im buying a mercedes this summer

[1980'slover]

im going to buy either a 1993 mercedes 190E or a 1989 mercedes 300E, which both look brand new

[Brett a]

Diesel or Gasoline powered?

[1980'slover]

these would be sick to drive to school in, and theyre both gas

[Sandy G]

The C-class will give better fuel mileage, but the E-class will be roomier, & maybe a bit easier to live with. If there's a Mercedes mechanic around, you might be well served by having him check yr potential purchase over carefully. Especially the older one. If you're still in high school, either one of these cars should serve you thru college,& if you take care of the car, there's a good chance you can get out of it about all you paid for it. #1 tip- FREQUENT oil changes are the life of the engine. Every 3-5 thousand miles. And don't be a tool-change the filter every time, too. Good luck !

[hypertone]

Nice. I love those old 80's Benzes. I drive an old 300D myself. I'd probably go for the E Class, as it's supposed to be better built and more reliable, but I still like the 190's as well. I want an SEC. :)

[Eric Clark]

If you cannot do repairs yourself then avoid both. I've been driving BMW 5 series since I was 18 but I do 90% of the work myself. Pay the $200 or so the dealer will charge and get a prepurchase inspection. This $200 could save you a lot of money down the road. If the seller will not let you get one then walk. Do no be in a hurry to find one since the best cars/deals take time to find. I met an 18 year old that over paid for a car which needed a clutch, suspension, engine work, driveshaft and a whole list of smaller items. He ended up selling it once he ran through all his cash and could not afford to get it inspected.

[1980'slover]

thanks for the advice

[centralflori]

I would go for the 89' 300E. We have a 90' 300SE. Same engine just a little larger body. The 300 engine is a good one, we have over 165,000 miles on it and it is chugging along. I have heard the 93's had some electrical issues, can't remember, that may have only been on the S-class. Good Luck!:thmbsp:

[thedelihaus]

Well engineered cars.

A bit pricey to do repairs to, but if you can afford the mechanics cost and parts cost, I wish you well.

[1980'slover]

they want $2900 for the 93' mercedes 190E and they want $2800 for the 89' mercedes 300E

[soundson]

I'm a tech and the 300E is one of the best MB's ever.I also like the early E-320.A well tuned 300E will get 27MPG highway.If the 190 is the 2.6 six version they are ok too they are kinda like a mini 300E. If it's the four banger version I would pass.

[eljr]

The C-class will give better fuel mileage, but the E-class will be roomier, & maybe a bit easier to live with.

"Roomy" and "E class" have nothing in common. :no:

[Sandy G]

Guess I'm basing that on my memories of the 1976 300D my dad had. I think that was the W123 style body...That car was roomy, built like a tank, & got nearly 40 on the hiway, altho it took it a LOOOOONG time to get to hiway speeds. It was an "E" class before they had the "E" class.

[wbain]

Here are some forums I use. I have an 89 300SE W126 and a 1965 220S Fintail.

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/index.php

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/

http://mbca.cartama.net/index.php

[Eric Clark]

they want $2900 for the 93' mercedes 190E and they want $2800 for the 89' mercedes 300E

Make sure you have another $2,000 ready to burn to get them right.

Avoid anything with rust unless you are prepared to love with it. A quality paint job will be $6,000.

If you want something a little more fun look for a 91-95 525i and a 5 speed. I do not like the GM automatics used.

[pfcs49]

The 300E was as close as Mercedes got to building a Volvo 240: perfect size compromise, sublimely competent in all areas but not a pretentious performer, just a reliable, comfortable old slug that you'll bond to and keep for a long time. They really don't make them like they used to! And you'll be suprised at how economical they are to maintain. (early 300E w/103 (SOHC) 6cyl).
Phil, Phils Foreign Car Svc. (www.philscars.com)

[salred]

Had to chime in...

Own a 1991 300e 2.6 gasser (although it's more like diesel performance with gas economy...) & a 1993 190e 2.3 -- yes, the 4 banger.

Rule #1: There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes. If the current owners don't have service records then either walk away or pad your maintenance account until you make the car right.

Our 300e has 240K miles & the 190e is just under 260K miles, and the only way they've made it is via regular maintenance by a highly qualified indy mechanic (a former senior tech at the Annapolis, MD, stealership.)

