manual 190

[sawman]

I have been rolling around in a 1989 190e for the last few months, I bought it to keep winter miles of my morgan. I have been hugely impressed by the merc, and it now sports a full 12 month MOT, thanks to some ARB bushes

My original plan was to sell it in the spring, but for one reason or another I need a tow bar, and following a brief perusal of ebay (initially for W124 estates), I have come across an almost identical 190e, 2 years newer, but 20k more miles, body work in better shape, but interior less tidy (from the pics, looks like drivers bolster is torn). It's packing the important towbar, but also with a manual transmission.

I was under the impression that autos where the transmission of choice, but are there any particular issues with the manual? or is it just the auto suits the nature of the car well?

Also the tow hitch has twin electrics, which suggests caravan - should I be concerned?

 

[Tiff]

People say Mercedes manual boxes are horrible, but I really like them, and would far rather have a manual 190 than an auto, had 2 manual 190D's and a 200E. Didn't like my 230E auto, or my 300SE really, mostly due to the box, although I really like my Toyota auto... No issues with having 4 pedals in a manual 190 either as they have a HANDbrake. Nice relaxed long gearing too.

No worries if it's been towing a caravan, just check the rear springs haven't sagged and the shocks are in good shape. A clutch is easy and fairly cheap to replace on a 190 too.

 

[stwat]

The main problem is, as the bushings get worn the gearshift becones very notchy leading to many people complaining and thinking that's how they are meant to be. Replace the bushings and the gear change improves considerably.

I echo what Tiff says about the springs. My first 190 had towed a caravan and the rear springs had sagged considerably.

 

[sawman]

Thanks chaps, I might pursue this idea.....

 

[sawman]

so just popped in to see this '92 190, manual. the bodywork seemed ok, and is drove quietly enough - in the short drive I had, I found the clutch bite point a bit difficult to find and I kangarooed around a roundabout - some of this might have been due to the spritely nature of the engine - I am used to my automatic, which gently gathers speed.
a couple of issues - firstly one of the rear windows didnt work - either by door or centre console controller - so I guess either a connection or motor issue. Also there was some silicone sealant smeared around the top corner of the windscreen - could this be concealing a corrosion issue? or are there any known sealing issues around the windscreen?

 

[coalville126]

I've only had one 190E manual quite a few years ago now and found the clutch biting point a tad high and uncomfotable in town / heavy traffic, but didn't give me any issues over the next 40,000 miles or so. The gear change is slow, but precise, like on W123s as well. Some might call it heavy or ponderous, but that's only if compared to a modern fwd car.

Like most cars, rust around the screen aperture is usually due to a poor replacement. The silicone might just be holding a loose piece of screen trim in place

 

[Ian Donkin]

My 190E was manual back in the day - it was a 2yo when I bought it with low miles. I really wished I'd got an auto as it was the worse manual box I've ever experienced in terms of being notchy, but it was extremely reliable and trouble free over 3years and 50,000 miles of motoring.

 

[219]

If your current car is running well , you know where you are with it , and are happy with it - why not just fit a tow bar to it .

Last time I bought a 190 towbar it cost me £25

If you have to buy new , it won't be too far north of £100 for a bracket from the likes of Watling , Witter etc , maybe another £50 for the electrics from your local caravan/trailer place , and an afternoon of your time to do the job .

190's don't have fancy bulb monitoring systems or anything , so you can just tap into the wiring at the rear light clusters ( I normally open up the connector plugs and solder the trailer cables into the pins ) .

I towed with a standard 190E auto with the M102 and it was fine .

 

[sawman]

If your current car is running well , you know where you are with it , and are happy with it - why not just fit a tow bar to it .

Last time I bought a 190 towbar it cost me £25

If you have to buy new , it won't be too far north of £100 for a bracket from the likes of Watling , Witter etc , maybe another £50 for the electrics from your local caravan/trailer place , and an afternoon of your time to do the job .

190's don't have fancy bulb monitoring systems or anything , so you can just tap into the wiring at the rear light clusters ( I normally open up the connector plugs and solder the trailer cables into the pins ) .

I towed with a standard 190E auto with the M102 and it was fine .

Derek, you probably on to something here. my current car has a couple of issues, but al least I know what they are - mainly cosmetic, and this week I think a ball joint has started to complain.

I think I have gone off the manual I drove

 

[219]

If you ask over on the 190 forum

Mercedes-190.co.uk

You will probably find somebody selling a used towbar for reasonable money - or put a wanted ad in the classifieds there - somebody will have one .

It used to just be a matter of going round the local breakers yards , but not so many 190's there now .

 

[poormansporsche]

I personally hated my manual 190 not because the box was nasty but more due to the slightly offset position of the seat/pedals/steering wheel. Doesn't notice on the auto.

 

[sawman]

cheers I'll have a look

 

[sawman]

I personally hated my manual 190 not because the box was nasty but more due to the slightly offset position of the seat/pedals/steering wheel. Doesn't notice on the auto.

Its funny, now you mention it, the manual didnt feel as comfy as my auto - I put that down to the seat being stuck in a different position to mine