Mercedes 190 - Base Model

Mercedes 190 - Base Model

Author
Discussion

F1GTRUeno

6,365 posts

219 months

Tuesday 9th January 2018
quotequote all
dave_s13 said:
Nice motor. Classic mercs are just, err, class.

This has been slowly decaying near me for a few years now. Which is a shame. If I had a garage, some spare cash, an understanding wife and the time... I'd make him an offer.

Someone save this

r129sl

9,518 posts

204 months

Tuesday 9th January 2018
quotequote all
0a said:
I need to see this!

Let me know when yours is next due and I'll try and time my Edinburgh-Midlands run on the way r129!
Engine oil and filter are due in 500miles, so Sunday after next or I might leave it until the one after that. The brake pads are only 3,500miles old, so they'll be a while yet. There's no under tray on the carb model, its absence makes life so much easier.

J4CKO

41,680 posts

201 months

Tuesday 9th January 2018
quotequote all
MJK 24 said:
Great car, great thread.

The red interiors are truly stunning.
Yeah, lovely car, I love these looking basic in a decent colour like this, no modernisation or bling going on, alloys, chrome arches etc. I love them on the plastic wheeltrims as well.

The only thing that offends my eye is the massive GB sticker.

dave_s13

13,815 posts

270 months

Tuesday 9th January 2018
quotequote all
F1GTRUeno said:
dave_s13 said:
Nice motor. Classic mercs are just, err, class.

This has been slowly decaying near me for a few years now. Which is a shame. If I had a garage, some spare cash, an understanding wife and the time... I'd make him an offer.

Someone save this
Happy to stick a note on the car to try and get someone who might want it in touch with the owner.

BorniteIdentity

Original Poster:

1,055 posts

131 months

Tuesday 9th January 2018
quotequote all
Thank you for the positive vibes so far. This morning, the car completed its first 100 mile round trip and behaved impeccably. The notion that these cars aren't fit for modern commutes, and can't keep up with traffic, is frankly ridiculous. 105 horses is the same as a 1.6 Astra/Focus that people wouldn't think twice about bombing around long distance in - often with half of the love this car has enjoyed.

I plan on writing in good detail about the car. Survivors like this (and my Sierra) deserve to have their story told and be well documented; for my records, for anyone in the future and for anyone who happens across the car and wants to know more. You'll have to bear with me a bit though as I'm double shifting for the foreseeable and Flickr/PH dictates the use of a proper computer rather than a mobile device.

IMG_3558 by Bornite Identity, on Flickr

IMG_3560 by Bornite Identity, on Flickr

IMG_3557 by Bornite Identity, on Flickr

IMG_3594 by Bornite Identity, on Flickr

IMG_3596 by Bornite Identity, on Flickr

The folder of history is full - and by that I mean there's no more space for anything else. I'm going to transfer it into a box file - and separate off the MOTs from the Reciepts from the import papers and the original bills of sale/order forms.

I was saddened to read a few minutes ago that the original owner, Lt Col Stephens died 4 years ago at the age of 89. It would appear that the car was only sold after his death in 2014 - so this vehicle loyally served him as he did us for many years (25 years). The 190 was then owned for 18 months by Mr Doji of Witham after that, before being bought by Mr French who I bought the car from last week. He purchased it in summer 2017, planning to keep the vehicle long term before being posted to Gibraltar working with the British Forces Broadcasting Service.

On the matter of the GB sticker - I did agree at first. However, things like this (and the very smart seat repair with a complimenting red leather) are all part of the car's story. I'm loathed to remove all of it, and am a bit nervous that it could end up being a difficult and regrettable job. So, for the time being at least, it stays.

Thanks very much for your interest in the car. As soon as things start warming up a bit I will treat it to an oil change (it's only been 4,000 miles since a full service) and start to get to grips with what's what.

Edited by BorniteIdentity on Tuesday 9th January 15:01

Zonergem

1,368 posts

93 months

Tuesday 9th January 2018
quotequote all
Wonderful stuff. I'm a sucker for documented provenance.

You really hit the jackpot here in terms of price paid against condition and history.

TR4man

5,240 posts

175 months

Friday 12th January 2018
quotequote all
Love to see the old history. To my eyes it shows that a car has been cherished.

tobinen

9,252 posts

146 months

Saturday 13th January 2018
quotequote all
That is excellent history. Love it.

BorniteIdentity

Original Poster:

1,055 posts

131 months

Tuesday 16th January 2018
quotequote all
I do love this little car.

It suits where we live and where we like to go. It reflects who I am, and never looks out of place. This week it's looked completely at home at a funeral, in a pub car park, at the supermarket and at work. I've done nearly 1000 miles since I collected it and it's been flawless.

There is precious little to do other than drive it. I will investigate underseal options once the winter is over and the car has had a chance to properly dry out, and there is the tiniest amount of paint work to attend to.


BorniteIdentity

Original Poster:

1,055 posts

131 months

Sunday 18th February 2018
quotequote all
Very little to report on the Mercedes 190. It is absolutely bob on. In fact, I feel guilty because - in a better market with a fruitier advert - it would have been a lot more money.

All I’ve done so far is wash it, wax it and drive it. Oh - and remove that GB sticker which spoilt the back end immeasurably.

I feel guilty subjecting it to the hostility of the A1 and M25 each day, so am using another ‘winter beater’ to take the brunt of the commute. If the weather is decent, I don’t hesitate to grab the keys and use it for the 100 miles - it does the job with such aplomb.

My Mercedes 190. by Bornite Identity, on Flickr

My Mercedes 190 by Bornite Identity, on Flickr



Edited by BorniteIdentity on Monday 19th February 09:57

gareth_r

5,763 posts

238 months

Sunday 18th February 2018
quotequote all
BorniteIdentity said:
..I was saddened to read a few minutes ago that the original owner, Lt Col Stephens died 4 years ago at the age of 89...
Did you find his obituary in the Royal Corps of Signals magazine?

BorniteIdentity

Original Poster:

1,055 posts

131 months

Sunday 18th February 2018
quotequote all
gareth_r said:
BorniteIdentity said:
..I was saddened to read a few minutes ago that the original owner, Lt Col Stephens died 4 years ago at the age of 89...
Did you find his obituary in the Royal Corps of Signals magazine?
I think I found an obituary on the local newspaper via Google - and then read something more official, but can’t remember now. My memory is like a sieve; worrying for a man of 35 (!)

gareth_r

5,763 posts

238 months

Sunday 18th February 2018
quotequote all
https://royalsignals.org/e-wire/

February 2015 edition.

BorniteIdentity

Original Poster:

1,055 posts

131 months

Sunday 18th February 2018
quotequote all
That’s wonderful, thanks very much. As I suspected, he bought this car shortly before retiring - taking advantage of the discount scheme available to military personnel.

It’s a shame that he is no longer around, but it’s a credit to his care and commitment that it looks better than many cars half its age.

mwstewart

7,637 posts

189 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Excellent.

alpinab3

204 posts

190 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
dave_s13 said:
Nice motor. Classic mercs are just, err, class.

This has been slowly decaying near me for a few years now. Which is a shame. If I had a garage, some spare cash, an understanding wife and the time... I'd make him an offer.

That looks like molested scrap to me. Good riddance.