Discussion
Got my eye on a nice 190E, 2.0 petrol auto with 76k miles, in Smoke Silver with 15-hole alloys and leather
Always liked these when I was a kid growing up in the '80s. I've driven a couple at the specialist MTSV and was impressed with the smooth ride and low noise levels inside the car.
I'm thinking if I buy it I'd sell my current Seat Leon and use it as an only car, covering around 6500 miles a year. I don't drive every and most of my mileage is infrequent longer motorway trips.
Is this realistic? Is it likely to cost a fortune to run / keep breaking down. One of the attractions is that they seem relatively simple cars and easy to work on, but I'm no expert mechanisc and could probably handle servicing/brakes but that's it.
Does anyone on here run a 190? Got any experiences to share?
Always liked these when I was a kid growing up in the '80s. I've driven a couple at the specialist MTSV and was impressed with the smooth ride and low noise levels inside the car.
I'm thinking if I buy it I'd sell my current Seat Leon and use it as an only car, covering around 6500 miles a year. I don't drive every and most of my mileage is infrequent longer motorway trips.
Is this realistic? Is it likely to cost a fortune to run / keep breaking down. One of the attractions is that they seem relatively simple cars and easy to work on, but I'm no expert mechanisc and could probably handle servicing/brakes but that's it.
Does anyone on here run a 190? Got any experiences to share?
If it's a good one, it'll be fine
If not, it certainly won't be.
My mate ran one for a while and it had a number of issues.... Valve stem oil seals cooling problems, some gearbox something or the other, suspension issues, rust (especially around top mounts), ball joints are a very common fault too.
They can be run daily and reliably... Heck I ran a 30 year old 3 series as a daily but if it's not a good one to start with it can cost you.
If not, it certainly won't be.
My mate ran one for a while and it had a number of issues.... Valve stem oil seals cooling problems, some gearbox something or the other, suspension issues, rust (especially around top mounts), ball joints are a very common fault too.
They can be run daily and reliably... Heck I ran a 30 year old 3 series as a daily but if it's not a good one to start with it can cost you.
E38Ross said:
If it's a good one, it'll be fine
If not, it certainly won't be.
My mate ran one for a while and it had a number of issues.... Valve stem oil seals cooling problems, some gearbox something or the other, suspension issues, rust (especially around top mounts), ball joints are a very common fault too.
They can be run daily and reliably... Heck I ran a 30 year old 3 series as a daily but if it's not a good one to start with it can cost you.
Sound advise regarding running an older car. If not, it certainly won't be.
My mate ran one for a while and it had a number of issues.... Valve stem oil seals cooling problems, some gearbox something or the other, suspension issues, rust (especially around top mounts), ball joints are a very common fault too.
They can be run daily and reliably... Heck I ran a 30 year old 3 series as a daily but if it's not a good one to start with it can cost you.
If an alternator goes, nice easy home spanner job with no doubt cheap parts.
If at MOT the suspension mounts are rusted, you have very few options left.
Cheap old cars are often a world of pain. Cough up for a good one though and they can be a delight.
I had a 1.8 (stated 1.9 on the log book but I don't think it was...) a few years back, it was slower than a slow thing, but a lovely ride.
And it was rusting badly around the back window - but was invisible until the window had been removed (the boot was leaking and we were trying to find out why).
Buy with care.
I would post a pic of mine, but I'm too ashamed to, with it's 80's 3 spoke alloys
And it was rusting badly around the back window - but was invisible until the window had been removed (the boot was leaking and we were trying to find out why).
Buy with care.
I would post a pic of mine, but I'm too ashamed to, with it's 80's 3 spoke alloys
I ran one for 2 years, not particularlty good on fuel but nice and comfortable. A real slug performance wise but thats not why you buy a 190.
Had no real issues with it and mechanically they are easy to look after, its the rust that lets them down but there are still some good ones around.
Had no real issues with it and mechanically they are easy to look after, its the rust that lets them down but there are still some good ones around.
Cheers. I realise it isn't going to be fast as an auto but I tried a manual version and the gearbox was hideous. Auto much smoother to drive.
Ideally I'd drop in a 2.3 and then retrofit EFI but lack the skills and paying someone else wouldn't be sensible.
Would love a 2.6 but not the fuel consumption. Autocar averaged 21mpg when they tested a new one....
Probably I'll fit a smaller steering wheel from a 'C' class as I'm 6'5 and need the legroom.
Clearly I'm going to have to check very thoroughly for rust...
Ideally I'd drop in a 2.3 and then retrofit EFI but lack the skills and paying someone else wouldn't be sensible.
Would love a 2.6 but not the fuel consumption. Autocar averaged 21mpg when they tested a new one....
Probably I'll fit a smaller steering wheel from a 'C' class as I'm 6'5 and need the legroom.
Clearly I'm going to have to check very thoroughly for rust...
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