I'm thinking of buying a 190 MB? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

latitude500 · #1 01-22-2007, 12:26 AM

I friend of a friend is selling his 84 190 MB and it looks great for the year. It has over 240,000 miles on her and has had the shocks, brakes and AC worked on. He doesn’t know when the Timing Chain was replaced last.

I know its not the 80-85 MB with the sold engines and I’m worried about that aluminum cylinder head. I asked him if it has ever over heated and he said no. But what else should I look into with the 190’s. It’s a automatic with out a turbo so I’m not looking at a fast car anymore. I’m going to be giving my girlfriend my 98 Jetta TDI. So I’m looking for another car. How is these car compared to the 81-85 MB. I really like the new body style of the 84’s, but I want the built proof motor of the 85. It’s not fair. LOL

Does the 190 have any problems I should know about?

JimmyL · #2 01-22-2007, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latitude500

I friend of a friend is selling his 84 190 MB and it looks great for the year. It has over 240,000 miles on her and has had the shocks, brakes and AC worked on. He doesn’t know when the Timing Chain was replaced last.

I know its not the 80-85 MB with the sold engines and I’m worried about that aluminum cylinder head. I asked him if it has ever over heated and he said no. But what else should I look into with the 190’s. It’s a automatic with out a turbo so I’m not looking at a fast car anymore. I’m going to be giving my girlfriend my 98 Jetta TDI. So I’m looking for another car. How is these car compared to the 81-85 MB. I really like the new body style of the 84’s, but I want the built proof motor of the 85. It’s not fair. LOL

Does the 190 have any problems I should know about?

Well, first off, if that tranny hasn't gone yet, it will soon. I think those little diesel engines in the early 190's [2.2 I think] are pretty solid citizens. And you will get much better fuel mileage than a W123 or W126.
Those W201's are pretty nimble to drive also......
I would love to have one some day.
How much are they offering it to you for?

t walgamuth · #3 01-22-2007, 04:05 AM

if the tranny has had fluid and filter changed every 30k it may well be just fine. if not it is living on borrowed time.

the engines are pretty solid too. the head is a source of possible trouble as you are aware if it has been overheated but if not the engine may be just fine too....again if it has had regular oil and filter changes.

if the car can be bought very cheaply you might just take your chances and go for it but if it is more, a prepurchase inspection is a good idea along with compression test to determine the health of the engine. blowby is a good indicator also of internal wear. smoking out the exhaust is also a bad sign. black is to be expected as it is a diesel but blue smoke under acceleration is indicative of ring wear. blue on startup only may be valve guide wear. blue all the time could also be a fuel injection leak.

otherwise the usual checks of system function...windows, ac and heat, etc. if your list of things to fix is too long, the car will be a money pit.

good luck.

those 190s are very nice nimble rugged little cars. many folks like to knock them and say the're not REAL benzes but i disagree. many of the parts are exactly the same as on bigger benzes.

tom w

Ara T. · #4 01-22-2007, 04:24 AM

I like the W201's.. they drive MUCH better than anything Mercedes produced in that era... you can attribute that to a 500 pound deficit I suppose.

chasinthesun · #5 01-22-2007, 10:44 AM

I think youll be happy with the w201 4 cylinder,it has spunk up to 30 mph then slows the pull to a snails pace to highway speed ,but if your doing alot of city driving ,its a champ.I own an 84 and an 88 ,the 2.2 is slow like i MENTIONED WERE THE 2.5 SOLVED THAT ISSUE.Heres an idea ,get a 81-85 300 cd turbo and euro the bumpers and lights ,then youll look like a european snob that doesnt care what any one thinks ,just kidding ,seriously Ive put my mind to it to get my coupe this look and have put aside some money to do just that ,theirs some photos on this site that gives you a look of what im talking about.Good luck .

chasinthesun · #6 01-22-2007, 10:49 AM

Theirs a 300cd for sale in san marcos lattitude ,search craigslist.com for a 300cd mercedes ,it was posted 12-18-06 so it might be gone ,$3000 obo and already has the euro lights.greasecar kit also

justinperkins · #7 01-22-2007, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latitude500

I friend of a friend is selling his 84 190 MB and it looks great for the year. It has over 240,000 miles on her and has had the shocks, brakes and AC worked on. He doesn’t know when the Timing Chain was replaced last.

I know its not the 80-85 MB with the sold engines and I’m worried about that aluminum cylinder head. I asked him if it has ever over heated and he said no. But what else should I look into with the 190’s. It’s a automatic with out a turbo so I’m not looking at a fast car anymore. I’m going to be giving my girlfriend my 98 Jetta TDI. So I’m looking for another car. How is these car compared to the 81-85 MB. I really like the new body style of the 84’s, but I want the built proof motor of the 85. It’s not fair. LOL

Does the 190 have any problems I should know about?

I know of a pretty good looking 190D with the 2.2 (non-turbo, not sure of the year) that needs a tranny if you want one on the cheap (in Austin). It's not listed for sale anywhere and you'd never notice it until somebody pointed it out to you (hidden in the back lot of a shop). I was thinking about buying it but I got enough projects. PM me if you're interested.

JimmyL · #8 01-22-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

I know of a pretty good looking 190D with the 2.2 (non-turbo, not sure of the year) that needs a tranny if you want one on the cheap (in Austin). It's not listed for sale anywhere and you'd never notice it until somebody pointed it out to you (hidden in the back lot of a shop). I was thinking about buying it but I got enough projects. PM me if you're interested.

How much are they asking, Justin?

justinperkins · #9 01-22-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

How much are they asking, Justin?

I don't know, I never followed up with the guy after the first time I looked at it. I'll go check if you want me too, so you can decide if it's worthwhile to pursue. It's on my way home from work so not a big deal.

latitude500 · #10 01-22-2007, 10:45 PM

That would be great Justin if you could find out how much they want for the car, and about the grease car mb in San Marcus, I couldn't find it on craigslist. Do you have a link? That would be a great car to look at. Plus if its so close that would work out great. I'm hoping to put a greasecar kit in the MB.

Thanks everyone for the help, if anyone else knows anything let me know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

I don't know, I never followed up with the guy after the first time I looked at it. I'll go check if you want me too, so you can decide if it's worthwhile to pursue. It's on my way home from work so not a big deal.