buying a 190 2.6

[nickpayne]

Hi, just looking at a 1990 190 2.6. It's got fsh, full mot and a 3 month warranty. Don't know the mileage yet. It's up at £1295. What goes wrong with them and what do i need to know? Currently a student and this could be graduation present to myself, or could it be a disaster!! Also, how much is it to change the timing chain?

 

[pascal]

Not sure about how much to change chain and tensioner. But if its rattleing and breaks in 3 months and one day, it could cost you as much as the car or more.

Sounds expensive for a less than perfect car.

 

[nickpayne]

I don't actually know whether the chain needs replacing, not seeing the car until the weekend, i'm just being cautious. It would be my first Mercedes (I'm after either a 2.6 or a 2.0), so i'm just looking for any advice or help. My budget will only stretch to around £1200 for the initial purchase. I have researched the price of parts/labour, its just the faults that i have to look out for in the first place, so any tips would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[42864]

190e -- 2.6

Hi Nick -- I have had a 190E 2.6 auto for a couple of years now, great cars plenty of power if you want it will cruise all day at 100mph (autobhan) and can give up to 35mpg at about 70mph with cruise control on, this on the M4 Pembrokeshire to London several times. I paid 2000 for mine 2 years ago with 45,000 miles on the clock. the only thing that i have had done is Brake pads (front) $47 and a full sevice $180, also had the underside steam cleaned and Waxolyed, If you do buy yours it is worth having done, cost $50 quid. My local garage with trained Merc mechanics tell me these were the very best of the 190s and with a bit of TLC will last forever, also i'm told that they are or can be more economical than the 2.0 or 1.8, go and test drive it if it's agood one you willnot be diapointed, and will never want to drive anything else.

Good luck Dave
memb No 42864

 

[nickpayne]

Dave, thanks for the reply. I think i've found the one i want, fsh, full mot, and warranty. Has done 150k, but seems to be in good condition. Do you know what the BHP/performance outputs are? I'm not a boy racer!! Just like to know, used to have BMW 325, so I wanted to compare.

 

[pascal]

Nick

Between 171bhp & 177bhp approx. depending whether cat fitted or not. That's the figuire for the 2.6L fitted to a W124 E-Class.

Regards the BMW 2.5 for that year (early '90's), 190+ bhp, but detuned later to 171, and called 323, so not to be much competition for the 328.

My friend has a '92 325ci, and lots of things break in it.
So I would say the M benz 190 2.6 is a much better built car.

There are over 40 190 2.6's in auto trader this week, so I would arrange to look at more than 1. Some have leather, some have body kits (might suit you). Saw one in Yeading or somewhere sounding like that. I would not offer anywhere near that asking price though. There are several newer, less miles, also decribed as immaculate, for less money.

Pascal

 

[42864]

190e --2.6

Hi Nick some figures for you to peruse

engine
Bore 89.20 stroke 80.25

Max Power 166bhp max torque 168lb ft@ 4600rpm

Transmission
gear ratio mph/1000rpm
top 1.00 23.21
3rd 1.49 15.58
2nd 2.41 9.63
1st 4.25 5.46

Performance max speeds
gear mph rpm
top 134 5660
3rd 97 6200
2nd 60 6200
1st 34 6200 zero to 60mph 7.9 secs

Figures quoted for mpg; average 26.3 gentle 31.2.
All of these figures I have obtained from an Autocar road test that is published in a copy of Mercedes Benz 190 and 190E by Unique Motor books isbn No;1 84155 536 3. Their phone No 01702 207384 or web site
www.uniquemotorbooks.com Sorry if I went on a bit long there but i hope that these details will help you, if there are any other answers or help that I can give do not hesitate to E-Mail me at daverees52@btinternet.com all the best for now and happy motoring, dont worry about the mileage which may seem a bit high to you but with a good merc it's only just about run in, there is a record of a merc taxi somewhere, Greece or Turkey I think, with in excess of two MILLION miles on the clock,
all the best and happy merc motoring Dave

 

[42864]

190e 2.6

Hi Again, Sorry forgot to mention price 's if you look in the Mercedes Owners club www.******************.co.uk you will find some more 190E's with less than you state about yours for a lot more money, I would not sell mine for less than 2000 pounds and I think that you will find that that is a fair price when looking at others.

Dave

 

[pascal]

Sorry,

Must have made slight error in calculating from metric
Your the student, so you can do the calculations.

Non Cat european car:

• 122 kw at 5800
• 228 nm at 4600

Cat european car:

• 118 kw at 5800
• 220 nm at 4600

PS 428628, I said approx.

