A Newbie needing Cosworth Advice !!

[Bam Bam]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here so I 'd just like to say Hello to all you Merc. owners, drivers and like me Merc. admirers.

I'd like to ask some of you guys a few questions, the subject matter being the Mercedes 190E 2.3/2.5 16v Cosworth. I know there ain't many around but I'm planning changing my current car and after admiring these for such a long time it's got to the stage where I'm now thinking about putting myself behind the wheel and buying one.

Apart from the obvious engine differences what other issues are there to consider if you were buying like me, my preferred model is a late 91/92 H/J Plate 2.5 in Smoke Silver but I would consider an earlier 2.3 if I had a bit more knowledge of what the difference is in performance etc etc.

I am expecting a car with the average 12K per year mileage so 120K+ but I do know they are a proven unit mechanically even taking their tuning into account but what I'm unsure of is which would you go for. ?

86 D Plate 2.3 80K warranted miles.
92 J Plate 2.5 150K warranted miles.

Both in the same cosmetic condition and costing the same money. My instinct is to go for the later car with it being newer and obviously having the bigger engine but am I missing something you guys know about that I'm not taking into account.

All advice will be used wisely in my search for a good example but as yet I'm willing to pay circa 5K for a later 2.5 example in Smoke Silver, I will consider the Ink Black but I'm not too keen on the Red.

Bam Bam.

 

[xspencex]

Hey,

Intresting... I live in sunderland too and I bought a 2.5-16 '89 about 4 months ago.

My Car is Great but you are right to do your homework. I'm not mechanically minded so it was luck that my local Merc specialist who i've known for 9 years helped me out and also knew the car I bought very well.

But to sumarise I would say it is really important that what ever cosworth you buy make sure its mechanically sorted.

Chech timing chain.
Condition of exhaust
condition of gaskets
in fact you really need to check all sorts of things. but as I said i left that up to my garage so I cannot really help too much. I have a few magazines that have articles that could help you so if you in sunderland e-mail me and i'll give you some stuff that might help. for e-mail see PM.

cheers Al

 

[Bam Bam]

Thanks Al,

What a coincidence, !!!

There's a very nice H plate example I've seen recently around town, Smoke Silver and 17"AMG's and it looks like just what I'm after, I did a bit of detective work and spoke to a friend of his who told me he works at the Nissan Plant and he is selling the car around Christmas time. This might suit me well as my current car was sold but the buyer has backed out due to work commitments, I don't mind waiting for the right car to come up on the market.

Thanks for your offer of the reading material, I'll e-mail you shortly.

 

[squealinneil]

Smoke Silver 190E 2.5-16 for sale.

I have a very good low mileage car for sale. I tried to send you a private message but I think it's stuck in my outbox.
If you want to see photos & more info email me at neilr@uk-email.co.uk.

 

[teky]

the cosy is quite on old lady now, consider going above i wont say where to start but 5.7 is a good handle :wink:

 

[Bam Bam]

Thanks for your replies,

I'm feeling a bit sad as my current car which was provisionally sold has just fell through so I'm not in a position to buy

Neil you have a PM.
Al, see you Sunday morning.
Teky, do you mean look for a car nearer 6K rather than 5K, I don't mind paying more money for the right car, my current motor is worth around 8K but I was hoping to find one of the best 2.5-16's for around 5-6K although I have seen very low mileage Cosworth's going for a lot more than that, I don't mind a bit of cosmetic touching up but mechanically I would prefer the car to be A1 as Al advises.

 

[Bam Bam]

Hi Al,

I just thought I'd post up and say thanks for your help and advice regarding my search for a 190 2.5-16, the articles you gave me have helped a great deal and I'm now better armed with a bit more knowledge.

I've seen a lovely car that suits me ( in pictures, Squealin-Neil's Smoke Silver 89 Model) but as yet I've still not sold the poor-mans Ferrari.

Keep in touch and when you get the Cossie back from Glasgow I'd love to see it.

Jim.