190E - what should I be looking for?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm Lina, based in Essex, and I'm testing the water of Mercedes...! I have a Honda Prelude 1990, and I'm really liking the 190E's... but some advice needed!
I have two in my sights - a 2.6 auto and a 2L auto. I also believe there's a 1.8. Is there a particular model that is 'best' of them all, engine size wise?
Also, what should I be looking for in a second hand 190? I love the looks of the Cosworth ones, but some without are looking pretty hot too... Are there any particular areas that are prone to failure on the 190's?
How can I tell I'm getting the most for my money, as I see them ranging from £500 to £3K+!! What am I looking for when I've got at maximum £1500 to spend?
I hope you all can help!
Cheers,
Lina
I'm Lina, based in Essex, and I'm testing the water of Mercedes...! I have a Honda Prelude 1990, and I'm really liking the 190E's... but some advice needed!
I have two in my sights - a 2.6 auto and a 2L auto. I also believe there's a 1.8. Is there a particular model that is 'best' of them all, engine size wise?
Also, what should I be looking for in a second hand 190? I love the looks of the Cosworth ones, but some without are looking pretty hot too... Are there any particular areas that are prone to failure on the 190's?
How can I tell I'm getting the most for my money, as I see them ranging from £500 to £3K+!! What am I looking for when I've got at maximum £1500 to spend?
I hope you all can help!
Cheers,
Lina
These are great cars. Had a 2.5 Diesel Auto and gave it away to a friend after 10 years and with nearly 170k miles on the clock.It did have a noisy diff. though, which I think was one of the few weaknesses this model has.
I would personally avoid the 1.8 model and manuals (a little underpowered in the case of the 1.8 and a "clunky" manual). Buy the best you can afford , ideally from someone who has kept the car for years and has not been skimpy with maintenance. Avoid "pimped up" cars and if you do not know anything about cars get it checked over by someone who does as if something is wrong with it, you might find that the repair costs are going to be more than the car is worth.
If you get a good one you should not be disapointed as no one who really knows these cars has a bad word to say about them. Out of all the old Mercs on the road they are one of the most common testifying to their durability and fairly reasonable running costs (they stopped making then over 15 years ago) !.
Finally, do a search as there have been numerous topics on this model on Pistonheads (some in the last few weeks) which will tell you more about these great cars. Best of luck !
I would personally avoid the 1.8 model and manuals (a little underpowered in the case of the 1.8 and a "clunky" manual). Buy the best you can afford , ideally from someone who has kept the car for years and has not been skimpy with maintenance. Avoid "pimped up" cars and if you do not know anything about cars get it checked over by someone who does as if something is wrong with it, you might find that the repair costs are going to be more than the car is worth.
If you get a good one you should not be disapointed as no one who really knows these cars has a bad word to say about them. Out of all the old Mercs on the road they are one of the most common testifying to their durability and fairly reasonable running costs (they stopped making then over 15 years ago) !.
Finally, do a search as there have been numerous topics on this model on Pistonheads (some in the last few weeks) which will tell you more about these great cars. Best of luck !
Edited by axj on Friday 13th February 08:14
Thanks for that axj! I must admit, I've spent many 'work' hours this week researching as much as I can about these cars - does seem they mostly go forever!
Compared to the list of potential problems with my current car, all they say for these is 'rust will get them eventually'. Wow. Only rust! :-)
Well, I'm going to test drive a 2.6 auto this evening. One major hurdle any new car is going to have to get over, is it has to be AT LEAST as fast and fun to drive as my 1990 Prelude 4WS! I can't see the handling ever matching the 4 wheel steering of the 'lude, but I'm sure there are other perks to a Merc! (Like being higher up in traffic & gaining that Mercedes superiority attitude!!!)
Well, I shall have a good look round on PistonHeads and other sites, and I'll post up a pic if I go for it!! :-)
Compared to the list of potential problems with my current car, all they say for these is 'rust will get them eventually'. Wow. Only rust! :-)
Well, I'm going to test drive a 2.6 auto this evening. One major hurdle any new car is going to have to get over, is it has to be AT LEAST as fast and fun to drive as my 1990 Prelude 4WS! I can't see the handling ever matching the 4 wheel steering of the 'lude, but I'm sure there are other perks to a Merc! (Like being higher up in traffic & gaining that Mercedes superiority attitude!!!)
Well, I shall have a good look round on PistonHeads and other sites, and I'll post up a pic if I go for it!! :-)
Best of luck Lina, however you are not going to get that type of handling from a 190 Merc.So do not build up your hopes on that front or you will be disapointed.
You should however get (if you go for it) a very durable, comfortable and relatively safe means of transport from something that would have cost the original owner (in today's money)well over £30K. and was better built than most modern cars including current Mercs. That is another thing most peple agree about is that Merc cannot build cars today to the same quality standards of 15 or so years ago as they would be priced out of the market.
Also do not lose sight that the 190 is now an old piece of kit compared to modern technology. Think of it more like a classic car.
You should however get (if you go for it) a very durable, comfortable and relatively safe means of transport from something that would have cost the original owner (in today's money)well over £30K. and was better built than most modern cars including current Mercs. That is another thing most peple agree about is that Merc cannot build cars today to the same quality standards of 15 or so years ago as they would be priced out of the market.
