190E startup after a few years
Discussion
I have a beige carb model with keep fit windows (but it does have the automatic transmission) 
and it astonishes me how good a car it is for the reasons you describe. It is very light (about 1,200kg), narrow (both absolutely and, more importantly, relative to its wheelbase) and feels agile and eager to go. It is an extremely satisfying tool to use for daily driving. I was hesitant about buying a carb model but have been very pleasantly surprised by how sprightly it is: it's very willing from the off and sufficiently accelerative at legal speeds. I noted that the carb model develops its torque at much lower revs than the E (about 122lb/ft at 2,500rpm as against 131lb/ft at 3,500rpm). It is also pleasingly invisible (in a way that I should imagine an Aston Martin Vantage absolutely is not). Of all the cars I have owned and driven, my basic 190 is my favourite.
It doesn't surprise me a bit that your car has sprung back into life without any significant trouble.
Edit: and you should keep it, that car is part of you.
and it astonishes me how good a car it is for the reasons you describe. It is very light (about 1,200kg), narrow (both absolutely and, more importantly, relative to its wheelbase) and feels agile and eager to go. It is an extremely satisfying tool to use for daily driving. I was hesitant about buying a carb model but have been very pleasantly surprised by how sprightly it is: it's very willing from the off and sufficiently accelerative at legal speeds. I noted that the carb model develops its torque at much lower revs than the E (about 122lb/ft at 2,500rpm as against 131lb/ft at 3,500rpm). It is also pleasingly invisible (in a way that I should imagine an Aston Martin Vantage absolutely is not). Of all the cars I have owned and driven, my basic 190 is my favourite.It doesn't surprise me a bit that your car has sprung back into life without any significant trouble.
Edit: and you should keep it, that car is part of you.
It drives!
I bought a 2.5-16 a while after that conversation (September 2005), and I only sold it last year. That too, was exceptionally solid particularly for a performance car. My only complaint was that back then when I dreamt about these cars they were still quite quick. But by 2014 a BMW 320d was able to keep up with you and the dream wasn't quite the reality any more. The same is true of all performance cars from that era, though - E30 M3, Cosworth, Integrale. The 190 2.5-16 is a great all-round and everyday car, though.
Since you're involved with 190s - what do you think I should do with this black 2.0? Problem is I have no space for it. And the exterior has picked up some good scuffs and scratches from its time parked up.
And yes, "pleasingly invisible". Indeed that does not describe a Vantage. It's completely different to own although that itself is worth it for the curiosity. But you can't park in the street, you can't use it all the time (why? well partly because I average 18.4MPG), it's difficult in town. It's very firm on the road, you can't see anything out of it, it's very wide. Shall I go on?
I can't keep this car, I just don't have the space. I just need to get it to the ideal condition for moving it on - whatever that is. e.g.:
1 - ebay it and say "requires some TLC and an MOT" (I don't want to do this as I fear some fool will break it for spares!)
2 - Give it TLC and MOT then sell it as is
3 - Full restoration (not at all likely)
V12 AMG said:
Nice one!
Can't believe you still have that car!!
I had a 2.6 and a 2.3-16v and we spoke a little through the 190 forum about the differences between the standard cars and the cosworth engined versions. That must have been back in 2004ish...
Howdy. This conversation certainly rings a bell. Oh wait, just checked your profile, yes of course I remember you. How's it going?! What are you driving now and are you still involved with Mercman?Can't believe you still have that car!!
I had a 2.6 and a 2.3-16v and we spoke a little through the 190 forum about the differences between the standard cars and the cosworth engined versions. That must have been back in 2004ish...
I bought a 2.5-16 a while after that conversation (September 2005), and I only sold it last year. That too, was exceptionally solid particularly for a performance car. My only complaint was that back then when I dreamt about these cars they were still quite quick. But by 2014 a BMW 320d was able to keep up with you and the dream wasn't quite the reality any more. The same is true of all performance cars from that era, though - E30 M3, Cosworth, Integrale. The 190 2.5-16 is a great all-round and everyday car, though.
Since you're involved with 190s - what do you think I should do with this black 2.0? Problem is I have no space for it. And the exterior has picked up some good scuffs and scratches from its time parked up.
r129sl said:
I have a beige carb model with keep fit windows (but it does have the automatic transmission) and it astonishes me how good a car it is for the reasons you describe. It is very light (about 1,200kg), narrow (both absolutely and, more importantly, relative to its wheelbase) and feels agile and eager to go. It is an extremely satisfying tool to use for daily driving. I was hesitant about buying a carb model but have been very pleasantly surprised by how sprightly it is: it's very willing from the off and sufficiently accelerative at legal speeds. I noted that the carb model develops its torque at much lower revs than the E (about 122lb/ft at 2,500rpm as against 131lb/ft at 3,500rpm). It is also pleasingly invisible (in a way that I should imagine an Aston Martin Vantage absolutely is not). Of all the cars I have owned and driven, my basic 190 is my favourite.
