1988 Mercedes 190E 2.6
Discussion
A proper MB and a very nice one. Makes you realise how they've changed for the worse in the last 20 years or so. I know it was probably more expensive relatively in 1998 than the current range but you definitely got what you paid for. Can't imagine anyone cherishing a 2016 C class in 28 years time!
I remember my old boss had one of these during my apprenticeship days. Exactly the same spec Gold 2.6 Auto.
When work was quiet I would have to clean it up. I was new to driving and needed to back it into the workshop so I could clean the interior and remember been perplexed that there was 3 pedals. Had to ask him about that much to his amusement.
Drove us to the pub in it a fair few times and remember how smooth and quiet it was compared to our Ford Sierra.
When work was quiet I would have to clean it up. I was new to driving and needed to back it into the workshop so I could clean the interior and remember been perplexed that there was 3 pedals. Had to ask him about that much to his amusement.
Drove us to the pub in it a fair few times and remember how smooth and quiet it was compared to our Ford Sierra.
Spinakerr said:
Good to hear it out and about - for the stalling issue my first port of call would be the idle micro switch (often just a clean), the fuel dump relay and then the throttle cable setting and it's attendant springs.
Perfect thankyou!BGarside said:
Beautiful 190. Love the velour interior - seems very rare on 190s. I assume it's a pre-cat model with the full 166hp too.
I think John Haynes were,selling it a couple of years back?
What's the mpg like on these? I'd quite like to try one if I eventually get bored with my 325i.
No cat - fortunately all my cars were spared this!I think John Haynes were,selling it a couple of years back?
What's the mpg like on these? I'd quite like to try one if I eventually get bored with my 325i.
I will look into the history to see if I have anything from John Haynes. I cannot recall seeing anything from them. It was sold by the SL shop to the current owner.
The MPG is 25-28. They are simple engines so don't go any lower but don't go much higher. I had a big 80s/90s BMW fan drive the car a few weeks back and he's looking for one. The engine isn't a patch on the BMW 2.5 for zingy-ness, but it's lovely and smooth and the whole car is very solid compared to 80s BMWs.
FatBoyDan said:
That's a belter. Love the smooth straight sixes. Recently bought a 190e myself, 2.0, but could not pass it up:
Lovely - do you have a reader car thread?!Quhet said:
What was the option instead of velour or leather upholstery I wonder?
Six upholsteries: cloth, MB tex, velours, leather, sport check cloth, sport leatherEight colours: black, brazil brown, green, light brown, medium red, blue, grey, cream (although the sport check cloth and sport leather were not available in light brown, green or medium red).
Another thought on the stalling: ignition switch. That is what it was in mine.
Lovely car!
Great thread - right up my street. I was taken to school in an E plate 190 2.6 for a few years (along with a Classic RR).
190's have been gaining real interest among the classic car fraternity. You will not see much change out of £7000 for a mint example.
Lovely car - the green velour is an added bonus
190's have been gaining real interest among the classic car fraternity. You will not see much change out of £7000 for a mint example.
Lovely car - the green velour is an added bonus
A friend bought a nice 190e 2.0 a couple of years back and the simplicity, quality and timeless styling appeal to me.
It's quite bizarre to modern eyes how a quite Spartan car could be sold as a premium-priced luxury marque, but of course the BMWs and Audis of the day were similarly sparsely equipped.
A 190 today seems like a rolling rebellion against the obesity, bling and over-complexity of modern 'prestige' cars. Think I'd like to own one one day...
It's quite bizarre to modern eyes how a quite Spartan car could be sold as a premium-priced luxury marque, but of course the BMWs and Audis of the day were similarly sparsely equipped.
A 190 today seems like a rolling rebellion against the obesity, bling and over-complexity of modern 'prestige' cars. Think I'd like to own one one day...
BGarside said:
A friend bought a nice 190e 2.0 a couple of years back and the simplicity, quality and timeless styling appeal to me.
It's quite bizarre to modern eyes how a quite Spartan car could be sold as a premium-priced luxury marque, but of course the BMWs and Audis of the day were similarly sparsely equipped.
A 190 today seems like a rolling rebellion against the obesity, bling and over-complexity of modern 'prestige' cars. Think I'd like to own one one day...
I was attracted to the more spartan end of the 190 market, but in the end I though I'd look for a 2.6 to keep up with the modern TDIs, and with electric windows and so on.It's quite bizarre to modern eyes how a quite Spartan car could be sold as a premium-priced luxury marque, but of course the BMWs and Audis of the day were similarly sparsely equipped.
A 190 today seems like a rolling rebellion against the obesity, bling and over-complexity of modern 'prestige' cars. Think I'd like to own one one day...
As I mentioned on the barge thread I have ordered front and rear springs and shocks, and am having the ball joints replaced on Saturday. I suspect one of the front springs may be missing a coil as it seems this is relatively common and the left mudflap drags on the ground a little on cornering when there is a largeish passenger in it.
I am looking forward to taking it on the Barge 1-5 meetup in the lakes on Sunday!
