Spartan Mercedes 190 (w201)
Discussion
Quhet said:
OpulentBob said:
That's really lovely. The stripes on the carpet of the start of the transmission tunnel in the front - what's up with them? They look cool but are too uneven to be factory?
Presumably created from a vacuum cleaner 
BobTurner said:
...and of course what we really want to know is...
where can you "order" that Becker for £350? Noting that is the only supplier not mentioned
I bought it here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271770723828?_trksid=p20...where can you "order" that Becker for £350? Noting that is the only supplier not mentioned
The vendor was asking €599 and I made a best offer of €475 which he accepted. Maybe I should have gone in lower. He has another for sale at €575 so presumably would take €450. I ordered it on Monday and it arrived today, in beautiful condition and very well packaged. I was just lucky with the iPod remote kit: they usually go for about £100 but one came up on UK Ebay with a buy it now price of £35 so I snapped it up. The strength of the pound against the euro is good news for this kind of thing.
The bill for fitting the exhaust and the steering gear, doing the tracking, and for diagnosing, supplying and fitting a new ignition switch was £240. You know (obviously), the VAT element of that is £40. It stinks.
Anyway, I've only driven the car a few miles since then and it feels brand new. Just the paint job and it's done.
Well, almost done. I've decided to retrofit a 70litre fuel tank from a 2.6. It gives about 30mpg which on the 55litre standard tank equates to 300miles effective range. That means going to the petrol station every four days which is just too boring. I might change the engine and transmission mounts, too.
Anyway, I've only driven the car a few miles since then and it feels brand new. Just the paint job and it's done.
Well, almost done. I've decided to retrofit a 70litre fuel tank from a 2.6. It gives about 30mpg which on the 55litre standard tank equates to 300miles effective range. That means going to the petrol station every four days which is just too boring. I might change the engine and transmission mounts, too.
Nice to see a basic 190 being preserved. Most of those for sale seem to be the 'E' model or 2.6. Also very unusual colour scheme. Is that the German taxi paint colour?
I spent 2 years looking for a 190 to buy but ended up with a BMW 325i instead. I still like the 190 though and may have one one day. It's a shame that most of them seem underpowered and the 2.6 seems inordinately thirsty for ca. 160hp.
Great thread though and following with interest!
I spent 2 years looking for a 190 to buy but ended up with a BMW 325i instead. I still like the 190 though and may have one one day. It's a shame that most of them seem underpowered and the 2.6 seems inordinately thirsty for ca. 160hp.
Great thread though and following with interest!
I think the Golf is not long for our garage. The rat damage is being repaired on insurance and then it will be converted into an en suite bathroom before too long. Mrs r129sl seems to be really taken with the 190.
I replaced the under-bonnet insulation today. Easy if filthy job. But the part was only £13 at the main dealer, although it took them two attempts to get it. I used Scotch Weld 80 temperature-resistant neoprene adhesive. Then we went out for a drive and, being so sad that my family don't even notice it any more, I took some pictures. The car was washed about 60 miles ago, but you know what the roads are like. Some of the emergent rust can be seen on the offside wing. Aren't those wheel trims the tops?
I replaced the under-bonnet insulation today. Easy if filthy job. But the part was only £13 at the main dealer, although it took them two attempts to get it. I used Scotch Weld 80 temperature-resistant neoprene adhesive. Then we went out for a drive and, being so sad that my family don't even notice it any more, I took some pictures. The car was washed about 60 miles ago, but you know what the roads are like. Some of the emergent rust can be seen on the offside wing. Aren't those wheel trims the tops?
Lovely car, and really unusual spec.
Back in 97 I bought a 190e from a motor-trader mate of mine. Blue/black metallic with 4 x electric windows, rear headrests and electric sunroof, but a rare manual. Great car, much better built than the W202 C-Class that replaced it.
Probably should have kept it - it was registered on my birthday (not date of birth)!
Glad to see yours is getting some love.
Off to the classifieds to look for a manual 2.6 Sportline - that would be my ultimate 190 (the Cosworths have a bit too much bork-factor at this age)!
Keep enjoying yours.
Back in 97 I bought a 190e from a motor-trader mate of mine. Blue/black metallic with 4 x electric windows, rear headrests and electric sunroof, but a rare manual. Great car, much better built than the W202 C-Class that replaced it.
Probably should have kept it - it was registered on my birthday (not date of birth)!
Glad to see yours is getting some love.
Off to the classifieds to look for a manual 2.6 Sportline - that would be my ultimate 190 (the Cosworths have a bit too much bork-factor at this age)!
Keep enjoying yours.
I had the new stereo installed today and, although I have only listened to the wireless, I have to say it sounds great.
Headunit: Becker Indianapolis Pro 7950
Speakers: Audison APX 4
Amplifier: Alpine KTP-445U
The Becker looks mint in the dash. I'll take a pic later or tomorrow but it really does look spot on. The speakers are just little 4" jobs in order to fit the factory mounts but I was impressed by the blurb on them. And the amp is a very compact thing which is concealed in the dash somewhere. I am looking forward to getting one of the amps in my 124. It just sounds clear and crisp, amazing from such small speakers. Recommended.
Headunit: Becker Indianapolis Pro 7950
Speakers: Audison APX 4
Amplifier: Alpine KTP-445U
The Becker looks mint in the dash. I'll take a pic later or tomorrow but it really does look spot on. The speakers are just little 4" jobs in order to fit the factory mounts but I was impressed by the blurb on them. And the amp is a very compact thing which is concealed in the dash somewhere. I am looking forward to getting one of the amps in my 124. It just sounds clear and crisp, amazing from such small speakers. Recommended.
I will be interested to see that. I have just done a quick Google to see what the Becker looks like and I think it should look pretty darn good in the 190's dash!
I sometime feel torn about getting a new stereo in my Jag. The old one was good for its day, but things have moved on and it is lacklustre now. The problem is that it was an original fitment in the car and new radios nearly always look bad in them. The Becker is lovely in your car, but the Jag's dash lights might clash with it, I fear. Also I haven't the first clue how to wire a new radio and amp in. Jaguar offered a Harman Kardon amplifier. I wonder how that works. Oh dear, I'm drifting off topic - onto me!!
Post up some more pictures of the 190 generally - not just the radio. Its a lovely pure thing in super condition and a pleasure for my jaded old eyes!
I sometime feel torn about getting a new stereo in my Jag. The old one was good for its day, but things have moved on and it is lacklustre now. The problem is that it was an original fitment in the car and new radios nearly always look bad in them. The Becker is lovely in your car, but the Jag's dash lights might clash with it, I fear. Also I haven't the first clue how to wire a new radio and amp in. Jaguar offered a Harman Kardon amplifier. I wonder how that works. Oh dear, I'm drifting off topic - onto me!!
Post up some more pictures of the 190 generally - not just the radio. Its a lovely pure thing in super condition and a pleasure for my jaded old eyes!
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