Gents: This 1985 190D?
 

1985 Mercedes 190-D (Diesel)

$1850.

The short of it: Heater core blown, overheating problems, minor rust and a spray can finish on front fender. Mileage unknown. Owner says that he's a diesel head and bought it off eBay only to realize that he was too big for the car.
Walk or run?

This is the first 190D I've seen for sale here in WV and it's about 2 hours away. If, for some reason, it's at least worth a look and the price drops, is it possible to block off the heater core, remove the thermostat and drive it 2 and 1/2 hours home?

for $1850 run, for $600 take

Id run
 

Heater core is a pain in the A__ job , also the core is expensive. For that kind of money get a good one. Look a bit farther from home for a better one. Cheers

oh yeah, overheating problems on an early 190D, NO BIG DEAL. as in, no big deal to RUN

Why do you think the early 190Ds have a overheating problem? I have a early 84 190D and it never runs hot.

I don't think that it is so much that they are prone to overheating, just that IF they have it it's very bad news with the aluminum head. The cast iron head on the 61x engines reportedly is much more tolerant of problems without warping or blowing the head gasket. And yeah, I'd run; heater cores blow for a reason: lack of maintenance.

Kurt

Run... this car will take a fair bit money just to get it running, assuming the head isn't shot... For what he's asking you can do better.....It's a $500-$700 car in my opinion.

yeah, this is what i was referring to

To be candid, it's springtime.

That means all the POS cars are in bloom.

Wait and save your money for a better one.

Thanks, folks.

I didn't realize this had an aluminum head. Overheating is definitely a deal breaker at any price.

Wait like I did in mid-september to buy a 300D with no AC. Got a good deal on it, and little rust.

This is so true! Folks who waited through a cold winter because their low compression engine wouldn't start reliably in the winter suddenly see a chance to unload come warmer temperatures. For a while I was considering selling my 240D, and I was thinking of waiting until winter just to weed out the POS crowd - even before the engine swap mine was starting fine down below freezing (not selling it now, I love having a W123!).

Kurt

The temp sensor that runs the clutch fan maybe at fault for the overheating ,no fan no cooling .I bypassed my ground to let it run all the time .When you do run em hot they like to leak oil also ,rear and frt main seals being the topic here.If you go through with the purchase I would check these items out ,if you dont have any oil leaks and the fan doesnt work to cool then its your call ,I would offer $1200 . and only if it has new tags and has a service record on the trans.The 190d Motors are a bit different than the 617 or 616, long lived but you have to watch them closer for problems ,leaking fuel delivery seats at the pump is one,tapping hydraulic lifters is another and chencey little fuel lines is what I hate the most.Non which trouble the good ole 617 design.Good luck.

Agree on the running! Like white Full-size bronco running.

That early head on the 601 has less ability to cool itself, and resist cracks than later NA heads, and is definitely living a shortened life.

I see added wires and electrical tape underhood...ugh.

I walked away from the same car with a 5-speed for $2000 last year because it had a suspicious respray, no maintenance history, and a bad half shaft.

There are better 190D's out there, and MANY more w124s, and w123s if you're willing to wait.

P.S. Sold my last Benz because I didn't want to tackle the heater core. Give me a suspension rebuild over that...

Well- I dunno... Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but I wouldn't write it off without more info. I had a thermostatic switch go bad that kept the magnetic fan clutch from engaging when it should in our 87 190d back in... 2005? I ran the heater for a couple of weeks to keep it from overheating (in order to research wth was causing the problem) and thanks to the fine members of this board- swapped out the $12 switch and the thermostat and have never had a prob again. (Knocking wood)

I think ALL w201s will have a leaking heater core at some point (what was MB thinking with that design?) and I know a number of people bypass it until they can do the job or get it done. We got ours replaced- and it was expensive- but over the years, even with THAT repair the car has cost far less than any other car we have owned to maintain.

I see it's plumbed for ac but he doesn't mention it- probably not working. He also doesn't list miles, smoke, rust, etc. But it is the 2.2- so if running right should get good mpg. It might be worth checking out if you're interested in a 190d and all of the "possible" issues could be considered in an offer. They are really rare- probably because those who have them aren't interested in parting with them with fuel prices climbing. We've been really happy with ours. I think if I saw another one for the $500-600 prices some are describing, I'd be tempted to pick it up as a spare or something...