Pascal

 

[Neophyte]

2.6 190

42864,
I'm 90% those performance figures are for a manual. It's closer to 9 for an auto.

Nickpayne, I just bought a 2.6 auto myself and am just learning the ropes. it's a 1992 with about 97k (full MB history - checked) on it and it cost me £2k. I think I got a pretty good deal (at least for the London area). The paintwork aint 100% (looks like shopping/ kids with bikes type damage) and I've managed to make the ABS warning light come on randomly and the fan squeak! apart from that! I'm totally blown away by it! It is nice 'n' quick and makes the kinda noise a real car oughta! And it cruises like a dream (a word of warning - keep your eye on the speed cos it feels so much less than you're doing!)
I used to have an E30 316 and that was good fun and drove a mate's 325 mtec a good lot and that was petifyingly quick but damned hairy even if you 'knew' how to handle a car. 190s are the most car you can buy for the money! I've been looking for ages and finally settled upon it. My dear old dad's just bought a new 318ti and he actually prefers driving 'The Dutchess' as I call her! to quote him - "that's what I shoulda done..."

 

[nickpayne]

Hi.
Thanks everyone for their comments, greatly appreciated. I have found a couple of other 2.6's to look at, the problem is though I can't really travel too far at the moment to view others, and I need a car now! However, I won't be buying the first one I see (unless its right!). No bodykits etc, just want a completly original one. I'll keep you posted.
Nick.
(Bankrupt mature student!!)

 

[pascal]

8.3..tested for auto

Hi Guys.

AUTOCAR tested a 190 2.6 automatic on 22-04-87

Their test figures were as follows:

• Max. Speed: 130mph
• 0-60.........: 8.3sec
• MPG: overall: 21....... Touring: 28

They do not mention a cat. Think cats didn't become standard 'till 89-90 in uk
The cat knocked between 5 and 6 bhp from the engine

190E 2.5 16v (manual) tested 04-01-89 = 0 - 60: 7.2sec (wow)

These were actual tests, and not figures taken from Mb data sheets, which are stated in metric (kilowatt, Newton metres, and 0-100kph (0-62mph)

Yes, you may say, I must be a hoarder. I just cannot throw them away.

Pascal

 

[nickpayne]

Hi,
I think i've got every copy of 'Car' mag since 1990. I can't throw mine away!! I have found a navy blue manual in Wigan, trying to get to it this weekend, although I think I would still prefer an auto. The figures for both though are still impressive, and from the responses my intial fears of fuel consumption are now no longer there!!

 

[pascal]

KW to BHP

Hi guys

To convert KW to BHP:
Multiply by 1.341

Well it works for my SL320V6:
165kw X 1.341 = 221bhp

And 2.6 engine(non cat): 122kw = 164bhp

Well anyway Nick,
Good luck with your shopping the weekend, and don't forget to report back

 

[42864]

190e 2.6

Hi Nick

Best of luck with your shopping trip, for my opinion, go for an automatic, mine is the first auto that I have owned although have driven some in the past. I certainly would not go back to a manual now, the merc auto box if looked after is indistructable.

Another web site that is worth a look is www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/index.html?ing=eng just enter the vin number in the box provided, this site lists all of the components that wre installed into the car on construction, it is a Russian web site and very intresting gives masses of info, well worth a visit

I'v checked the figures that I quoted from the book that I mentioned and are as stated, I do not know what date this test was carried out, but was done by Autocar magazine.

best of luck DAVE

 

[nickpayne]

Hi chaps.
Just to let you know I am now the proud owner of a 190E 2.0, 1991J in Met. grey. Full history, 3 owners, full MOT, e/w/s, and in pristine conditon. The only niggle is the electric aerial is broken, so I'll have to source another.
The original one I was going to look at was a no hoper. It had A class wheels, and no history at all (which I was assured it had!).
Going to get it serviced again, and replace the timing chain just to be on the safe side. The brakes and lines had been replaced on it's MOT.
Thanks for all the info, and i'll keep in touch.
Cheers, Nick

 

[pascal]

Nick Benz

Congrats Mr. Nick Benz.

As we say in my parts: 'May it wear you well'
Regards the aeriel,
I think you can get a refil, instead of the whole motor unit.

Pascal

 

[42864]

190e

Hi there Nick -- congratulations onbeing the owner of one of, if not the best cars ever produced. To re-place your aeriel try MERCMAN of Southampton, I have bought parts from him in the past and found him to be very good for used parts all of his parts are guarenteed and he posts them out the next day, prices are very resonable too.

HAPPY MOTORING. DAVE.