Help/Advice on buying 1991 H Reg MERCEDES-BENZ 190E 2.0
- Thread starter chill3838
- Start date
grober
MB Master
There are lots of threads on the forum so best maybe to use the search facility. there's also this forum http://www.mercedes190.co.uk/ which I think you need to register with to see the forum.
Hi Chris,
The W201 190E is a very well made car, if they're looked after well they don't give much trouble and are pretty inexpensive to maintain.
I'd say the main things I would look for are:
Evidence of good maintenance, either service history and bills or similar, try and establish if it's been well maintained.
Rust - they're pretty good in this respect but there's a few places to look - jacking points, inner wings, around the rear screen/parcel shelf inside boot etc. If it's rusty, leave it, there's plenty of rust free ones out there
Engine/gearbox. Check the condition of the coolant and oil, ideally cleanish oil and relatively clean coolant (no contamination), make sure that it starts nicely from cold and idles well, shouldn't be any noise from the top end and the timing chain should be silent. Make sure it selects gear well and changes smoothly as you'd expect. Try the kickdown when it's warmed up.
Make sure everything else seems to work, eg the electric windows, sunroof (if applicable) etc. Try the central locking and all of the locks/keys. Check the general condition of the exhaust, tyres, brakes etc, this should also help to show how well it's been looked after - tyre brand, etc.
With 120K miles if it's been looked after well it should still be tight as a drum, will drive nicely and should be a great car to own.
Good luck and keep us updated how you get on
Will
The W201 190E is a very well made car, if they're looked after well they don't give much trouble and are pretty inexpensive to maintain.
I'd say the main things I would look for are:
Evidence of good maintenance, either service history and bills or similar, try and establish if it's been well maintained.
Rust - they're pretty good in this respect but there's a few places to look - jacking points, inner wings, around the rear screen/parcel shelf inside boot etc. If it's rusty, leave it, there's plenty of rust free ones out there
Engine/gearbox. Check the condition of the coolant and oil, ideally cleanish oil and relatively clean coolant (no contamination), make sure that it starts nicely from cold and idles well, shouldn't be any noise from the top end and the timing chain should be silent. Make sure it selects gear well and changes smoothly as you'd expect. Try the kickdown when it's warmed up.
Make sure everything else seems to work, eg the electric windows, sunroof (if applicable) etc. Try the central locking and all of the locks/keys. Check the general condition of the exhaust, tyres, brakes etc, this should also help to show how well it's been looked after - tyre brand, etc.
With 120K miles if it's been looked after well it should still be tight as a drum, will drive nicely and should be a great car to own.
Good luck and keep us updated how you get on
Will
Thanks for the info,
After spotting the car on sunday the garage was 30 mins from closing so i thought i would do some research before going back on monday for a proper look and a test drive. Anyway somebody had been into the garage after i left and bought it. I spoke with the bloke from the garage who said he could'nt believe 2 people wanted on the same day as it had been on his forecourt for several months. To say I'm gutted is an understatement.
Ah well I'll keep on looking
Thanks again
After spotting the car on sunday the garage was 30 mins from closing so i thought i would do some research before going back on monday for a proper look and a test drive. Anyway somebody had been into the garage after i left and bought it. I spoke with the bloke from the garage who said he could'nt believe 2 people wanted on the same day as it had been on his forecourt for several months. To say I'm gutted is an understatement.
Ah well I'll keep on looking
Thanks again
Hi chill3838,
How much was the car and what sort of spec did it have? Eg alloys, leather or aircon etc? What colour?
There's loads of 190Es out there, I'm sure you'll find another one equally as good or better if you keep looking for a while
Will
How much was the car and what sort of spec did it have? Eg alloys, leather or aircon etc? What colour?
There's loads of 190Es out there, I'm sure you'll find another one equally as good or better if you keep looking for a while
Will
Will,
Thanks for replying, the car was blue but needed a good clean, the garage wanted £500 which i thought was cheap considering, it had cloth seats (a kind of beige check), not sure it had aircon and deffo no alloys.
My one worry was there seemed to be some staining of the carpet near the door in the front footwells.
I hope to find one soon, I'll keep looking
Cheers
Thanks for replying, the car was blue but needed a good clean, the garage wanted £500 which i thought was cheap considering, it had cloth seats (a kind of beige check), not sure it had aircon and deffo no alloys.
My one worry was there seemed to be some staining of the carpet near the door in the front footwells.
I hope to find one soon, I'll keep looking
Cheers