Also do not lose sight that the 190 is now an old piece of kit compared to modern technology. Think of it more like a classic car.
Edited by axj on Friday 13th February 11:50
Hi again,
Well, yes, I realise this will be more of a sedate drive than the silliness that is my current car, but I do still want to put my foot down from the lights and wipe the smirk from the occasional boy-racer Fiesta (despite the fact it'll probably cost about £20 in petrol to do it!!). Just as long as it can do that on the odd occasion, I'll be happy!
I don't think there's anything out there that handles like the Prelude, but as long as it isn't too much like a boat round corners (I'm thinking Mondeo or 1960s Wolseley!) it'll be fine... On a scale of 1 - 10, how do they handle? I guess the sportline handles the best, but I doubt I'll be able to get hold of one of those on my budget...!
Thanks again for replying!
Well, yes, I realise this will be more of a sedate drive than the silliness that is my current car, but I do still want to put my foot down from the lights and wipe the smirk from the occasional boy-racer Fiesta (despite the fact it'll probably cost about £20 in petrol to do it!!). Just as long as it can do that on the odd occasion, I'll be happy!
I don't think there's anything out there that handles like the Prelude, but as long as it isn't too much like a boat round corners (I'm thinking Mondeo or 1960s Wolseley!) it'll be fine... On a scale of 1 - 10, how do they handle? I guess the sportline handles the best, but I doubt I'll be able to get hold of one of those on my budget...!
Thanks again for replying!
Lina said:
Hi again,
Well, yes, I realise this will be more of a sedate drive than the silliness that is my current car, but I do still want to put my foot down from the lights and wipe the smirk from the occasional boy-racer Fiesta (despite the fact it'll probably cost about £20 in petrol to do it!!). Just as long as it can do that on the odd occasion, I'll be happy!
I don't think there's anything out there that handles like the Prelude, but as long as it isn't too much like a boat round corners (I'm thinking Mondeo or 1960s Wolseley!) it'll be fine... On a scale of 1 - 10, how do they handle? I guess the sportline handles the best, but I doubt I'll be able to get hold of one of those on my budget...!
Thanks again for replying!
I think you'd be better off looking at a 2.3 or 2.5L 16v if you can find one in OK condition. Unlikely I'd suggest and it could get costly fixing the problems you'd find at that price point. The 2.6 Auto is a pure cruiser and will be utterly different to your Prelude.. Personally, I'd keep the Honda of you like driving....!!Well, yes, I realise this will be more of a sedate drive than the silliness that is my current car, but I do still want to put my foot down from the lights and wipe the smirk from the occasional boy-racer Fiesta (despite the fact it'll probably cost about £20 in petrol to do it!!). Just as long as it can do that on the odd occasion, I'll be happy!
I don't think there's anything out there that handles like the Prelude, but as long as it isn't too much like a boat round corners (I'm thinking Mondeo or 1960s Wolseley!) it'll be fine... On a scale of 1 - 10, how do they handle? I guess the sportline handles the best, but I doubt I'll be able to get hold of one of those on my budget...!
Thanks again for replying!
Horses for courses. 1.8 underpowered, 2 litre not that quick, 2.6 a little nose heavy but great engine and car is quick - nice load of torque. 2.5 diesel is a slug. Cosworths fab and if you know what you are looking for, you can pick one up for your budget (I did). Only manual to buy would be a Cossie, although if you insist on a manual they are worth sod all and thus you could pick up a goodun.
Watch our for rot round the rear lights round bodykits (in case of Cossies) and clocking - they are incredibly easy to clock and I had problems with the speedo drive which caused the mileometer to stop working - I believe this was common on those 2 litres although it didn't affect my Cossie.
In all, a solidly built car and still has a massive soft spot for me - I think they look great.
Find one with ABS and aircon if you can and a facelift (post 1989). Best has to be a run-out 1992/3 LE (all in metallic blue). MBforums is a great resource.
Watch our for rot round the rear lights round bodykits (in case of Cossies) and clocking - they are incredibly easy to clock and I had problems with the speedo drive which caused the mileometer to stop working - I believe this was common on those 2 litres although it didn't affect my Cossie.
In all, a solidly built car and still has a massive soft spot for me - I think they look great.
Find one with ABS and aircon if you can and a facelift (post 1989). Best has to be a run-out 1992/3 LE (all in metallic blue). MBforums is a great resource.
As other have said I would avoid the 1.8 and manual.
The 2.0 is ok, the 2.6 is a nice engine but the car is heavier. Apparently the engine bay was originally never designed to accomodate the six cylinder engine.
My first car was the 2.5 16v and was a lovely car.
More importantly I would be looking for the best condition vehicle within your budget.
The 2.0 is ok, the 2.6 is a nice engine but the car is heavier. Apparently the engine bay was originally never designed to accomodate the six cylinder engine.
My first car was the 2.5 16v and was a lovely car.
More importantly I would be looking for the best condition vehicle within your budget.
Callughan said:
Pentoman, you have kept the interior in great shape. I noticed it is a mk1 is it an E?
Thanks, no it's a C - therefore just making the change to dual windscreen washer nozzles and extending wiper, but missing out on tilting sunroof, a rear legroom increase and the removal of the useful interior storage space under centre console (also an arguable lowering of build quality). I'm such a geek 
Look for rust at bottom of windscreen here
it's common for the metal to be vaporising here
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