Mercedes 190 door cards
Discussion
I'm not very knowledgable about Mercedes cars, hopefully someone can help out. I'm going to need a sensible family car with 4 seats (if not 4 doors) in the next 6-12 months and I'm eyeing up 190s. I'm led to believe the door cards split across the top, and also that there are no spares other than breakers.
I've asked MB about it, but the dealers struggle without a VIN number which I obviously don't have.
Any advice from 'some bloke on the internet' on whether split door cards is a big issue, or whether there is a sensible fix,would be appreciated.
(also any info on likely or actual MPG from the 2.5-16 cars would be good
)
I've asked MB about it, but the dealers struggle without a VIN number which I obviously don't have.
Any advice from 'some bloke on the internet' on whether split door cards is a big issue, or whether there is a sensible fix,would be appreciated.
(also any info on likely or actual MPG from the 2.5-16 cars would be good
)It's endemic. I've had 4 W201s and 3 of them suffered this. Seems that moisture gets into the fibrous edge (which is normally folded into the door and out of sight) and then it 'puffs up', lifts up and delaminates. A few guys at the 190 OC had little workarounds. ISTR adding a bit of trim to hide the problem was possible.
The W124 (E class) did not suffer, so I guess it's one bit of the 190 design which MB realised was poor.
The W124 (E class) did not suffer, so I guess it's one bit of the 190 design which MB realised was poor.
Indeed the molded door cards from the 190's can split and when they do, they're not really easy to mend.
I turned down an otherwise tidy 190 last year as it had two split door cards. My research proved fruitless for a cheap and matching replacement, and I believe the only ones around at the time were on German ebay for a princely sum.
You will expect 24ish mpg on a 190 2.3/5 with 30 easily obtainable on a run.
I turned down an otherwise tidy 190 last year as it had two split door cards. My research proved fruitless for a cheap and matching replacement, and I believe the only ones around at the time were on German ebay for a princely sum.
You will expect 24ish mpg on a 190 2.3/5 with 30 easily obtainable on a run.
EskimoArapaho said:
Good man. That'll result in buying a W124 E36 saloon and forgetting about fuel economy and shonky door cards. 
My fallback is a W124 E320Or R129 500 SL
In all seriousness though, what are the risks with the 2.3/2.5 cars from an owner's perspective? Rust, obviously, but how's the security? I've sort of assumed I'll be advised to fit a tracker or such like?
goneape said:
but how's the security? I've sort of assumed I'll be advised to fit a tracker or such like?
On such an old, low value car? Would anyone want to steal it? That's probably the best security.Getting a Tracker fitted and the annual subscription would cost more that the car. (Autotrader has Merc 190 starting from £395.)
A good 16V is worth approx perhaps £7500 now, double that for low miles + super condition. FWIW, I don't recall any of the 190 OC guys having Trackers fitted - not even the guys with original Evo IIs or that super-rare Brabus 3.6.
Apart from the rust and occasional head gasket issue, they just keep going. Whiney rear diffs sometimes with age, and misunderstood self-levelling suspension on the 16V models (often replaced with conventional susp).
About the only thing I recall being annoying is - as with many MBs of this era - every now and then there are starting/running issues. Perhaps it won't start from cold without some accelerator, or won't idle smoothly when cold, etc). Owners can go through a lot of diagnostic headscratching, despite the car's simplicity. Lots of swapping of OVP relays, fuel thingummies, etc. At least there are still specialist indie garages to help with this stuff. And spares are very easily had (except those bl**dy door cards!).
The 190 - I had 2.0, 2.3, 2.3-16 and 2.6 - is a car I sort of outgrew, but I still find myself wanting another one.
Apart from the rust and occasional head gasket issue, they just keep going. Whiney rear diffs sometimes with age, and misunderstood self-levelling suspension on the 16V models (often replaced with conventional susp).
About the only thing I recall being annoying is - as with many MBs of this era - every now and then there are starting/running issues. Perhaps it won't start from cold without some accelerator, or won't idle smoothly when cold, etc). Owners can go through a lot of diagnostic headscratching, despite the car's simplicity. Lots of swapping of OVP relays, fuel thingummies, etc. At least there are still specialist indie garages to help with this stuff. And spares are very easily had (except those bl**dy door cards!).
The 190 - I had 2.0, 2.3, 2.3-16 and 2.6 - is a car I sort of outgrew, but I still find myself wanting another one.
Rust behind the plastic trims is often present, mechanically they are strong enough though.
All Mercedes with pre rack and pinion steering (190's and W202's) are sensitive to worn out steering dampers which are a cheap and easy fix, as well as a requirement for good quality tyres.
It depends where you are for security issues. I've got a tracker on my 129, but only because it came with the car. The insurance premium is the same in my part of the world with or without the tracker.
All Mercedes with pre rack and pinion steering (190's and W202's) are sensitive to worn out steering dampers which are a cheap and easy fix, as well as a requirement for good quality tyres.
It depends where you are for security issues. I've got a tracker on my 129, but only because it came with the car. The insurance premium is the same in my part of the world with or without the tracker.
Thanks all. The last issue is woman related. Her indoors is worried about accident survival, what with them being 25 years old. They just don't get it do they? pretty much all cars ftom the last 10 years completely underwhelm me. Obviously a 25 year old car will not be as robust as a 5 year old car, but what's the truth really?
One if my previous cars was a '94 Audi 80, so similar vintage and equipment. It was built like a tank, felt very solid and fared very well in the one bump I had, vs a 2 year old Rover 75. I'd expect the same of a 190.
One if my previous cars was a '94 Audi 80, so similar vintage and equipment. It was built like a tank, felt very solid and fared very well in the one bump I had, vs a 2 year old Rover 75. I'd expect the same of a 190.
Having read your earlier post, don't discount the E320 which is waftier but probably quicker than the 190E .
I've had a C36 AMG as a family car (summer months) for the past 8 years. It's not the same as the 190 2.5 in terms of character (different,and no better or worse) but charismatic, reasonable to run and 80 bhp more powerful.
I've had a C36 AMG as a family car (summer months) for the past 8 years. It's not the same as the 190 2.5 in terms of character (different,and no better or worse) but charismatic, reasonable to run and 80 bhp more powerful.
goneape said:
Thanks all. The last issue is woman related. Her indoors is worried about accident survival, what with them being 25 years old.
She has a point. Few 190s have airbags (even for the driver!). ABS is, I think, just about universal, but probably not a patch on a modern car's system. I found mine pretty useless in even light snow. No SIPs, either, I think. There's a certain solidity to 1980s MBs compared to its contemporaries, but if you were to hit a modern C Class with it ... well ... just don't!
Split door cards are common but this is very easy to mend. Remove door cards - should take 10 minutes per door. Gently heat up the shrunken plastic lining with a hairdryer, then apply good glue to both the plastic lining and to the door card: preferably PATTEX CLASSIC KRAFTKLEBER (this is the stuff that Mercedes sells in its own branded containers). After waiting for a few minutes until the glue has dried, stretch the shrunken plastic lining over the door card into its original position and fix with screw clamps and two pieces of matching wood. Leave for 2 hours.
Absolutely no reason not to buy a W201 190 series. Rust is a much bigger problem nowadays.
Absolutely no reason not to buy a W201 190 series. Rust is a much bigger problem nowadays.
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