Buying a 190E 2.6 ('89) and input/comment/suggestion...

[chokung]

Hi,
I've been reading on-and-off on peachparts forum but never think that I will actually pull the tricker to get an old Mercedes here in the States. I'm originally from Thailand and back home W123, W124 and W210 are running in my family. I'm familia with the cars, but never brave enough to get one here during my graduate study.

I found a decent condition 190E locally in Allentown PA.; Mileage on the clock is 106k seem to be one owner. It is a 2.6l.

So far I only take a test drive once and look as much as I could in the heat. I found that the car drive surprisingly straight and smooth, much feel and remind of my first drive W123 250 back in college.

Downside are:
1. Paint flaw near gas filling area (seem to have a bad pour back in its life)
1.1 scatter clear coat fade on door trim
2. Blinkers and Hazard lights are not working.... (not sure how it did manage to pass PA inspection last month)
3. Auxiliary fan in the front not working (Does it actually only run when AC working?)
4. NO AC. (Blower seem blow normally inside the car, compressor is not kicking in as I did try switch on and off on that climate control)
5. Some trace of oil leak down from valve cover...; dip stick carrier is apart from it self; and with the heat, I didn't use player to pull out the dipstick to see oil condition..
6. NO parking break, the push button on the parking break handling is missing...

Surprisingly good:
1. All basic electric seem to be in a working order
2. Look well-cared in its pass life...
3. Drive nice, shift smooth
4. I open valve cover, and peak on to see the clean internally...
5. Doors lock vacuum line seem functioning properly, so as the climate control fan direction...

*It got all-around new continental tires; overall look good for the age...

Will this be a BAD IDEA to get as a short commute car ... as my current 03'A4 3.0 seem to need a clutch work pretty soon (sign of bad DMF).

Any input and comments would really help.

**I'm planning to go see another 190D manual, should be interesting, although this 190E 2.6 in Red/Beige is really nice combination!.

Thank you in advance

--Choat