190E startup after a few years
Discussion
I have a beige carb model with keep fit windows (but it does have the automatic transmission) 
and it astonishes me how good a car it is for the reasons you describe. It is very light (about 1,200kg), narrow (both absolutely and, more importantly, relative to its wheelbase) and feels agile and eager to go. It is an extremely satisfying tool to use for daily driving. I was hesitant about buying a carb model but have been very pleasantly surprised by how sprightly it is: it's very willing from the off and sufficiently accelerative at legal speeds. I noted that the carb model develops its torque at much lower revs than the E (about 122lb/ft at 2,500rpm as against 131lb/ft at 3,500rpm). It is also pleasingly invisible (in a way that I should imagine an Aston Martin Vantage absolutely is not). Of all the cars I have owned and driven, my basic 190 is my favourite.
It doesn't surprise me a bit that your car has sprung back into life without any significant trouble.
Edit: and you should keep it, that car is part of you.
and it astonishes me how good a car it is for the reasons you describe. It is very light (about 1,200kg), narrow (both absolutely and, more importantly, relative to its wheelbase) and feels agile and eager to go. It is an extremely satisfying tool to use for daily driving. I was hesitant about buying a carb model but have been very pleasantly surprised by how sprightly it is: it's very willing from the off and sufficiently accelerative at legal speeds. I noted that the carb model develops its torque at much lower revs than the E (about 122lb/ft at 2,500rpm as against 131lb/ft at 3,500rpm). It is also pleasingly invisible (in a way that I should imagine an Aston Martin Vantage absolutely is not). Of all the cars I have owned and driven, my basic 190 is my favourite.It doesn't surprise me a bit that your car has sprung back into life without any significant trouble.
Edit: and you should keep it, that car is part of you.
I think option 2 is the one to go for.
Try the classifieds on mbclub, you might find someone who will care for it as it deserves.
As for me, well i'm still dabbling with Mercedes and we do have a fleet of old and not so old Mercs. (One can never have too many!!
Day to day I tend to drive my S320cdi mostly. The last 2 weeks I have been mainly driving a beautiful 1992 200E which did come in for breaking but is just too nice to end up at the crusher! It possesses many of the qualities the 190 does and despite being a little larger it is still much much narrower than modern cars.
Try the classifieds on mbclub, you might find someone who will care for it as it deserves.
As for me, well i'm still dabbling with Mercedes and we do have a fleet of old and not so old Mercs. (One can never have too many!!
Day to day I tend to drive my S320cdi mostly. The last 2 weeks I have been mainly driving a beautiful 1992 200E which did come in for breaking but is just too nice to end up at the crusher! It possesses many of the qualities the 190 does and despite being a little larger it is still much much narrower than modern cars.
I'd go for option 2 as well. Apart from anything else, I suspect £500 getting an MOT and a bit of basic TLC will make it worth £1,500 to £2,000, whereas a car without a MOT is a £500 job. I'd have thought that your car's big selling point is your enthusiasm and extended ownership. No doubt you have a good history for it (even if the last five years are a bit of a blank page). You could trail it in the barge thread, you may get a bite there.
The carb car is not so good on fuel, about 28mpg. Plus, nobody knows how to service a carburettor anymore, self included.
I'd love an AM Vantage!
The carb car is not so good on fuel, about 28mpg. Plus, nobody knows how to service a carburettor anymore, self included.
I'd love an AM Vantage!
r129sl said:
I'd go for option 2 as well. Apart from anything else, I suspect £500 getting an MOT and a bit of basic TLC will make it worth £1,500 to £2,000, whereas a car without a MOT is a £500 job. I'd have thought that your car's big selling point is your enthusiasm and extended ownership. No doubt you have a good history for it (even if the last five years are a bit of a blank page). You could trail it in the barge thread, you may get a bite there.
The carb car is not so good on fuel, about 28mpg. Plus, nobody knows how to service a carburettor anymore, self included.
I'd love an AM Vantage!
I got my Pierburg 175CD rebuilt by this guy. £165 well spent.The carb car is not so good on fuel, about 28mpg. Plus, nobody knows how to service a carburettor anymore, self included.
I'd love an AM Vantage!
http://www.carb-care.co.uk/
74merc said:
Noted for the future, thank you.Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff