RE: SOTW: Mercedes 190E 'AMG'
Friday 31st August 2012
Such are the perils of browsing the PH classifieds. Shed's goal this week was to find something suitable for anyone man enough to take on Ken Block at the Gymkhana Grid event this weekend at Silverstone. Well, not Ken himself because he'll be contesting the four-wheel drive category. Figuring 4WD for Shed money capable of taking on Block was probably a long-shot and something skiddable to take on the fabulously named Vaughn Gittin Jr for rear-drive honours was more realistic we found this unlikely drift machine, using the new classifieds search and honing it down to rear-drive cars for less than a grand. Yep, a Volvo 340 with a welded diff - the underground drifter's car of choice.
It's got the look, if only half the cylindersIt's there if you want it but en route to that Shed got a bit distracted by a rather more salubrious looking Mercedes 190, complete with AMG style bodykit to give a passing resemblance to the AMG Hammer Chris Harris drove earlier this week. AMG did in fact do a proper 190 back in the day, nicknamed the Baby Hammer and powered by a 3.2-litre straight-six.
A bit grey slip-ons but very clean and tidyMore show than go then but the 190 is maturing nicely, built like the proverbial and those crisp, angular lines look to have been very well preserved on this example. Quirky period features like the asymmetric mirrors and that distinctive single wiper with its telescopic, to-the-corners action have amusing novelty value too. Make sure there's no rust hiding under the bodykit, hunt down some period AMG five-spoke disc wheels and you'll have a very nice looking car. Admittedly one whose laid back, can't-be-rushed driving dynamics will be totally at odds with the looks. But, hell, if you're only going to be driving around town who's to know.
SOTW: Mercedes 190E 'AMG'
OK, it's not quite the AMG Hammer Chris drove but it's got the look and is yours for Shed money
It's got the look, if only half the cylinders
This isn't a Baby Hammer. Nor is it even a 2.3-16. Not even a mallet then. Indeed, with just 122hp from its 2.0-litre engine and a four-speed auto the skins of rice puddings are going to remain safe in the company of this AMG-lite.
So it ain't quick. But it looks pretty clean for the money - cleaner than the 2.3-16Shed was previously tempted by - and the 190 most certainly hails from the period when Benzes were built like Benzes. Four-door practicality is nice too, though rear space is tight for full-size folk, and the beige cloth and 'Zebrano' wood means a decidedly old-man feel, fugly 'sports' steering wheel and aftermarket wheels or no.
A bit grey slip-ons but very clean and tidy
Advert reproduced below.
190 190E 2.0 4DR AUTO - AMG STYLING - FULL (£989)
4 Doors, Automatic, Saloon, Petrol, 1993 L Reg, 115000 miles, Black. Full service history, Full AMG cosworth body kit, Beige interior, In superb condition for age, 17" alloy wheels, Good tyres all round, 12 months MOT has just been put on, 2 keys, Immobiliser, CD player, Electric windows, Electric mirrors, All the previous Mots to prove mileage, Full book pack, Insurance Group:13,
Discussion
disation of this perticular one.
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?
So.....
Not quick or entertaining (2.0 engine mated to a 4 speed auto)
Not a luxo barge (see above)
Not a future collectable (some non original frills and fittings - wheel and wheels)
Struggles to find good reason to think why a Volve 340 with a welded diff might not have been a better choice......
Not quick or entertaining (2.0 engine mated to a 4 speed auto)
Not a luxo barge (see above)
Not a future collectable (some non original frills and fittings - wheel and wheels)
Struggles to find good reason to think why a Volve 340 with a welded diff might not have been a better choice......
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 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...
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...
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).
aka_kerrly said:
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...
Why have I got a strong urge for that?http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Much better than the offical SOTW too!
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