the head will have to come off for investigation.

Once running and driving there will be teething problems.

When the car is finished it will be a classic car with original paint and no welding!

I wouldn't like to try and sway you one way or the other, Just trying to give you an idea of what maybe required as standing around does them no good at all.

As I often say though, at least you know this needs work. You may buy a different car that appears better but you will be doing half this work soon any way!

No disrespect but an alfa is not as resilient a car as a Mercedes 190.

 

[martyz]

Lucky you! Change all the fluids,Oil,coolant,brake,and transmission,remove plugs add some redex down the bores,drain sump,fill with mineral oil(to flush) remove ht lead and fuel pump relay (black one next to ecu behind plastic cover which is behind the battery) and turn engine over a good few times.When you eventually start the engine run until up to temp then drain and fill with fully synthetic,and new filter.What a find!

 

[neilrr]

More than likely the lowest mileage LE in existence...If the bodywork is good I'd say go for it (presuming it been standing inside) but without seeing the car hard to tell, no matter what model it is.

Big whoopee. Nothing special about the LE, just a run out version available in four colours with burr walnut wood instead of Zebrano to shift the last of the W201s.

Don't see the point, low mileage is heavily over rated & the car is not special enough to go through all the bother. 10 years dormant is a looonnnggggg time for a car.

How much is it?

 

[stwat]

Big whoopee. Nothing special about the LE, just a run out version available in four colours with burr walnut wood instead of Zebrano to shift the last of the W201s.

Don't see the point, low mileage is heavily over rated & the car is not special enough to go through all the bother. 10 years dormant is a looonnnggggg time for a car.

How much is it?

Wow. Such negativity for no real reason!

 

[neilrr]

You call it negative, I call it realistic based on having owned or sold dozens of W201s.

OP asked for feedback, I gave him some.

Get one that's up & running.

 

[John Jones Jr]

Big whoopee. Nothing special about the LE, just a run out version available in four colours with burr walnut wood instead of Zebrano to shift the last of the W201s.

Don't see the point, low mileage is heavily over rated & the car is not special enough to go through all the bother. 10 years dormant is a looonnnggggg time for a car.

How much is it?

Why does it matter to you, how much it is, did you not read your own post?

 

[neilrr]

TBH it doesn't really but if it's cheap enough he could buy it and move it on to a mug who thinks low miles & a car unused for 10 years = a fantastic, like new car another punter, make some money to buy an up & running, cared for car.