190e

[h17n dj]

WHat does the panel think to this car? Dad needs a reliable run around to drive to london everyday in........

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-...1150675?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27ed12b4d3

Sent from my iPad using MBClub UK

 

[stwat]

It's a very nice unmolested motor. It's being sold by a member of the 190 owners forum.

 

[IanA2]

Looks like a straight motor. If I was looking for one I'd probably buy it. Cracking cars, I had a brand new version of this model in 1993. Wish I'd never sold it.

 

[h17n dj]

So its one to go for?

When I did a google search for one this did come up on the 190 forum - I did see that.....

I am a tad worried its had the heads done and 6 owners? Although its a good thing maybe the heads have been done... I do like it. Spoke to the lady last night and she seemed decent and it does seem well looked after. Will it keep my old man going for the next 5 years if serviced regularly etc?

 

[IanA2]

Well it boils down to whether you think you can find a better one. Personally, this looks good, and if looked after should easily chug along for more than five years..

 

[Palfrem]

£1400.

Buy it, if it's not what he wants sell it again for £1400

 

[nullogik]

Probably not the ideal choice for congested London driving unless your Dad has deep pockets.

In heavy London traffic mine can dip down to 20mpg!

On the motorway I can eek out about 33-35mpg.

If your Dad's commute involves roads that are relatively free flowing then go for it. If he's going to be regularly sitting in gridlocked roads then consider something else.

 

[h17n dj]

I think most of it will be free flowing as he will be travelling to south London.

I was told to contact the lady owner this morning which I've tried a few times and left messages... So we shall see what happens. I do like the car from the pics, it looks nice and tidy. I've always liked the 190's. I did want a diesel one ideally but cant find a half decent one at sensible money/similar money to the above.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Six owners in 24 years is not a great number, I'd be more concerned though if it was one in 22 years and then 5 in 2!

Cylinder head being done is good not bad.
I'd also check for what has been spent on suspension and non-service related maintenance, at 24 years old with fewer miles my 190 needed a total suspension rebuild. Steering box as well. However well-built originally, it's only as reliable as the long term maintenance. Nice little engine and gearbox does make it a good car to run.

 

[h17n dj]

Six owners in 24 years is not a great number, I'd be more concerned though if it was one in 22 years and then 5 in 2!

Cylinder head being done is good not bad.
I'd also check for what has been spent on suspension and non-service related maintenance, at 24 years old with fewer miles my 190 needed a total suspension rebuild. Steering box as well. However well-built originally, it's only as reliable as the long term maintenance. Nice little engine and gearbox does make it a good car to run.

Thanks very much for that info - Definitely helpful and good to hear. I'm still waiting to hear back from the current owner. I did a little check for a few quid which came back all good luckily. I shall see if an suspesion work has been done should I hear back from her.
She saide the brakes have been overhauled in the last year or so and servicing is up to date apart from one due at the end of the year - which is fine. She did mention that there is a leak from the back box on the exhaust though...... Could be a seal she said!!!! Without seeing the car, I dont know what I'm dealing with. I reackon it may need a new back box in the not too distant future. If this is the case, I shall plunge for a stainless steel rear box purely for longevity.
Out of interest, was the suspension rebuild quite costly?
The more I talk about it, the more I want it... *I-must-remember-its-for-dad!*

 

[Charles Morgan]

I had sports suspension so my costs were higher than the norm, but it was thousands not hundreds.

Shove the reg number into ECP or similar and you can find out costs for most parts.

 

[Mike Walker]

I had an older 190 and would suggest you check the following:-

1. Area underneath the aerial in the boot space this may mean taking a plastic panel out. Water gets beneath the rubber seal, goes into the boot and corrosion follows.

2. Check all around the Sacco Panels to ensure there is no corrosion visible, clips are in place.

3. Check all door surround rubbers are in good condition - expensive to replace.

 

[jaymanek]

These are nice simple cars to own and maintain...

If driving in central London, be sure to check it doesnt over heat standing still as these are common for viscous couplings, water pumps etc.

Also the heater matrix is a job that often needs to be tackled... with any luck its already been done.

I can see one jacking cover missing.. otherwise looks lovely.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Yep, my heater matrix has just gone (clouds of white vapour into the cabin with the heat on was a good clue) and replacement is £12 from Eurocrap. However, no idea yet of labour cost for replacement.

 

[nullogik]

Out of interest, was the suspension rebuild quite costly?

I did some of this recently. With some careful shopping around I found Boge springs for approximately £25 each front and rear. Sachs shocks I got for about £30 each for the rears and about £50 for each of the fronts (Bilsteins pretty much the same price). The two front Lemforder rubber mounts were about £38 each. Small items like bushes I got from MB just to make sure they were exactly the right fit.

I compared this to MB prices at the time and saved more than 50% on the grand total!

 

[h17n dj]

Thank you to everyone for your input so far.....

Luckily the heater matrix has been done

Mike - thank you, I shall be sure to check for rust in those areas and the door rubbers for conditon.

Jay - I thought that too about the jacking point cover, but i think the paint has just come off as oppose to a missing cover. I'm sure a cover may not to be too difficult to source and too expensive to buy....? If/when I go see it, i intend to take it on a good run and get it upto temp and sit in drive etc to check for overheating/issues.

Nullogik - Thanks for the suspension info. Doesnt sound too bad. There doesnt seem to be any advisories according to the owner. Hopefully I get a call later.

Really appreciate all your guidance so far gents!

 

[Mike Walker]

No worries - you need to know before you buy!

 

[Charles Morgan]

An obvious point - new parts availability is excellent for the 190 2.0 (as it is for my 2.5 16) but at reasonable prices. Plus lots of 2ndhand bits from the breakers. It is probably the most economical MB to run as an old car on any measure, and frankly stands up well against the competition too.

 

[h17n dj]

Perfect! Just what I wanted to hear. Always loved these cars.

If anyone is selling the diesel version for similar money, I'd also be very interested!

 

[h17n dj]

An obvious point - new parts availability is excellent for the 190 2.0 (as it is for my 2.5 16) but at reasonable prices. Plus lots of 2ndhand bits from the breakers. It is probably the most economical MB to run as an old car on any measure, and frankly stands up well against the competition too.

Your 2.5 is gorgeous! I still have the pics on my laptop from Brooklands.