Spartan Mercedes 190 (w201)
Discussion
Some (rubbish) pictures below. The headunit illumination is actually a spot on match for the Merc's instrument and switch lighting, even if it looks a bit green here. The amplifier really seems to bring out the best of the speakers. I burnt a CD of some familiar favourite songs to listen to on the way home and I was astonished to get so much out of such little speakers. I need to turn down the gain otherwise it'll blow the speakers, though.
You can get this headunit in a variety of illumination colours including red and green, one of which might be a good match for a Jag. It's a super piece of kit.
Edit: by the way, to the person who asked whether that was me in Killingworth, it wasn't, but it was this car, wife at the wheel, lost.
You can get this headunit in a variety of illumination colours including red and green, one of which might be a good match for a Jag. It's a super piece of kit.
Edit: by the way, to the person who asked whether that was me in Killingworth, it wasn't, but it was this car, wife at the wheel, lost.
I can see that in real life the display will match the distinctive instrument lighting Mercedes used - I'm sure it isn't accidental. Mercedes instruments are beautiful things - it is in details like this that the older Mercedes holds its appeal.
I will bear that in mind that the head unit is available with green lighting when the time comes - it is low down on the ever expanding 'to do' list on my Jag! - I am about to follow your example and spend a fortune fettling the underside!
Your 190 is quite striking in this condition and this colour - like looking into the past. I have a real fondness for them, but they serve as stark contrast to the boorish, gauche and coarsely styled consumer product that is the current C Class. It is almost painful to see how much has been lost at Mercedes.
I will bear that in mind that the head unit is available with green lighting when the time comes - it is low down on the ever expanding 'to do' list on my Jag! - I am about to follow your example and spend a fortune fettling the underside!
Your 190 is quite striking in this condition and this colour - like looking into the past. I have a real fondness for them, but they serve as stark contrast to the boorish, gauche and coarsely styled consumer product that is the current C Class. It is almost painful to see how much has been lost at Mercedes.
Edited by dbdb on Tuesday 10th March 00:36
Rather than spunk £1,000 on a light ivory estate car that I neither need nor want and which will itself need me only to shower money on it, I have got the ball rolling on the body restoration of my little Spartan. Spurred on by the Albanian car wash jet blasting more paintwork off a rusting wheel arch, I have ordered two new front wings from the main dealer. Good old MB, in the two weeks since I last enquired, the price has gone up 10per cent. With discount, £471 inc VAT for the pair. Full price is £554. At least they will deliver to the Man for free. Maybe they read these posts and selectively increase their prices in the knowledge that they're onto a sure thing.
On the light ivory estate car front, check out this comedian: http://coupeandcabriolet.co.uk/230te-estate/458872... I suppose I could go for the Anglia one on the basis that it's actually saving me £6,000?
On the light ivory estate car front, check out this comedian: http://coupeandcabriolet.co.uk/230te-estate/458872... I suppose I could go for the Anglia one on the basis that it's actually saving me £6,000?
r129sl said:
On the light ivory estate car front, check out this comedian: http://coupeandcabriolet.co.uk/230te-estate/458872... I suppose I could go for the Anglia one on the basis that it's actually saving me £6,000?
He's on drugs. If anyone pays that, they're on drugs. W00DY said:
Were that TE on the correct wheel trims, I'd think it rather lovely.
But not £7.5k lovely.
It's missing the grille emblem, too. We've critically examined this chap's cars before; and I've viewed and driven one, too. Less said the better. But: by all means sell perfect cars at top money, but at least make sure they are perfect and not missing a few penny parts.But not £7.5k lovely.
The wings have arrived. I have also obtained some little decal details including pukka Merc snow tyre warning stickers for the instrument binnacle. Finally I have bought a new Merc battery so it is just so under the bonnet. I expect it will be Monday before the car goes to the bodyshop and the action starts. I am still looking for a 70litre fuel tank; and I am pondering fitting 15 hole forged alloy wheels with summer tyres. I was just going to leave it on winters but I can really feel how inadequate they are in my 129, something I have never previously noticed in the 124.
Wings:
Windscreen sticker:
Winter tyre warning sticker:
Wings:
Windscreen sticker:
Winter tyre warning sticker:
Great thread OP!
I too have a 190 but it's an 2.0L 'E' and really quite special and a well-travelled thing!.....
Made in Germany (obvs!) in 1998 and shipped to Tokyo for sale to 1st owner. Spec. - Gunmetal-grey paint. Leccy sunroof, Leccy windows x 4, Leccy seats and both fronts heated. 2-tone black/grey leather throughout, working air-con and those lovely alloys you previously referred to. 63K on the clock.
Imported to the UK from Japan around 2004. I bought it immediately on sight in 2009 for £1700! It was nearly immaculate. We then drove it out to our home on Lake Como where it sits patiently in our garage with the battery disconnected. Starts 1st time/every time we use it. We've been stopped a few times by the Caribinieri (normal out there) and they always smile at the 'Mercedes-Benz-Tokyo' dealer sticker and Tokyo parking-permit that remain attached.
Brilliant wee thing that will probably outlast me and the Mrs!
I too have a 190 but it's an 2.0L 'E' and really quite special and a well-travelled thing!.....
