Whats a nice MB for around 3-4K?
 

I'm only 16 and my parents won't let me get a Corrado (drats!), the E30 BMW's look ugly so I turn to Mercedes :D. The 190Es look nice but I think I can get 300Es for about the same price? Are the carburated engines by MB more prone to breaking down than the fuel injected ones? BTW, I know about 4K won't get me a showroom car but my dad is a auto-painter so paint condtition really doesn't matter and me and him can fix up minor problems ;) Thanks!

Unless you get one in the early 70's, they are all fuel injected.

I have seen a few '88 and '89 190's go cheap lately. Nice cars too for what you get.

Good luck and be careful when purchasing.

Aren't alot of the 190s caruburated? Only the newer ones Fuel Injected? Thanks :)

No!
As I recall, only the 1984 190 (euro spec) used a carb...
anyone confirm?

You don't want a carb anyway! ;)

This is so sad and i'm so bored i'm constantly refreshing the thread :p Anyways, if anyone can confirm on the carburated ones that would be great. Another question, the 190E 16V, any good?

For a few grand (and some shopping around) you can get a pretty nice 300D. Go for the 81-85 model years; those came with a turbocharger. As far as I know, the general consensus is that 1984 was the best year. If you're lucky you might find a 300CD, which is the coupe version of the 123 body style. If you're interested in more information on exactly what to look for in these cars, take a look in the "Diesel Discussion" group.

Beware, though - once the diesel gets in your blood, it takes root and it'll never go away :D

- Nathan
'83 240D "Steiner"
'00 New Beetle TDI

As much as I would like a diesel engine, my dad doesn't like them cause they are too noisy and some places don't have diesel :(

Only the earlier Europe 1.8 and 2.0 use the carb. Most of the later (read: after 1989) models with the facelift moved to FI.

If looking for the 190E, the later years are generally better.

I was in the same boat as you a few months ago, The wife and I are expecting our first child in September, and I was looking for a good, dependable, inexpensive car to replace a Honda(sell it to drop a car payment). I looked a long time and found a nice clean one owner 1986 190e 2.3 for $3000. It had been garaged for its whole life, all service done at the dealer, etc. etc. I know that some people frown on the 190, but in my situation I think(hope) that I found a good one. Besides a few small minor problems, normal for a 15 year old car with 119,000 miles, it has already proven itself to be a good car. In the 2 months that I have owned it, I think I have spent maybe $300 or $400 bringing it up to a like new level, or at least as close as I can get it. IMHO you would be hard pressed to find an American car for that kind of money that would be as dependable as I have found the 190 to be. The above is only my opinion of course, but if you find that you like the 190's, with some patience, you will be able to find a decent model for that kind of money. I am certainly hooked on the Mercedes family now, as soon as we get the other car paid for I will certainly be looking for a newer C or E class car. This board,as you will find, is an invaluable source of information and friendly people willing to help the DIYer. Just my $.02 worth.

With the stricter emissions controls imposed in the US in the 70's and 80's, Mercedes phased out the use of carburetors here before the 190E was brought over in 1984. Even in Europe in the mid 80's when the "Green Party" pressured the big German automakers to offer the same emissions control performance in the Fatherland as they were providing to the US market Mercedes did not offer carbureted engines with emissions controls in Germany as the technical direction for the US regulations had already led away from the use of carburetors. So, to answer your question, you would be hard pressed to find a 190E anywhere with a carburetor anymore, and if you did you would be really hard pressed to get permission to bring it into this country for normal road use.

I have a 190E 2.3-16 from 1986 that was a European version. I bought it new and federalized it here. The job was relatively simple as I ordered the car with the US emissions system. It is slightly different but passed the testing required pretty much "as-is" and has been an excellent daily driver for nearly 16 years. It has 199,000 miles, is a 5-speed manual, and has relatively little of the extra stuff Mercedes loaded the car with for sale in the US. In Germany all the equipment in the car, other than the very basics, were options. Anyway, I have seen a number of them for sale on the 'net for around $10K that look and sound like well maintained vehicles.

The plain 190E as far as I can tell, and I know people with these cars from 1986 and 1987, including the Diesels, have found them to be exceedingly reliable and sturdy. Basically an excellent example of Mercedes design and workmanship. So, look for a while and be choosy, and good luck.

By the way, the prior 300E body style came into being in 1986, and cost about $10K plus more than the 190E at the time. It is unlikely you will find the same quality car for the price range you specified in a 300E. But they are also very available on the 'net and dealerships.

Jim

I've made my mind on the 190E. Should I just get the newest one I can afford? Thanks for all the replies and help guys :)

IMHO I would get the one that is in the best shape that you can afford. Not necessarily the newest. I would buy a 86 one owner with 120,000 miles on it before I would buy an 88 with 190,000. Proper service is important. Check the major systems. Transmission shifiting, AC blowing cold on all fan speeds. Paint and interior condition, sunroof operation. There are a lot of them out there. Try and take your time to find the best one of the bunch. Other than a change in headlights, I can think of very few differences between an 85-88or89( I may be wrong there). I have loved every minute of driving with my 86, I picked it over an 87 because it had been taking care of better, plus it had ALL of the service records with it. Patience will find you the right car. Good luck!

Should our friend consider only the 4cyl 190E 2.3 or also the 6cyl 190E 2.6? The 190E 2.3-16s I see for less than $5000 need major work.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD ... an excellent MB for less than $4000

When I was looking for mine the local indie shop advised against the 2.3, but that the 2.6 was a good engine, and I certainly didn't mind the excuse for getting a faster car.

About the 190E 16v, does it come in leather? I like leather :D Thanks for all your help guys :) Also, is it manual only? Or auto? My mom might drive this car sometimes :o