I'm not a mechanic, but I do my own oil/filter changes between scheduled maintenance visits using a "Suck Up" vacuum device -- Benzes (and I think many European cars) are made to have the used oil extracted via the dipstick tube & the oil filter is accessible from above. Makes for a quick & easy service.

I owned a 1973 BMW 2002 for a few years in the 70's, and I think the 190e 2.3 is just about as much fun to throw around. No, you won't be pinned back against your seat off the line, but it's fun to throw around the curves. Remember the rally version (2.3-16valve) was a 4 banger because the extra weight of the I-6 up front affected handling.

If you won't be doing a lot of your own service then *please* seek out a good Indy & have that Pre-Purchase Inspection done. Seeming cream puffs can have low compression in a cylinder, and then you would be very, very unhappy.

My $.02US,

Steve A.

1991 Benz 300e 2.6 239,600 miles
1993 Benz 190e 2.3 259,200 miles (OK, the AC doesn't work)
2001 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 81,000 miles (appendage to the horse trailer)

[stuwee]

My buddy from MPLS came to visit and bought a 1983 Mercedes wagon turbo diesel that had been converted by a company somewhere in Idaho called International Marriage, they dropped a Chevy 400V8 in it looked bone stock(TD badges and all) We cruised around looking for victims at stop lights:thmbsp:
He payed $3,500 for it, the look on pocket rocket owners faces in the rearview mirror Priceless:D I have pics somewhere.

Craig

[jhal]

Man I miss my '85 300D. Good luck with your purchase, both very good cars, I would go with the one with the best service history, definitely have a thorough inspection done by someone who knows the quirks of these cars. Leave the a/c R-12 if it still is. Once any problems are fixed, it will cool it's best with the refrigerant it was designed to work with. Nevermind, I see you are in Colorado, lol. Us Floridians need all the a/c we can get. Mercedesshop.com is an excellent forum with knowledgeable, friendly members, and a wealth of information. I have been a member for about 6 years.

[holmesuser01]

I own a 1984 MB 190E with the 2.3 GAS engine. I bought it cheap after seeing it sitting on the side of a city street for about a year.

It was considered a 'curse' by its former owner. He had done alot of work on it, too.

I have re-done alot of the previous owners work. The local Mercedes dealer parts guys know me by name, now, and that cant be a good thing!

I have access to a nearly complete 1985 190E that I have been slowly stripping. I have also found a GOOD mechanic that is willing to do jobs on this car that I can't do, since I dont have access to a lift.

My car has about 250K miles on it. I say about, because I had to replace the speedometer head because the old odometer was broken.

I am thoroughly satisfied with my car. After spending a little over $800 on it, I think it will be with me for a long time. It's solid, drives well. and is tough.

It is also my first German car of anykind.

The BEST purchase I have made for this car is a CD of the original shop manual. I can do nearly anything to this car now. Its so well built.

[fsjonsey]

I'm thinking of buying an 240d or 300D and installing the SVO conversion kit. With fuel prices the way they are, getting covered in used fryer grease really seems worth it.

[wajobu]

My vote is a MB 300...

...or...a...

YUGO!!

http://audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=87896&stc=1&d=1208570703

:banana:

Forgive me, it's Friday.

[skippy_ps]

My vote is a MB 300...

...or...a...

YUGO!!

http://audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=87896&stc=1&d=1208570703

:banana:

Forgive me, it's Friday.
Is that the NASCAR version? :scratch2:

Murray

[jhal]

My vote is a MB 300...

...or...a...

YUGO!!

http://audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=87896&stc=1&d=1208570703

:banana:

Forgive me, it's Friday.

There's something you don't see everyday. Must be on a Suzuki Samurai chassis.

[jhal]

I wouldn't mind having this one. I have seen detailed pics of it and they did an excellent job. They are using a Nissan pickup chassis with the Mercedes turbodiesel (OM617) engine.

[Scuzzer]

I wouldn't mind having this one. I have seen detailed pics of it and they did an excellent job. They are using a Nissan pickup chassis with the Mercedes turbodiesel (OM617) engine.

Why not just buy an all Mercedes G-Wagen? No need to mix and match parts then. Here's a nice action shot:

http://www.clubgwagen.com/trailreport/reports/images/0901fins3.jpg

[fsjonsey]

Nothing says baller like a wicked jacket, a benz, and reeking of veggie oil.

Evan

Don't forget the pastel T-Shirt and big sunglasses.

