Should I buy my neighbors Cosworth?

[Freude am Fahren]

My neighbor is selling his 1987 Benz 190e 2.3-16V for $1,500.

- It needs a new waterpump and fan clutch.
- The paint is okay except on the roof it's starting to fade and you can see some shallow surface rust.
- The interior is surprisingly clean.
- It's an automatic.
- It has about 200K miles on it. All panels are there and VIN is matching. Clean title
- It comes with a spare cluster and crackfree dash.
- It doesn't have the original wheels but a regular 15 inch 190e wheels.
- The suspension is the original suspension. Will most likely need to be replaced
- He won't want to bother smogging it. I might be able to chalk off a couple of hundred bucks from his asking price to cover smogging fees or have him smog it.


Should I bother with it? The only reason I'm considering it is because I also own a 89 BMW M3 and would love to have his sidekick to complete the story. Convince me one way or another please.

-Eamon

[slammin.e28]

You want it otherwise you wouldn't be posting here.

[M-technik-3]

Purchase and convert it to a proper gearbox. MB and their crazy idea of all slushbox world.

[Freude am Fahren]

You want it otherwise you wouldn't be posting here.

We all want a lot of things. But, living in SF, I'm paying more for garage space than rent for my room. Also, being in medical school, I won't be able to devote a lot of time to restoring this car at the speed at which it would make the enthusiasts happy. So the question is if I will be able to find a similar sale a few years down the road or if I should invest the 1.5 or 1.2 grand in it today.

[Nick_S]

For $1500? Absolutely. Anything Cosworth for $1500 should be bought no questions asked.

[Freude am Fahren]

I swapped the transmission out of my M3 in favor of a close ratio dogleg. Does anyone know if my US spec tranny from the M3 will fit the cosworth?

[slammin.e28]

We all want a lot of things. But, living in SF, I'm paying more for garage space than rent for my room. Also, being in medical school, I won't be able to devote a lot of time to restoring this car at the speed at which it would make the enthusiasts happy. So the question is if I will be able to find a similar sale a few years down the road or if I should invest the 1.5 or 1.2 grand in it today.

I would. Set it aside and gather parts as you can. Then, have a blast a few months/years from now restoring your M3's top rival.

[peytonracer4]

sure. then post pics here so we can say hey yo

[gtdragon980]

Hell yeah!

[gtdragon980]

I swapped the transmission out of my M3 in favor of a close ratio dogleg. Does anyone know if my US spec tranny from the M3 will fit the cosworth?

Money is everything. I'm sure with enough money, you can have an adapter built to do that. Although, I would rather just look around for a easier swap than that!

[getouth]

it is worth more than 1.5k. GET IT.

[reelizmpro]

I would especially if it runs but I understand not having enough space to store it and having a couple of cars already. They really are nice cars and were more expensive than the M3. Hard to go wrong at that price if the car is complete.

[Herr Faust Schinken]

they sell in Ok condition for like 6-8k, its worth it i think

[Freude am Fahren]

I would especially if it runs but I understand not having enough space to store it and having a couple of cars already. They really are nice cars and were more expensive than the M3. Hard to go wrong at that price if the car is complete.

Barry, it runs just fine. It suffers from a slow leak at the water pump and with the fan clutch out, it starts to overheat a little. I'll give him a ring and discuss the smog potential.

[TheTacoMan]

Try to get it for less, I bet people out there are willing to pay quite a bit for even a beat down 190e cosworth. Bottom line is if you flip it in the same condition I bet you could make profit, I would do it.