190E 2.3 16 valve Cosworth Auto

[Mike Walker]

Passing a local dealer who specialises in the upper end of the used car market yesterday and saw the above so popped in to have a look.

Metallic gold, F registration, Alloy wheels, 153K miles and priced at just under £4K.

Has had repair work done to rusty rear wheel arches and has rear spoiler/body kit.

Any thoughts from The Forum on the price/pro and cons of purchasing such a vehicle??

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I didn't think they made the 2.3 16v with an automatic gearbox?

 

[d w124]

I didn't think they made the 2.3 16v with an automatic gearbox?

They did but that'd be boring,the is meant to be manual

 

[Mike Walker]

Unless my eyes have gone completely gearbox I saw was automatic!

 

[Martyn_n]

I'm probably getting old, but I'd have it with an auto 'box. This must be the only MB that is more desirable, and therefore dearer, to have a manual over an auto.

 

[grober]

The 5 speed manual box has a dogleg 1rst gear opposite reverse which some people dislike. The autobox is of course 4 speed. It will be Smoke Silver metallic = light gold colour. Look very closely at the rear sills /jacking points/ and rear subframe front mounts. The rear self leveling suspension needs checking also as does the engine timing gear which should not be too noisy. A good car is one to treasure a poor one can be a money pit [ more so than more standard MERCs of a similar age ]

 

[ucr]

which dealer is it we can check the web site

 

[neilrr]

I didn't think they made the 2.3 16v with an automatic gearbox?

Yeah, they did. I've got one. An F reg will be a very late 2.3-16.

I've owned both the manual & the auto versions of both the 2.3-16 & the 2.5-16. Not many have driven both (let alone owned them) & yet somewhat surprisingly everyone has an opinion!

Autos are fine, more relaxing to drive & surprisingly quick, especially on kickdown at around 3,400rpm+.

They don't ask to be driven like they've been nicked, unlike the manual version.

 

[Mike Walker]

which dealer is it we can check the web site

www.holwoodcarsales.co.uk

 

[neilz]

Used Mercedes-benz 190 Saloon | Holwood Car Sales

 

[d w124]

Autos are fine, more relaxing to drive.

Of course they're fine but still,boring.The manual makes the 2.3&2.5-16v what they are and is the only mercedes I'd want in manual

I know the getrag might not be everyone's cup but it makes the car really fun to drive

Maybe I should just grow up

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Of course they're fine but still,boring.The manual makes the 2.3&2.5-16v what they are and is the only mercedes I'd want in manual

I know the getrag might not be everyone's cup but it makes the car really fun to drive

Maybe I should just grow up

To me, the manual gearbox is part of the attraction of these cars as well.

 

[grober]

Watch that someone else doesn't jump the queue now its been seen on the forum?

 

[brakedust]

Lovely car. I remember how desirable these were when they first came out. Coolness factor of 11 out of 10. So well engineered and put together. It'll still be piling on the miles long after the latest crop of hot hatches have bitten the dust.

 

[dulayj]

Nice car -not so keen on colour

 

[Will]

I've owned, worked on and driven loads of 190E 16vs over the years.

Autobox on a 2.5-16 isn't quite so bad as there's a bit more torque, a bit more power and the engine is more refined. Still not ideal.

In a nutshell - the 16vs are driver's cars and you really need the manual box to make the most of them. It's a revvy four-pot engine so the extra control and gearing of the 5-speed Getrag means you can keep it on cam. The autobox makes them drive more like a switch - low power or frenzied kickdown.

If you want an auto, I'd buy a much nicer 2.6 auto for half the money over a 2.3 with autobox

Will

 

[ss201]

I've owned, worked on and driven loads of 190E 16vs over the years.

Autobox on a 2.5-16 isn't quite so bad as there's a bit more torque, a bit more power and the engine is more refined. Still not ideal.

In a nutshell - the 16vs are driver's cars and you really need the manual box to make the most of them. It's a revvy four-pot engine so the extra control and gearing of the 5-speed Getrag means you can keep it on cam. The autobox makes them drive more like a switch - low power or frenzied kickdown.

If you want an auto, I'd buy a much nicer 2.6 auto for half the money over a 2.3 with autobox

Will

Absolutely. And if it comes with a Sportline chassis, so much the better.

 

[ucr]

looks worth £4k to me

 

[Schuey]

Very nice car, if you like it get it quick now that you've advertised it on the forum

 

[neilrr]

I've owned, worked on and driven loads of 190E 16vs over the years.

Autobox on a 2.5-16 isn't quite so bad as there's a bit more torque, a bit more power and the engine is more refined. Still not ideal.

In a nutshell - the 16vs are driver's cars and you really need the manual box to make the most of them. It's a revvy four-pot engine so the extra control and gearing of the 5-speed Getrag means you can keep it on cam. The autobox makes them drive more like a switch - low power or frenzied kickdown.

If you want an auto, I'd buy a much nicer 2.6 auto for half the money over a 2.3 with autobox

Will

I do drive a 190E 2.6 automatic with a Sportline chassis as my daily thrash & while it is a fine car, IMHO it is not a substitute for a 16v. Different kettle of fish entirely.