190e Buying Advice (or other recommendations)

[Huddy]

Hi Guys (and Gals?)

New to the forum, and indeed the whole world of MB, so be gentle!

I've just written off my old car (nothing serious, but R reg Fiesta's aren't that sturdy you know!) and have decided that after pootling round in a hairdressers car for 4 years (it was my first car) that I want something a bit more befitting of the image of a cool twentysomething. I'm thinking a Merc... 8)

Now, I've heard the 190e is where it's at. 13 years old, cheap to buy, will run forever. I can't afford to insure something with a Cosworth engine, and because of where I live, anything too flash will get pinched by the scallies. i have two basic questions (We'll see how you do with those, and I might come back with some more... )
1. What Merc should I be buying? I want a smallish one, as long as it cruises at a decent speed, mad performance ain't essential, and budget is up to £2k. I'm budgeting for a bit on parts/labour in the first year too. Something I can insure without too much hassle.
2. How secure are they? Obviously I'd want to fit an alarm/immobiliser, does this usually put the toe-rags off enough?

Any advice or pointers in the right direction much appreciated.

Cheers,

G

 

[paulcallender]

190E is a good choice, but it pays to carefully look into the likely cost of insurance. You mention budgeting for parts/labour - bear in mind, that parts could cost more than other, lesser cars. Also, some garages see £££ signs when someone comes in with a Mercedes and a look of despair, becuase it won't run. Try not to get yourself into a situation where you're relying on a garage to get you out of the mire. Tip - use this forum wisely!

You could traditionally 'label' the standard sizes of car: Fiesta, Escort, Mondeo, Granada. 190 is Mondeo size, E class is Granada size and S class bigger still. So, you're going up 2 sizes of car in one step, here. No doubt you're happy enough with this, though. Until recently, the 190 (and subsequent C-Class) was the smallest car Mercedes did (if you exclude the little smart car thingy).

There is a 190E at the end of our road, its tax has run out and I imagine it will be taken away and squished soon.

 

[Huddy]

Thanks for the quick reply!

I know what you mean about the size, it's not a problem, I've driven plenty of bigger cars before etc (learnt to drive in a LWB Toyota Landcruiser 4.2 - Don't ask!) but if I'm honest the 190e is about as big as I want to go. It's either that or a Golf at the moment...

As for insurance, just had a quote for £500 (24 yrs old, 2yrs ncb after accident, Hampshire address, £1400 for where I may/may not actually live in Manchester!)

 

[mike65]

Buy the best you can afford. Read up here and on all Merc message boards, get familiar with on-line parts shops German Swedish & French, Eurocarparts, etc. Prices are good if you know where to buy. Second hand parts from places like Mercman are good too.

Don't rush or be seduced by something all glossy black but which runs like a dog (only slower!)

Mike.

 

[andy_k]

don't rush into buying anything, make sure you get a car that's not been thrashed. There are still plenty of Family owned cars around with full history and even a few with one owner from new so there are bargains to be had.

If it's had a non factory bodykit bolted on - don't buy it, if the owner hasn't had it serviced or changed the oil - walk away. These cars (if they are looked after properly) will run for ever, if they are treated badly they will end up costing you a fortune. Make sure you buy an "E" badged car which signifies fuel injection - always double check on the documents and under the bonnet as well. HPI the car, lots of these cars will have been Class D write offs u. Not neccesarily a bad thing if the price reflects it and if you can afford it get an engineer to check the car for yo. Drive the car, it should be smooth, effortless power, no rattles etc all the electric toys should work (sunroof, windows etc) as should all the vacuum operated ones (locks. headlight adjusters etc). If they are not working, don't wait for excuses, buy something else.

I'd disagree with some of Paul's comments above although the advice to use this forum wisely is very good.Merc parts cost no more than any other brand and the dealers is often the cheapest place for them - just avoid them when it comes to servicing unless they do fixed price deals for older cars. There are plenty of local independent specialists up your way and they will charge a fraction of the price the dealers do for labour.

