First MB - 190E: does this one sound OK?

[Geoffrey Inett]

Looking for a 190E. I've found one that seems to hit most of the buttons. 1992 'J', 2 owners. 124,000. MB history to 60k, owner serviced since then. Buying from a private dealer, who took this in as a part exchange against the Volvos he specialises in. However, car is pristine inside and out (has not be valeted by dealer yet), and the owner has clearly loved it. No rust at all. Looked carefully at door bottoms, sills, wheel arches (clean on the inside rim!). No accident damage, wheel trims perfect. As straight as a die. Everything works as it should: electrics (including aerial, windows, s/r), doors close beautifully, heating etc. Drives like a MB should (according to my friend anyway). Here's the rub though. On startup from cold the tappets make a noise but it eventually goes, but couldn't tell you how long after - too excited driving it. But the car probably hadn't been started for a few days and it was very cold. Went for about a 10 mile run through country lanes and there was certainly no noise on our return. Lovely clean looking engine when examined under the oil filler cap. Ticks over at about 700 rpm and oil pressure is indicating just below 3 bar (about 1/8" below) when warm. About 5 years back a MB dealer replaced the cylinder head gasket and removed and put back the autobox (I think that's what the bill said) for some reason. Engine bay is exactly how you would want to see one of this age. Untouched, with no oil or water leaks of any kind. The whole thing seems pretty damn ideal. My friend thought that perhaps on the very first gearchange on the test drive, the change was a tad sluggish, but otherwise all OK. The box was in sport mode. I drove it, he drove it, and all in all, we were pretty damned impressed. Is there anything I should beware of before buying?

 

[Will]

Hello and welcome :bannana:
How much is it? Sounds like a fair condition 190E, there's quite a few around these days - some dogs, and a few cherished good ones.

Not knowing all the details - colour, trim, full spec, full condition etc, I'd personally say that it'd be worth £1K max. I bought a superb condition K plate 2.0 auto for a friend with good spec - 4x e/w, e/sunroof etc, nice and clean, good history and long MOT/tax, matching Pirelli tyres etc for £1000 about 2 years ago - although this was a bargain!

Tappets could be at fault, as could other things - you don't really want to get involved in spending lots of money at a garage as soon as you've bought it. Unless it's particularly perfect otherwise or really cheap I'd keep looking for that elusive mint bargain car!

Good Luck,

Will

 

[Dieselman]

Will, if the car has no rust and is in generally good order then it is probably a good buy.
The car had been stood for a couple of days so the tappets could have drained down. The headgasket has been done and everything feels tight.

If the price is good then buy, if not then get the price down and buy.

 

[Will]

Oh yeah - not disputing that it couldn't be a good buy, just that if it's not particularly cheap and there's any uncertainty to it's condition, not to rush in and buy. It's a buyer's market and there will always be a better one round the corner if this one is no good

Will

 

[Geoffrey Inett]

The dealer will accept £1395, but originally asking £1495. Spec? Well 2.0L auto, e/w. esr, pale metallic blue, year's MOT, 2 months tax, good tyres. Original Blaupunkt radio/cassette, original triangle and first-aid kit. Amazingly clean, even the boot. pale grey-blue interior (perfect - no wear, no sagging - apart from the nets on the back of the seat, elastic requires renewing). All feels very tight. Nice feel to switches and air vents. I'm completely new to MBs and know little about the 190E, thus no doubt the wrong colours etc. Perhaps a bit blown away by it. On teh other hand I went to see a 1991 one owner full MB service history, all MOTs, paperwork etc. today. Utter rubbish. Drivers door didn't fit, it had been keyed, horrible interior, but the car was described as immaculate inside and out! The same price was being asked.

 

[Will]

Hmm - it's a tough call. I wouldn't say it was particularly cheap myself, but it's all about how much you like the car and what you are prepared to pay? There's quite a few out there so depends on whether you are willing to look at a few more examples.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-190E...QQcategoryZ9855QQtcZphotoQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Not suggesting this one's in better condition (and the reserve could be silly) but that's a 2.6 with a fairly good spec, and starting at £300 it may be worth a look if it was local?

Good luck with whatever you decide

Will

 

[Dieselman]

Might be interesting.

