Spartan Mercedes 190 (w201)

[r129sl]

Thanks for that Michael, but putting a brake pad in back to front is bit spaz even for me. I must say, I find it difficult working on the back of the brakes/hubs/suspension, it always foxes me when trying to figure out which way to turn the spanner. Anyway, it seem to be driving fine this morning with nothing untoward from the brakes at all.

[bolidemichael]

From my aeronautical engineer relative:

"Lefty loose-y, Righty tighty"

Surprisingly memorable

[Northbrook]

I changed my front struts recently, and only realised the spring compressor was still in the spring when I was packing up. Oops.

[ian316]

I've posted this before I put both pads in the wrong way, I only noticed just as I was going to put the wheel back on I've also been stumped as to why the top of the air box wouldn't go back on which it won't if the air filter is upside down ffs

[r129sl]

Well I am not sure what I have done but it is driving fine. However, I ordered everything from Autodoc last night, £231 including the core charges for two new calipers (don't suppose I'll bother). But everything from the hardline end will be brand new. I'm also going to do the rear suspension links, I figure they are overdue at 30 years and 180k miles.

Much as I like my SL, I would really enjoy something a bit more hardcore. The SL always feels a bit asthmatic. And of course it is heavy. I toy with the idea of a transplant from an E55 but maybe a 190 as the basis for a sports saloon would be more fun: 3.0litre six, fast cams, sportline suspension, big deep dish split rim Euro wheels, that sort of thing. I just need to find one in a cool colour. Reupholstery in something very Germanic and plaid, too.

Edit: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-Mercedes-190-2-6-M...

Interesting project...

Edited by r129sl on Sunday 24th May 14:47

[r129sl]

New parts have arrived for the 190, all new front brakes. I am very happy with all of them. The Brembo stuff seems to be very high quality but I can'f fault the TRW refurbished calipers, either. These should be going on next week some time, I'm getting the local man to do it. He did the exhaust last week and made a great job of it for £30.

[Northbrook]

There's something strangely appealing about that shot.

I should get out more.

[83HP]

r129sl said:

Edit: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-Mercedes-190-2-6-M...

Interesting project...

Edited by r129sl on Sunday 24th May 14:47

Were you the winner for this 2.6 Manual?

[r129sl]

83HP said:

r129sl said:

Edit: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-Mercedes-190-2-6-M...

Interesting project...

Edited by r129sl on Sunday 24th May 14:47

Were you the winner for this 2.6 Manual?

No, thank goodness. I'm quite surprised it fetched so much. I suspect that is a car at the end of its days.

[83HP]

r129sl said:

No, thank goodness. I'm quite surprised it fetched so much. I suspect that is a car at the end of its days.

I suspect because it's manual but i've read that it isn't a great gearbox, don't suppose you are interested in a 89 2.6 Auto with leather seats that needs some TLC

[r129sl]

^^^Post pics. I've got my hands full at the moment as I am about to spring for a 300 CE-24 (because we need a fifth ancient Mercedes) but my long term fantasy project is a 190 E 3.0 with extras and I'd need a 2.6 as a base. Ideally I'd find a sound car with a shagged engine.

[LukeyP_]

Just read through your whole thread and I love it! Your attention to detail is great and how I love to read these kind of threads.

I have crossed your threads before, the estate Merc? So which others have you got - apart from this, convertible and the estate?

[r129sl]

LukeyP_ said:

Just read through your whole thread and I love it! Your attention to detail is great and how I love to read these kind of threads.

I have crossed your threads before, the estate Merc? So which others have you got - apart from this, convertible and the estate?

The three core threads (what a ponce) are the 124 estate, the 129 SL and this one. I also currently run a w463 G-wagen which has a thread of its own. In the past I have run a w140 S420, a r230 SL500 and a w210 E430, all of which I copped out of due to a lack of moral courage in the face of minor teething trouble. Although the r230 was wrecked. I miss the E430 a bit. I can't really remember why I sold it.

124: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
129: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
463: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
210: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
230: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
140: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

The r230 thread is a real lesson to internet car buyers: photos can be very deceptive.

[Zonergem]

r129sl said:

^^^Post pics. I've got my hands full at the moment as I am about to spring for a 300 CE-24 (because we need a fifth ancient Mercedes)

Has this happened yet? Was it the one that your friend did up and then let down again?

[rjg48]

Zonergem said:

r129sl said:

^^^Post pics. I've got my hands full at the moment as I am about to spring for a 300 CE-24 (because we need a fifth ancient Mercedes)

Has this happened yet? Was it the one that your friend did up and then let down again?

Do it.

Mine has now been debaged, rear spoiler gone too.

[r129sl]

New front brakes are on. Labour: £40. It's no wonder my man is broke. He did the exhaust for £30. I felt bound to beat him up to £100 but it took quite a lot of doing. I haven't driven it yet.

Wife noticed it smelled a bit of fuel. I took it out. Within five yards, it was reeking of fuel. Popped the bonnet and it was gushing out at the fuel pump end of the pipe between pump and carb. Fortunately I had a spare fuel pipe in stock. These pipes don't seem to last long. I wonder whether it is the ethanol in the fuel.

[Spinakerr]

I had a similar near miss with the Alfa - it seems there were several bad batches of 'rated fuel hoses' in the 2008-2016 period. I think there are a lot more failures about to come from these replacements.

New hose seems to hold up to ethanol well, though I always avoid it if possible!

[helix402]

r129sl said:

New front brakes are on. Labour: £40. It's no wonder my man is broke. He did the exhaust for £30. I felt bound to beat him up to £100 but it took quite a lot of doing. I haven't driven it yet.

Wife noticed it smelled a bit of fuel. I took it out. Within five yards, it was reeking of fuel. Popped the bonnet and it was gushing out at the fuel pump end of the pipe between pump and carb. Fortunately I had a spare fuel pipe in stock. These pipes don't seem to last long. I wonder whether it is the ethanol in the fuel.

What brand of fuel pipe are you using? I’m a BMW rather than Merc man but always fit gen BMW pipe. Dealers keep it on a reel so it can be cut to length. Not sure how Merc sell it. (Obviously intricate pipes with tight bends need buying by part No).

[r129sl]

I am pretty sure the old pipe was genuine Merc, replaced a few years ago. The new pipe I am almost sure is Febi, although it looked high quality and indistinguishable from the Merc product. Time will tell! I have had quite a few problems with fuel leaks on this car, all from this pipe, though usually at the carb end.

[BlueMR2]

r129sl said:

And the new tyres. I love the coloured stripes on new tyres. What are they for?

https://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/forum/index.php?...

Edited by BlueMR2 on Monday 15th June 16:34