Any 201 fans, I need advice.

[crs82]

I have a line on a '93 Sportline Limited Edition. Good tires. AC and heat work. Original seats and carbon fiber inserts still there. Good body, no rust. Transmission still works well. Only $1500.
The kicker: 290,000 miles. I know these cars will run "almost" forever, but am I playing Russian roulette here?
Talk me into (or out of) this car.
Thanks for any help.

[lsmalley]

pictures?

[crs82]

O.K. Seems as if the Sportline is now off the market. Was there just an hour ago. Still a question of how many miles is too many to consider the car a long-term runner. I know some 300E's have gone 300K, but can the 2.6 or even the 2.3 go that distance?
Anything else peculiar to the 201 and that kind of mileage.
I don't mind high mileage (I've had some with 300-400K) but not a Benz.

[d.delano]

2.6 is a 3.0 - only difference is the cylinders have less volume. So to answer your question, yes the 2.6 m103 engines are likely to last just as long as the 3.0s. Depends on how it has been treated, naturally. If anything, since the 2.6 makes less power than the 3.0, the internals and the rest of the drivetrain are under less stress so theoretically they should last even longer. Less power usually equals marginally better reliability and longevity. But only marginally at best, and only theoretically.
For $1500 I'd buy it right up. You never said anything about what it looked like however. I'd only buy old MBs that don't look their age. If it's got a sun-baked cracked trashed ragged-out faded interior I'd probably pass. If it needed paint I'd pass. If it smelled like pee I'd pass. But for 1500 bones I'd have to think long and hard about it, might make a great MB beataround. The 190Es are very nimble little cars (if the suspension is still tight that is).

Also, ain't nuthin' more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz.

[crs82]

You got that right. I add up all the "little" things that you would need to bring a car back and MAN, does it add up quick. New tires - $400 easy, new AC $1000+, shocks $500, basic maintenance-$400 in fluids and filters, brakes-$100 pads and fluids. And it seems every car I look at needs AT LEAST these things, usually more. And every owner thinks his car is worth top dollar in crap condition. No AC, bald tires, shoddy maintenance, crap suspension. It tires me out looking for a decent runner.
Thanks for the heads-up about the 190E.

[css190e]

@ 290k I would really think twice , If you can turn a wrench well and have a parts car
ok, I would shop around for a while and get a little lower mileage Benz

[lee polowczuk]

we just purchased a 1992 190e 2.6 with 70k original miles.

2,000 dollars

Needs motor mounts and probably a flex disc

lots of service records, however, few related to rubber.

[Jim's500E]

Get it if you can....the parts on it alone could be worth that if anything major went on it. Its a rare enough car.

I've seen a cream (euro-taxi) colored 5-speed 190E here in CT with close to 400K on it ! Throw enough money at them and they'll run forever I bet.

[DieselPaul]

M103s aren't worth a ton of money. Buy it and it if blows up put another motor in it if the body is straight.

[RANDY P]

Can you DIY? That's the only way an old car makes sense.

Otherwise, forget it.

rjp