It doesn't surprise me a bit that your car has sprung back into life without any significant trouble.
Edit: and you should keep it, that car is part of you.
That's an interesting read and I completely agree. They are easy to drive with the size, weight, visibility and power delivery. As for the carb issue, they way I understand it I don't think the carb version is massively inferior to the injected version except for fuel economy. But condition is more important than fuel delivery or spec isn't it. and it astonishes me how good a car it is for the reasons you describe. It is very light (about 1,200kg), narrow (both absolutely and, more importantly, relative to its wheelbase) and feels agile and eager to go. It is an extremely satisfying tool to use for daily driving. I was hesitant about buying a carb model but have been very pleasantly surprised by how sprightly it is: it's very willing from the off and sufficiently accelerative at legal speeds. I noted that the carb model develops its torque at much lower revs than the E (about 122lb/ft at 2,500rpm as against 131lb/ft at 3,500rpm). It is also pleasingly invisible (in a way that I should imagine an Aston Martin Vantage absolutely is not). Of all the cars I have owned and driven, my basic 190 is my favourite.It doesn't surprise me a bit that your car has sprung back into life without any significant trouble.
Edit: and you should keep it, that car is part of you.
And yes, "pleasingly invisible". Indeed that does not describe a Vantage. It's completely different to own although that itself is worth it for the curiosity. But you can't park in the street, you can't use it all the time (why? well partly because I average 18.4MPG), it's difficult in town. It's very firm on the road, you can't see anything out of it, it's very wide. Shall I go on?
I can't keep this car, I just don't have the space. I just need to get it to the ideal condition for moving it on - whatever that is. e.g.:
1 - ebay it and say "requires some TLC and an MOT" (I don't want to do this as I fear some fool will break it for spares!)
2 - Give it TLC and MOT then sell it as is
3 - Full restoration (not at all likely)
I think option 2 is the one to go for.
Try the classifieds on mbclub, you might find someone who will care for it as it deserves.
As for me, well i'm still dabbling with Mercedes and we do have a fleet of old and not so old Mercs. (One can never have too many!!
Day to day I tend to drive my S320cdi mostly. The last 2 weeks I have been mainly driving a beautiful 1992 200E which did come in for breaking but is just too nice to end up at the crusher! It possesses many of the qualities the 190 does and despite being a little larger it is still much much narrower than modern cars.
Try the classifieds on mbclub, you might find someone who will care for it as it deserves.
As for me, well i'm still dabbling with Mercedes and we do have a fleet of old and not so old Mercs. (One can never have too many!!
Day to day I tend to drive my S320cdi mostly. The last 2 weeks I have been mainly driving a beautiful 1992 200E which did come in for breaking but is just too nice to end up at the crusher! It possesses many of the qualities the 190 does and despite being a little larger it is still much much narrower than modern cars.
I'd go for option 2 as well. Apart from anything else, I suspect £500 getting an MOT and a bit of basic TLC will make it worth £1,500 to £2,000, whereas a car without a MOT is a £500 job. I'd have thought that your car's big selling point is your enthusiasm and extended ownership. No doubt you have a good history for it (even if the last five years are a bit of a blank page). You could trail it in the barge thread, you may get a bite there.
The carb car is not so good on fuel, about 28mpg. Plus, nobody knows how to service a carburettor anymore, self included.
I'd love an AM Vantage!
The carb car is not so good on fuel, about 28mpg. Plus, nobody knows how to service a carburettor anymore, self included.
I'd love an AM Vantage!
.r129sl said:
I'd go for option 2 as well. Apart from anything else, I suspect £500 getting an MOT and a bit of basic TLC will make it worth £1,500 to £2,000, whereas a car without a MOT is a £500 job. I'd have thought that your car's big selling point is your enthusiasm and extended ownership. No doubt you have a good history for it (even if the last five years are a bit of a blank page). You could trail it in the barge thread, you may get a bite there.
The carb car is not so good on fuel, about 28mpg. Plus, nobody knows how to service a carburettor anymore, self included.
I'd love an AM Vantage!
I got my Pierburg 175CD rebuilt by this guy. £165 well spent.The carb car is not so good on fuel, about 28mpg. Plus, nobody knows how to service a carburettor anymore, self included.
I'd love an AM Vantage!
http://www.carb-care.co.uk/
74merc said:
Noted for the future, thank you.Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff