I need to get my daughter a car and there is a 87 190E available in my area.
Seller claims there isn't anything wrong with engine or tranny and the car is in
overall good condition, price is $1000.

I'm a diesel driver and am looking for any information on the workings of a 190E that I should know about before looking at the car.
Are there things that go wrong often that i should know about, things I should look for when driving the car, etc.
Any help is appreciated!

Thanks!

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Ginny in Denver-ish
78 300SD, 265K (mine)

Head gaskets can be bad if the engine was overheated. If there is a whiteish/yellowish gell on the inside of the oil filler cap or on the oil dip stick then it's bad. The other head gasket symptom takes longer to see --losing water from the fill tank.
And the same things you would look for in an SD. Windows all work, ac, ventilation system pods, clunk with foot on brake while shifting from D to R, blow by smoke out oil filler, blue smoke out exhaust, worn front tires indicating loose ball joints / steering parts, sun roof works.
If all good then it's a steal at $1K.

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85 300 SD ~ 115K
82 500 SEC Euro ??K
78 450SL 164K

What mileage? Any major work performed?

Tranny engage reverse quickly and smoothly? (<--- biggest item you NEED to check) Leaks? Oil in coolant? (2nd most important) Engine idling at 80/87C and holding strong? Fan clutch engaging? A/C working?

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

ps2cho did you miss the part about 1987 and $1000?

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85 300 SD ~ 115K
82 500 SEC Euro ??K
78 450SL 164K

$1000 could turn into $5,000 in 6 months if you take the car to an indy shop. At this point, it would have been better to spend $3k on a car with full records.

Just because the seller claims nothing is wrong doesn't mean there are no impending failures such as the reverse. It may be going out, but he is unaware of it. If that fails, then right there that is $2500 at most transmission shops. It might be a steal, but the wise man should be cautious nonetheless.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

I agree. There is no such thing as a inexpensive Mercedes-Benz.

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1989 300CE

But at a moderate cost

Engine lasted over 300K miles but I did have to change my volt reg on my alternator every 30K miles, ball joints every 50-60K and my Head Gasket was done twice (once at 74K and the second time at 285K (4-5 years later). I had a 91 2.6. What size engine - 2.3 or 2.6? The 2.6 is a little harder to work on but manageable even for a rookie like myself. Aux water pump went as well. I think my tranny finally bit it in the end but that's pretty good for 300K.

Hope this helps.

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1991 190E 311K [Brilliant Silver/Black MBTEx] -retired
1996 E300 315K [Black/Grey MBTex]

Want to put a tank in the trunk for WVO/SVO in the E300 Need to find a place to store my OIL!
Still procrastinating about the biodiesel/WVO
Made some biodiesel but so afraid to pour it all in - I've added some and think I'll supplement my fuel to see how I make out

Made some biodiesel but the process scares me - methanol fumes are not your friend! Need to do this outside.

My point is that an 87 for $1K is not going to be low mileage with records.

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85 300 SD ~ 115K
82 500 SEC Euro ??K
78 450SL 164K

You know what they say about people who assume....
I got my 87 with 81k miles on it for $710....

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Good deal. I hear about those every once and awhile but I never had one. yet.

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85 300 SD ~ 115K
82 500 SEC Euro ??K
78 450SL 164K