Does a £1k w201/190e as a hack make sense?
Discussion
Hi guys, I'm just looking for a bit of advice here on the above topic.
I live in Central London, and want to buy something I can use to hack around in, park on the road, and do the occasional 2hr motorway run. The car will probably do 5-6k a year, I don't want anything I can be too precious about, and definitely don't want something which is going to prove an unnecessary financial drain. I had all but settled on a mk3 Golf Gti (dull but durable), and I spotted a lovely 190e the other day which turned my head.
Could a 1.8/2.0 Auto 190e do the job? Would you choose it over a 1997/98 Golf Gti as a hack?
I live in Central London, and want to buy something I can use to hack around in, park on the road, and do the occasional 2hr motorway run. The car will probably do 5-6k a year, I don't want anything I can be too precious about, and definitely don't want something which is going to prove an unnecessary financial drain. I had all but settled on a mk3 Golf Gti (dull but durable), and I spotted a lovely 190e the other day which turned my head.
Could a 1.8/2.0 Auto 190e do the job? Would you choose it over a 1997/98 Golf Gti as a hack?
Yes but buy carefully because they take neglect well. If you can stretch to, say, £1,500, you'll probably get a much better car.
They're popular as London town cars because they're smart, discreet, reliable and small. I know two people who run them as London cars and occasionally whizz up to their family homes in Northumberland in them. They are quite heavy on petrol in town use, however.
They're popular as London town cars because they're smart, discreet, reliable and small. I know two people who run them as London cars and occasionally whizz up to their family homes in Northumberland in them. They are quite heavy on petrol in town use, however.
A Mark3 Golf is a slug - I owned one. A 190E isn't a Caterham, but is a nice dependable classless car - I owned one of those too. I also owned a 190E 2.3 - that was a superb car, but not relevant for this conversation, I'd suggest....
Problem with the 190 is rust mainly. Transmissions and engines seem to last for years and running gear is bullet proof.
Problem with the 190 is rust mainly. Transmissions and engines seem to last for years and running gear is bullet proof.
I've always looked for a 124 merc as a winter car , and owned a few over the years . I've always fancied a 190 too for a similar role . The trouble is , they're either too well used or too nice to use in the salty north of England now .
Consequently I bought a Passat V5 estate for this winter . It's lovely and smooth , has heated seats and washer jets too as well as better safety than the 190 .
These things are starting to matter .
Consequently I bought a Passat V5 estate for this winter . It's lovely and smooth , has heated seats and washer jets too as well as better safety than the 190 .
These things are starting to matter .
Great cars and totally useable day to day. You reliability will be almost totally dependant on how well you look after it- which may be a good or a bad thing.
Later 190's (with the plastic cladding) seem to hold up pretty well on the rust front, certainly better than the W124 for some reason.
Later 190's (with the plastic cladding) seem to hold up pretty well on the rust front, certainly better than the W124 for some reason.
Had a 190E, as with all the old mercs - I ended up loving it.
These are such sweet rides, modern cars will leave you strangely cold if you are used to one.
I often found myself exiting my mum and dads various Audi Allroads in disgust and couldnt wait to get into my old shed of a merc ( mechanical bits spot on though
)
The words S-line shopping trolly comes to mind!
These are such sweet rides, modern cars will leave you strangely cold if you are used to one.
I often found myself exiting my mum and dads various Audi Allroads in disgust and couldnt wait to get into my old shed of a merc ( mechanical bits spot on though
)The words S-line shopping trolly comes to mind!
I bought a l reg 190e manual for £330 on ebay 4 years ago, did'nt really want another car but thats what happens when you put cheeky bids on ebay. The car was a hour's drive away. A friend gave me a lift to collect it. On the way up i had decided i did not want another car, I would give the chap £50 so he could re-list it and apologise. when we got to the address it was a gated house, I could see the car through the gate's, it looked like new as he had just cleaned it. I pressed the button, the gates opened and the owner came out to greet me, he asked if i would like to look over the car before i paid for it, i told him i had won it so i had to buy it. We went it to sign the paperwork. A folder with orignal brochure, every mot, every mercedes invoice etc. paper work done and £330 later i got in it, pulled back the massive sliding sunroof and had a lovely drive home. I gave it a full service then it went into storage.
I got it out about a year ago, straight through the mot used it briefy then lent it to a friend while he looking for a new car, now it's back in storage.
The car is literally like new, cost me a fortune in storage fee's and it's the best worse car i have ever bought but can't bring myself to sell it.
So a £1k 190 makes alot of sense but only if you use it.
I got it out about a year ago, straight through the mot used it briefy then lent it to a friend while he looking for a new car, now it's back in storage.
The car is literally like new, cost me a fortune in storage fee's and it's the best worse car i have ever bought but can't bring myself to sell it.
So a £1k 190 makes alot of sense but only if you use it.
r129sl said:
They really put a lot of effort into getting the 190 right and they succeeded by and large.
Passat V5: now that is an interesting motor. They're still using it in the US.
V5 is quite a find . obviously not a car with a star , but a pleasant and reliable companion with a muted 5 cylinder rumble ....Passat V5: now that is an interesting motor. They're still using it in the US.
I had one once as a company car. Totally anonymous and boring to drive, but strangely endearing in the honesty of what it was.
Once you find one get these guys to give it the once over and look after it.
http://www.automerc.co.uk
Once you find one get these guys to give it the once over and look after it.
http://www.automerc.co.uk
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