What model do you think this is??
 

There's a local car lot that has this Euro model Mercedes... purportedly a 1985, bought at auction from a charity donation. I'm kind of interested in it, but don't want to buy anything blind. Can anyone pin a chassis type on this, and maybe tell what engine is in it?

The engine compartment looks a bit more cramped than my 240D. Opinions on reliability/mechanical robustness for a model like this? Things to look out for? Thanks,

Kurt

Looks like an '86-'88 190D 2.5na W201.

I'm not entirely sure which years were offered with the 2.5 (OM602) non-turbo, but in '87 they offered it in the US with a 5-speed manual, kind of cool. I think that the '85 had the 4-cylinder (not sure though).

Otherwise a fairly common US model (this car has US lights, an interior shot might reveal more about whether it's a Euro-market car).

I don't remember the model from which those wheels came, but not this W201. Possibly aftermarket.

Also, the ABS was common in the US, not sure on the euros (optional).

Turbo and automatic in 87. 5-speed manual was available all other years.

The ad for that car says it's a rare 5 speed.

Just about every car I ever look at is rare or so I'm told... :rolleyes:

That's a W201 chassis - OM602 non turbo engine. (in Mercedes speak)

The car itself is a 190D - impossible to tell exactly which year without the VIN, but it's a pre-'89 model.

If the car is rust free - it's a keeper. With the 2.5 diesel and the 5-speed trans, it will be very easy on fuel and will avoid the common problems associated with the automatic trannies. It will be much more "peppy" than any 240D, and will have a much more modern feel.

Rear seat room is limited - OK for kids, but don't ask your friends to sit back there.

Common problems (not hard to fix) are related to the power windows and sunroof.

Climate control and cruise control are similar to other MB models (if they work, great - but can be expensive to fix if they don't)

The euro-style trailer hitch is peculiar - you don't see too many of those in the states.

Obviously, the wheels are aftermarket.

SteveM.

That car appears to be a factory 5-speed model, based on the underhood photo. Everything under the hood looks to be pretty much factory correct - it hasn't been butchered.

The jack points don't appear to be rusted, that's a very good sign.

If you can buy that car for $1500 or less - jump on it.

W201, hmmm...
 

Thank you all for the info. He's asking $3850, which is probably less than a bargain, unless it is really mint.

How do these W201's compare to the 123's in terms of how easy it is to work on them... I'm kind calibrated to what it takes to work on 123's. With 123's you need the odd tool here and there to remove injectors and such, but you can pretty much go through the brake system, for example, without needing special pullers etc.

Kurt

It is probably worth it
 

For a nice daily driver in good shape with a potentially long and economical life less than 4K sounds not bad. I narrowly missed selling my 87 190d auto for $4700 locally. Thankfully I smartened up and kept it. If it runs good and doesn't smoke it would be a fun car to have. The biggest thing that can go wrong with these is the autobox , it is also the greatest drawback to enjoyment as it makes them a slug. So this car has none of those drawbacks. Cheers Dan

If it is 100% absolutely rust free, under 150K miles, and EVERYTHING works just as the MB engineers intended - then $3850 might be fair.

However, I can see from the pics that it is already missing some of the trim along the lower door edge, is missing the trunk badges, and has non-factory wheels, missing at least one centercap. These are not major problems in and of themselves, but are indicative that this car has not been maintained in the kind of manner that would suggest that it's worth $3850.

Half of that amount would seem fair based on the photos, unless the interior is perfect and everything is exactly the way it left the factory.

My 2 cents,

SteveM.

If it's a Euro car it may have not been made with badges on the trunk.

My '87 was a 2.5 turbo, and it was fairly quick. However, in 1987 the 190D was offered in a 2.5na automatic, a 2.5na 5-speed, and the only year available in a 2.5turbo automatic which was a 49-state only car.

I agree with other posters that it is a $2000-$2500 car depending on whether all else works and it's in good condition. Perfect would be closer to the $3800 mark, doesn't look perfect. Much less rare than the turbo model.

They are earlier W203 wheels. Nothing about that car screams euro to me. Even if it was it was 100% federalized and it is a motor/trans available in the US. So it being euro is kind of a moot point to me.

Other than possibly having a manual climate control (Euro) and thus not having parts available here, or a cloth (Euro) interior.

The key to unlocking the pedigree of this car is in the VIN number.

Get the VIN, and you can decode it.

My 2 cents - it's not worth $3800.

SteveM.