OT: Opinions on old Mercedes
#16
Race Director
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I've got an '86 190E 2.6 and it was a pretty decent car for the previous owner. Drove it for 10-years or so with minimal maintenance. It's decently fast because it weighs only 2600lbs or something like that. The guy was one of those ignorant types who only took care of maintenance when it left him stranded. This last bit was too much as he ignored a clogged thermostat which caused a lot of overheating. Which eventually blew the headgasket. So I picked up the car for nothing!
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#17
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Danno
The guy was one of those ignorant types who only took care of maintenance when it left him stranded.
Scary when you think about it... Even scarier when you see them on the side of the highway with failed ball joints or tie rods
![EEK!](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif)
#20
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Kelly Chiu
Damn thats the original Becker Grand Prix radio... thats the first thing that has to go... they sound like tin cans. Its a nice car, and it has the tex interior (synthetic leather)... do it.
All in all, it looks to be a solid car, and I actually like the exterior color. If you can get that thing for $1500-2000, and there are no other major issues with it, it looks to be a fantastic deal. Does the A/C work?
edit: Here is a picture of the tex seats. Note the difference in the stitching pattern compared to the leather. Leather is very rare on the 190s, I don't think I've ever seen one in person, and I've looked at plenty of these cars (one of my friends is wanting to buy one, so we've been scouring used car lots and ebay).
Last edited by Nabeel; 06-06-2005 at 05:33 AM.
#21
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by michaelathome
If you want something unique look for a 190E 2.3 16, I would LOVE to have the last of the manual tranny Benz's
Michael
Michael
Last of the manual trannies? Not really...you can get a new C230 Kompressor sedan or hatchback with a 6-speed manual. The new SLK also has a 6-speed manual standard. Although you are right in that after the 190 was discontinued in 1993, no MB in the USA could be had with a manual until 2001, when a 6-speed became available in the new C-class and SLK.
#22
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by pcarfan944
I wonder if you can buy a newer Mercedes radio with a CD player to put in there? Most of the Japanese arcade-game stuff looks pretty out of place on these old German cars..
_______
Pat
86 944
_______
Pat
86 944
I'm pretty sure that a newer MB headunit can be placed there, but they get pricey, and you can't find one with in-dash CD. Try an aftermarket Nakamichi unit, they sound fantastic (blows away any stock MB stereo) and still looks as though it belongs in that car's interior.
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=13364
#23
Instructor
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by michaelathome
If you want something unique look for a 190E 2.3 16, I would LOVE to have the last of the manual tranny Benz's
Michael
Michael
#24
Drifting
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 2,597
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Look over at www.mercedesshop.com. Good forum over there. I would have bought a 190 myself, but I jumped on a 1994 Audi 90s for $2500. I used mercedesshop.com when researching a 1998 C230 we bought two years ago with 58k miles on it for my wife.
#25
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
had an 86 2.3-16v 5 speed before i bought my last 951. those cars have alot of vacuum problems with the locks. make sure the locks operate properly cause it can be a huge and expensive pita to fix them. mine only locked and unlocked from the trunk. also i think those cars always start in 2nd gear which kind of sucks unless you get on the gas from a shop. the car in general was solid, but the engine was noisy.
#26
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'd try to find a diesel personally. They're easy to work on and still can be made to be pretty quick. I know I love my diesel, and I'm sure there's mods out there for the old Benz diesels.
That car looks pretty good. It looks really clean for the mileage. Any service records?
That car looks pretty good. It looks really clean for the mileage. Any service records?