190 cosworth .
Discussion
Have a look on the mercedes190 forum:
mercedes190.co.uk
There is lots to look out for but if you can find a tidy car with history, not too many previous owners and in original spec, and you can buy from a long-term owner, you won't have too much to worry about
There are a couple of basic choices (early 2.3 vs late 2.5 vs expensive late limited-edition models), and manual vs auto, but after there are just a handful of colour & interior choices
Do your research & buy towards the top of the market - good ones are appreciating
Nick Froome
mercedes190.co.uk
There is lots to look out for but if you can find a tidy car with history, not too many previous owners and in original spec, and you can buy from a long-term owner, you won't have too much to worry about
There are a couple of basic choices (early 2.3 vs late 2.5 vs expensive late limited-edition models), and manual vs auto, but after there are just a handful of colour & interior choices
Do your research & buy towards the top of the market - good ones are appreciating
Nick Froome
Try and find a rot free one as the mechanicles are well engineered and easy to work on.
Currently rebuilding one at the moment and it doesn't seem to matter how cruddy and rusty bolts appear, they always come apart and the concealed part of thread often looks like new!
Parts availability is excellent. Service items are cheap from GSF etc and Merc specific bits can be obtained from main dealers, even if they have to come from Germany it only takes them a few days to arrive.....though some Cosworth specific engine parts can be a little pricey, though a lot less than M Power cars of the same era.
Try and find one with working SLS and ASD as they can be a bit pricey to rectify.
If you need any advice let me know. Got 2 at the mo, one I'm rebuilding and another rotton one as a parts car.
Fab cars though, as capable as an e30 M3 just a lot more civilised....better built as well.
Currently rebuilding one at the moment and it doesn't seem to matter how cruddy and rusty bolts appear, they always come apart and the concealed part of thread often looks like new!
Parts availability is excellent. Service items are cheap from GSF etc and Merc specific bits can be obtained from main dealers, even if they have to come from Germany it only takes them a few days to arrive.....though some Cosworth specific engine parts can be a little pricey, though a lot less than M Power cars of the same era.
Try and find one with working SLS and ASD as they can be a bit pricey to rectify.
If you need any advice let me know. Got 2 at the mo, one I'm rebuilding and another rotton one as a parts car.
Fab cars though, as capable as an e30 M3 just a lot more civilised....better built as well.
Rust and originality. Rust lurks around the bodykit, around rear lights, boot floor, some of the seams (eg inside boot). Originality in terms of factory bodykit, interior, wheels, auxilliary gauges working (they generally don't).
Chain needs changing around 100k miles and valve shims often have been neglected. Exhaust manifold is tubular and can crack - not cheap to replace, but there are secondhand ones out there. Noisy rear 'diffs too and SLS needs to be working or have been replaced by conventional shock absorbers.
I prefer the manual to the auto and if you can get the full leather interior, it's beautifully put together. Don't worry whether it's a 2.3 or 2.5 - in the real world, there's very little performance differential - if anything, the 2.3 is a sweeter engine through the rev range.
They finally seem to be climbing in price. They handle like a peach - if the one you drive doesn't handle well, it's a wrong 'un. I think they are superb and do miss mine
Chain needs changing around 100k miles and valve shims often have been neglected. Exhaust manifold is tubular and can crack - not cheap to replace, but there are secondhand ones out there. Noisy rear 'diffs too and SLS needs to be working or have been replaced by conventional shock absorbers.
I prefer the manual to the auto and if you can get the full leather interior, it's beautifully put together. Don't worry whether it's a 2.3 or 2.5 - in the real world, there's very little performance differential - if anything, the 2.3 is a sweeter engine through the rev range.
They finally seem to be climbing in price. They handle like a peach - if the one you drive doesn't handle well, it's a wrong 'un. I think they are superb and do miss mine
2.3 , reg 1987 . first time i have driven a dog leg box !
the car is a joint purchase with my son, the car is two years older than him....
car is totally standard , bodywork has been done at a Mercedes Benz dealership 4 years ago.
3 previous owners, full history , all receipts, mots etc.
the car is a joint purchase with my son, the car is two years older than him....
car is totally standard , bodywork has been done at a Mercedes Benz dealership 4 years ago.
3 previous owners, full history , all receipts, mots etc.
joncon said:
2.3 , reg 1987 . first time i have driven a dog leg box !
the car is a joint purchase with my son, the car is two years older than him....
car is totally standard , bodywork has been done at a Mercedes Benz dealership 4 years ago.
3 previous owners, full history , all receipts, mots etc.
Nice choice - you'll love it. Make sure you rev the nuts off it - they like that and they really do shift....I found too that it cornered on rails...I just had to let it settle into the corner, feel the weight transfer and it would neutral beautifully. Find yourself a nice wide roundabout, wait until it rains, get the car out when there's no traffic around and get it sideways - they are so controllable, really the best chassis I have ever seen on a saloon car (caveat here - never driven an E30 M3!).the car is a joint purchase with my son, the car is two years older than him....
car is totally standard , bodywork has been done at a Mercedes Benz dealership 4 years ago.
3 previous owners, full history , all receipts, mots etc.
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