Runaround W201

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stats007

MB Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 10, 2003
Messages
5,879
Location
Hampshire
Car
575M
I've been offered a 1989 F plate W201 190E and am thinking of buying it as a runaround whilst looking for another car. Is there anything to specifically check for on these?

I've seen photos and all paint seems original with no rust. It's a manual, 85k miles and has had a recent MoT and oil service apparantly. 3 previous owners with a stamped log book but no invoices just some old MoTs. Not expecting much for the price to be honest but if it runs for 6 months that's fine by me. It has electric windows but assume they all did as not optioned?

VIN WDB2010232F610531
Model 190
Chassis 2010232F610531
Engine 102924 20 055888
Transmission 717411 01 229626
Order 0 9 537 49115
Approx. year 1989
Lights BOSCH
Wiper BOSCH
Cab 00395
Dealer Great Britain (537)
Interior cloth grey (068)
Paint
147 arctic white (T) (с 01.01.1985 по 31.12.1993)
Options
238 city drive light for Great Britain (с 01.06.1986 по 31.10.1989)
286 luggage nets on front seat backrests (с 01.01.1962)
341 additional lamp (с 01.09.1982)
362
400 folding armrest in the rear (с 01.09.1981)
412 electric sliding roof with tilting device (с 01.07.1983)
428 manual five-speed transmission (с 01.01.1970)
467 central locking system and instruments with english lettering (с 01.04.1970 по 31.10.1993)
470 anti-lock braking system (abs) (с 01.06.1978 по 31.10.1993)
524 paintcoat preservation (с 01.01.1964)
593 heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (single-sheet safety glass), band filter
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, single pane safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
613 lamp unit, asymmetrical, l.h. traffic (с 01.02.1963)
876 rear door contaCTS and lamp above rear window (с 01.07.1964 по 31.10.1993)
 
I've been offered a 1989 F plate W201 190E and am thinking of buying it as a runaround whilst looking for another car. Is there anything to specifically check for on these?

I've seen photos and all paint seems original with no rust. It's a manual, 85k miles and has had a recent MoT and oil service apparantly. 3 previous owners with a stamped log book but no invoices just some old MoTs. Not expecting much for the price to be honest but if it runs for 6 months that's fine by me. It has electric windows but assume they all did as not optioned?

VIN WDB2010232F610531
Model 190
Chassis 2010232F610531
Engine 102924 20 055888
Transmission 717411 01 229626
Order 0 9 537 49115
Approx. year 1989
Lights BOSCH
Wiper BOSCH
Cab 00395
Dealer Great Britain (537)
Interior cloth grey (068)
Paint
147 arctic white (T) (с 01.01.1985 по 31.12.1993)
Options
238 city drive light for Great Britain (с 01.06.1986 по 31.10.1989)
286 luggage nets on front seat backrests (с 01.01.1962)
341 additional lamp (с 01.09.1982)
362
400 folding armrest in the rear (с 01.09.1981)
412 electric sliding roof with tilting device (с 01.07.1983)
428 manual five-speed transmission (с 01.01.1970)
467 central locking system and instruments with english lettering (с 01.04.1970 по 31.10.1993)
470 anti-lock braking system (abs) (с 01.06.1978 по 31.10.1993)
524 paintcoat preservation (с 01.01.1964)
593 heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (single-sheet safety glass), band filter
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, single pane safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
613 lamp unit, asymmetrical, l.h. traffic (с 01.02.1963)
876 rear door contaCTS and lamp above rear window (с 01.07.1964 по 31.10.1993)

Hi Stats,

Wouldn't pay a fortune for it as it's a manual - even with 85k miles I reckon about £1000-1200 would be all of it's money, that's if it's otherwise mint as it really should be with the mileage. Ideally much cheaper of course ;)

There's quite a bit of info on here of what to check for, if the car is situated locally I'll happily glance an eye over it for you :)

Theoretically, it should be a superb example if it's been well maintained, and should give many years of good service, let alone 6 months!

Will
 
I have an auto for sale.

