190e, the new "e30"?

[325ix]

I would love one of the Cosworth editions as a close second to an M3

[DTM190]

Im 6'3" and didnt mind it

[Kershaw]

but missing 30+hp.

[02stu]

If your 6'2" or taller forget about it. They are tiny inside. The cosworths are dirt cheap and feel exactly like an M3.

[E-Thirty]

Anyone have any details on the performance of the inline 6 in the 190e? Were those motors never really commonly modded?

[tjts1]

Therese a replaceable bushing at every joint but most of the kits only include the high wear ones.

I'm just going to park this right here.

[Emre]

More like 5 links per side, x 2 x 2 + 4 =24 bushings.

I thought only 3 of them had rubber bushings and the swing-arm and tie rod were solid mounted? I must admit, I had my mechanic replace them, so I didn't really pay that much attention.

[trackjunkie21]

I have a old 70's 300d from Europe with a 5 speed if anybody is interested

more details man!

[tjts1]

There's a ton of rubber in the W201 suspension, especially at the rear where you've got 4 subframe bushings and 2 bushings on each end of the multi links (3 per side).

More like 5 links per side, x 2 x 2 + 4 =24 bushings. Been there, done that. It was fun and well worth it.

Everyone complains about the autos being slugs because they start in 2nd gear lol.
A lot of the older Mercs do.

If you put the gear selector in the 2 position from a standing start it will start in 1st gear and take off a lot better. When you want to change from 1-2 move the selector from 2-3-2 and now it will hold second gear.

92 and 93 model year US mkt autos have first gear start. Its a better daily driver. The european market MBs from the era had a switch so you could turn 1st gear ON/OFF.

[DTM190]

Everyone complains about the autos being slugs because they start in 2nd gear lol.
A lot of the older Mercs do.

If you put the gear selector in the 2 position from a standing start it will start in 1st gear and take off a lot better. When you want to change from 1-2 move the selector from 2-3-2 and now it will hold second gear.

[OniKyan]

There's a ton of rubber in the W201 suspension, especially at the rear where you've got 4 subframe bushings and 2 bushings on each end of the multi links (3 per side). So, 16 rubber bushings in the rear suspension alone...all of which will be rotten by now.

It's the same story up front. Plus, there's the steering box that needs periodic adjustment and a steering damper that tends to go bad. There are 3 tie rods (rather than the 2 you have with a rack-and-pinion) and people tend to forget about the one in the center.

It's a big (and expensive) job to replace them all, and most 190E owners don't bother. With soft springs and gentle highway use, the car will be OK. But the handling is shockingly poor when all that stuff is worn out, as it will be on a 25-year-old car.

Drive one that's been well-maintained and you'll be amazed. I still remember the first time I drove a properly sorted 16v. Coming from a fully track-prepped E30, I was shocked at how solid the car felt. I remember telling the owner it felt just like my Lancer Evo VIII, only with less power.

That's a lot of bushes, sounds like a PITA to keep well maintained.

Pretty sure the one I drove was a 2.3, not a 16V Cosworth though. Automatic makes them a complete slug and finding a manual in Australia is a difficult task.

I think my main problem with visibility was the rear headrests and C pillar.

[Emre]

There's a ton of rubber in the W201 suspension, especially at the rear where you've got 4 subframe bushings and 2 bushings on each end of the multi links (3 per side). So, 16 rubber bushings in the rear suspension alone...all of which will be rotten by now.



It's the same story up front. Plus, there's the steering box that needs periodic adjustment and a steering damper that tends to go bad. There are 3 tie rods (rather than the 2 you have with a rack-and-pinion) and people tend to forget about the one in the center.

It's a big (and expensive) job to replace them all, and most 190E owners don't bother. With soft springs and gentle highway use, the car will be OK. But the handling is shockingly poor when all that stuff is worn out, as it will be on a 25-year-old car.

Drive one that's been well-maintained and you'll be amazed. I still remember the first time I drove a properly sorted 16v. Coming from a fully track-prepped E30, I was shocked at how solid the car felt. I remember telling the owner it felt just like my Lancer Evo VIII, only with less power.

[OniKyan]

Have driven one, it was an awful experience.

Although, this.

Obviously, if you compare that to an enthusiast-owned E30 (with upgraded springs/shocks, bigger wheels, sticky tires, urethane bushings, and various other performance mods), you'd think that the E30 was in a different league. You can't put a clapped-out commuter's car up against a modded enthusiast's car; you have to compare like-for-like.

[DTM190]

Loved mine, handled way better than any E30 I have ever owned.



Still regret swapping it for the graphite E30 and wish I had stuck the 1uz into the 190e instead.

[Airborneinfantry11]

I have a old 70's 300d from Europe with a 5 speed if anybody is interested