190E - talk to me

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I've had my rubbish 2000 corsa for 2 years now, and I really do fancy a change. However I study throughout the week and only work at weekends, so I can't go spashing loads of money out on a car.
I've always like old Mercs and I was shocked by how little they cost, and even more shcoked that they are only marginally more expensive to insure than my Corsa. I wouldn't be buying for a few months if I do buy, so I thought I'd see if there is anything I need to know about them before searchign the market. For example a couple I have looked at have sports packs, and I don't know if that is a more desireable thing to look for ( I would've thought it porbably was). Would also like some feedback about running costs, reliability and stuff liek that. Anything that a newb to the 190E and mostly cars in general would need to know.
The one I have been looking at so far is this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/467260.htm

Also, I'd rather not have other car suggestions, unless the 190E really is rubbish. I'd be buying the 190E with my heart as much as with my head. Always liked them for some reason and I'm rather excited that I could possible afford one :P
 
I know nothing about them, however they may be cheap to insure but they could well cost a lot more to run. Petrol, parts, labour etc are all likely to be more expensive. Great looking cars though :)
 
I dont do a massive amount of miles so petrol costs aren't too much of a concern. Would only really be used evenings and weekends. And as for parts and labour, it's part of the reason I'm asking, to see what the total runnings costs would be like.
 
let face it the spares aren't going to be cheap. Buy a lemon and you will be forever replacing parts. If you really want to know rather than getting our best guesses why dont you find some forums specific to the car and research there? That's the clever way to do it.
 
While spares are not as cheap as the french spares, 1) They don't seem to break very often even at that age unless they are abused and 2) You can still get spares from GSF/Europarts etc. A mate of mine had a K reg one a couple of years ago. He swapped it for a P plate C class because he wanted an auto.

From the examples i've been in I like the 190E and older C class. They are a little asian taxi ish but hide it well if you buy the right colour and don't have huge alloys :)
 
When I hit 21, I realised that luxobarges were cheap to insure. I've always had a thing for Jags so went for one of them, Insured it with just 2NCB (at 21) for a measly £400!

I encourage you to follow your heart and enjoy the experience of a car you can actually get excited about rather than a little hatchback.

The 190E's are nice looking from the outside but £1200 for a 2 litre manual with cloth seats? and a horrific plastic dash? I know you said you didn't want other suggestions but your money will go further elsewhere!
 
Only decent 190E's had Cozzy lumps in them, They are Taxis. They will do unreal mileage though. German taxi drivers wouldn't even think about flogging it until it had 500k up it.
 
I hadn't spotted the link.

I think its expensive too, but it does look spotless and has got a lot of toys. My mates P reg C Class elegance (similar factory spec but no upgrades) was also spotless, 88,000 miles and he sold it for £1500 18 months ago. Against it was the colour (Horrific green).

I'm no merc guru but i'd expect to pay £800 for a pretty nice 190E of that age. I'd be reluctant to pay £1200, i think that's C class money.
 
I really like these motors, and was considering one for my first car (moved in a different direction eventually). I love the looks, and while the 2.0 is hardly fast, it's probably not the speed that you're going for in this case.

Good luck with it and keep us updated.
 
2.6 out the 260 should drop in there without much grief if you fancy a weekend bit of fun ;)
 
Do not get a 190E, you will be spending more money on getting it fixed.
This is my mates 2L Merc
2326573453a7375605624l.jpg

2326573453a7375595577l.jpg




This is first car 2 at 17!
 
Why has that white one got a blackboard instead of a grille?

EDIT: infact, so much of that car is wrong, the "brows", the wind deflectors, the stickers... :(
 
Do not get a 190E, you will be spending more money on getting it fixed.
This is my mates 2L Merc
This is first car 2 at 17!

Really? General consencus is that they're bulletproof. Are you sure his isn't broken becasue he's been bolting superchargers and stuff to it? :P
As for the linked one, it was just an example really. I wouldn't actually buy that one. I don't like that colour and would prefer leather.
 
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i think it's just that white one which will need money getting fixed
(ie) removing all the **** that's on it :p
 
Probably gonna be a bit too big for me. As for speed and such, I'm sure 2L will be plenty for me. Anything will seem like a rocket after driving a 1L Corsa.
 
The 190e isn't exactly small though and I'm sure you'd get used to it. If you get, say, a 230e it will probably be no more expensive to insure and they're both bulletproof.
 
Do not get a 190E, you will be spending more money on getting it fixed.
This is my mates 2L Merc
2326573453a7375605624l.jpg

2326573453a7375595577l.jpg




This is first car 2 at 17!

That is the single most horrible mercedes i have *ever* seen. Truely ghastly and such a shame that these attract owners like that :(
 
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