i'm being offered a 190d for a song, owner says that it needs an overhaul coz the car is sluggish. It does start easily though, so that tells me it still has good compression, means no need for an overhaul right? am i right in assuming this bcoz it starts right up?

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85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project

How many miles?

Might ask the owner for the issues he thinks indicate engine requires an overhaul. He may or may not really know.
Sometimes a difficult thing to approach with the owner if he really thinks the engine is bad and it is not. You might affect the selling price negatively to you by talking a lot.
The only other thing I can think of is having a good mercedes mechanic that really knows that series check the engine. A lot of times they are just fairly minor things but not always.
If his only complaint is the car is slow it might just be the car is slow. I984 model is especially slow with a small engine and automatic. Larger engine supplied starting in 1985. Or something is making it abnormally slow. If the engine idles smooth, starts easily. Athough it is warm this time of year so that is a limited test. Does not have extremely strange noises or excessive blowby and tailpipe emmissions look very low if any. Might be worth the risk.
Does the car look in reasonable condition otherwise? Or looks extremely worn with lots of other faults? So many things to properly evaluate an older mercedes.
Basically it is hard to replace previous hands on experience with mercedes diesels. I think in some ways they are built like no other. I also feel the condition of the automatic transmission is important in this model as well. fairly expensive to rebuild. Just my opinions.

i'll ask, don't know if i'll get the total truth though. the car seems in reasonable condition last time i saw it. it's a 601, a LOT simpler than my turbo 603. no head issues and all...

hmmmm, if it did have issues hard starting should be the first bad sign right?

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85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project

I would first check the fuel filters. Then clean the banjo bolts. Sluggish usually means something is dirty, stuck or dragging. Usually a fairly easy fix. Although I guess the turbo could be shot too.

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I also have a 190D with the 2.2...and the auto. The car is sluggish by nature...but it will keep up with traffic if pushed. The beauty of this car is you can ride the skinny peddle around town and still get mid/low 30's for mileage.

I'd definitly check fuel filters first and if it starts good and runs smooth then I'd say no need for rebuild...that's probably captain obvious stuff.

edit: no turbo on these. I wish it did...the motor doesn't come to life until about 2500 rpms.

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Matt

'87 - fj60 (mine)
'96 - fzj80 (mine but I let her drive it)
'85 - 190D 201.122; 601.921; 722.403 (mine too)

yup! im seriously considering the car bcoz of its low fuel consumption.

__________________

85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project