Looking at a beater 190e today

[browntown]

Besides some things like broken fog light lens', cracked dash, and inoperable window motors, the 1984 190e I'm going to look at today sounds like a deal. Are these cars as reliable as the Diesel models? This example has the 4 banger engine (8v) and the 5sp manual transmission. Am I looking at another project like the e30, or can I drive this thing reliably for a year or two without sinking a lot of dough into it?

Anyone have experience with these cars? I know that the vacuum system is a nightmare, but the fuel delivery system is supposedly very efficient and simple.

[CabbE30]

It's no e30

[TurboJake]

If you're describing it as a beater it's going to need to be maintained, which is pretty much the same as an E30.

[browntown]

I know this. It is not replacing the e30. Just need a reliable run-about with good gas mileage. Just was looking to know what problems are systemic and I need to look for.

[stamar]

well the first thing.

a diesel would be called a 190d. Im almost sure there is no suche thing as a 1984 190d in america.

I would say the autos in mercedes are not reliable at all but thats mostly from diesels Ive looked at. Youre thinking like the 300td which is way bigger.

Thatd be the first thing I looked at.

If it is a manual 190e its worth getting.

[Emre]

Like all cars, the 190E/W201 has its faults. You an expect more electrical gremlins compared to a BMW from the late '80s. Make sure everything works. Air conditioning, heating, airbag, ABS, and cruise control are common faults.

Mechanically, the cars are tough. The engine is bulletproof and if you can find a 5-speed you'll be happy. The rear diffs aren't as bulletproof as BMW rear ends. Most of them will have non-functioning LSD by now, but you can rebuild them with fresh clutches.

In terms of weaknesses, there's a lot of rubber in the rear suspension: 4 separate rear subframe bushings, plus 2 rubber bushings on each of the rear suspension links (4 or 5 links per side). You're talking about at least 12-14 bushings that will probably need to be replace ASAP. The steering boxes loosen up with time. If you're lucky, you can simply tighten the adjustment screw. If the box is too worn, you'll need to replace it.

Other than that, it's like any other 25-year-old car. Make sure it's not a rusty heap. Make sure the chassis is straight and the suspension is solid. Flush all the fluids. Rebuild the brakes. The usual stuff.

[browntown]

Yeah it's a manual. The main things they've told me about this particular car is that the window motors are shot. I'm going to call in a little bit. I think I can get it for 1200$ bux. I'll report back later.

[browntown]

Well after almost a three hour round trip, I turned it down. Never seen a car so misrepresented on craigslist before. This things paint was shot and some of the panels had different shades of blue. The bumper covers were cracked with creases in the rear body with rust in the creases. Likely fender benders that were never fixed. The interior was trashed with entire chunks of foam missing from the dashboard, and the door panels were peeled up from the sides. It was parked in a parking lot where we were supposed to meet. I got there early and saw that one of the windows was partly down and it was pouring rain. Even the roof trim was not attached and pulling up.

Thank you Tom from Eugene for wasting my gas money. After looking at it, before he even arrived I called him and told him I was passing. I thought that was the right thing to do instead of just driving off, he then has the balls to say "Well you could have told me earlier you weren't serious about buying it".

Dick.

Here's a screenshot. I'm serious in that these crappy cell phone pics are probably the best angles to show this car. Just because I want a cheap car doesn't mean I'm a sucker. Should have known things were shady.

"Do you have a clear title in hand?"
"Yeah"
"Well bring it with you, so if I want to buy it, we can complete the sale"
"Well, if you have cash and we make a deal, I'll call my 'partner' and he'll bring the title over. We buy and sell cars you see, I hold the keys and he holds the titles."

Bringing my whole family to an empty parking lot in a deserted industrial area of town was sketchy enough.

Thanks to those who tried to help in this thread, but it wasn't meant to be.

[e30austin]

What an assbag.

[thatguyMatt]

What an assbag.

x2

Too bad for that, manual 190's are rare. Find a good one and they are pretty bulletproof though.

[TimKninja]

If you find a w123 diesel, those will last forever. Run it on veggie oil and have nearly free fuel. The only things that suck are the vacuum systems. One leak throws off the
Entire car. Locks , tranny, car wont shut off if theirs a Vacuum leak big enough.

[2mAn]

one car i regret not buying was a grey market 190d manual and no power junk. i really wanted it. should've bought it... oh well. suck that this one was a pile

[nando]

No.

[stamar]

one car i regret not buying was a grey market 190d manual and no power junk. i really wanted it. should've bought it... oh well. suck that this one was a pile

ya that car has 50 hp. those non turbo diesel mercedes are not really set for american traffic.

Its great until the corrollas start passing you, on the freeway onramp.

[BrooklynMW]

Dude, wait. If you want a real beater 190e, that's in shit shape but runs, you can find one for much less than $1200. I've been seeing some beater 190e's ranging from $700-$1k.
But since I'm in the same boat as you (I too have been looking for a 190e as a 2nd car), it's worth it to wait for the right one to come along. You can find decent ones (not beaters) that need very little to get it back up to full glory for around $1500-3000, depending on how good you want it to be.
Also, try to go for '88 or later models. Better engines, better compression. In one day, I drove an '85 and then a '91. Higher comression makes all the difference in the world.

a good 190e is worth the wait.

EDIT
I didn't read the part where you already went to check it out.
My advice, if you want a beater, get a beater. Something you won't give a shit about. Some Geo Prism or something. Seriously, a 190e, you wouldn't be able to leave alone. Why? Because it's a classic. I bought my e30 to be a "beater" 2 years and $14k later, it's no beater.