Considering a 190SL

[Roncallo]

I'm considering the purchase of a 190SL. I'v only seen one at the MB museum and I fell in love. Right now I'm at a toss between a SL600, Ferarri 308 and a 190SL. But I have no idea about any of the 190SL specifications can anyone point me to a good sight. Or does anyone have any valuble stories to share. Any performance specifications etc.

John Roncallo

[cbdo]

Rather a diverse set of options, there! The 190SL was a pretty little car with an appearance reminiscent of the 300SL but performance was modest. It's highly unlikely to be a driver for you, but is popular well-restored or -preserved; the engine has a reputation for being pretty easy to work on (as it should, being a 50's 4-banger).
I found these sites with a brief Google:

http://www.motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/1222/

http://www.ritzsite.net/190SL/01_190SL.htm

http://www.mbzponton.org/pax058/people/photogallery190sl.htm

[Walrus]

John,

Roy Spencer has a good bit of info on his site, ourSl.com. He also has a few listed for sale. One article in the archives deals with a 190 resto/rebuild. Very informative reading.

The 190 is, of course, nowhere in the performance league of the other two vehicles you mention... Kinda like looking for a wife and wanting either a burnette or a blonde!

I have an acquaintance who has a 1958. Cute little car... I love it!

[sokoloff]

The best site by far I think is the International 190SL Group at http://www.190slgroup.com/. They have an incredible knowledge base on the 190SL there.

Len

[Strife]

I really like the look of the 190, but from what I've seen it is really slow. To the point where I think it might be annoying to drive every day, even if I could afford it.

OTOH, much of my decisionmaking on my SL was based on US post-1969 side impact beam requirements. I'd REALLY be afraid to take a hit from the side in anything, even a MB, built before 1970. Also, I think 1967 or 68 was the first year that dual-circuit brake systems were required in new cars. These things, seat belts, collapsing steering columns and radials IMO are the most important safety improvements in cars since hydraulic brakes. I don't know how many of them a 190 has.

Or maybe I'm just getting old. Hmmm...I didn't seem to have a problem riding in a car going 120+MPH on the street (a STREET, fer goodness sakes) - a 1969 Chevelle - with bias-ply tires 30 years ago...

[Strife]

Also, I don't think people realize how downright crude cars of the 50's and 60's were compared to today. Example: my wife say a Karmann Ghia at a car show and fell in love with it; I'll bet that once she realized that it is almost incapable of climbing hills without pedaling, had only 250-type air conditioning (2 windows down, 50 MPH), automatic absolutely nothing, etc, the love afair would be over. Never mind that by today's standards that car is essentially a guaranteed death trap at anything over a combined speed of 40 MPH.

[iwrock]

I have an SL600, and also have ridden in a 190SL. They are two totally different cars. First off, the 190SL is a bit old, and is a bit slow, but it is nothing that you cannot get used to after driving it a bit. It is old world styling, with the old world tech, that will leave you wanting more of its looks and quality. It also is probibally the most basic you can get in mechanical design, as they are a model from the 1950's.

Now, the SL600 is a totally different story. It is new styling with new looks. It will get off the line and go. It is a bit heavy, something that they could not carry over into the design/build of the R129. It is not afraid to let you know that it has a V12 under the hood. However, with the new world styling, comes the new world technology. It has all of the electric doohickys one could ever want/need. It has the adaptive hydropneumatic suspension, ESP, electric 5 speed, and safety of the legendary marque.

Both automobiles will be very finely crafted. However the 190SL is aging, and parts are becoming more expensive as they are relegated to the antique automobile status. However, you will probibally be in the same boat with the 600. I has just about two of everything, as it is two M104 straight sixes fused together at the crank. They will both truely leave you in awe, as you step on the gas, and drive into the future.

[Hatterasguy]

SL600 vs Ferrari now their is a comparison. Personaly I'd look for a later 328, I was never a 308 fan.

The SL600 is a big GT car with tons of power. The 328 is a sports car, completly different animals.


Test drive both and decide!


The 190SL is a classic, you just can't go wrong. Their was one at the local MB dealer a while back, it was orange! Looked good though.

John, it all comes down to you, and what you like, and don't like.

I have a 59 190sl, and a 59 300sl ...... the 190sl is a great car, and the 300sl is, wow!, a perfect car!

Get what you like, and want....never mind, which is better ..... it's all about John, get what you want, and forget the rest!

[Walrus]

Originally Posted by wltorres

I have a 59 190sl, and a 59 300sl ...... the 190sl is a great car, and the 300sl is, wow!, a perfect car!

Wow! My two all-time favorites! How about sharing some pics with us? Maybe put them in your gallery or post in a topic? Pretty-please!?!?!?!?

[antonino]

I had a 66 200 sedan that shared a similar if not exact 4 cylinder motor to the 190...very easy to work on, reliable, it went 275K before the car went to the bone yard because of rust. The 190 is a wonderful car, but as others have stated, sluggish...a much better option, I believe, is a 280SL, cleaner lines, I personally think it to be, along with the 220Seb coupe the most beautiful of all the Mercedes and much faster, with a 4 speed, than the 190...good luck with your decision and do, do have a very good look at any 190 for rust as it will eat a very large hole in your wallet if has any.

Antonino

[Roncallo]

Well thanks for the posts.

All of these cars are in the $30K price range. The SL600 and Ferrari would be daily drivers (nice weather only for the Ferrari). The 190SL would be a weekend warrior.

What I like about the SL600 is its V-12 power and all its gadgets. What I dont like is that its just doesent have as nice a styling as the 107. And my boss just bought a Mustang that will blow the doors off it.

So that leaves me with settling for a car not of utlimate power and reasonable styling but perhaps doing with shear beauty.

Ferrari 308. Beautify car but will also be blown away by a Nissan 3.5 Altima.

So I could give up on performance alltogether and get a beautiful 190SL. 0-60 in 13.5. See picture

John Roncallo

[iwrock]

She looks REALLY REALLY good!!!!!!!!!! Red looks really good on that car!

Don't worry, my boss has an E55 that will blow the doors off of all my cars. We are in the same boat. I have to find something German and street legal to take his beast on.

[Hatterasguy]

What year E55? Early ones are dogs comapared to the later blown versions.

You know for $30k you could get a 560SEC with lots of AMG mods. Maybe even track down one with a 6L AMG V8.

[450slcguy]

Hmmm.... Since I'm thinking fantasy, performance, and flair, have you considered a Porche 911? Not a Benz, but hey it's a real Germam sports car.