I know this is probably a stupid question and I'm going to kick myself for not buying this car, but...

I have the opportunity to buy an '85 190D 2.2 with 103k miles from an auction. I have bought cars from this auction before and they've turned out pretty good. Of course since it's from an auction, I have no idea of the maint. history (I do know the car is from TX) or owner history..

On the other hand, the good does seem to outweigh the bad: I know it is a one owner car. It has been repainted but from what I can tell it was not painted due to an accident. The car is reasonably clean and the interior is in excellent condition (no cracked wood, seats, etc.). The interior is MB-Tex (light grey) and everything seems to work (haven't tried the A/C or sunroof but will tomorrow..)

The auction started at $4500 (ridiculously high in my opinion...) then $3500, then $2500. Nobody bid on it at all once they heard it was a diesel (many of the bidders were dealers buying it for resale and I assume a diesel has no value to them..) I'm planning to go back tomorrow and see if I can get it for $1000-1500 (no more than $1500). Does this sound reasonable? It runs quite well although I didn't have a chance to drive it. I figure for $1500 I can't go wrong.. so what if the A/C and sunroof don't work: I can attempt to fix them and if not, leave them broken. If I'm not concerned about the accessories and just a good running car, doesn't this sound like a bargain? A 190D with only 103k miles? I'm not concerned that it's a diesel 2.2 because I already have a 300SD (1983) so I know what slow is like..

You wouldn't believe the people that will bid $2,500 on the ugliest and worst running '85 ford pickup or escort but will not consider a 190D. Ah well.. If their Mercury Lynx makes them happy it leaves more 190's for us, right? Guess who puts a motor/transmission in their car first??

Neal
(bhatt@ic.net)

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Neal Bhatt - bhatt@ic.net
'83 300SD 193k

My mother-in-law had one of these and she loved it. I think it was a stick shift; she was getting like 40 mpg she told me. Only had to fill it up once a month.

Too bad people have certain preconceptions about diesels; she sold it when they moved from Florida to New Hampshire, afraid it wouldn't start in cold weather.

My SD started last winter in 12 degree F weather no problem...although if I were to keep it outside I'd usually plug in the block heater; once I forgot but even with 15W 40 dino oil it did start.

I have no hand-on experience with a '85 190D. Based on the information I am getting, the 85 190D with automatic is very slow. You possibly can compare it to a 240D. Around town is okay. If you use the freeway a lot, try to test drive it to see if you like it or not. The engine is reliable. The automatic tranny is not as good as the 300SD's. A manual tranny is better and gives acceptable performance.

A well tuned 83 300SD is not slow. Txbill have both 300SD and 240D. He may be able to give the comparision between the slow and the not-so-slow diesels.

The bill for fixing A/C can be small or huge. For $1500 with all working equipments, top condition in and out, it is a good deal. You have to watch out for the automatic tranny.
Test drive it if you can.

David


[This message has been edited by be459 (edited 07-15-2000).]

I would be very careful. I recently sold a 1984 190d and if I decide to buy another one, it will be a newer model. I had transmission and A/C problems with mine. The 190d is faster than the old 240d, but in my opinion, the 240 is hard to beat for durability. Even if you can buy this car for $1000, if you end up replacing a tranny, your investment just increased by another $1500 to $2000. It might be hard to recoup this amount if you decide to sell later.

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300SDL
300E
300D
240D

I would not take it for free unless the AC blew ice cold and all the different positions of the climate control work.

The motor is a crapshoot - if it has a lot of short trips or the oil was not changed regularly, it could be worn out.

Personally I would not buy a car without a service history or talking to the owner.

Chuck

What I meant about "free" was applicable if you want a car that you can actually drive, which includes functioning AC, brakes, transmission, etc.

At best, we are talking a car worth maybe $1,500 if everything works (DC trade-in value is $1,050). You cannot fix a major AC or climate control problem or transmission problem for less than that, so you are in the hole before you start.

Hence my advice - walk away and find one you do not have to repair.

Chuck

Chuck,

I was really surprised to hear that the 190D 2.2 would only bring $1,500 in your area. One in good shape might fetch $4,000 in the Dallas area, a 2.5 certainly would, and maybe more.

The only reason I can think of for this would be rust, and cold weather (at least perceived)starting problems. Do you have any other ideas why? Maybe diesels are just not popular in your area.

Take care,
Larry

When I buy a used MB, I generally pay more attention to the body/interior than the engine/tranny. I can do the mechanical repair at reasonable price (for the models that I am familliar with) but not the body work or the interior.

If you can start the car and the engine sounds good, at this low mileage, the only thing you have to worry is the fuel system, worst case, a rebuild FI pump (or a used one). Just to be safe, I would still look for any sign of overheating and the conditon of the cam (thru the oil filler hole). This expensive 4-cyl engine should last for a long time. A rebuilt tranny is likely to come, possibly $1500, to bump up your cost to $3000. For a price of $3000, you can have a like-new MB to go around town (possibly without A/C), not bad.

It has to be in like-new condition or close to like-new before I want to take that chance. I will wax it very month and watch it shine.

You may have different purpose or opinion buying a used MB. For me, it is not an investment. It is just for fun with a price tag of $300/year auto insurance.

David



[This message has been edited by be459 (edited 07-17-2000).]

Larry -

I went on the Web and checked Kelley Blue Book for my zip code and the car as described and got the numbers I quoted. All I can think of is supply and demand - there are a huge number of older MB's here. Maybe we could start a business ...

Chuck

Bill,

This is the idea: driving a like-new car without worrying about payments or smog test. Three years ago, my wife's 2-year old minivan broken down due to sensor failure. On the way home from the dealer, I convinced her to get a second car which does not have sensors and ignition system. This was how my first 300SD was born.

Hope you next MB is a good one.

David

TXBill, I saw a 190d the other day that had the little vent on the front fender. I think that is the turbo right? I wonder why they only made them one year? They must have been quick little diesels because my 190e 2.3 I used to have had about the same HP as the turbo. I would buy one if you could find one!

Well, it appears I got this discussion started for nothing.. I went to the auction but the car had mysteriously disappeared. I checked and they said the person never relisted the car for sale -- probably because they couldn't get the money they wanted for it!

I'll check back this weekend and see if it has magically reappeared (and to my wife's dismay I'll probably buy it...) I'll let you all know if it shows up again and what the outcome is.

Neal

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Neal Bhatt - bhatt@ic.net
'83 300SD 193k

Chuck,

Are there any rust problems in your area with the cars you see for $1,500? The cars here that have been here all their lives are completely rust free, not even surface rust underneath.

If the cars there are completely rust free, you may be onto something.

Larry