RE: SOTW: Mercedes 190E 'AMG'
Discussion
I'm sorry but this is a poor SOTW. This is over priced, poorly spec'd and it has horrible wheels. Yes the AMG bits are good, on an AMG, but having owned one of these I know it will be slow and the box isn't great to be honest. Basically there are better sheds for the money. Still 190s were solid. I did a tour of Europe with a bunch of mates in a 1.8 190, we even took it up the Stelvio, although I must admit 2 of us had to get out and walk some of the corners up as it was too much of a struggle for the wheezy 1.8. I have fond memories of 190s based on that, but this one, no I'm sorry it's horrible.
carinaman said:
It doesn't have the Sport chassis options does it?
I like the 2.6 straight sixes. I'd have to have a manual, but I've been told and read that Merc. manual boxes aren't that pleasant to deal with.
You are correct. My dad criticised me the other day for the way I was driving my 190E 1.8 manual, then he drove it only to find that the drive train shunt and vague gear shift comes as standard. He worked out if you double declutch for every gear and change up at 2500 rpm that it is somewhat smoother. Sadly I live in Surrey where very slow smooth driving is likely to make people attack you with road rage for getting in their way. I like the 2.6 straight sixes. I'd have to have a manual, but I've been told and read that Merc. manual boxes aren't that pleasant to deal with.
Mine cost £700 5 years ago, and was the sensible back up car to the vx220 I had at the time. Now the vx220's gone, and I have a 10 year old SLK 320 as well as the 190. My colleagues all think I'm wealthy because I own 2 mercedes!
carinaman said:
That C280 looks just like a C36 to me without those bodykit wheel arch trims that have rust creeping out from underneath them.
I prefer 190Es, but as others have said that C280 seriously trumps that particular 190E.
My W202 C280 Sport with the C36 kit was pretty rotten, front wings mostly, behind the headlights, tailgate..I prefer 190Es, but as others have said that C280 seriously trumps that particular 190E.
Had cool double wishbone suspension and the 200bhp-ish 2.8 isn't a bad engine!
Papa Hotel said:
Do not want. I suppose to the untrained eye of a newbie petrolhead, the 190 badge seems like a winner but the awful "styling" tweaks and less-than-interesting power output and gearbox should have most PistonHeaders walking quickly away.
No, just no, it's all about the badge for this car, that's the only reason it's been chosen as SOTW, but this is a rubbish example of the breed. Can we expect to see a Ford Sierra Sapphire 2.3 diesel next week on the same principle of the Cosworth halo effect?
No, just no, it's all about the badge for this car, that's the only reason it's been chosen as SOTW, but this is a rubbish example of the breed. Can we expect to see a Ford Sierra Sapphire 2.3 diesel next week on the same principle of the Cosworth halo effect?
Haha brilliant assessment!
I'm sure I wasn't the only one to scour the PH classifieds after watching Harris's Hammer video this week, after seeing that stunning AMG 190E display piece that's breifly shown in the vid. Sadly everything in the UK I saw seemed to resemble this SOTW than that marvellous looking car at Affalterbach.
Not impressed with that car. Too little power and has been messed about with. The traffic light grand prix would be a bit embarassing! I'm sure there are much better cars out there. Must be hard for the Ph people to please us lot week week in week out though and at last it has prompted some debate!
Not liking this 190E, but do like the wiper/mirror thinking (there must be lots more cleverness in there).
From a mag in the early 90's, someone asked the top guy at Honda what other car he admired and why. He answered the 190 - because Honda couldn't fathom how they'd it so light yet so strong...(this was at the launch of the NSX).
From a mag in the early 90's, someone asked the top guy at Honda what other car he admired and why. He answered the 190 - because Honda couldn't fathom how they'd it so light yet so strong...(this was at the launch of the NSX).
monthefish said:
aka_kerrly said:
My gran used to own a 190 with the 2.0 carb engine and manual gearbox. It travelled all around Europe with 3 adults and 2 children on board plus camping equipment and other travel accessories which really makes me question the comment that the back seats aren't suitable for adults! Granted I recall many a trip when I was in the front seat with 20mm between me and the dash and a footwell loaded up to my knees but that was the done thing back then!
