Spartan Mercedes 190 (w201)

Spartan Mercedes 190 (w201)

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Discussion

Mr Tidy

22,220 posts

127 months

Friday 20th October 2017
quotequote all
r129sl said:
I think ABS was only standard after 1990. It was an extra on my car and it is something I would look for.
It certainly wasn't standard in 1989 - I know my 190e didn't have it. And I remember that because mine was first registered on my 30th birthday! laugh

If I was buying a 190 to use regularly I'd probably also look for one with an airbag!

UberMeister

302 posts

152 months

Friday 20th October 2017
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
r129sl said:
I think ABS was only standard after 1990. It was an extra on my car and it is something I would look for.
It certainly wasn't standard in 1989 - I know my 190e didn't have it. And I remember that because mine was first registered on my 30th birthday! laugh

If I was buying a 190 to use regularly I'd probably also look for one with an airbag!
I'm not sure I'd place much faith in a >25yr old airbag biggrin

Great thread - I really enjoyed my time with my 190s and would own another.

r129sl

Original Poster:

9,518 posts

203 months

Saturday 11th November 2017
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Down at the dodgy car wash today. It's a cheap car to run, this. Probably because my wife doesn't drive it at pheasants far too fast.


CharlesdeGaulle

26,234 posts

180 months

Saturday 11th November 2017
quotequote all
r129sl said:
Down at the dodgy car wash today. It's a cheap car to run, this. Probably because my wife doesn't drive it at pheasants far too fast.

The conjugation of ageing Western European luxury metal, with Eastern European work ethic and Romanian fashion, with a backdrop of British identikit homes fit for heroes. In a moody light. With flags. It brings a bit of a tear to be honest.

That is a brilliant pic.

r129sl

Original Poster:

9,518 posts

203 months

Saturday 11th November 2017
quotequote all
"I like dees one, huh huh". Lynemouth is a bit of a st hole but it's four miles away, has a chip shop, chop suey house, co-op and now a £5 car wash at which there is never a queue.

I have yet to patronise the chop suey house.


Zonergem

1,368 posts

92 months

Sunday 19th November 2017
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A much less attractive 190E in Light Ivory, and also far more expensive.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...



1. Don't care for the body-coloured Saccos.

2. Diamond-cut 8 holes are too much.

3. Spoiler nono

4. Unable to see how I could live with the colour clash between exterior and interior. Shame as in the interior looks in fine nick and would go so well in a silver car.



5. Ludicrous price.

MJK 24

5,648 posts

236 months

Sunday 19th November 2017
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The red interiors are truly stunning. Black, anthracite or silver would carry one nicely.

r129sl

Original Poster:

9,518 posts

203 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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Mental pricing. The spec is very nice but it has the deficiencies identified plus holes in centre console from an old phone. Even if it had a six (E65 Ross may have been right...) it would still be a five grand car. Max.

Zonergem

1,368 posts

92 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
r129sl said:
Mental pricing. The spec is very nice but it has the deficiencies identified plus holes in centre console from an old phone. Even if it had a six (E65 Ross may have been right...) it would still be a five grand car. Max.
Could copy this chap, who is trying to drop an M120 in!!


Mercedes 190 V12 project build! JMSpeedshop !: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy5UV-uDczfR...

Ali2202

3,815 posts

204 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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Erm........

Lake Como after 10 years. Starts on the button even if left untouched for 6 months.........

Japanese import. Bought for £1600 with a ton of options you don't see on Euro-spec versions. Almost mint still.