Good luck searching

Andy

 

[c13tay]

I have had 5 190E's and have to agree its a wise choice. As said above, if you can make sure its the 2 litre "E" and the "facelift model (late 1990 onwards with the slab sides. There are plenty out there so go for one with all the 190 must haves ie front centre arm rest, 4 x EW, rear head rests etc etc

Have to disagree with some of the comments above though. Running one of these cars isnt at all expensive, if you didnt buy a dog in the first place. Parts are surprisingly cheap. Dont be afraid to try main dealers for parts to ! Because of the discounting scheme on parts for older cars, lots of stuff is chaper from merc than form places like Euro car parts ( ie exhausts)

Also there are so many independant specialists providing services and new and used parts im sure there will be one or two in your area

Never had any problem with unwanted attention from theives etc - think the 190 doesnt attract the joy rider, not quick enough, and is obviously too old to be of any value to ringers and exporters etc.

Also, a friend of mine used to work as part of a special police squad tackling car thieves - he always used to say that the position of the ignition key on the 190 made it more difficult for the joyrider to wire etc

They are a really solid car and a pleasure to drive - sometimes wish I had looked around for another good one before buying the c-class !!!!

Good luck and if you do get one, stay on the forum !

Chris

 

[Huddy]

Never had any problem with unwanted attention from theives etc - think the 190 doesnt attract the joy rider, not quick enough, and is obviously too old to be of any value to ringers and exporters etc.

Also, a friend of mine used to work as part of a special police squad tackling car thieves - he always used to say that the position of the ignition key on the 190 made it more difficult for the joyrider to wire etc

Good luck and if you do get one, stay on the forum !

Chris

Cheers for all the advice everyone, I'm reading it, but boss is stalking the office today, so can't give full replies!

That's interesting about the security, and a major selling point to me. I'm not obsessed, it's just where I live. Also why I don't want something too 'bling', the 2.0 is looking tempting, but I want the newer shape too.

Loving the advice, keep it coming!

 

[paulcallender]

I'd disagree with some of Paul's comments above although the advice to use this forum wisely is very good.Merc parts cost no more than any other brand and the dealers is often the cheapest place for them - just avoid them when it comes to servicing unless they do fixed price deals for older cars. There are plenty of local independent specialists up your way and they will charge a fraction of the price the dealers do for labour.

Apologies Andy, maybe I'm not in the best position to judge the performance of garages. Apart from MoTs, I rarely/never use them! I'd always look at doing the job myself, no matter how complicated it is.

 

[andy_k]

Apologies Andy, maybe I'm not in the best position to judge the performance of garages. Apart from MoTs, I rarely/never use them! I'd always look at doing the job myself, no matter how complicated it is.

same here, I like to be the one looking after my own car but I'll always buy spares from the dealers - I can usually get them same day for the same or less than ECP are charging.

However not everyone is as ambitious as us or haven't had the benefit of learning "how to" on simpler mchinery and I know many dealers offer a discount rate on servicing for old cars and that specialists exist who are often genuine enthusiasts.

Running a Merc needn't be expensive, over the last two and a half years it cost us less to run a W124 230TE than my partners Mazda 323F (about £500 cheaper in fact) and now we have sold the old girl (0% depreciation over three years) we can only hoppe the current one works out such good value - I must admit though underneath the bonnet looks a little daunting - I need to get my head around that one

Andy

 

[42864]

Huddy -- I have a 190E with the 2.6 engine and all of the goodies as they say, Cruise, F/armrest, all 4 headrests,ect; a marvelous car. If you can find a one owner car then go for it as the 2.6 was quite often bought by the older type driver and not thrashed. In fact it will if required cruise at 120 mph and reach 130 with a bit of patience. If driven sensibly without racing away from lights etc; 35 mpg is attainable I often get 35mpg travelling from West Wales to London on the M4 with cruise control set at 70mph and in perfect comfort. All I can say is they are the perfect car, buy one and see, you will not be disapointed.

 

[Huddy]

Hey up.

Thanks for all the advice - sorry no more recent replies, work's been bonkers busy. It's always the way. Plus the hirers of my 'courtesy car' have managed to scam me £100 for the world's smallest dent, that may or may not have been there when I took the car out in the wet. Buggers.

Mrs/Miss/Dr/Wing Cdr 42864: I really can't afford to insure the 2.6 litre, as much as I'd like one! I figure that if I start with the 2.0l, I can work my way up!

I've been offered this for sale at £750, what do you think? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4566327349&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:UK:1

 

[stwat]

Im sure youl find a 2.6 is about the same as the 2.0 to insure mate. Thats what i found out recently anyway.(2.6 will be mine in the near future ) Baisicly, no one wants to nick a 190 full stop.... Unless its a cosworth or EVO the insurance company's see the 190 as a low risk car

It cost me less to insure my 190e 2.0 then it did my previous volvo 440!!!???!!!! Which was 4 years younger than the merc!!!!!

And yes,,,,, i do hang my head in shame for owning the volvo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stu

 

[andy_k]

the 190 you linked to looks OK but I'd try it on a bit with the price.

Your argument could go like this.....

1, "well it only made just over £600 on eBay so perhaps you've got too high an opinion of it's value after all it fell £350 short of the buy it now price - offer £650 saying that's higher than the eBay price"

2, "cars just aren't selling at premium prices at the moment, I want the car, you want to sell it. eBay "valued" the car at £600, I'll give you £650 cash"

I wouldn't pay more than £700 for that one, at the end of the day, even though it's a Merc it is a 15 year old car. You could also look at W124s for about the same money and they are a whole different ball game

Andy

 

[stwat]

the 190 you linked to looks OK but I'd try it on a bit with the price.

I wouldn't pay more than £700 for that one, at the end of the day, even though it's a Merc it is a 15 year old car. You could also look at W124s for about the same money and they are a whole different ball game

Andy

Hmmm. A whole different ball game indeed. Wouldnt a W124 be a bit of a minefield at that price though? The W124's i looked at before i found my W201 where dog ruff to say the least. But in the same price range the 190's were in so much better fettle, condition and number of owners wise.

Thats just what i found anyway.

Stu

 

[mike65]

There's a rather nice 190 auto for sale on this thread

Mike.

 

[andy_k]

it's a buyers market at the moment Mike, a grand for a nearly 20 year old 190 is pushing it - they just aren't making that kind of money.

Neither are W124s, so you can shop around and pick up some excellent bargains - we bought a 1996 (N Reg) E320 estate with history, electric leather seats, alloys, etc etc for £1700 a couple of weeks back (pics here) and turned down several others including a 300TE-24V sportline for less than £1500 (although that needed a bit of work on the interior) and an absolutely mint, silver. 1993 (J) 300TE-24V with 6 months tax, years MoT and 3 months dealer warranty for just uner £2k. We sold our old 1989 W124 230TE (7 seater, full history) for just £400 to get a sale quickly and avoid the tyre kickers.

Just because it says Mercedes on the bonnet doesn't mean it's worth a fortune - not any more anyway.

I'd choose a 124 over a 190 because I think they are better cars, they were never designed to be the "entry level" car and more importantly they've never been as popular with kids in this country, there aren't many W124s with awful body kits, naff paint jobs that have been thrashed with little or no regard for the car whereas I could find you half a dozen 190s like that this afternoon

Each to their own, the 190 is a cracking little car and if you find a good one it will last you many years

Andy

 

[boopolo]

Mine lasted 375,000 miles and would have lasted even longer but i began to take care of it less.

they go on forever!! great cars!

 

[paulcallender]

We sold our old 1989 W124 230TE (7 seater, full history) for just £400 to get a sale quickly and avoid the tyre kickers.

Slightly off-track, but have the W124 estates really devalued this much? A year ago (when I bought mine) they were hard to find, and were typically in the £2000-3000 range (for a 230TE 7 seater). The later models (E280, E320) with leather and aircon were in the £5000 range!

 

[stwat]

Slightly off-track, but have the W124 estates really devalued this much? A year ago (when I bought mine) they were hard to find, and were typically in the £2000-3000 range (for a 230TE 7 seater). The later models (E280, E320) with leather and aircon were in the £5000 range!

That sounds more realistic Paul.

Stu

 

[andy_k]

look at the prices on eBay - there's as good an indication of the market as anywhere. The cheapest we saw recently was a 5 seater, 2 owner 1987 300TE with 145k make £150 (about £1350 short of the reserve they set).

Autotrader doesn't count because you can't really see if the cars are selling - try ringing some of the overpriced 3 or 4 week old adverts and see what they say

All cars values have fell, it's too easy to buy a new one. As I mentioned in my post above, we bought a 96 E320 estate for £1700 a couple of weeks back from an ebay listing that didn't make it's reserve - naturally if anyone is foolish enough to want to give me full book price for it then I'll be more than happy to talk to them - athough I may not sell it

Shopping with a couple of grand can buy you a helluva a lot of car and I wouldn't recommend anybody spent anywhere near that amount (or even half of it) on a 190E. Again, look on eBay - they don't go for much.

OK, lets get back on topic now

Andy