Help With My Idea

[219]

My elderly neighbour is selling this 190 which he's had for 13 years.
I've recently moved here so I don't know him well. He seems a good chap as he's got a W124 coupe.
Mercedes 190e | eBay

As an L Reg that is a very late registered one , although not an LE .

It looks in generally nice condition for the money , but I'd be seriously worried about that rust at the top of the windscreen aperture , which might lead to windscreen fracturing and water leaks .

 

[219]

Yeah I had a look it looks nice, but quite high miles puts me off a little? I like the fact it's a manual though...and it's cheap too!

200K isn't a worry if the car has been looked after .

However , I'd agree the auto would be better as they are nicer to drive : MB manuals tend to have quite 'clunky' gear shifts and a bit agricultural to drive , besides on a high mileage manual there is a danger of the clutch needing replaced .

While manual can return slightly better fuel economy , it isn't that big a difference : my first 190E auto regularly got into the low 30's and I once measured 44mpg over a long run spanning three tankfuls , and with a roof rack on the return journey !

 

[Marvin16x]

MB manuals tend to have quite 'clunky' gear shifts and a bit agricultural to drive

I second that.
I only like the 5-speed manual of my 190 due to the low RPMs that make for good mileages. Usually around 44 mpg on motorways.
After 27 years and 175,000 miles of daily driving all sportyness is gone (if there ever was any). Revving it up only produces noise. Manuals belong to the Valvers.

So treat yourself to a nice auto, preferably a 2.0 or 2.3, in good condition. Maybe Sportline? Tada.

 

[Piff]

Odd - just read this thread, then turned on Sky Discovery Turbo.
Wheeler Dealers now doing a 190 Cosworth!

 

[mat8n]

For a 22 year old a 190 will not be seen as cool, it'll be seen as an old banger by your friends.(only amongst mercedes aficionados will it be seen as cool, and that's if it's a mint example)

For your money,experience and age there are plenty of better,cooler and more reliable cars than an old merc.

There's nothing wrong with the old 190's but judging from your initial post you seem to have no idea about driving and I imagine maintenance, cars like the 190 are enthusiasts cars now.

i'm not going to start naming suitable cars as there are plenty, but I think you aren't being sensible with your choice of car and experience.

 

[ianrandom]

For a 22 year old a 190 will not be seen as cool, it'll be seen as an old banger by your friends.(only amongst mercedes aficionados will it be seen as cool, and that's if it's a mint example)

For your money,experience and age there are plenty of better,cooler and more reliable cars than an old merc.

So not true, old Mercs have good cool value. Would need to be lowered though. (Easy.)

 

[Marvin16x]

Well, it might be different here in Germany but most of the people at my age really kind of appreciate and like the (my) 190.
Probably for it being a Merc, its edgy and basic appearance and the high build quality. They like the interior even more once I tell them how old it is.
I must add, however, that this mainly applies to people who either don't have a car at all or who have a "lesser" car.
One of these cool, good-looking chaps with a Golf 6 R paid by daddy will probably not even look at your old Merc.

And as ianrandom said, there's always the option of lowering the car and putting 16 or 17 inchers on. Many great examples can be found on the 190UK forums.