Just bought a 1985 190E 2.3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DarkCompaniesE60AMG · #1 02-03-2015, 08:41 PM

So I am going to purchase a 1985 190E 2.3 on Thursday. The car is in excellent/mint condition with only 105,088 miles on it. It is Dark Grey Metallic Exterior with Tan MB-Tex.

Anyways, the owner told me before I even test drove the car that its not a car that I will be able to stomp on the gas and go with. So when I test drove it, I asked him and he explained it to me. He told me, the car accelerates fine, but once you get going, if you all of a sudden stomp on the accelerator pedal, the rpm's will go high and it will take a bit of time for the car to catch up with the rev's.

What could be the issue with this at 105k miles? Spark plugs? Distributor? Rotor? Wires?

Whenever I buy a car, I tend to replace spark plugs, wires, oil, and filter, because I rarely trust what the previous owner tells me about last tune-up.

bsmuwk · #2 02-03-2015, 08:47 PM

slipping trans

PARSHOOT1 · #3 02-03-2015, 09:01 PM

X2. I think you're getting a transmission flare.

Sounds like a nice Benz, and I don't want to rain on your parade, but you might have some more work to do before you shell out your hard earned cash and seal the deal on this one. Did you have the car inspected before you agreed to the deal? What does the owner have in the way of service and repair records, especially regarding the tranny?

pawoSD · #4 02-05-2015, 11:52 AM

Revving when hitting the gas while underway is not a good sign, shifts should be firm and the rpms should not rise more than 100rpm when in a given gear with power level increased (normal level of torque converter slip), more than that means internal slipping of the transmission. I'd price it accordingly. A very very nice 190e 2.3 is worth barely $2k or less with a dying trans....at least that's the most I'd ever pay if the rest of the car was excellent.

For reference I paid less than 1k for a 1993 190e 2.3 in pretty good shape but needing an engine replacement (had new rebuilt trans)