Spartan Mercedes 190 (w201)

[r129sl]

There was a thing about this a few years ago. For the earliest airbags, Mercedes initially recommended replacement after 15 years. I think there is even a sticker to that effect in my 1993 w124 or maybe it was in its 1992 predecessor. For most cars since the late-1980s, however, Mercedes and others now state that the airbag will last the life of the vehicle, whatever that means. The SMMT advises that all airbags last the life of the car. It is quite a remarkable and resilient piece of technology and it tickles me that almost all airbags die a death never having seen the light of day.

[r129sl]

I took the 190 on its first long distance trip this weekend. Heretofore, it has never been much further than Newcastle, something my six year old pointed out as we sailed past Durham en route for sunny Sheffield. It surprised me by how good it is at fast motorway speeds. I started out at 70, soon crept up to 80 and by Darlo was keeping it steady at 95, around about 4,500rpm. The following day we left the Loser Conference (hardcore losers only this time: a northern venue sorts the wheat from the chaff) in York at about 3pm and were 109 miles away in Mitford in Northumberland by 4.40pm, a similar rate of progress being maintained. While I did not take it much above the ton, it is very sweet (if a little droning) at that kind of speed. Best of all, it turned in 31mpg over 400 fast miles.

For the cheapest, simplest car (and the least powerful petrol engine) in Mercedes' 1990 range, it is quite an impressively long-legged machine. I definitely would not hesitate to use one for long distance work again. The 2.6litre six must be superb.

[r129sl]

My wife reported a slightly alarming experience upon her return from ASDA this evening. She reported hearing a loud bang from her left as she drove along; and she had found a chip on the left door pillar. Looking at the damage, I suspect the car was shot at with a .22 air rifle. Just silly rough kids, of course (I have an alibi and I couldn't afford a hitman), but a few inches either way and the window would have been out and that would have been a very nasty fright. Bit off that it's at head height, too. There's a bit of a dimple, irritatingly, but I'm sure the Man can sort it.



It could be worse. She could have been shopping at the Lidl.

Edited by r129sl on Tuesday 9th May 21:57

[r129sl]

Big service at Mercedes-Benz of Newcastle today. Mileage is 153,262. Oil and filter, transmission fluid and filter, air filter, coolant, brake fluid, spark plugs. It's two years and 32,000miles since most of this stuff was last done (oil and filter excepted, of course). They turned it round in the day for £407 including VAT which is not all bad. If you deal with the right people there, it is a very good garage. I find the parts departments very helpful (and generous with the discounts); Claire Allen always takes my booking and Paul Smith (who has been there since these cars were new) works on the car.

Edited by r129sl on Monday 22 May 17:55

[r129sl]

We do about 55,000miles across the three cars.

Two long commutes: mine is about 60miles a day, Mrs R's is 50. Often I'll nip out on some mission to the garage or Euro Car Parts or somewhere, adding another 10 miles. Most Sunday nights I take all three cars to the petrol station to fill them in turn. That's an extra 45 miles a week. It adds up.

I travel a lot for work and tend to drive because (1) it is cheaper, faster and more reliable than the train, (2) I enjoy it and (3) I tend to carry a lot of stuff.

We drive on holidays. We drive to see relatives in Sheffield and Cheshire a fair bit. And in the north east, places are further apart and driving is more fun.

We like driving!

Edited by r129sl on Monday 22 May 22:04

[r129sl]

Late night at the office for me:

[r129sl]

spreadsheet monkey said:

I'd be leasing a new E-class (and finding a mileage correction specialist) if I were in your shoes...

They're st, though, aren't they?

And expensive. I worked it out once and three years and 75,000miles would cost me £21,000. And I'd have to drive a modern E-Class. If they offered a small petrol six with a traditional grille, modest styling, and colours and upholsteries to my taste I might think about it. But in truth, I think the w126, w201, w124 and r129 are the best cars of their type there has ever been, before or since, and that's why I drive them.

[r129sl]

spreadsheet monkey said:

No intention of telling you how to run your fleet.

Don't worry: absolutely wasn't taken that way at all!

My old man has just bought a new E220d Estate. AMG-line. Black. Black inside. Black wheels. Black windows. What's that all about?!

[r129sl]

0a said:

If he likes it, then that's great - be happy for him.

Sage advice.