Its in great nick. Give me a buzz if your are interested.
 
Sounds like a bargain Stats :)

As long as there is no impending doom it's motoring at it's cheapist.

Let me know if you need anything?

Will
 
Cheers Will. Looks pretty much the same as the one I've been offered and this one is around the corner (literally) and not in Scotland.
 
Of course, just noting that £500 is a bargain from the details you've given ;)

Good luck :)

Will
 
At £500 just the things that will halt it in its tracks/ require money spent---- cylinder head gasket,broken front springs, EZL ignition unit, cat/exhaust, battery, tyres, clutch. Apart from CHG none a problem individually but can begin to add up if they all need doing.
 
No cat at this age is there? Can check all of the other things pretty easily - main concern was rust areas - sills etc.
 
Electric window's would I think have been an option, I reckon you'll get your six months and sell it on for £501.00:D :D
 
Last edited:
No cat at this age is there? Can check all of the other things pretty easily - main concern was rust areas - sills etc.
At 1989 you are probably correct about the cat. There was a brief transition period when some had some hadn't. The German market cars were the first European cars to be equipped with cats I think around that time. I forgot to mention the "jumping" wiper mechanism and the engine timing chain but again should be duplex by then - easy check thro the cam cover oil filler cap. Structural rust tends to start round the rear jacking points. Dont think the rear subframe mounting points are such an issue as on the w124 series but any clonks or sensation of weight transfer on a test drive merit further investigation.;)
 
You can get very late, good condition 190 petrols for £700 now. The last ones are the best.

What's happened to the Maserati Stats?
 
Have you driven it Stats?

If anything like my experiences it will be a major shock to the system! Don't think I could hack 6 months in one.
 
If anything like my experiences it will be a major shock to the system! Don't think I could hack 6 months in one.


Why not? I had one as a loaner recently, it was fine, I've had two, one from new (K reg) and one secondhand, both 190E 2.00's....both v. fine cars!!
 
Right then, a 190 with 85K, service history, long MOT and fresh oil for a monkey? Sounds like a no-brainer to me. Buy it. It'll get snapped up for the same money through the small ads of the local paper when you want to move it on.

Just my £0.02..

Cheers,

Gaz
 
Why not? I had one as a loaner recently, it was fine, I've had two, one from new (K reg) and one secondhand, both 190E 2.00's....both v. fine cars!!

I had two different 190s as loaner cars while I had the C230K and found both a real contrast from anything else I had driven. Absolute boat like handling and slop-o-matics.

I'm not saying there are not some very nice tight 190s out there, but I don't think thats how I would describe a typical 190 as being discussed here. I simply wondered if Stats had driven this one or one like it recently.

SL to Porsche to Maser to 190 (I know as a temp runabout) is going to be a major shock.
 
Undoubtedly you can't really compare £20-30K cars to a £500 190, but if you need a 'runaround' car, I can't really think of anything better for the money.

To be honest, if it's been well maintained and has a genuine mileage of 85K it should be tight as a drum, certainly one of the major engineering points of the W201 was the multi-link rear suspension which was carried forward to the newer generations of MB cars.

Obviously biased ;), but if my understanding of Stats007's requirements are right it'll be just fine :)

Will
 
I had two different 190s as loaner cars while I had the C230K and found both a real contrast from anything else I had driven. Absolute boat like handling and slop-o-matics.

I'm not saying there are not some very nice tight 190s out there, but I don't think thats how I would describe a typical 190 as being discussed here. I simply wondered if Stats had driven this one or one like it recently.

SL to Porsche to Maser to 190 (I know as a temp runabout) is going to be a major shock.

I have to totally agree with Mr Graham. I have gone from a Boxster S 986 to a Boxster S 987 and now I'm in a cheap £700 Saab 9-3. It's really great condition and even has working Aircon!

But its awful, really sloppy slow and drinks more juice than the Porsche!
I know its really diffcult to compair such vehicals but I can't wait to get rid of this Saab ASAP!

Best of luck with the 190 if you go for it, but I be it won't be for long....... ;)
 

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