1988 Mercedes 190E 2.6

[W201_190e]

I regret letting mine go. Finding a decent one under £4k is impossible now.

[Rubins4]

What do you call decent? Does it need to be a 2.6?

[0a]

tobinen said:

0a said:

As mentioned earlier in the thread, it can be a bit clunky.

How is the tranny fluid level? It could be a simple case of needing a top-up and/or fluid change and filter.

It's fine, annoyingly.

Googling suggests upper diagonal links, the transmission flex joint, and engine mounts could be somewhere to start...

[0a]

W201_190e said:

I regret letting mine go. Finding a decent one under £4k is impossible now.

Of all my mercs, this is my favorite - followed closely by my original green 300e.

I would not settle for a 190 without the 6 cylinder engine. It adds so much to the experience!

[NicDale]

Great read, regarding driveline shunt have you thought about checking any of the engine and gearbox box mounts for play.

[0a]

NicDale said:

Great read, regarding driveline shunt have you thought about checking any of the engine and gearbox box mounts for play.

Thanks! I will do (er, how would I do that? Wobble them?).

[Rubins4]

With a Spanish box, put it in gear, hand brake off, bonnet up the rock the car back and forth. If the engine mounts are shot the engine will try and jump out.

Not too sure on gearbox mounts - get underneath with a pry bar?

Edit to say - I assume something similar might work with an auto…?

[0a]

The transmission issue has now been diagnosed - the car needs a new, well another, differential. The video below shows the movement which is causing the driveline shunt.

The hunt begins!

https://streamable.com/z3d5md

It also needs a new distributer cap and rotor arm.

I love driving this car. The ride is great and it feels so tight. Here it is at the merc place today with my SLK.



Much easier than the Z4 or SLK to put in the garage as well.

Edited by 0a on Thursday 28th October 20:40

[r129sl]

So how has that happened, then? The mileage on that car is very low, isn't it?

[0a]

90k now. It's never been a good transmission, but it has degraded a lot in the few miles since I recommissioned it. I think the diff is supposed to be a weak point on these W201s.

I guess once you get some shunt, it gets exponentially worse like a COVID epidemic graph!

[0a]

Many thanks to r129sl for his incredible part number knowledge (I like to think it’s all in his brain) - I have now ordered the piece of trim which is missing on the passenger side and the clip.



A new distributor cap, rotor and leads are also on their way.

[0a]

A few developments on the 190. I have collected a differential. It doesn't do what the one on the car currently does (see the video!) which is good. I will give it a tidy up before the car goes to the New Man in a couple of weeks time.

Thanks to a helpful PHer who has lots of 190s!



I also received the missing piece of trim. Just waiting for the clips to attach it.



The leads are also here.



I took the 190 round the block today, and it drives so well even compared to the newly tickled SLK.

[0a]

Some progress has been made on the 190. My Uncle came over for Christmas, so I challenged him and my Dad (they are very competitive) to do the distributer cap, and leads while I cooked Christmas dinner (division of Labour).

It's certainly packed in that engine bay, with the cap cover only just clearing the fan at the front. They did a great job!





The car had been running *really* badly once hot. On the test drive, this was totally resolved. I am missing a rear light though (now ordered).








I gave it a clean today. The interior is in remarkable condition, with no tears or the common dash crack. I still need to put the new handbrake knob on!











It has such a different character to the SLK, that's for sure!

Next, get the new diff fitted (had to cancel the appointment this year).

[tobinen]

Looks good

[0a]

Reading Mercedes Enthusiast magazine I was surprised to turn the page and find photos of my car! Must have been recycled from ages ago. Nice shot of the green interior!

[niva441]

Is that this month's? I'll have to get a copy to inspire me to finish off painting the boot and get mine back on the road.

[0a]

Gave this a wash this week.

Reminded me of how much I like it.

The chaps at the car wash were very complimentary!





I do need to get the diff swapped before I do big miles in it though.

[E90_M3Ross]

Good read. You need to get this back on the road 0a!

[0a]

Quick update - MOTed (It required a bulb) and 600 miles done ass a shakedown. I do love this car. It drives okay but I'm going to treat it to some attention...

1. Heating controls - speed stuck
2. Handbrake button
3. Outside trim - one little piece I can’t fit
4. Diff (the big one!)
5. Throttle cable
6. Gearbox service
7. Big service
8. Interior light
9. Boot seal
10. Steering issue
11. Tracking
12. Tyres
13. Paint dink in rear
14. Check jacking points
15. Alloy refurb
16. Bumper scuff
17. Rear passenger side window doesn't go down (switch?)

And growing! It goes in next week. All the suspension has been refreshed and it rides wonderfully.

[E90_M3Ross]

My friend's 190E had a window fail and needed a new motor and mechanism, from memory. I'll ask him. Probably get one from ebay or the scrappie.