Conversation with Neighbor - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mölyapina · #16 06-12-2013, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Assuming a perfect, well-maintained specimen with 80k miles, what's a....

Fair price?
$5000

Good price?
$3000-4000

Steal price?
Anything under $3000

I keep a pretty steady eye on the Craigslists near me and it doesn't seem like the W201 goes for quite as much as an equivalent W124 or W126. The W123s are all over the place

.

Zacharias · #17 06-12-2013, 10:43 AM

I am certainly no expert on 190e models but it was my impression (from previous lists where I was on, where gas and diesel discussions were mixed) that the bulk of the issues were with the 2.3s.

I have always heard that the second-generation 2.6s were vastly improved cars over the first gen, which apparently were referred to dismissively in Europe as the "Mercedes Citation" (in reference to the infamous first-generation GM FWD cars) because of their shopping list of faults and weaknesses.

All that said, they are not up to the standards of a w124, IMO. However, they sell very easily, around here anyway, not based on rep but rather on the perceived modern-ness of the package overall.

vstech · #18 06-12-2013, 11:20 AM

the 2.6 is a decent motor, M103 I think... the transmission is the same as we are all used to basically, and the general feel of the car is similar to the 124, just smaller, and tighter in general.
I have a customer with the 2.3... PIA... car. I can't wait for her to get a different vehicle for me to work on. ugh.

80K perfect condition example would likely bring 3K bucks to the right buyer, value purchase would be anything above 800 I suppose. steal would be in the 400.00 range.

shertex · #19 06-15-2013, 12:23 PM

Had longer conversation with guy today. It's a 1990, has 94k miles, always garaged, always dealer serviced, lots of receipts, one-owner car. Turns out the woman is.....104! She has someone who helps her with shopping, etc. three days a week and she INSISTS that they always go in that car. Sweet that she's so attached to it....her (now deceased) husband bought it for her in 1990.

So, sounds like it's not a question of if but of when....will make a nice addition to the fleet.

Stretch · #20 06-16-2013, 03:29 AM

Just in case you're interested here are my attempts so far at buying a W201 (link to buyer's guide in there too)

W201 test drive (and fun and games trying to buy a car)

t walgamuth · #21 06-16-2013, 04:59 AM

I'd start by letting them tell you a price. I'd let them know it would be loved and cared for. They have already made a judgement that you will be a good owner of it by their observations of how you take care of the benzes you have. I drove a gasser 190 recently and was struck at how perfectly benzlike it felt even though it is 500# or more lighter than the 300 and close to a thou less than a 126. I'd not try to steal it, only say mostly nice things about it and point out any things that will need replacing such as tires or shocks, or fixing the AC if it does not work. If they've been taking it to the dealer they are used to high rates to fix things.

I had a 1990 300 2.6 which I sold for no good reason about fifteen years back. I have a pang of regret from time to time but nothing to lose sleep over.

shertex · #22 06-16-2013, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I'd start by letting them tell you a price. I'd let them know it would be loved and cared for. They have already made a judgement that you will be a good owner of it by their observations of how you take care of the benzes you have. I drove a gasser 190 recently and was struck at how perfectly benzlike it felt even though it is 500# or more lighter than the 300 and close to a thou less than a 126. I'd not try to steal it, only say mostly nice things about it and point out any things that will need replacing such as tires or shocks, or fixing the AC if it does not work. If they've been taking it to the dealer they are used to high rates to fix things.

I had a 1990 300 2.6 which I sold for no good reason about fifteen years back. I have a pang of regret from time to time but nothing to lose sleep over.

Yeah, any sort of hard negotiations just wouldn't seem right. I suspect that what they will want for the car is something I'd be willing to pay. Everything works except for two window motors and the antenna.

But I'll just put it out of my mind for the time being. I'm glad that the woman is in good health and glad that part of her routine consists of being driven around in her beloved Benz!

The Gears · #23 06-17-2013, 03:09 AM

Hey Shertex, shoot me the address and I'll go by and check it out for you.

tjts1 · #24 06-17-2013, 09:49 AM

Theres a lot of misconceptions about the W201 around here. The 190e is a smaller version of the W124. All the moving parts are interchangeable between the two. It has no more issues than any W124.

The 190e 2.6 has a very tight engine bay. If you're ok with that its an excellent car. I use my 5 spd to travel up and and the west coast for several years. The interior is small even by sub compact standards. Many parts from that 1992 190e 2.6 5spd (transmission, struts, control arms, spindles, 400e brakes, steering wheel, gauges, sun visors, oh **** handles, etc) lived on in my 87 300D. Too bad I could not swap over the W201 climate control because its a far better design than the W124. Kjet sucks no matter what chassis its in. Eventually we got rid of the 2.6 and kept the 2.3 The M102 is far better suited for a small car doing most city driving. Megasquirt fixed its biggest flaw.

shertex · #25 08-02-2013, 10:37 AM

Looks like I'm getting close to acquiring the car....neighbor stopped by again this morning....I'll keep you all posted.

vstech · #26 08-02-2013, 10:58 AM

don't forget the all important pics!

Skid Row Joe · #27 08-02-2013, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

That's how I got my 91 300D. Saw it at my dad's retirement community....asked him to keep an eye on it, to inquire periodically. Eventually the day came when the woman's children persuaded her to give up driving. So I got it in 2009 in essentially perfect condition, 77,000 miles, for $4500.

You just gave me an idea - cruise the retirement home parking lots looking for old cars I may want to procure, if/when they become for sale.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Of course the likelihood of her selling it for what I'd be willing to pay for it is probably slim.

You never know until the subject is broached. Have your pricing in mind since you may have to do some gentle price coaching for the folks - since it sounds like they want you to buy it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Had longer conversation with guy today. It's a 1990, has 94k miles, always garaged, always dealer serviced, lots of receipts, one-owner car. Turns out the woman is.....104! She has someone who helps her with shopping, etc. three days a week and she INSISTS that they always go in that car. Sweet that she's so attached to it....her (now deceased) husband bought it for her in 1990.

So, sounds like it's not a question of if but of when....will make a nice addition to the fleet.

My Mom's mechanic bought her bought new loaded-up '96 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V8 17K miles, 8-years old, after she died. I priced it and sold it for full retail.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Yeah, any sort of hard negotiations just wouldn't seem right. I suspect that what they will want for the car is something I'd be willing to pay. Everything works except for two window motors and the antenna.

But I'll just put it out of my mind for the time being. I'm glad that the woman is in good health and glad that part of her routine consists of being driven around in her beloved Benz!

You're probably right, but you won't know until you hear the price talk from the family.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Looks like I'm getting close to acquiring the car....neighbor stopped by again this morning....I'll keep you all posted.

If the price is anywhere near what you could resell it for, then it's a no-brainer. As far as that car goes? Even though it's not a diesel, I could see buying to flip it. I think you're in the catbird seat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

don't forget the all important pics!

Absolutely!

shertex · #28 08-02-2013, 04:38 PM

Done. New Acquisition: Low Miles, One Owner 190E