_ethrty-Andy_ 2136 Report post Posted June 7, 2012 (edited) brought a Merc 190 yesterday, was the non EFI version and im quite sure i could claim my 316i is quicker than it, but then i guess they are built for different markets. Anyway, since i dont really know anything about them, anyone with experience know the trouble spots on these? example: the cooling system, rust areas etc reason for purchase: i dont think ive gone to the dark side, just came up at a good price and thought id see how the other half of the world live. I feel weird driving it lol edit picts: Edited June 7, 2012 by _Ethrty-Andy_ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thorburn 121 Report post Posted June 7, 2012 I will be looking to get one of these when I get rid of one of my cars. I'm not much help on the general maintenance on them. If your ever planning on some more performance I know a little. If you could, could you post up what you discover. Hope it goes well Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Neal 546 Report post Posted June 7, 2012 Was quite a fan of the EV02 a while back. Wife was lent a C180 a while back. Very comfie ride. http://www.supercars.net/Pics?v=y&s=c&...volutionII3.jpg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D00N3Y 0 Report post Posted June 13, 2012 I have also recently picked up a 190E and have found that the electrics for all three fans is completely useless. This seems to be a problem with a few I've seen and I will know more soon when mines fixed. Mine also has a cracked head gasket and the fuel pressure regulator broke and started sucking fuel into the airlines. Found some very cheap parts places though! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevinator9 57 Report post Posted June 14, 2012 My dad has had a 300E and 190E. They are very comfortable rides but seem to have had various minor mechanical issues. Just like an E30 in that respect I suppose Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2136 Report post Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) I have also recently picked up a 190E and have found that the electrics for all three fans is completely useless. This seems to be a problem with a few I've seen and I will know more soon when mines fixed. Mine also has a cracked head gasket and the fuel pressure regulator broke and started sucking fuel into the airlines. Found some very cheap parts places though! what parts place have you used? i used www.4mercs.co.nz and they were pretty reasonable i thought. $161 for a fuel pump relay is aparently cheap (its merc specific), but based on the prices of the other bits i brought id believe him on that. mine has two fans i think, and it appears the engine mounted fan is welded so its direct driven off the engine at all rpm. this results in the engine only reaching 1/4 temp by the time i get to work so i need to fix that. havent inspected properly yet, though running cold is always better than hot, except that it means there is a next to useless heater inside which isnt pleasent on wellington mornings at 8am just need to buy a new merc emblem thingy for the bonnet and boot, and try the headlight plastic refreshing procedure John (Bellicose) wrote up and ill be happy. Not sure if ill attempt to do the tails as they arent flat as you know, but i saw another 190E on tuesday that had virginal rear taillights so im not sure if he had done that or brought brand new from MB. they were shiney! Edited June 14, 2012 by _Ethrty-Andy_ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D00N3Y 0 Report post Posted June 14, 2012 what parts place have you used? i used www.4mercs.co.nz and they were pretty reasonable i thought. $161 for a fuel pump relay is aparently cheap (its merc specific), but based on the prices of the other bits i brought id believe him on that. mine has two fans i think, and it appears the engine mounted fan is welded so its direct driven off the engine at all rpm. this results in the engine only reaching 1/4 temp by the time i get to work so i need to fix that. havent inspected properly yet, though running cold is always better than hot, except that it means there is a next to useless heater inside which isnt pleasent on wellington mornings at 8am just need to buy a new merc emblem thingy for the bonnet and boot, and try the headlight plastic refreshing procedure John (Bellicose) wrote up and ill be happy. Not sure if ill attempt to do the tails as they arent flat as you know, but i saw another 190E on tuesday that had virginal rear taillights so im not sure if he had done that or brought brand new from MB. they were shiney! I got my bits from Startech Enterprises at 9C Kellow Place, Manukau City, Auckland. They gave me the fuel diaphram and all the air lines that broke for $140. They have some really neat Merc's out the front as well. Mine also has had the engine fan stuck to the front of the engine, but luckily its not welded! This weekend I'm having mine looked at by a sparky to see whether its the sensor or a relay, because my air conditioning fan is bust as well! It's bloody freezing driving to work when the temperature gauge shows 3 degrees and your heater consists of a big jumper! I've also had some problems with idling and theres oil in my water, probably all due to my cracked head gasket. Hasn't stopped me driving it though! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex 693 Report post Posted June 14, 2012 Yucky. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MD13 496 Report post Posted June 14, 2012 That MX5 your's too... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2136 Report post Posted June 15, 2012 I got my bits from Startech Enterprises at 9C Kellow Place, Manukau City, Auckland. They gave me the fuel diaphram and all the air lines that broke for $140. They have some really neat Merc's out the front as well. Mine also has had the engine fan stuck to the front of the engine, but luckily its not welded! This weekend I'm having mine looked at by a sparky to see whether its the sensor or a relay, because my air conditioning fan is bust as well! It's bloody freezing driving to work when the temperature gauge shows 3 degrees and your heater consists of a big jumper! I've also had some problems with idling and theres oil in my water, probably all due to my cracked head gasket. Hasn't stopped me driving it though! Yep Startech, thier website is 4mercs.co.nz, i couldnt remember thier actual name Yucky. agreed i think! hehe seen that! That MX5 your's too... Its my Nanna's actually, its in her driveway for that pic as my driveway has got an E30 in pieces and a half made planter box! Im 6'3" there is no way thats mine lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cliffdunedin 8 Report post Posted June 15, 2012 I think because of the amount of pimped up 19' chrome wheeled versions of these worldwide, people underestimate them. A friend of mine has the AMG version and the thing is a little beast. IMO these can look as good as a nice e30 when tastefully restored. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2136 Report post Posted June 15, 2012 I think because of the amount of pimped up 19' chrome wheeled versions of these worldwide, people underestimate them. A friend of mine has the AMG version and the thing is a little beast. IMO these can look as good as a nice e30 when tastefully restored. Id like to drive a fuel injected one. this one is an absolute slug though. this is AMG kitted and suspension though. Strangely stock wheels and carby engine though Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D00N3Y 0 Report post Posted June 17, 2012 Id like to drive a fuel injected one. this one is an absolute slug though. this is AMG kitted and suspension though. Strangely stock wheels and carby engine thoughTheres one for sale in hamilton, Te Rapa motors. They want three grand but it feels like its had it. Its injected and an amg. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allanw 1072 Report post Posted June 17, 2012 I remember when Dad got his E30, he looked at a 190E, 2.3. I felt like it was a much bigger car than the E30, with how solid it was, but it didn't seem as "sporty". They are still awesome cars, just different to an E30. I really liked the awesome chunkyness of it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2136 Report post Posted June 17, 2012 I felt like it was a much bigger car than the E30, with how solid it was, but it didn't seem as "sporty". They are still awesome cars, just different to an E30. I really liked the awesome chunkyness of it! Yep thoughts exactly, wikipedia said they are the same size down to less than 50mm in all directions except width the merc is slightly bigger but i didnt believe it, but because i own an E30 too i put them side by side and the measurements are right, suddenly the E30 looked like a big car. ill do a photo tomorrow if theres interest, tho the E30 has no bumpers at the moment lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted August 28, 2012 Yep thoughts exactly, wikipedia said they are the same size down to less than 50mm in all directions except width the merc is slightly bigger but i didnt believe it, but because i own an E30 too i put them side by side and the measurements are right, suddenly the E30 looked like a big car. ill do a photo tomorrow if theres interest, tho the E30 has no bumpers at the moment lol Seems odd that its a Carby engine, mines a 190E 2.3, but it does have one of those big aircleaner things like you see on carby cars. the 2.3 model is a slug too. but so far mines been good, only thing I had to fix was the heater fan, which took about an hour (was siezed) unsiezed it with copious amounts of CRC etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2136 Report post Posted August 29, 2012 yep turns out it was a continuous fuel injection engine, basically similar normal efi but only one fuel injector that is constantly going. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted August 29, 2012 (edited) I've been driving the 190e for a few weeks, as the e30 is under going the manual conversion, I miss driving the E30, it is more fun to drive (even when auto) the suspension seems a lot stiffer in the e30 and the handling a lot sharper, however the 190e is rather comfy and has hardly any road noise at all resulting in being able to hear the car stereo really well, the E30 seems like it has way more rattles and road noise etc. Edited August 29, 2012 by Charles32 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted December 7, 2012 Still got your 190e? Mines still going, however it needed a new EHA valve recently, which was $400 from Startech. Have run up about 10,000k's this year though, as I keep using this car for road trips etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thorburn 121 Report post Posted December 8, 2012 I ended up picking up a manual 190e for $500. It included a non existent front wheel bearing, ash trays full of ash and ash scattered throughout, 2 years worth of rubbish, $15.10 in nz coins and a few Japanese yen stuck into the sound deadening. I can see it being a bit of a struggle to get to a reasonable condition. One thing I found interesting was E36 front struts all most bolt into the front. Problems now include abs light not working, ignition being temperamental and now the engine not running. I'm going to do an engine swap soon. It's currently far too slow and oldschool. Where do people get second hand parts from? I've currently only used startech Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2136 Report post Posted December 8, 2012 Still got your 190e? Mines still going, however it needed a new EHA valve recently, which was $400 from Startech. Have run up about 10,000k's this year though, as I keep using this car for road trips etc. Nope sold it, was only ever a do up and sell project. Ive come away knowing that if i get another one, it will have to be either the 2.3L and/or a manual. my 316i is easily quicker than it, and despite the fact the merc looks a lot bigger its really not, only about a half inch wider thats it. I ended up picking up a manual 190e for $500. It included a non existent front wheel bearing, ash trays full of ash and ash scattered throughout, 2 years worth of rubbish, $15.10 in nz coins and a few Japanese yen stuck into the sound deadening. I can see it being a bit of a struggle to get to a reasonable condition. One thing I found interesting was E36 front struts all most bolt into the front. Problems now include abs light not working, ignition being temperamental and now the engine not running. I'm going to do an engine swap soon. It's currently far too slow and oldschool. Where do people get second hand parts from? I've currently only used startech Only ever used either Startech or Wellington Star Mercedes-Benz when i had mine. unlike BMW, there isnt a wide range of quality aftermarket specialists, even the Merc wreckers seem to more often than not be bundled in with Volvo and VAG rather than on thier own. I would like another one some day though, they are far better specced than an equivalent age E30 and much more refined to drive, but just absolutely nothing under the right foot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted December 13, 2012 Nope sold it, was only ever a do up and sell project. Ive come away knowing that if i get another one, it will have to be either the 2.3L and/or a manual. my 316i is easily quicker than it, and despite the fact the merc looks a lot bigger its really not, only about a half inch wider thats it. Only ever used either Startech or Wellington Star Mercedes-Benz when i had mine. unlike BMW, there isnt a wide range of quality aftermarket specialists, even the Merc wreckers seem to more often than not be bundled in with Volvo and VAG rather than on thier own. I would like another one some day though, they are far better specced than an equivalent age E30 and much more refined to drive, but just absolutely nothing under the right foot. 190e 2.6 might be the way to go, they have a 2.6L inline 6 and make about 160hp. The 2.3 is ok, but only 95kw ish and has a stupid auto tranny that by default starts you off in second gear, however you can trick it by putting into 2nd then back to D, then it takes off in 1st. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2136 Report post Posted December 14, 2012 190e 2.6 might be the way to go, they have a 2.6L inline 6 and make about 160hp. The 2.3 is ok, but only 95kw ish and has a stupid auto tranny that by default starts you off in second gear, however you can trick it by putting into 2nd then back to D, then it takes off in 1st. oh well thats why it was slow as then. it wouldn't even skid up the inside tyre flooring it in hard lock, not that i tried. was even on Dark Horse tyres or some crap brand like that. Why does it even have 1st then? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
exige92 0 Report post Posted December 14, 2012 oh well thats why it was slow as then. it wouldn't even skid up the inside tyre flooring it in hard lock, not that i tried. was even on Dark Horse tyres or some crap brand like that. Why does it even have 1st then? If it had no 1st then 2nd would be first and if it defaulted to 2nd you would in 3rd. then it would really suck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