Made in Germany (obvs!) in 1998 and shipped to Tokyo for sale to 1st owner. Spec. - Gunmetal-grey paint. Leccy sunroof, Leccy windows x 4, Leccy seats and both fronts heated. 2-tone black/grey leather throughout, working air-con and those lovely alloys you previously referred to. 63K on the clock.
Imported to the UK from Japan around 2004. I bought it immediately on sight in 2009 for £1700! It was nearly immaculate. We then drove it out to our home on Lake Como where it sits patiently in our garage with the battery disconnected. Starts 1st time/every time we use it. We've been stopped a few times by the Caribinieri (normal out there) and they always smile at the 'Mercedes-Benz-Tokyo' dealer sticker and Tokyo parking-permit that remain attached.
Brilliant wee thing that will probably outlast me and the Mrs!
Edited by Ali2202 on Wednesday 25th March 15:37
Ali2202 said:
Great thread OP!
I too have a 190 but it's an 2.0L 'E' and really quite special and a well-travelled thing!.....
Made in Germany (obvs!) in 1998 and shipped to Tokyo for sale to 1st owner. Spec. - Gunmetal-grey paint. Leccy sunroof, Leccy windows x 4, Leccy seats and both fronts heated. 2-tone black/grey leather throughout, working air-con and those lovely alloys you previously referred to. 63K on the clock.
Imported to the UK from Japan around 2004. I bought it immediately on sight in 2009 for £1700! It was nearly immaculate. We then drove it out to our home on Lake Como where it sits patiently in our garage with the battery disconnected. Starts 1st time/every time we use it. We've been stopped a few times by the Caribinieri (normal out there) and they always smile at the 'Mercedes-Benz-Tokyo' dealer sticker and Tokyo parking-permit that remain attached.
Brilliant wee thing that will probably outlast me and the Mrs!
Pretty much everything about this post is cool.I too have a 190 but it's an 2.0L 'E' and really quite special and a well-travelled thing!.....
Made in Germany (obvs!) in 1998 and shipped to Tokyo for sale to 1st owner. Spec. - Gunmetal-grey paint. Leccy sunroof, Leccy windows x 4, Leccy seats and both fronts heated. 2-tone black/grey leather throughout, working air-con and those lovely alloys you previously referred to. 63K on the clock.
Imported to the UK from Japan around 2004. I bought it immediately on sight in 2009 for £1700! It was nearly immaculate. We then drove it out to our home on Lake Como where it sits patiently in our garage with the battery disconnected. Starts 1st time/every time we use it. We've been stopped a few times by the Caribinieri (normal out there) and they always smile at the 'Mercedes-Benz-Tokyo' dealer sticker and Tokyo parking-permit that remain attached.
Brilliant wee thing that will probably outlast me and the Mrs!
Ideal spec, air con and heated seats. What is the two tone leather like? That has me worried a little bit.
r129sl said:
Pretty much everything about this post is cool.
Ideal spec, air con and heated seats. What is the two tone leather like? That has me worried a little bit.
It's verging on a bit porno! Ideal spec, air con and heated seats. What is the two tone leather like? That has me worried a little bit.
The inserts are light grey and surrounds are black. Actually, now I think of it, they're not really ALL that 'Ron Jeremy'!ETA - found a pic...same colour-scheme!...
Edited by Ali2202 on Wednesday 25th March 16:04
I delivered the 190 to the Man today together with the first tranche of problem solver. Here it is disappearing into his compound (Gateshead is neither as photogenic nor as cool as Como):
And these are the most visible of the body defects. Here the nearside front wing, very, very minor rust peeking through the dirt, it will be worse on the inside and it is only going to go one way.
Altogether worse on the offside:
And there is a spec on the rear end panel, under the light cluster:
There is also rot on both front door jambs. Where the wiring goes from the car into the door, the bellows-like sheath has trapped moisture and abraded the surface on both sides, so a little repair (necessitating door removal) will be required there. After abrading the rust away, I have specified Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80 rust converter and then Electrox zinc-rich primer on those bits with a view to preventing it from coming back. The car is also getting a double dose of Dynax S50 cavity wax and Dynax UB underseal.
This week will hopefully see it stripped. Next week he is on holiday. Then the action begins again. I am quite keen on getting a set of alloys for it, they would have to be the early, forged type with the round holes. If anyone has any, do get in touch. I am definitely going to spring for summer tyres.
And these are the most visible of the body defects. Here the nearside front wing, very, very minor rust peeking through the dirt, it will be worse on the inside and it is only going to go one way.
Altogether worse on the offside:
And there is a spec on the rear end panel, under the light cluster:
There is also rot on both front door jambs. Where the wiring goes from the car into the door, the bellows-like sheath has trapped moisture and abraded the surface on both sides, so a little repair (necessitating door removal) will be required there. After abrading the rust away, I have specified Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80 rust converter and then Electrox zinc-rich primer on those bits with a view to preventing it from coming back. The car is also getting a double dose of Dynax S50 cavity wax and Dynax UB underseal.
This week will hopefully see it stripped. Next week he is on holiday. Then the action begins again. I am quite keen on getting a set of alloys for it, they would have to be the early, forged type with the round holes. If anyone has any, do get in touch. I am definitely going to spring for summer tyres.
Edited by r129sl on Tuesday 31st March 09:54
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