[Sandy G]

I wish I'd bought this Mercedes that I had a chance on back in '83-another old, wore-out one..a 1968 Grosser Mercedes 600 Pullman. Absolutely immaculate. They were wanting $100K-I said whaddabout $75K? The guy said are you serious ? If I'd said "Yes", I think he would have torn my arm off. But boy, THAT was an absolutely gorgeous, magnificent automobile.. These Maybachs & S-classes of today..Well, it's kinda like the difference between "Lightning", & "Lightning Bug"...

[Eric Clark]

Why not just buy an all Mercedes G-Wagen? No need to mix and match parts then. Here's a nice action shot:

http://www.clubgwagen.com/trailreport/reports/images/0901fins3.jpg

Its too bad we don't get the 2 door, diesel, or manual options.

[fsjonsey]

And a Burt Reynolds-esque mustache!

I wasn't aware that the 80's D*uchebag look was back in style.
The moar you know.

[Scuzzer]

Its too bad we don't get the 2 door, diesel, or manual options.

Well you do if you buy an old one. :thmbsp: I've got an '83 cabriolet 280GE and although underpowered compared to the new ones I prefer the rugged simplicity of the "vintage" G's.

[Eric Clark]

Well you do if you buy an old one. :thmbsp: I've got an '83 cabriolet 280GE and although underpowered compared to the new ones I prefer the rugged simplicity of the "vintage" G's.

:yes: Watched some on ebay. If only I had a need for one.

[Scuzzer]

:yes: Watched some on ebay. If only I had a need for one.

Yeah they're not very practical. Mines my daily driver but I only put about 2000 mi/yr on it. For a family car I picked up a '94 530iT about 10 years ago.

[1980'slover]

i get my drivers perment tomorrow and im getting a job and a savings bank account so i can buy a mercedes this summer

[EchoWars]

Be glad they're testing your driving abilities, and not your spelling abilities.

(my apologies, but you kids have GOT to stop leaving yourself WFO for these remarks) ;)

[jaymanaa]

I get my drivers permit tomorrow and I'm getting a job and a savings bank account so I can buy a Mercedes this summer.


There ya go :thmbsp:

[Njord Noatun]

(my apologies, but you kids have GOT to stop leaving yourself WFO for these remarks) ;) You thought me a new acronym today, Glen. For those who need to figure out the meaning like I had to, here's a good place (http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/WFO) to start. :thmbsp:

[Sandy G]

Nevvr have unnerstud wy so menny ppl kaint Spel or puntooate propurly. I meen, if I ken doo it, wot wif me bean a dum ole HilBily 'n' oll, wy kent evverwun ells ? Gess there just plane STOOPIT...Or they dinnt have the benny-fits uv an eckspensiv privitte skool ejumacashun liek I did..

[wbain]

I wish I'd bought this Mercedes that I had a chance on back in '83-another old, wore-out one..a 1968 Grosser Mercedes 600 Pullman. Absolutely immaculate. They were wanting $100K-I said whaddabout $75K? The guy said are you serious ? If I'd said "Yes", I think he would have torn my arm off. But boy, THAT was an absolutely gorgeous, magnificent automobile.. These Maybachs & S-classes of today..Well, it's kinda like the difference between "Lightning", & "Lightning Bug"...

That 600 would have eaten you alive in repair costs.

http://www.m-100.cc/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=108

[Eric Clark]

Yeah they're not very practical. Mines my daily driver but I only put about 2000 mi/yr on it. For a family car I picked up a '94 530iT about 10 years ago.

Great taste in cars. I currently drive a 95 540i/6. Before this I had a 94 530i.

[1980'slover]

when i get the mercedes car this summer ill post pictures

[Scuzzer]

when i get the mercedes car this summer ill post pictures

Holy smokes man! I just realized we live in the same town. Good luck with the Mercedes purchase. Be sure to have an independent mechanic check it out before you buy, it's well worth the cash.

I'd recommend talking to Joe at Wright's German Motors 303-420-2123. He's an old german guy that knows everything about german cars. I took my G-Wagen to him before I bought it and I was surprised that he knew more weak points to check than I had found out about online. He's in Arvada around I-70 and Wadsworth.

[SPL db]

So you're buying a Mercedes this summer... :scratch2:

Wouldn't you really rather have a hummer? :D

Scott

[1980'slover]

i hate hummers d plus i cant afford a hummer, but i can afford a 93' mercedes

[Strawman]

Everybody has a double sawbuck laying around...