I recently bought a 1987 190D 2.5 turbo, which is great - runs very well, shifts fine, about 300,000 miles, under $1000, starts on the first crank...then there are the silly little quirks we keep finding. So far:

- Door Locks: the front driver's side and passenger's side doors cannot be unlocked with the key. If you turn the key, you can get them to push up a little bit, but not enough that the door will actually open. This is important, as I might be moving to a city and would like to be able to lock my car.

-Idle Low: The car idles at around 500 rpm and is obviously too low...the car doesn't stall or seem to have any other problems related to this, but I'd like it to run smoother.

-Heater doesn't blow hot: Fan works; heat does not happen.

- Passenger seat will not move forward (but will move backwards...go figure)

- coolant level seems low (but we don't know of any leak)


We've just started really working on it, so we'll probably run into more quirky things in the next few days. We're assuming that some of the above are vacuum system related, but are not all that familiar with Mercedes (yet). Any suggestions or tips?

--Ilse

Congrats on the car. I don't have much else to offer on your questions, but it seems you got a great deal! Enjoy!

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This area is typically used to brag about one's current or former automobiles.

I have a 87 190d as well, and love my car. you got a good deal, and am sure you will enjoy it.

Regarding the door logs, my driver door does not lock as well. i heard that there is a little plastic latch that breaks, causing this. so i think you and i will just need to buy new ones, or take one out of a parts car. i am not sure how easy it is to remove the key locking portion from the rest of the door mechanism, but i bet it is not too difficult.

Regarding the coolant, i had a constant coolant leak on my car, which i first thought might be the head gasket. it turned out to be my water pump, which was seeping coolant out of the little hole in the top of it. once replaced i have not lost any coolant.

Mine was slow on startup, rpm's below 2000. once past 2200rpm it would take off (turbo kicked in) it would be really slow on colder mornings. once i removed my ALDA, it became a new car. not slow anymore. read up on how to remove it. it took me all but 2 minutes to remove it. well worth it.

for the passenger seat, mine also will not move in all directions. only some ways. i suspect the little swtiches being bad, and will get another one from a parts car.

keep your eyes open for a manual 190d that you can do a 5 speed transmission swap with. i have been trying to find one, it is supposed to be a very simple swap (no fabrication needed) and several have done it on this forum.

cheers

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Grey '91 350SDL 214k Dad's car
Beige '81 240D 4 Speed 254k SOLD
Blue '82 300D 225k SOLD
White '95 E300D 46k SOLD
Blue '87 190D 2.5 Turbo 315k SOLD
Brown '80 240D 4 Speed 716k SOLD
Beige '80 300D N/A 119k SOLD
Blue '85 300D Model 186k T-Boned