Mercedes-Benz 190E

zingo

Does anyone have experience with the late 80's Mercedes 190E? There is a 190E Cosworth Getrag 5-speed with a 3.0 swap near me, and I think it would be a fun car, but practical at the same time. I know it's a late 80's car, but I've heard these cars and motors were work horses, and avoided most of the 90's electrical issues. Any reason this would be a bad car? I've been looking for a fun car lately, and even though these cars have zero chick appeal and even some car guys don't care about them, car nerds like them for the racing history, and for insurance and most other reason they are a boring 190E which would be nice. Any feedback would be great!

sda2mike

put an ls1 in it;)

nooshinjohn

Yep... a full Corvette swap and you have a mean machine:cheesygrin:. Beyond that, if you are looking for a sleeper of a car, grab a Jaguar Xj-R from 1995-97 or 2001-2003. Great cars, great reliabilty and will eat all but a hyper-exotic for lunch. Stay away from the v-8's from 98-00 as they had troubles with timing chain guides (nylon) and the bore linings (nickasil) wearing out.

zingo

It already has a 3.0L straight 6; who needs an LS1? :cool:

tonyb

Somehow that car screams for a driver with a big hat with a big fluffy feather sticking out.

Joe08867

They are great cars just look out for rust in the engine bay. Back behind the engine. If it is real rusty walk away. It is extremely hard to fix and expensive to boot.

Otherwise very rock solid cars. I would love to have one myself.

heiney9

...nevermind

/rant/

They are older cars and even well maintained will have various issues. MB parts are expensive and you may find since it's an 80's model some parts might be hard to find or unobtainable. I'd make sure the swap was done professionally and not by a weekend warrior, etc.

H9

zingo

Chatted with the owner, and engine and mods were done by previous owner who owns a local, independent Merc shop.

Motor:
low mile 3.0 swap
cam
remapped ecu
omex rev control
full exhaust

Tranny:
getrag 5sp
new clutch

suspension:
bilstiens
vogland springs
e420 front sway
cosworth rear
C43 amg 4piston calipers
big rotors
LSD diff

interior:
full cosworth interior(perfect cond)
white gauges
cd player
nice mids and highs
amp

exterior:
cosworth (Fresh silver paint)
smoked tail lights
smoked badges and emblems
custom grill
french head lights and corners
5000k hids
euro plate
factory MB plate holder
17in AMG monoblock aero II's painted to match

shack

I wouldn't touch one unless it was an original 190E 2.3 16V (yeah the 2.5 16V would be better but were never sold in the US). I don't like swaps unless I know who, where and when it was done and even then it would get the "fine tooth comb" treatment. Plus even then it is hard to get your money out of it down the road if you ever want to unload it. The 16Vs were awesome cars. I had a doctor client that had one and that thing was a blast to drive. If your "car guys" don't appreciate the 190E 16V, then I question whether they should actually have a car guy card.

dorokusai

I wouldn't touch it.

tonyb

Ditto

zingo

Because of the "custom" nature of the car?

WilliamM2

Maybe it's just me, but that is one ugly car. It would look much beter stock.

Syndil

The ubiquitous "taxi of the world." I think it looks great, aside from the black grill. That just seems out of place on the white car. They looked great on the all-black AMGs, but I would want to replace it with a standard chrome one if it were me.

Also since it's clearly been "hot-rodded" I would be concerned that it might have been rode hard and put away wet, so to speak.

dorokusai

Custom has many levels of meaning and use. I've seen daily drivers that were awesome and totally ragged out custom vehicles.

You'll have to go with your gut and inspection on this, as well as price. Those modifications are worth almost nothing, so if they're trying to recoup, take a hike. If it's fair, check it out. If it's low, walk away.

It's typical of a full Euro mod...kinda like JDM.

ohskigod

Top Gear (the real one) had this car when they did one of there used car challenges. James May picked one of thee in Gold. I know he kept putting it in reverse instead of first as first gear was left and down....something about faster 1st and second shifts?

get a used BMW M3 instead.

zingo

So it turns out that the "local shop owner" who built this car was Kent Bergsma. Now I have more thinking to do...

Joe08867

If Kent truly built the car I would be inclined to think the mods were done right. The problem is who maintained the car for the last whatever amount of time since he owned it.

Sherardp

Takes me back to days when they were popular among young guys

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zingo

Thanks for the input guys, and I will not be picking up this car. Too many unknowns as you guys were saying. I liked the idea of picking up a collectible Cosworth Mercedes, but that car is not it as it would have to be original.

zingo

Sherardp wrote: »

Takes me back to days when they were popular among young guys

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Nothing like cruising down Broadway in Seattle; much love to a local homie...

Timothy Smith

Be careful.

Open the door and see if it reeks of Hai Karate aftershave.

billbillw

Mix-a-lot rolled in an AMG hammer, not a 190E