Any experience with MB 190e 5spd?

[Outside Groove]

Found an 84 Mercedes Benz 190e 2.3 with a 5spd. Needs a little body work from a minor wreck ( fender, grille and side skirt) but it looks clean other then that.

Anyone out there have experience with them? Is it gonna feel like a boat compared to my e30? Good cars? Or should I run away?

[Bene]

I've heard nothing but good things regarding the quality of 80s Benzs

[unloadedak]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw-AxiVqihM

[Dj Buttchug]

i really want an 5spd 190e.

[tjts1]

Found an 84 Mercedes Benz 190e 2.3 with a 5spd. Needs a little body work from a minor wreck ( fender, grille and side skirt) but it looks clean other then that.

Anyone out there have experience with them? Is it gonna feel like a boat compared to my e30? Good cars? Or should I run away?

Find a newer one. 84 is like the read headed step child of 190s because it was the first year. Most got 14" wheels, unvented brakes, no airbag, no abs, weak wiper mechanism, low compression engine (120hp vs 136 for later engines), smaller 240mm clutch... just off the top of my head. Basically every model year after that is a step up in every way. They were made up to 93 so you have options if you keep looking. manuals make up about 5% of 4 cyls and maybe 1% of 6 cyls. I picked up my 92 2.6 manual for $850 with some body damage in the back and 165k miles. Run like a top. If its cheap enough buy for the whole car for the manual bits then find a newer 190 with a dead automatic (should be worth scrap at that point) and swap it in. The 4 cyl manual box will bolt up to a 6 cyl but you will need a different flywheel.

[Aptyp]

^but the 5-spd transmission in one of those is worth fixing all the issues.

[Dj Buttchug]

^but the 5-spd transmission in one of those is worth fixing all the issues.

from what i understand the 5 speed is somewhat rare??

I have yet to find a manual 190 in decent shape.

Who knows about the 16v 2.3's were they 5 speed?

[tjts1]

^but the 5-spd transmission in one of those is worth fixing all the issues.

If its cheap enough buy the whole car for the manual bits then find a newer 190 with a dead automatic (should be worth scrap at that point) and swap it in. The 4 cyl manual box will bolt up to a 6 cyl but you will need a different flywheel. It will even bolt up to the 2.2 and 2.5 diesels.

from what i understand the 5 speed is somewhat rare??

I have yet to find a manual 190 in decent shape.

Who knows about the 16v 2.3's were they 5 speed?

The 16v is over rated and way over priced imho. Even the 2.6 6cyl makes a quicker daily driver. The US 16v had reduced CR and still used KEjet for a whopping 167hp. And it needs periodic valve adjustments. Then you have to deal with the self leveling suspension and the "its just like an E30 M3" BS premium.

[QUKBMER]

Dude run away as fast as you can. Get a late model like 90 to 93 190e 2.6 . All the early models are pieces of shit. I have been working around then since 1995 to present and we stopped working on the early ones about 3 years ago up to 1988 year . Only 89 and newer we will touch.

[Dj Buttchug]

gawwwd damnn. a later model 190 5 speed swapped slammed on some mesh is my dream.

whats the bolt pattern. 5x120?

[FLYNAVY]

Later model years (ie 89-93) generally are better cars to have at this point. There are some mechanical differences, as well as being post-facelift which adds the more attractive lower body cladding. I'd personally not get a 2.3, as it would be way too anemic for my taste, but they are reliable cars. If it were me, I would shoot for either a 2.6 Sportline 5-spd, or maybe a 16v if you can find one that hasn't been beaten to death. The Sportline has a lot of the goodies from a 16v (suspension, LSD, quicker steering ratio, recaro leather seats) without being as expensive. I personally preferred the m103 (2.6) motor to the 16v m102, as I think it makes for a better all around daily driver. That being said, 16v's are pretty cool cars, need very little modification out of the box, and while the most pricey, are still not nearly as outrageous as the e30 M3.

As for the 5-spd in general, it is not that rare, especially in the 2.3 or 16v, and also not unheard of in the 2.6. Shop around and you should be able to find one. It isn't really the best transmission (dogleg, weird clunkiness), but it beats the hell out of the 722.4 auto trans which is annoying at the very least.

If you do decide to get one, double check how it performs at idle and coming onto/off the throttle. A lot of these cars have strange idling issues that lead to bogged down starts and weird hesitations. I had said problem with my 2.6, and eventually said f-it and began my v8 swap. Also, AC is a common problem, so if that is a factor for you, I'd thoroughly evaluate that. Beyond those issues, there isn't too much else specifically to look out for, aside from cars that just generally haven't been looked after. Like older BMW's, they are cheap to buy, but expensive to maintain properly, so factor that into your decision.

[apm]

I beg to differ my friend. 190E 16V is no way overpriced and very reliable if you keep up with maintainance just like any E30. It's about 1/4 of the price of an E30 M3 but holds it's own.

I bought this 16V for $2200 4 years ago and I only had minor repairs done to it, like water pump, but that's it. I've been driving this 190E for almost 4 years now with no issues.





I currently own both E30 M3 and 190E 16V and I have experience with both. It's awesome to drive as well even stock US version and can be had for under $8k in good shape if you look hard.

[tjts1]

$2200 for a 16v is a heck of a deal. I would jump on that in a heartbeat. Most I've seen pop up on CL for $7k+ and they're usually barely running or just failed smog.

[IxTech]

^your 190E is so sick. i want one now.

[apm]

yeah it's good deal for $2200.

It's got:
- Remus full exhaust
- Carbon fiber interior
- Recaro leather seats (no sign of wear front/back)
- Dogleg 5Spd
- Costworth head
- Eibach front sway bar
- Eibach springs/KYB struts
- Hella smoked tails
- It has about 128k miles on the clock.

3 years ago I had to choose between what to keep E30 M3 Lachsilber and this 190E 16V, and I chose to keep this one, because I know it's as reliable, fun to drive and looks good as well. Although I also like E30 a lot, so I got a replacement.

But yeah, be patient out there and just keep your eyes peeled and you will find a good one with decent price. In fact I turned down a 116K miles AUTO 190E16V daily driver not too long ago for $1500. I just didn't like auto, but I realized I could've bought that one and can flip it easily.