C36 AMG vs 190E cossie
Discussion
I'm kind of disappointed no-one has been able to respond as this is something I've also been considering. There is a 190 Cosworth for sale not far from me and this looks and feels hewn from solid. I understand the 190 was the last of the Mercedes made before cost-cutters got involved but I don't have any experience of the C class or later models to compare.
I can offer an owner's perspective of C43 v 2.3-16. I have driven a couple of C36s when considering them against a C43 and they are a rawer drive than a C43.
The 2.3-16 is lighter a nimbler than the C class AMGs but that's not a surprise. It's much smaller, lighter, less sophisticated and arguably better built than the C class. Of course there are rust issues with the '99 and y2k C class, but most Cosworths will exhibit some rot by now (hidden under the kit).
The 2.3-16 is lighter a nimbler than the C class AMGs but that's not a surprise. It's much smaller, lighter, less sophisticated and arguably better built than the C class. Of course there are rust issues with the '99 and y2k C class, but most Cosworths will exhibit some rot by now (hidden under the kit).
It's a difficult call .
Firstly , it's such a subjective decision that it would be down to feelings of the individual concerned .
Facts and figures don't tell the story , I suspect , when buying a performance car of this vintage . You could go through the stats and decide that the 190 isn't powerful enough , or that you need the manual gearbox option which is only offered on the earlier car .
Try both within your price range , after deciding your budget . Both can be driven on a classic policy , so are reasonable to insure , but both are cars well into middle age , so will need constant fettling .
Both are wonderful motor cars , worth preserving and surprsingly usable ; both look great and attract attention from genuine enthusiasts .
The 190 is a generation behind the C , so lacks certain safety features , but is a well regarded , complete car .
The c36 is my specialist subject ; it's 60 bhp more powerful , and a great drive on B roads , motorways (autobahns!) and the track .
Try both , see which suits your mood and budget .
I'd be keen to own a matched pair !
Firstly , it's such a subjective decision that it would be down to feelings of the individual concerned .
Facts and figures don't tell the story , I suspect , when buying a performance car of this vintage . You could go through the stats and decide that the 190 isn't powerful enough , or that you need the manual gearbox option which is only offered on the earlier car .
Try both within your price range , after deciding your budget . Both can be driven on a classic policy , so are reasonable to insure , but both are cars well into middle age , so will need constant fettling .
Both are wonderful motor cars , worth preserving and surprsingly usable ; both look great and attract attention from genuine enthusiasts .
The 190 is a generation behind the C , so lacks certain safety features , but is a well regarded , complete car .
The c36 is my specialist subject ; it's 60 bhp more powerful , and a great drive on B roads , motorways (autobahns!) and the track .
Try both , see which suits your mood and budget .
I'd be keen to own a matched pair !
flatline84 said:
Anyone driven these back-to-back? How do they compare like?
Build quality, sense of occation etc..
I've driven both but not back to back. I've owned a couple of W202's (not C36's) and own two 190E's (one's a 2.5-16). I don't think they're really comparable, one being a straight six with an autobox, while the other is a rev mad four pot and manual (auto was available put not as popular). A C36 would be a fair bit faster than a 2.5-16 in straight line speed, up to 80BHP&100Ib/ft in the difference and only 250kg heavier but I suspect on B roads the 190 would be always very close behind the C36. Overall, the 190 is better built but rust is the big issue now, as much as any W202. My choice is the 2.5-16 but I'd very much like to have a C36 too, love straight sixes and the autobox is the way to go if it's to be used as a daily driver. Worth noting, very good 2.3/2.5-16's are on the rise, start thinking about a minimum of 5k up 12k. Build quality, sense of occation etc..
As they say, it's horses for courses.
190E, for a simple and easily explained reason. There will always be many large engined, fast in a straight line, automatic gearbox Mercedes available to buy for as long as Mercedes exist. But when will they ever make something as hardcore as the cosworth again?
Time and time again I try to think of something to replace mine with. I've driven an inordinately huge range of cars due to my work. But there is something just slightly demonic about the way it can make you drive it. Not the fastest car on the road these days compared to modern stuff, but the key is driving fun not speed. You will want to be vaguely comfortable with RWD, though, to have fun.
Also, 190E won't depreciate as much as the C36.
Time and time again I try to think of something to replace mine with. I've driven an inordinately huge range of cars due to my work. But there is something just slightly demonic about the way it can make you drive it. Not the fastest car on the road these days compared to modern stuff, but the key is driving fun not speed. You will want to be vaguely comfortable with RWD, though, to have fun.
Also, 190E won't depreciate as much as the C36.
Both very different cars , as has been illustrated .
C36 has distinction of being the first sanctioned AMG / Mercedes production car , as well as having undertaken F1 Safety Car and Doctor's car duties as well .
I'm sure Pentoman wouldn't swap his 190 , and I'm certain I wouldn't leave my 36 in favour of the Cosworth , but that just shows two satisfied owners .
Back to the OP , try them both and update us !
C36 has distinction of being the first sanctioned AMG / Mercedes production car , as well as having undertaken F1 Safety Car and Doctor's car duties as well .
I'm sure Pentoman wouldn't swap his 190 , and I'm certain I wouldn't leave my 36 in favour of the Cosworth , but that just shows two satisfied owners .
Back to the OP , try them both and update us !
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff