[V8] NAC 1989 mercedes 190E

[Tony and Lillie]

Real Mercedes, absolutely by my accounts of working on them through the 
years. Very strong, safe cars. Well built in the traditional German sense. 
Onto the rest........

You don't state if yours is a 2.6 (6-cyl) or a 2.3 (4-cyl). Most of my 
experience is with the 2.6 cars, though I've worked on a few 2.3 and 2.3-16 
cars. If I were buying, I'd be looking for a 2.3 car. More room in the 
engine bay for repairs.

My Dad bought one about two or three years ago, and I don't like the car at 
all. The seats are too low to the ground (It's just as dificult to get out 
of/into as my 944 Turbo). The cap/rotor went bad, was about $400 in parts 
and labor at MB. Get a new Relay for behind the battery (don't recall what 
it was called, but do a bit of searching and you will find it). Intermediate 
relay or something of the sort. If it hasn't fialed yet, it's just a matter 
of time. Thankfully he recently found a good independent MB mechanic, so at 
least he can get good advise and reasonable labor on the car.

The idler for the engine driven fan just fell apart, necessitating pulling 
the front end apart (nowhere as easy as an Audi, IMO).

The complicated single wiper motor/gearbox has a plastic gearbox and that 
fell apart. about $1200 from teh dealer, IIRC, and no, they don't sell it in 
parts, only complete. However, if you have the Bosch, odometergears.com has 
a new gear for about $100, IIRC. Certainly a much better alternative.

Most of the other parts have been available at a salvage yard (every wiper 
assy had a broken gear), so no big deal. At the end of the day, I'd pick a 
Volvo 240/740 or a lot of other alternatives over the 190E

Of course, this is just my .02, worth every bit of what you paid for it.

Tony

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <dsaad at icehouse.net>
To: <v8 at audifans.com>
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 12:05 PM
Subject: [V8] NAC 1989 mercedes 190E


> It looks like I am going to get one for $800 in dealer maintained
> condition. it has around 150K miles, body is great, interior great,
> mechanical assumed to be great as well. I have not driven it yet.  It is
> for my son.  All I know for sure is the A/C "will freeze your butt off".
> Any comments?  Are these real Mercedes or just a cheap imitation?
>
> Dave