well said yhliem. thanks a lot for the info. i am just beginning
to be educated on the 16v and am keeping an eye on one.
cheers!!

How does the suspension compair to a 190e 2.6?

I've always dreamed of bolting in a 3.0 liter M103 in my 5 speed, I think that would be easy and fun.

Just a couple comments to add to yhliem's comprehensive posting. The 190E 2.3-16 is lower, wider, shorter and lighter than the standard 190E. Not only are the front seats Recaros, but also the rear seats (in my Euro model). The Euro models have cloth centers so you don't slide around as is the case with full leather seats. Horsepower on the US/Euro is 167/185 and the Euro model is about 350 lbs lighter than the US model which would make the Euro model feel like 210 HP compared to the heavier US model. The engine comes alive at 3800 rpms.

Mr Benz asked about brake squeak in this thread. Sounds to me like you didn't use MB pads.

yhleim- i see you're from b.c. i found a 16v 1986 model
but i want the car inspected for problems you mentioned.
where do i go, and who do i see? thanks for your help.

i didn't test drive it yet but started it. this car shakes at idle,
rpm remains hairline above 1000. opened up the hood and
boy it looks really cramp in there. makes me think about
how difficult servicing the beast will be!

hi joel,

yep, i'm a bc boy ;). i, personally, only trust mercedes-benz or myself with servicing the cars. some people would say go elsewhere 'cause dealerships try to screw ppl over, but we've been customers for a long time so i'm not really ever worried about that.

if you're dealership-shy, you could always try Performance Motor Group in vancouver. they used to be (and might still be) the AMG distributor for Canada.

if the car is a canadian car, i would say at least go to the dealersip to try and get the service history of the car. any workorders attached to the VIN number should be on their system. if the car is originally from the US, you may be out of luck.

Many ppl swear by carfax.com but i found their records on canadian vehicles to be non-existent. at least, they were a couple of years ago.

where's the car located, if i may ask?

car is located in vancouver, in a used car dealership.
they are asking 15k canadian. car looks good for its age
but am not too, too comfortable buying that old of a car
except for all that excitement in driving i've read as of late.

my merchanic actually is discouraging me from buying it.
rarety comes with a price, e.g., rear suspension alone
comes to 2k canadian, so i was told.

i am therefore debating in my mind, the formula/ratio
between, car + maintenance = ultimate driving machine,
but wait isn't that bmw.

$15K Canadian? it had better be a gem with no hits, low mileage and 100% stock.

i got mine for $17K with 51,000 miles on it and reconditioned by MB. 100% stock and runs like a charm...and that was 2 years ago

the rear suspension is hydropneumatic and can be suceptible to leaks if neglected or used hard. if it starts to leak, you could always just use regular shocks and firmer springs in lieu of the hydraulic struts and just block off the plumbing.

the list of things to check is not extensive...although it CAN be pricey depending on the fault. however, it's a benz like any other from that time and is exceedingly reliable for a car of its age.

if you want, i could meet you at the place sometime and give it a quick once-over. however, i am not, nor claim to be a certified technician. just someone with an almost unhealthy interest in cars in general and mercs in particular :)

Joel

I replaced my rear hydraulic rear suspension with Koni adjustable shocks and Eibach springs with perch kits.

yhliem- i've sent you a private message.

cool.

...and where do i pick this private message up?

nevermind. i found it *l*