300 CE 24v or 190 2.6???

[david_h7]

Well after travelling in and driving my mates Mercedes 190 and seeing what it is possible to do to these cars, I feel the time has come for me to purchase a Mercedes.

One of my buddies in W.London is very knowledgeable on them, however I still have a few questions.

Initially was looking for a 190 2.6 in a dark metallic colour with light coloured leather & aircon. However, I can't find one anywhere with that spec atm. Apart from a lipstick pink one with a manual box which I don't want and it's 4k!!!!.

As an alternative the 300CE's come very well spec'd however I'm a little confused with all the different models. I need to know the bhp of the following models:-
300CE 12v
300CE 24v
320CE ??? is this 24v only???

Other questions:-
Can someone tell me whether Carlsson 20" rims will fit ok on a 300CE and can I still drop the hell out of the car or am I going to need major archwork?

Can you get coilovers for a 300CE? If so what brand? FK, KW??

Finally does anyone do a supercharger for the in-line 6 cylinder engine in a merc??

Many thanks in advance.
P.S. Here's a pic of my mates merc 190, he has spent 6 months doing all the work himself, it's only a 2.0, hope you like.

 

[stats007]

I think you want www.pimpmyride.com

 

[jasohal]

Hi David,

To answer some of your questions....

My guess is around 230bhp for the 320CE ( which is 24v )
Slightly more for the 300 24v, about 237 bhp ? ( I was told by a specialist that the cat on the 320 reduces some of the power. )
Not too sure on the 300 12 V though - 217 bhp ???

about the wheels .....

For a car which came with 15" as standard putting on a +5 setup is prob only poss for a show car ( i.e. one that will not be actually get driven around )

Without lowering :

For a 7.5" x 17" wheel setup with 225/45 17 tyres no probs.
For a 8" x 18" wheel setup with 225/40 18 tyres no probs ( as long as the offset is 35-37 but still check caliper clearance by mounting the wheel and spinning)
For a 8" x 19" setup you would need 225/35 19 tyres
( as long as the offset is 35-37 but still check caliper clearance by mounting the wheel and spinning)

i have read somewhere that with some arch work 8.5 " wheel width is possible with a 255 tyre at the rear ??


Don't know about the 20" wheels !!! Did thin on a 5 series but that has much more room under the arches.


There are some good spring kits such as Eibach /H&R available which lower by about 35 mm front, 20 mm back but not too sure on the coilover kits ( bilstein may do one ). These with sportline shocks give a good comfort/handling setup

I would probably get the Wheels first and then from the clearance between the tyre and arch work out how much you want to lower.

Don't forget that lowering the car more than 30mm will take the alignment out and at the rear you don't have adjustable cambers so you could be looking at hefty tyre bills - not forgetting the bone jarring ride..

Hope this helps !!

 

[janner]

300-12v = 190bhp
300-24v = 231bhp without cat
300-24v = 220bhp with optional cat
320-24v = 220bhp

20" rims can be made to fit but look daft.
17" is the most you'll realistically need.

Not sure about supercharging but twin turbos can be done on the I6. It's not a cheap mod and you'd probably be better off with a 500E V8 (4 door, LHD).

Lower it too much and you'll have all sorts of alignment problems.

The 190 is a good car but a little cramped inside. The one to have is the 300CE-24 non cat.

 

[jgevers]

Looking at the pictures I realise that you are just having a laugh. Rear wheels sticking out as well as having tyres that are too small for the rim is not exactly a well executed modification. With the suspension running that low the roll centre will have disappeared into the ground and the distance between the roll centre and centre of gravity will be enormous. Not to mention the lack of suspension travel.

To sum up: 'taxi gone wrong'.

 

[scotth_uk]

I loved my 190e 2.6 to bits, but always lusted after the 300CE.

190e was ranked as the finest ever handling saloon in history by American magazine Car & Driver many years ago. With the right work they are a missile.

 

[mickl]

a CE coupe wins hands down against a 190 2.6. no one will mistake you for a minicab in a CE coupe.

 

[david_h7]

thanks for all your advice, very useful indeed.
I will go and view a few 300CE 24v non-cat ones and see how they perform.

Quite like the Brabus monoblock rims so may well go for a set of those on it in 18", the 20" tires are a fortune so probably not the best idea.

Don't be too harsh on the 190, it was built as a demo car for a bodyshop. We're not having a laugh, it's built for looks, as are all the cars in our club. Each to their own, I like it, but it's certainly not everyones cup of tea. Don't pigeon-hole us in the same bracket as the maxpower/pimpmyride fools, there's no fibreglass bodykits involved.

Thanks again, much appreciated.

 

[scotth_uk]

I think the car above looks neat and tidy actually, although I would have been more conservative on the wheels.

 

[Howard]

I like it too !!

I would perhaps have done the lower side mouldings and bumpers in the light grey that light coloured w124's have, its a bit too white for me ... (never thought i'd say that)

Perhaps dropping an inch on the wheels width ....... what are they 10x18 on the back ? would help stop the sticking out look.....

But all in all , a very nice car, undoubtedly it has taken a lot of work and if you like then thats what matters !!

Like this ......

 

[GrahamC230K]

Hi, like the 190. Styling is very Euro/German with the stretched tyres, but still smart.

 

[neilrr]

david,

Not a 2.6 but modelled in the same genre as the white car. Has the additional benefit of hydraulics so one can proceed down the road in hops or on three wheels.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-benz...oryZ9855QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[david_h7]

david,

Not a 2.6 but modelled in the same genre as the white car. Has the additional benefit of hydraulics so one can proceed down the road in hops or on three wheels.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-benz...oryZ9855QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

thanks but really not my style at all.

 

[stats007]

All a bit OTT for me.

 

[Thmsshaun]

Think it looks a clean ride (sorry for Americanism). The American guys would love it im sure it think it look smart. For sure it wont be to everyones taste.


But a lot of work effort and pride has gone into that.

 

[petef]

I have driven both the 190 2.6 auto and manual. Believe it or not the auto was the fastest and most exciting car i have ever driven.These are now a classic and thats why people are asking premium prices. The 124 coupe doesnt come anywhere near it in terms of speed or handling, they are too cumbersome....only my opinion !! Try em both for yourself and see.