What to look for when buying a 190e

[Mike TV]

Howdy

Dunno much about this sort of thing. Seeing a man tomorow about a nice looking: navy blue gloss 190e Auto, 1991 H reg. he wants £1500 for it with a private plate that reads HONEY. Has an alarm/Cd/Sports box/new M.O.T and 4 wheels.....

I'll check the chassis number to the V5 and check for rust, think its done around 13000 miles...does this sound okay ??

Any tips what to look for

Ta. MIKE

 

[mike65]

Sounds okay on the face of it, you'll know more tomorrow. Check all the toys work, listen for noisy front end (water pump bearings/timing chain rattle). I'll guess you meant 130000 miles! The autobox on 190 not famously smooth esp if vacume pipe not connected correctly. I think I'd offer him 1200 and tell him to keep the plate (HONEY???????)!

Mike.

 

[stwat]

Too much money. Offer him £850 as a starting block and see how it goes from there.

Stu

 

[190]

Listen for a noisey diff

 

[Mike TV]

Thanks guys

Yeah i meant 130,000 not 13k on the clock. And yeah he can keep the plate ! It must have been his wife's motor or his surname is honey or he kept bee's or something...etc..

What does sport box mean ? does it mean low to the floor with spoilers as in the shape of the car ?

 

[TheJim]

Having just bought one myself I would say that £1500 is a bit much.
Check for rust in the boot, that plastic lining can cover a multitude of sins. I found.
Have a good look at the various fluids, check for anything that looks like Mayo around the inside of the oil filler cap(oil and water mixed means knackered head gasket- v bad) if the coolant looks filthy it probably hasn't been changed in a while and the engine might run hot and the heater won't bo too clever either due to sludge.
If you are not too knowledgable about cars, take someone with you who is!
If a car is nearly 15 years old- you need to look over it very thoroughly. Anything could have happened to it!
Good luck.

By the way, sports box means an Auto with sports settings that allow you to choose performance over economy.

 

[Mike TV]

Thank you TheJim and everyone

Yeah, good advice, I would have had it checked by the AA anyway but I'm trying to educate myself about what to look out for buying second hand Merc's thats a great help Thank you.

All Those tips are gold dust ..Turns out he has just had it MOT'd and now wants to keep it now ......Its okay though.
I guess its worked out cos I'm heading more and more toward an estate really like a 300TE or 220, something i can stick the bikes in the back and musical equipment...the search goes on. Cheers.

 

[stwat]

Just for the record.

These cars were never fitted with "Sports boxes" as many sellers would have you beleive. The "S" stands for "standard" and the "E" stands for economy.

In standard mode , the gearbox will hold on to gears longer and change down at lower engine revs. It will also kick down to 1st from a stand still without the need to click the kickdown switch. It will also change down to second depending on revs.

In economy mode, the gearbox changes up through the gears to forth a lot sooner and doesnt hold on to the gears as long. It always starts in second gear unless you click the kickdown switch. It will only change down if you use the kickdown switch and will only change down to 3rd.

Stu