In all fairness the Merc was probably the most reliable car I have ever come across and given that it was a company car for the first 3 years of its life (1989-1992) then with my gran from 1992>2003 it hit 250k without significant issues.
I was a tit for not not having it when my gran upgraded but at the time I was 18 and a red 190 with a beige interior was NOT cool, so I bought a black BMW 318i with black interior and tinted windows which turned out to be a lemon but I was young/foolish so persisted with it rather that admit I should have had the Merc
Anyhow, for the money I'd rather opt for a C280 sport for sub £1k, one in the classifieds now with some Sport/AMG goodies on it
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Excellent find my friend. In all fairness the Merc was probably the most reliable car I have ever come across and given that it was a company car for the first 3 years of its life (1989-1992) then with my gran from 1992>2003 it hit 250k without significant issues.
I was a tit for not not having it when my gran upgraded but at the time I was 18 and a red 190 with a beige interior was NOT cool, so I bought a black BMW 318i with black interior and tinted windows which turned out to be a lemon but I was young/foolish so persisted with it rather that admit I should have had the Merc
Anyhow, for the money I'd rather opt for a C280 sport for sub £1k, one in the classifieds now with some Sport/AMG goodies on it
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Sorry shed - I thought your example wasn't too bad until the above poster trumped it (in spades).
The W202 is an underwhelming car, even in C280 form. The steering is overlight with zero feel and they are lightweight and tinny feeling in comparison with the earlier Mercs. Electrical niggles and rust on the body panels are commonplace. Yes, the 190 is slow but they are beautifully engineered and characterful little cars.
carinaman said:
There was a trader in Ulster that had a white 2.6 190E manual with rear wing and sunroof up for £1295ish for ages. 2.6 ones have added cool as John Peel had at least one.
White 2.6 manual? It's STILL for sale! Same trader has had it on sale for many months - must be at least a year. Still £1295. Worth checking out his other cars for sale - he seems to specialise in very dodgy looking 'barried' old tat. Riknos said:
Look good, shame about the auto / small engine.
3 years ago some mates and I bought a 1995 C180 manual for £250 for a banger rally, that was mint, until the prop went and my friend crashed it 3 times... but compared to today's shed it was a bit of a bargain really! Traded it for 3 beers to a Scottish lady in a bar in Barcelona. Her van had been impounded so she needed a new vehicle. I later found out she had got our C class impounded also.. Oh, and I left 5 months tax on it too!
3 years ago some mates and I bought a 1995 C180 manual for £250 for a banger rally, that was mint, until the prop went and my friend crashed it 3 times... but compared to today's shed it was a bit of a bargain really! Traded it for 3 beers to a Scottish lady in a bar in Barcelona. Her van had been impounded so she needed a new vehicle. I later found out she had got our C class impounded also.. Oh, and I left 5 months tax on it too!
My story is similar, but with a beemer.
Love the 190 by the way, built to last, much better built than the c class that followed, and and every other mercedes since.
Johnboy Mac said:
Ewan S said:
the drive train shunt and vague gear shift comes as standard.
Not standard, just worn. Engine &, g/box mounts, prop centre bearing, rear suspension bushes all seen better days I'd suspect along with g/linkage bushes. All straight forward jobs and not costly. (having said that I have never driven an MX5 and my other current manuals have been a smidge agricultural as you would expect with boxes capable of taking 500 bhp
think i'd prefer this one over the shed http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3873976.htm
Checked out the C280, then got into the inevitable circle jerk that's presented to us so temptingly under the 'Pistonheads also found' banner...
Pretty far removed from the Merc, but an intriguing proposition - a small Renaultsport coupe with 170bhp...
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Take your brave pills and you might get 5 minutes rioutous fun out of it!
Pretty far removed from the Merc, but an intriguing proposition - a small Renaultsport coupe with 170bhp...
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Take your brave pills and you might get 5 minutes rioutous fun out of it!
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