190e, the new "e30"?

[euroshark]

I didn't think Merc even offered a manual state side until '97?

I drove an '89 300E 5 speed once. Very rare but they did happen to come over in small numbers.

[QUKBMER]

Been working around them since 94 and everybody who owned one thought it was a 560sel. 2.3 sohc IS A POS and too many vacuum issues with the doors and climate control problems and oh yes the K-JET. P.O.S !
Oh do i need start on the diesels 2.2 and the 2.5. Everytime i see one die,i get alittle fuzzy inside.

[Kershaw]

wait.. so they actually use vacuum lines to lock/unlock the doors?

:tsk:

[apm]

wait.. so they actually use vacuum lines to lock/unlock the doors?

:tsk:

Yes...as if someone is sifting with a straw. It goes all the way to the gasoline lid I believe and trunk? Crazy huh? When I'm locking/unlocking doors they almost works as independent unit because of air vacuum pressure. It's kind of quiet though because you will not hear mechanical trigger on the doors.

I've replaced the vacuum unit of my 190E about 3 yrs ago. Maintenance wise the parts are not uber expensive.

[Kershaw]

im flabbergasted.

[Wh33lhop]

I've driven a 2.6 auto, I was very surprised with the amount of toarks delivered, and I hear the chassis is a lot stiffer than the E30. I'd consider one in 5 speed for a DD.

Having said that, no, it's no E30.

[dannyyisntt]

I wouldn't mind one, they're pretty neat cars. A dude in one of my classes this semester has one that he's been building over the course of the last few years. He's got it documented here on 190rev under "epic build thread":

http://190rev.net/forums/showthread.php?t=36547

Edit: Link may not work for some reason.

[freeride53]

I'm getting a 97k mile 92' 300E in perfect condition for free probably next summer. Catch is, I have to go to Memphis and drive it back. Gonna be a fun trip.

[nando]

the electronics on these cars are terrible. like 1960's tech in the late '80s.

[FLYNAVY]

My project car for the last 10 years has been a w201. Soft spot in my heart for them, but I don't know that they will replace the e30. Great cars though!

[HarryPotter]

Pretty sure my 91 GLI was all vacuum operated door locks.

[akorcovelos]

My mother in law has a w202 c230, really nice reliable car. It never struck me as an enthusiasts car though. The w202 was the last "real" benz before Chrysler bought it in '97 and they went down the pooper.

[Fusion]

Been working around them since 94 and everybody who owned one thought it was a 560sel.

What? They have nothing in common and look totally different.

190 motors = same story as e30 motors, lots of boring ones and a couple rare/good ones.

Build a 190 with an M104 3.6 C36 amg engine, the eqivalent to an S50 swap. They can be turbo'd or TC'd just as easy as an S50.
Very similar engines, easy to work on, last a lifetime.
Or you can do a V8 C43 swap if ya gots dough.

[F34R]

If it was easier to find them in manual, I would own one right now.

This^

[5spoke]

http://easternshore.craigslist.org/cto/2677007633.html

Oh hells yeah.