1986 190e-16v
 

Some advice if you please. I am going to look at a 1986 190E-16V this saturday. The gentleman told me that the car has 155k mile on it . He also mentioned that there is a shifter problem ( something to do with a ball in the shifter that has gone bad) and that the throw-out bearing is probably frozen up. Are these things deal breakers with this model and are there some basic things that I should be looking out for? I am a volvo owner that is looking to make the switch to a MB. Also, he is only asking 900.00 for the whole unit. He told me that the repair cost of the shifter and bearing is 1000.00(mostly labor he said)

IF those are the only things wrong with it then it sounds like a great deal, a steal, a huge bargain, etc. BUT, I doubt very seriously that those are the only problems!

Go take a look but I would imagine with an asking price of $900, that it is in very sad shape overall. Probably a very worn interior, tired engine, suspension, paint and has probably been severely neglected for many years. If this is the case, the cost to bring it up to snuff would be way more then finding one in good condition to start with.

Lastly, a 190E 16V is probably not the best model to enter the MB world with. It's a limited production model with some very expensive model specific parts, ie. self-levelling rear suspension, Cosworth 16V head, limited slip diff, Getrag transmission...front and rear seats just to name some of the bigger ticket items.

IF the engine runs!!!! Then that(engine) alone is worth $1000!!

the above posts
 

are very good. i dont have personal experience with the 16v engine, but i suspect it is like other complicated benzes. worth the investment but if you dont have money to spend on parts and a lot of energy to spend on labor, it will be very tiring to keep on the road as a daily driver. if you are on a tight budget and need a car to drive you might be happier with a more simple model of benz, like a diesel with a stick.

but if you have time and money to spend a sixteen valve is a collectible that will in time be worth more than most benzes. they are really fun to drive too. i test drove one twice. it turned out to be the same car two or three years apart with different sellers. that one felt like it wasnt running right to me. it just wasnt as eager as i thought it should be. i felt that the ig or valve timing was off. the seller swore it was ok. the seats and suspension and shifting and brakes are absolutley top notch. very nice to drive.

tom w

definitely worth the price, even misc body parts are worth that. stock ground effects, door panels, center gauge assembly. all can be sold over the internet if the car wont run. you can tell the difference in the stock ground affects from aftermarket wannabes