But, you know, this is a man who way back when in our grim northern town ran not an Escort or a Cortina, not a Chevette or Viva or Cavalier, not a Princess or Montego or whatever everyone else's dad had but a Mk1 Golf, an E21 BMW 320 and an E23 728i, a Capril 3.0S, a Citroen CX, a succession of Audis, a w124 300D, an E38 728i, really interesting cars. I mean, turning up in a CX in 1981 Northumberland was like turning up in a spaceship. Bizarrely, at the time I longed for him to buy a Cortina.

0a said:

This reminds me - I must retrieve my 190 and gold 300e from the garage - exhausts have apparently been fitted.

Don't do it: the golden and immutable rule of barging—that at any given time at least one car must be at the garage—dictates that you will then have to put another car into the garage for expensive fettling.

[r129sl]

The Spartan's wounds have healed! (With thanks to the Man.)

[r129sl]

It gets called the Custard Cream rather than the Spartan.

The colour was absolute resale death. Yet it is really beautiful, especially against a backdrop of green fields:



Edit: about the seats, they are holding up very well, pretty much as new, really; very firm, but even and unworn, good over a distance. I think the first owner was quite slight.

Edited by r129sl on Thursday 15th June 10:02

[r129sl]

Long time, no updates. That is good news.

My youngest damaged the grille with a rock, so last night I replaced all the bars. Easy enough job, although I managed to drop one of the six fixings that hold the grille onto the bonnet.

Bent:


Part stripped. Very easy, all finger tight.


I ordered all these little clips, but they seemed unnecessary. Certainly there were none there before.


The clips go in these little holes, for reference. As I say, unnecessary.


And fixed:


While I worked in the garage, someone was watching me (having first wrecked the place and shat everywhere):


All new grille bars, clips and a gasket came to less than £30. MB prices are totally random.

Edited by r129sl on Saturday 12th August 11:21

[r129sl]

That was Mrs R. It is her car day-to-day.

I took it out for an early run this morning. I wish it were a 2.6. The little four is just a bit harsh when thrashed. Don't thrash you may say, but it's just my nature...

I forgot to mention, there is a curious knocking from the offside rear. I can hear it while driving but not if I rock the car from without. It may be something in the boot but I think it more likely that the tool I lost in the petrol tank has dislodged itself and is knocking about in there. Balls.

[r129sl]

The 190 has been parked up outside for over a fortnight while we've been away in the estate car. It started instantly. Quite amazing. I took it for a cheap car wash, my pressure washer being broken. "Verry nice car. I like."

[r129sl]

Wife drove past my office just now. It's such a good-looking motor, the 190.

Edited by r129sl on Tuesday 12th September 14:04

[r129sl]

Changed the front pads this evening. Fitted the winter wheels since I had the fronts off. Sub one hour. Took it for a test drive and it all still works. £30 including new wear sensors. It looks like the nearside front has been binding on. I gave the calliper a good work over and carefully greased the edges of the pads, hopefully it will be OK.






It is a cheap car this. 27p per mile all in. 30mpg. I haven't bought tyres since we got it three years ago. The summers have done 23,500miles and still have at least 5mm of tread. The winters are pretty much unworn. And the consumables like today's brake pads are comically cheap.

[r129sl]

It is a charming car. I do wish it were a six cylinder, though.

I used these instructions to change the pads: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Mercedes-...

There are two additional comments I would make. First, there is no need to remove the calliper: simply remove the bottom bolt and swing the calliper up and over. The brake pad kit only includes one replacement calliper bolt per side, so plainly this is the intended way of doing it. It makes it a really easy job. Second, I put copper grease on the backs and sides of the pads.

[r129sl]

I think ABS was only standard after 1990. It was an extra on my car and it is something I would look for.

The main thing to be concerned about is rust. Frilly arches, rotten jacking points and dissolving rear suspension mounting points. After that they are very straight forward cars. We are not very good at looking after our cars in the UK, especially as they get older: I think you need to seek out an exception to that rule. Expensive maintenance. I wouldn't be put off by a 200k car if it has a good history of maintenance behind it.

And even if the engine and transmission are totally shagged, you can get replacements for less than £300.

[r129sl]

Down at the dodgy car wash today. It's a cheap car to run, this. Probably because my wife doesn't drive it at pheasants far too fast.

[r129sl]

"I like dees one, huh huh". Lynemouth is a bit of a st hole but it's four miles away, has a chip shop, chop suey house, co-op and now a £5 car wash at which there is never a queue.

I have yet to patronise the chop suey house.