190 2.3 16 - Looking for advice

[BobP]

I am considering purchasing a 190 2.3 16. It is claimed to be Cosworth modified. Can anyone give me any advice about what to look out for, spares availability, service costs, insurance, etc? I'd welcome any advice at all.

 

[RonnieIrl]

190 2.3 16

OK, let's see.  First of all, the Cosworth "modifications" were at the behest of Mercedes Benz, so don't worry that you're buying a Max Power car cobbled together from spare parts in a backstreet garage!  The engine is MB, but for the 16 valve head they brought in Cosworth expertise, so when you open the bonnet you will indeed see "Cosworth" on the heads.  (For the 2.5 version MB cleverly came up with their own design, which may not be a million miles away from the Cosworth version

Anyway, I have a 2.5, so I'll try to be a little more general in what to look for...

Parts are a little harder to get, but not impossible.  As these were homologation cars, there are quite a few little differences between them and standard 190's - be very careful when you're having them serviced as most of the fluids are different to standard, and your friendly dealer will only too happily stick in the norm

Possibly the first thing to check is the exhaust manifold; on the right hand drive cars this is a work of art, bending around the steering column and, as you'd imagine, is expensive to replace.

Check the clutch if it's a manual - the only problems I've ever had with mine were all clutch related, but slave and master cylinders rather than clutch plate.

The dog leg gearbox takes a little getting used to, and if you're doing a lot of city driving I'd say wait for an auto.

Aside from that, the 2.3 has a lot less electronics to worry about.  However, if it's got big wheels, think about it, as all the homologation cars have very sensitive suspension set ups; the more standard they are the better.

Air con is the only other problem I've had, to the point where I've given up trying to fix it  Pre-CFC free gas is needed, and the modern stuff just tends to leak away.

All I can add is that the 2.5 16 is one of the nicest cars I've owned, and I've no intention of selling.  A friend who owned two different 2.3's still waxes lyrical about them, and he currently drives an Aston Martin Vantage, so they must have made a good impression

Hope that's some help.

 

[BobP]

190 2.3 16

Thanks - I was despairing of getting any info. I'm hoping to view and drive one I'm interested in this weekend, but it is a manual, and I would be using it quite a lot around town, so might have to wait a while longer.
BobP

 

[RonnieIrl]

190 2.3 16

How did you get on BobP ?  

Hope I didn't put you off the manual too much - mine's a manual and I do cope with the commute every day admirably; indeed, never had a problem until the missus got a Renault Clio automatic for round the city and I was seduced by the ease

Any more questions, just post them up and I'll see if I can help

 

[BobP]

190 2.3 16

Thanks for the reply. On viewing closely on Saturday I found serious body problems, so I walked away. My son picked up a buyers guide last weekend - in, of all places, Jo'burg airport - so I've now got a few more details. I think I need to be patient.
BobP

 

[Andy]

190 2.3 16

Hi Ronnie

Although I agree with most of what you are saying there are some fundemental flaws in what you are saying. I maybe wrong. But I have never seen cosworth stamped on any cylinder head.

Although cosworth had association with the cylinder head. I am not sure its one they would shout about.(In my opinion) Since this engine is extremely noisy compared to the F**D engines. All though there are many modifications to the 2.5 against the 2.3, in standard version at least the electronics are very similar. The biggest differece for reliability is the duplex timing chain fitted. Thereby stopping the chain from jumping which was a problem with the 2.3. A  modified tensioner had to be fitted. The price of the modified tensioner is another story.

The reason you loose the refrigerant out of the AC, is because you have a leak. Not because of the refrigerant you are using.

If you are after one of these 16v cars the 2.5 is diffinately the one to get. More power,more reliable,less problems, a lot smoother. (In my opinion!!!)


Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com