Hey Fellas.

I have the opportunity to buy a 1992 190E 2.3 with 113K on it. A guy I know buys cars from the Boca Raton, FL area and ships them up to Michigan and resells them. Mainly he just deals in Cadillacs, but last shipment he had the 190E. Word is (reliable sources) he only paid $5k for it. He sold all of the other vehicles he had in the last shipment and the 190 is all that is left. I really don't think he has put forth much of an effort to sell it. I went over to his place and he let me take the car with me. "Drive it around for a couple of days and let me know". I think I could get it for $5600. The car drives like a dream. All of the power accessories work. It shifts great. Almost seems like it is too good to be true.
What do you guys think I should do? Any tips on what I may want to pay special attention to?

(Larry Delor, you know who I'm talking about. When we spoke I don't think we knew that I could get it for $5600.)





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FrankieZ
84 500SEL EURO 87K
85 300D 267K (and still goin' strong)

Drive it on the highway and see if the differential whines, 190's tend to do that. If it were my choice, I would pass it up. My father bought a 89 190e 2.3 euro with a 5spd to replace his 82 300D turbo. Within two weeks of owning the car, he bought a 240D and passed the 190 on to me. I was disappointed with it also. It does not have that big Benz feel.

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'82 300D Turbo 216k miles

The price seems very good if it is in like-new condition. It does not have the "big Benz" feeling but it is a nice car to drive. I drove the 201 body few times and I liked the car. I don't mind to have it if it is in like-new condition in and out. I own 126, 124, and 123 MB (all diesel). I enjoy the 126 body the most. This is just my opinion. Some people I talked to did not like the 190E mainly because it is too small. But I think MB engineers did a good job producing the 190E model for a different class of buyer.

David

My wife has had two 190's (an '85 2.0 5spd Manual and a '91 2.0 4spd Auto and we both thought they HAD the big Benz feel and enjoyed them both. Now she drives an A140 which is an entirely different but enjoyable drive.

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'97 E300Turbodiesel "Superchip" 200+bhp
'00 A140 Avantgarde Auto
'91 500SEL W126
'66 220SEb Coupe (restoration pending)
'58 180D (restoration underway)

I drive a 93 190 2.6 - it's a great car, but feels more like an upscale VW/Audi than a big Benz. However, it all depends on how you look at it. It's a relatively heavy, drum-tight and very solid car. The suspension is great. I can't speak for the 2.3, but the 2.6 engine is smoooooth and has really good legs at highway speeds. It handles well - the rwd adds to that. The materials and build are top-notch. Mine has been totally and completely reliable. I hear the 2.3s handle even better because they're lighter up front and have the meat of their power ability between 50-75mph, which sounds great for everyday driving versus the 2.6, which is in its element at 65-105. As a daily commuter, I think it's a fabulous car - much more fun than my 70's and 80's diesels. As a long-distance tourer it might feel a little cramped - we opt to take the SUV as I'm 6'2". If the car is a jewel, I'd definately buy it for $5600.

The only consistent things I've heard about the 2.3 is that they're slow on takeoff when coupled to the auto tranny and that the engine gets a lot warmer than the 2.6 which can lead to cooked electrical components (rare) and more-frequent hose changes (they go brittle faster). I heard that from two MB techs at dealer - who knows how good they are... With a 4-cyl moving that much mass I might use a little water wetter, change the oil at 3k on the dot and keep occasional tabs on how well my thermostat is working (as it kicks on the supplemental fans).

$5600 seems like a great price - did you mention mileage though?

[This message has been edited by makakio (edited 08-25-2000).]

Yes, but I accidentally typed in the wrong mileage. It is 119,500 rather than the 113k I originally posted. I already have a '84 500SEL and a '85 300D and I know what you guys mean about the big benz feel. I still feel like I'm driving a tank, it's just that the tank is a little more cramped. Especially for the people in the back. Man, my 500SEL seems like I have to shout to the people in the back seat for them to hear me since they seem so far away from me. I'm thinking I may pass on it.

Like I always say "sometimes you just gotta grit your teeth and walk away from a good deal"

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FrankieZ
84 500SEL EURO 87K
85 300D 267K (and still goin' strong)

Frankie,

This question is coming from a guy 2 days ago said he could not afford a toy.

For that coin, you can reel in a nice 82-85 SD. That is a lot of mileage for that little gas 4 cylinder. I'd only buy it if everything fit just right, including color, shape, records, etc. YOu know the routing. Almost surproised that you're falling in love with the 190 when you have the 500?



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'89 420 SEL
'90 300 SEL
'68 Olds 88 Convertible
'84 300 SD (sold it)

i have a 1991 190e 2.3 with 82000 miles that i love,i think they are great cars,but have gotten a bad rap from the early 80's models! yes they don't feel like the big benz,but no other smaller size cars ride like a 190e!
my tech thinks the 190e 1990-1993 are the best deal in benz's,they don't have great resale value,so just buy it and drive it!
the only down side for me is they are short on leg room in the back seat!make sure you buy one with records!
enjoy
eek