I saw a 86/87 190E 2.3-16 5-speed with 85,000 miles, clean engine, clean body, 16' TSW Mesh wheels with new rubber, original everything, it has a new water pump, new clutch is being installed today and new original alternator. It is being sold for $6,000.
I'm really really interested in the car... im in love with it! Can you guys give me inputs on the car, anything to look out for and how does the value hold up.
Thanks.

I have a 86 16v , I love it !! It is one of the most fun cars to drive. it bangs conrers excellent and top sped isn't too bad either, and best of all it 's a peppy mercedes that still smokes most 4 bangers and all mustages.
The only down fall for the 16v I see is, it likes parts, it always needs news one like you said in your post it in the shop getting parts, I think because of the stiff supension and high revs all the time things just like to break? So if you don't like fixin cars watch out.
Also value with this cars is pretty weird, Kelly's 2003 trade in value is 1300 bucks for a good onew/ 100K, and the prices I see range from 15K to 2k?
Do a search on the 16v here at mercedesshop and see what comes up? idle idle idle,
good luck
Dave

The 190E 2.3-16 doesn't seem to have the same "following" as the BMW E30 M3 and the market values reflect this. Most people have no idea what a 16V is...say M3 and people usually say, "Oh, yeah...those are cool, blah, blah, blah." Indeed, I like the E30 M3 too.

I've had my 16V for about 7 years now and have no plans to get rid of it. It's fun to drive, handles great and still looks terrific, IMHO. IF the car you're interested in is as nice as an 85K mile car should be, then the price sounds very good. Take it for a drive and note anything you think seems strange. Note how it rides, drives, brakes, etc. If possible, have it checked by a trusted mechanic. Ask questions here and of the seller.

Good luck!

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Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!

How about the 2.6 M103 powered 190E with a 5-speed ?

How does it compare to the 2.3-16V ?

If you install the 2.3-16v suspension on the 2.6, will it handle just as well.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

Neil,
Good point. I'd agree that it would handle as well...might feel just a bit more nose heavy, but probably not by much. And it would be much more refined...that's one thing I always loved about my old 300E 5-speed. Otoh, 5-speed 2.6 190Es are hard to come by, much more so than a 16V!

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Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!

Thanks for the reply guys.

Well, i've heard people say it is a reliable car. But then DaveCt said "if you don't like fixing cars, watch out." . The thing is, i'm trying to convince my parents into buying it, and they want to know if its reliable and so on...because my W210 E320 has had its shares of problems, so my parents would be rather pissed if they buy me another car that will be unreliable and expensive to fix. I know my parents love MB's... especially my Mom who have said a few times "oh, those(190E's) still look good even though its an old car." I'm planning in keeping the car for about 5-7yrs as a daily car... so i need it to be reliable, easy on fuel yet it still has the fun factor in it.

Based on your criteria, I would steer you toward a 2.6 instead. The 16V is reliable but requires maintenance and you should be willing to spend time at oil changes looking things over. The valves should be checked every 15K, fluids should be changed regularly, etc.

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Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!

I would get a 2.6, but it doesn't look as good as the 2.3-16. i wouldn't mind changing small stuff like fluids regularly and taking the car to a mechanic to get the valves checked. I know that the car right now is at the shop getting all those things checked and getting new fluids and so on.

Very true about how it looks, but overall the 2.6 will be much easier to maintain. If you really want a 16V be sure you get one in the best possible condition to start with. Don't buy one that needs a "little work" to save money, in the end, you'll spend way more fixing it up.

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Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!

hmmm.. ok.
In terms of power, how do those car differ? Do they make the 2.6 in 5 speed?

On paper, the power is similar, however, the 16V has more favorable gearing and will generally pull away from a 2.6. A 5-speed was available with the 2.6 but they are rare and hard to find. If you're patient, I'm sure you'll be able to find one but it may take months.

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Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!

get the 16v it's really kool car, I have raced a bunch of 2.6
and they are way slower then the 16v , plus the 16v has
a higher speedo and tach ,and 3 extra gauges in the center,
you can watch oil press.oil temp,water temp, volts, tach,manifold press, all with idiot lights too ! its like a airplane you know whats going on with the engine pretty quick,
the 2.6 also has the w201 spindles and brakes, bearings
16v has biger brakes, bearings, reinforced spindles, big sways bars,lower thicker springs, tighter streering box,LSD, close ratio tranny, cosworth racing head, headers, better seats and door panels, and can't for get the real kool body kit ,ground effets
wing, wider rims, I sure i forgot a few things too
It is hands down a better car then the 2.6
my 2 cents

While I can't speak from experience re: THAT (5.0-killer) claim, I would pick a 2.3-16V hands down over a 2.6 (my first Mercedes-Benz).

I can speak from experience I have a 190E 2.6 5-SPEED with a sportline suspension, staggered rims 16x7 & 16x8, Toyo Proxes, DTM stainless sport exhaust This car is a BLAST to drive !!!!!!!!
and I do THRASH IT !!!!!!!!!! and it NEVER BREAKS. I AutoX IT and it NEVER BREAKS. I TRACK it and it NEVER BREAKS !!!!!!!!!! I drive it every day on lots of twisties and it always entertains me !!!!!!
AND IF EVER THAT IS NOT ENOUGH, I GET OUT THE 500E :p :p :p

hahaha.. thats the stuff i wanna hear!