0a said:
I thought I would stop cluttering up the barge/retro/Mercedes threads with my cars and make a reader ride thread for my latest purchase - a Mercedes 190E 2.6. The car will sit alongside my w124 300E, and 500SL. From having zero interest in old mercs a few years ago, I appear to have developed an unhealthy obsession!
The 190 was purchased from a chap in Stoke, sight unseen and with no return ticket and with a year's insurance arranged. I had several phone calls with him, pictures (of the car!) were exchanged, and he came across as a really nice genuine chap.
The car is in excellent condition. The green velour interior is unmarked, and splendid, and it drives like a nearly new car. It really does encourage relaxed civilised progress. It isn't slow when asked, however the pleasant ride and smooth straight six engine make wafting about very pleasant indeed.
In terms of improvements (I prefer this term to "repairs"), the speedo doesn't work, and the knob on the end of the handbrake needs replacing. The latter sounds small and of little relevance, but as its one of the first things you touch on driving the car, it's actually a bit annoying.
Anyway, a few photos.
The plastic mats will go! It has the most fantastic history, including the original bill of sale and a copy of a Mercedes enthusiast article that it featured in.
I did 380 miles in it last Monday and it was great, if less comfortable at high speed compared to the w124 (lower gearing?). All in all it's a bit of a timewarp car and a joy to drive. A family friend who's a 80s/90s BMW nut and has a lovely e28 535 in his collection confirmed that he's now on the lookout for a 190 2.6 after I let him drive it!
No ways. My own 300CE 24 is Smoke Silver and has the same LPJ reg. The 190 was purchased from a chap in Stoke, sight unseen and with no return ticket and with a year's insurance arranged. I had several phone calls with him, pictures (of the car!) were exchanged, and he came across as a really nice genuine chap.
The car is in excellent condition. The green velour interior is unmarked, and splendid, and it drives like a nearly new car. It really does encourage relaxed civilised progress. It isn't slow when asked, however the pleasant ride and smooth straight six engine make wafting about very pleasant indeed.
In terms of improvements (I prefer this term to "repairs"), the speedo doesn't work, and the knob on the end of the handbrake needs replacing. The latter sounds small and of little relevance, but as its one of the first things you touch on driving the car, it's actually a bit annoying.
Anyway, a few photos.
The plastic mats will go! It has the most fantastic history, including the original bill of sale and a copy of a Mercedes enthusiast article that it featured in.
I did 380 miles in it last Monday and it was great, if less comfortable at high speed compared to the w124 (lower gearing?). All in all it's a bit of a timewarp car and a joy to drive. A family friend who's a 80s/90s BMW nut and has a lovely e28 535 in his collection confirmed that he's now on the lookout for a 190 2.6 after I let him drive it!
CharlesdeGaulle said:
0a said:
New mats installed. I rather like them (sad mode on!).
0a - I like them too, but any reason you didn't go for green mats rather than the rather fetching brown? 0a said:
Yes. The interior is very green especially when viewed from the back seats, so I went for the brown which sort of goes with the outside. I went for blue mats with the SL which break up the grey interior on that (and go with the exterior).
Sensible thinking. Shame that firm doesn't do mats to fit the XJS. I currently have what looks like a bath mat over the carpet in the driver's footwell.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
0a said:
Yes. The interior is very green especially when viewed from the back seats, so I went for the brown which sort of goes with the outside. I went for blue mats with the SL which break up the grey interior on that (and go with the exterior).
Sensible thinking. Shame that firm doesn't do mats to fit the XJS. I currently have what looks like a bath mat over the carpet in the driver's footwell.
Regarding bath mats see the opening photos on this thread! Now in the bin. Horrible!
Well I did 320 miles in the car today, and it was easy and pleasant. The car is solid and stable at 90ish. The RPM is reasonably high, but then the straight 6 is very smooth. The cruise control appears not to work, which is fairly common on this era of Mercedes. Any suggestion as to how easy it would be to fix would be appreciated.
I really like the simplicity of the interior. For example the ventilation controls which are so easy to use to get airflow and temperature correct. I dislike modern systems that never seem to get airflow to my liking. The interior isn't as polished as the w124 by any means - for example the window controls are positioned too far forwards, the hazard lights switch next to them rather than on the dash, and the headlight switch is on a panel angled downwards. However when there's little to operate this doesn't really matter!
I really like the simplicity of the interior. For example the ventilation controls which are so easy to use to get airflow and temperature correct. I dislike modern systems that never seem to get airflow to my liking. The interior isn't as polished as the w124 by any means - for example the window controls are positioned too far forwards, the hazard lights switch next to them rather than on the dash, and the headlight switch is on a panel angled downwards. However when there's little to operate this doesn't really matter!
Thankyou Alec. It was great to see your car at the barge meet. It would be good to see you at the next meet - further to go, but a good chance to give the XJ a run. It's certainly a very much more luxurious than the 190!
On the 190 front I came home today to find front and rear springs, and front and rear shocks. I will deliver these to my mechanic with the car next week.
On the 190 front I came home today to find front and rear springs, and front and rear shocks. I will deliver these to my mechanic with the car next week.
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