Might be of interest if only to look at and get a guide price.
Remember a rough car will cost more to get into the right condition than a good one will cost.

http://cars.uk.freeads.net/1991_H_reg_MERCEDES_190-184643.htm

http://cars.uk.freeads.net/1992_J_reg_MERCEDES_190-189120.htm

http://cars.uk.freeads.net/1991_H_reg_MERCEDES_190-189435.htm

http://cars.uk.freeads.net/1992_J_reg_MERCEDES_190-189262.htm

http://cars.uk.freeads.net/1991_J_reg_MERCEDES_190-177086.htm

http://cars.uk.freeads.net/1993_L_reg_MERCEDES_190-189524.htm

http://cars.uk.freeads.net/1987__MERCEDES_190_70,000-182683.htm

http://cars.uk.freeads.net/MERCEDES_190-158725.htm



C-Class

http://cars.uk.freeads.net/MERCEDES_C250-189588.htm

http://cars.uk.freeads.net/1993_L_reg_MERCEDES_C180-175538.htm

 

[Geoffrey Inett]

Thanks very much. What an amazingly friendly and helpful bunch you are!

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Dear god!

How cheap are C-Class's now

 

[Dieselman]

Dear god!

How cheap are C-Class's now

Well what about this then, although this is exceptional.

http://cars.uk.freeads.net/1997_P_reg_MERCEDES_E200-188945.htm

 

[KillerHERTZ]

mmm, No doubt something major is wrong with that, but still... cheap!

 

[big x]

Well what about this then, although this is exceptional.

http://cars.uk.freeads.net/1997_P_reg_MERCEDES_E200-188945.htm

Cheapest I've seen,then again it's white.In a few months time decent C-classes will be £995.What bargins.We really do have the cheapest used BMW and MB's in the world..check out the US price guide http://www.kbb.com. The trade price for a 93 BMW 740i is 4 times greater than what I paid.BMW's fetch daft money there.

adam

 

[grober]

You say your buying from a dealer. Is he offering a warranty of any kind. Did you look at any paperwork. Bills service book for dates MOT,s for mileage etc.
From the log book find out the name of the last owner and phone him up to ask him in confidence about the car. If the previous owner was an enthusiast he will tell you its recent history in detail. Other things to check brake discs front and rear. the exhaust+cat and front springs for corrosion. If its as good as you say seems like a good buy. Personally I think the 190 is a better car for the DIY owner then the later C class. but I,m biased having had two 190s in the past.

 

[Geoffrey Inett]

Thanks Graeme. I always swore that I'd never get a car with a cat. Am I going to have to give up on this? Do 'J' reg 190E definitely have them?

 

[grober]

post 1989 190s

To my knowledge all 190's for the UK market post 1989 have catalytic converters as standard fitment.

 

[Geoffrey Inett]

Looked at loads of paperwork, including lots of previous MOTs. BTW it has a new MOT. I forgot to ask whether it came with a warranty which shows that I've never bought from a dealer before.

 

[Dieselman]

Looked at loads of paperwork, including lots of previous MOTs. BTW it has a new MOT. I forgot to ask whether it came with a warranty which shows that I've never bought from a dealer before.

Ask for the emissions reading as that will prove the cat is Ok.

 

[Dieselman]

Thanks Graeme. I always swore that I'd never get a car with a cat. Am I going to have to give up on this?

Looks like a diesel it is then.

 

[IanA2]

Cat can be dispensed with if registered before August '92......

 

[neilrr]

Geoffrey,

190Es are great cars, better than the C class which followed. As you've discovered, a 15 year old 190E still looks & drives like a much newer car. There are a lot still on the road & EVERYONE I've ever met who has had one, w/out exception, had nothing but praise for the car.

Mileage doesn't hurt them IF they've been properly serviced. Yours sounds nice, but isn't particularly cheap in view of the miles on the clock & the no options spec. Bear in mind the dealer probably allowed £6-800 against this car. There are loads for sale so, if it was me, I'd look a little longer. I doubt if the one at the dealer's is going to sell v. quickly.

Options were v. expensive & help on resale, especially AC, leather, Sportline suspension &/or interior. The more goodies the better. Avoid fire engine red paint & (serious 190E faux pas) red interiors. Most other colours are fine. 2.6s are nicer to drive than 2.0s. They use a little more fuel (27-8 vs. 30-1) but are MUCH livlier and surprise a lot of people with their acceleration & overtaking ability.

The newest 190E is 13 y.o. so condition & service history are the most important factors. Look for servicing AT LEAST once p. a. or every 6,000 miles. Doesn't matter (at this age) if it's MB dealer or specialist independent.

There aren't many weak points to look for but check for peeling at the top of door cards, cam cover gasket leaking at the front by the semi circular bit, sluggish electric window lifts, as well as things that go with age & miles - rad leaks, brake discs, exhausts.

Where do you live?

P.S. I've had post 1989 190Es without a cat so it I think it was an option until it became mandatory in '91/92(?)