Appreciation of a 190E

[Joel93]

Iv had various cars I wish I’d kep but never had the option to, until now . Iv just bought a couple of 190E Mercedes just because I like them one is modified so won’t be an investment but the other is a late model 1992 in immaculate condition with FSH and every mot from new , it’s completly standard even down to the radio ,it has done 120,000 miles so it’s not mega low but it is a 2.0 manual car it’s also only a middle of the range spec car. Do you think it would be worth holding onto in the garage for a few years ? Will they appreciate ? If not I don’t mind I’ll just enjoy it and sell when I fancy a change , it’s just in exceptional condition inside and out.

Thanks

[Mr Tidy]

That brings back memories OP.

I bought a 1989 190e 2.0 manual in 1997 and kept it a few years, until I got tempted by the "newer and better" and bought a W202 C280 Sport. The build quality wasn't a patch on the 190e, the ride was poor, the handling no better and I hated the auto. box!

I wish I'd kept the 190e.

As to whether yours will appreciate, it may - but it's never going to drop in value!

If you ever decide to sell maybe you could message me first.

Edited by Mr Tidy on Friday 21st September 00:37

[sparks_E46]

I’d love one.

[Joel93]

Iv got 2 ,both are in good condition just need a good polish up. Just waxoyled both on a friends ramp and took this pic.

[Dapster]

Joel93 said:

Iv got 2 ,both are in good condition just need a good polish up. Just waxoyled both on a friends ramp and took this pic.

You need a project my friend....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzKPEW3VHXk

[ShampooEfficient]

Ive got two, one of which is mid-restoration. I've never driven anything that feels quite the same.

[Skyedriver]

Never owned one, nearly did once, many years ago, but it was sold by the time I got there.
Followed one a few months ago and thought it looked quite understated and classy if somewhat small compared to modern stuff (My Volvo 940 used to be the biggest car in the car park, now dwarfed by "little" hatchbacks and 4x4 stuff.
What are they like to drive?

[ShampooEfficient]

Incredibly old fashioned. Its akin to a sofa floating on a river of custard, and steered by tiller.
Ours has been round the Nurburgring, which was hilarious. So much body roll.

I'm intending on fitting uprated suspension to the project, some stiffer shocks and lowering springs. But they are definitely a baby waftmobile, not a sport saloon.

They're just one of those cars that you get in and your troubles just drain away ..

[daveenty]

ShampooEfficient said:

Incredibly old fashioned. Its akin to a sofa floating on a river of custard, and steered by tiller.
Ours has been round the Nurburgring, which was hilarious. So much body roll.

I'm intending on fitting uprated suspension to the project, some stiffer shocks and lowering springs. But they are definitely a baby waftmobile, not a sport saloon.

Unless of course you get the 16v version which is still quite impressive going round corners, although it does need a bit of help with the accelerator pedal from time to time, especially on a slightly over ambitious entry to said corner.

Gratuitous pic of mine after lots of work:

ShampooEfficient said:

They're just one of those cars that you get in and your troubles just drain away ..

Absolutely.

[Rower]

Joel93 said:

Iv had various cars I wish I’d kep but never had the option to, until now . Iv just bought a couple of 190E Mercedes just because I like them one is modified so won’t be an investment but the other is a late model 1992 in immaculate condition with FSH and every mot from new , it’s completly standard even down to the radio ,it has done 120,000 miles so it’s not mega low but it is a 2.0 manual car it’s also only a middle of the range spec car. Do you think it would be worth holding onto in the garage for a few years ? Will they appreciate ? If not I don’t mind I’ll just enjoy it and sell when I fancy a change , it’s just in exceptional condition inside and out.

Thanks

I had a 2.0 manual about 18 years ago and eventually moved up the line to a bigger car and so on , but It is still
the only car I would happily own again, although maybe the 2.3 version !

[ShampooEfficient]

daveenty said:

(Mention of 16v)

Oh, definitely. A completely different kettle of bratwurst. I've never owned or driven a 16v so can't give an accurate comment on them, other than they are seriously lovely things.

Nice car btw!

[laters]

My 190 is one of the cars I wish I hung onto.
It was only 2.0 auto but was so much better than the c200 I replaced it with.

I am still keeping my eyes open for a nice 2.6 190 but never they never seem to come up at the right time or are way over priced.

There are a couple of 2.6 190's owned by elderly owners locally to me that I hope one day will be for sale.

[LotusOmega375D]

The father of one of our friends bought a 2.6 auto new back in the day. It seemed really fast to me, but that was a long time ago and my dad was probably driving his Talbot Solara for comparison.

[Dapster]

LotusOmega375D said:

The father of one of our friends bought a 2.6 auto new back in the day. It seemed really fast to me, but that was a long time ago and my dad was probably driving his Talbot Solara for comparison.

My father had a 2.6 back in the day - a G reg facelift model with the Sacco panels. It replaced an older pre facelift 2.0 190E and did feel a bit quicker but my abiding memory was just how smooth the engine was and what a lovely noise it made. But boy did it drink!

The handling was improved on the facelift cars simply because they had a smaller steering wheel. They were quite a tidy drive down a twisty road - the multi link rear suspension was very sophisticated. Not sporty, but very composed.

[Scrump]

I owned a 1984 2.0 190e about 20years ago.
I still remember it fondly and have only just bought my second merc. This time it is a nearly new E class but it reminds me of my 190e.

When I had my 190 I wanted to put an SEC style front on it ( I didn’t), my E class has the big badge on the grille and no bonnet star and I can’t help thinking it would look better with a traditional grille and a gunsight.

[MJK 24]

Mine

Edited by MJK 24 on Friday 21st September 00:37

[Mr Tidy]

daveenty said:

Unless of course you get the 16v version which is still quite impressive going round corners, although it does need a bit of help with the accelerator pedal from time to time, especially on a slightly over ambitious entry to said corner.

Gratuitous pic of mine after lots of work:

That is just stunning!

I drove a 2.3 Cosworth with the dog-leg gearbox back in the early 90s that a mate of mine had and loved it - sadly he had already sold it, and I couldn't afford it!

[Joel93]

They feel like a tank ,very well thought out car and really built to last as said no racing car but just nice to cruise around in . Starting to stand out now as they are entering the retro area. I’m just interested to see how people feel about them appreciating , it’s a difficult one as they are very highly though of cars I’d say iconic of the era , but they made so many and there so reliable they aren’t that rare.

[MJK 24]

Joel93 said:

They feel like a tank ,very well thought out car and really built to last as said no racing car but just nice to cruise around in . Starting to stand out now as they are entering the retro area. I’m just interested to see how people feel about them appreciating , it’s a difficult one as they are very highly though of cars I’d say iconic of the era , but they made so many and there so reliable they aren’t that rare.

I think a lot of the appreciation has already happened for the regular, non Cosworth models.

MTSV is a good indicator of what really good examples will retail for. They’re regularly asking £4-5k for diesels and 4 pot petrols. 6 pot petrols around £7k.

They achieved £9k for a 40k mile diesel earlier this year.

[sparkythecat]

My recollection is that they were good solid, but uninspiring cars and the rear legroom was crap for a Mercedes.