190E 16v vs. 190E 2.6 Sportline Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ke6dcj · #1 08-30-2004, 06:12 AM

Other than the engine and transmission difference, does the 190E 2.3-16v share the same suspension and the 190E 2.6 SportLine ?

Thanks,
:-) neil
1988 E36T AMG
1993 500E

2phast · #2 08-30-2004, 01:23 PM

You did not mention if the Sportline was a auto or a manual trans. The manual trans sportline uses a 3.27:1 non-lsd diff (unless it has ASD) and the auto uses a 2.85:1 non-lsd rear diff. The 16 valve was available with the 3.27:1 LSD diff in both the auto and the manual and was also available with and without ABS.

The lower front a-arms are the same between the two (actually W124 parts) and the brakes are the same, although I believe the 16 valve uses the R129 hubs (for the larger wheel bearings) and the Sportline uses the W124 hubs, but the rotors/calipers are both from the W124 300E.

I don't believe the springs/shocks are the same as the 2.6l motors were heavier than the 16 valve motors, so its safe to assume the shocks/springs are different. The 2.3l Sportline may use the same shocks/springs as the 16 valve but I don't know that for sure.

Both of these 190Es use the quicker ratio steering box.

The 190E sportline has a smaller diamater steering wheel than the normal 190E and the 16 valve.

Thats all I can think of at the moment

Greg in Oz · #3 08-31-2004, 04:29 AM

I doubt that all suspension parts would be the same. The 2.3-16 has self-leveling rear which was not standard on other (non 16V) models so therefore rear springs and shocks would differ. Front suspension may be similar between the 2.3 Sportline and 2.3-16 but as 2phast suggests, the 2.6 would probably require heavier springs and shocks. Something I have noticed is that my 1990 2.3 Sportline sits lower in the front than a friend's 2.3-16.

Just a slight correction on the brakes, the 2.3-16 uses 300E front rotors and calipers but those on the 2.3 and 2.6 are similar but slightly smaller. They are actually the same diameter as other 190E discs but ventilated whereas the 1.8 and 2.0 used solid discs. Rear rotors and calipers are all the same for all W201 which is also the same as for the W124 (excluding wagons, 24 valve and V8 models).

Regarding the steering, whilst the Sportline has a faster steering ratio, I seem to recall reading that the 2.3-16 had a slightly faster ratio still, but I may be wrong. I believe my Sportline steering wheel is smaller than that in the 2.3-16 as stated by 2phast.

Whilst it was not part of the original question, since diff ratios were mentioned, I will add that my 2.3 Sportline which is a 5-speed manual has a 3.46 diff. The manual 2.3-16 has a direct (1:1) 5th gear whereas the manual 2.3 and 2.6 got an overdrive (0.78:1) giving lower cruising engine speeds. Wheels on my '90 Sportline are identical 15 hole 7x15 ET44 to those on the 2.3-16.

It is probably also worth mentioning that the Sportline and 16V seats appear to be the same, except that in the case of mine versus my friends, his are cloth trimmed without rear headrests whereas mine are leather with rear headrests.

As to how my friend's 2.3-16 and my 2.3 Sportline compare on the road, I believe his is a better "club" or weekend car whereas mine is easier to live with as a daily driver. Both offer superb handling. The 16V is potent at higher revs but with closer gear ratios and a taller diff is harder to get moving. The 8V offers useable low down torque which with shorter gearing gets it moving with less fuss and possibly as quickly up to the point when the 16V gets into to the upper rev range. The 8V is quieter and is relaxed and easy to drive. The 2.6 would be quieter still and with power output between the 2.3 and 2.3-16 should make for effortless driving. The M103 (2.6) is a lovely smooth motor and would be my pick for a daily driver. It is shoe-horned into the W201 though making access difficult for some jobs and probably compromises handling slightly compared with the 2.3-16 or 2.3 Sportline.

yhliem · #4 08-31-2004, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2phast

although I believe the 16 valve uses the R129 hubs (for the larger wheel bearings) and the Sportline uses the W124 hubs

Check this one, Rik. AFAIK the 16V was specced out with W124 steering knuckles and hubs. The EvoI and EvoII 16Vs had the R129 pieces though.

2phast · #5 08-31-2004, 01:16 PM

Hey Greg, noticed your down in the land of OZ, that does make a difference, as the euro's were different then our US cars, for example, we never had a 1990 190E Sportline and our 190E's from 1990-1993 did not have the 3.46:1 diff option, although its possible that pre-1990 190E's may of had different diff options in the US, that I don't know for sure as I only have MB data sheets going back to 1990.

Also, at least on 1992-1993 190E 2.6 cars here in the US, the front calipers/rotors carry W124 part numbers which cross reference to the W124 here in the US. Could be the euro's are slightly different.

Your also right about the SLS, completely forgot about that, duh!

Yhliem: Thanks for the correction on the R129 hubs!

Greg in Oz · #6 09-02-2004, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2phast

Hey Greg, noticed your down in the land of OZ, that does make a difference, as the euro's were different then our US cars, for example, we never had a 1990 190E Sportline and our 190E's from 1990-1993 did not have the 3.46:1 diff option, although its possible that pre-1990 190E's may of had different diff options in the US, that I don't know for sure as I only have MB data sheets going back to 1990.

Also, at least on 1992-1993 190E 2.6 cars here in the US, the front calipers/rotors carry W124 part numbers which cross reference to the W124 here in the US. Could be the euro's are slightly different.

Your also right about the SLS, completely forgot about that, duh!

Yhliem: Thanks for the correction on the R129 hubs!

Yep, lots of differences for different markets. As you suggest, our MBs are essentially RHD versions of euro models. I was fairly sure all 8V 2.3 got the 3.46 (or is it 3.47?) diff. I think all the 2.6 here got the 3.27 (auto only sold here). The 2.3 (which were rare here, most were 1.8 and 2.0) simply got vented versions of the same size discs as the 1.8 and 2.0 (solid discs). I was pretty sure the 2.6 got the same vented discs, slightly smaller than the 300E, but I may be wrong. 16V models were not officially sold here but there are a few around. Sportlines (which were sold here from about '89 to '91 in the 201 and a bit longer in the 124) were also very rare here (mine is believed to be the only Oz 2.3 Sportline 5-speed).

2phast · #7 09-03-2004, 04:20 PM

Your data could very well be correct for Euro spec cars. The US spec cars from 1990-1993 were as I stated with the 2.6 autos having the 2.85:1 diff and the manuals having 3.27:1 non-lsd (unless ASD was ordered). The 2.3l autos here were given the 2.87:1 rear diff. (or was is 2.6 w/2.87:1 and the 2.3 w/2.85:1, can never keep that straight

)

The OE brakes from my 1992 2.6 all carried W124 part numbers which cross referenced directly to the W124 (see the info on the link below)

While this does not specifically detail the W201 past the 16 valve model, I was able to confirm that the later model 2.6 used the same items as the 16 valve.

http://www.2phast.com/124_brakes.htm