Part of our Life. tank



Edited by Ali2202 on Tuesday 21st November 03:47

Zonergem

1,368 posts

92 months

Friday 8th December 2017
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Even more spartan 1986 model also in Light Ivory and carb-fuelling but also offering Choose-Your-Own-Gear amusement.




http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C942227?dt=1


I want very much, though the MOT history isn't the greatest.

r129sl

Original Poster:

9,518 posts

203 months

Friday 8th December 2017
quotequote all
Zonergem said:
Even more spartan 1986 model also in Light Ivory and carb-fuelling but also offering Choose-Your-Own-Gear amusement.




http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C942227?dt=1


I want very much, though the MOT history isn't the greatest.
If you're serious about a 190—and they are great—you might want to ask Oa (Alec) whether he'd sell his 190 E 2.6 auto (I think he has five cars now). It's a pre-facelift (on a D, I seem to recall), smoke silver over, wait for it, wait for, green velour. Last time I saw it, it was stone mint, as Baister says.

alabbasi

2,493 posts

87 months

Saturday 9th December 2017
quotequote all
A friend of the family bought one new back in the 86. He worked for a foreign embassy and I believe he paid 6000GBP for it at the time which I thought was really cheap as I remember reading a motor magazine indicating that the 190E was a 10500GBP car at the time (probably because of VAT)

It was completely bog standard 190 carb model in black with cloth seats, manual windows no sunroof (which we wishes he had as I was 13 and he was a chain smoker) and a 4 speed manual.

Only option was diplomatic plates and which seemed to allow him to travel at around 100mph on the A40 and park on yellow lines.

Zonergem

1,368 posts

92 months

Saturday 9th December 2017
quotequote all
Oa, sell a car?! I'll not hold my breath.

Does sound like a lovely car although he will have to be persuaded of the merits of taking on another SL in p/X. Maybe I should sell the garage queen once the weather improves.

Baister's "stone mint" isn't to be totally relied upon. I have exactly half a bump stop instead of the usual pair and a top mount that can rotate despite being affixed in three places. Replacements are in hand, along new shocks all round, ball joints, steering damper. Debating engine/tranny/diff mounts, idler arm and subframe bushings.

CharlesdeGaulle

26,234 posts

180 months

Saturday 9th December 2017
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If you can't prise one out of 0a's hands, this would be a nice substitute. No interior shots but looks pretty.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C942312


r129sl

Original Poster:

9,518 posts

203 months

Thursday 18th January 2018
quotequote all
Zonergem said:
A much less attractive 190E in Light Ivory, and also far more expensive.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...



1. Don't care for the body-coloured Saccos.

2. Diamond-cut 8 holes are too much.

3. Spoiler nono

4. Unable to see how I could live with the colour clash between exterior and interior. Shame as in the interior looks in fine nick and would go so well in a silver car.



5. Ludicrous price.
Has the price just got more ludicrous? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253374860949?ul_noapp=t...

r129sl

Original Poster:

9,518 posts

203 months

Saturday 3rd February 2018
quotequote all
A bit of action on the Spartan today.

The heater fan has been squealing like the proverbial stuck pig. My wife tells me she hasn't noticed it, but it drives me bananas. So a new MB heater fan was ordered and my boy and I fitted it today. It is a relatively straight forward if lengthy job. Remove lower windscreen trims, remove wiper mechanism, remove heater box cover, replace fan. Refit everything in reverse order. The great thing about the 190 is that it is like Meccano: it was designed and built to be taken apart.

We also did the oil and filter, the air filter, the wiper blade and topped up the carb damper. I say "we" but really my eldest did the oil and filter service without assistance from me.

New and old blower motors:




Lower windscreen trims, wiper and heater box cover out:




It is up to 163,229 miles although it is not getting much use at the moment, my wife having attached herself to the 124 and 210.

Zonergem

1,368 posts

92 months

Saturday 3rd February 2018
quotequote all
Good to see my R129 blower masterclass bore fruit nerd

Zonergem

1,368 posts

92 months

Saturday 3rd February 2018
quotequote all
Also... really tempted. Am down in London right now but seller not answering.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

BorniteIdentity

1,055 posts

130 months

Saturday 3rd February 2018
quotequote all
Zonergem said:
Also... really tempted. Am down in London right now but seller not answering.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Low miles for the money, but that advert is more spartan than the spec list of this car!

Can’t tell the colour from just those photos and my crappy old phone. Not Beryl Blue but not Malachite either.

Anyway, keep us posted!