Eric Le Vasseur

So... My father passed away last month and now I have his 190e and she need's a bit of work.

Here's the list:

- Suspention is soft (Front)
- Transmision mount (old and worn)
- Front speakers are crackling
- Some rust on the hood (near the front lights)

It's not a big list but it's an old 1993 2.3l with 190 000km. I was thinking of keeping it for my daughter, she needs a car for University. The car drives great and it's amost in mint shape.



Thinking of upgrading some things on the 190e:

- H&R's Touring Cup Suspension Kit (From TireRacks)
- Suspention Bushing(s)
- Sound System and speakers
- Getting the rust fixed

He's my dilemma, fix my dad's car even if it's an older car but it's still a mercedes or buy new base model VW Jetta?

Thanks for the input!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...1&l=d2b658aee5

hmarmaizmd717

FIX IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hmarmaizmd717

b2ysky27

sir what site can i visit to decode VIN?pls help

Eric Le Vasseur

Logon_Bob

Hi Eric

I inherited my Mom's 92 2.3 ten years ago now. 190's sort of have a cult like following. Those who have had to give one up seem to go shopping to find another. I have fun taking care of it and helping out with issues if I know the answer. My present feeling is I will never part with it. :-) We will see but it's part nostalgia and I love the car.

"I" would be honored to have Grampa's car, kinda cool but your daughter may have other ideas. :-)

190km ( I had to convert to miles..:-O ) is nothing... but. Going to depend on how well dear ol'Dad was taking care of her. Oil changes sure, but especially the cooling system. With an Alum Head if not taken care of will blow a head gasket. Not a bad fix for a DIY but a daughter off at the University might be dang inconvenient or expensive to have it fixed.

Fuel/smog issues can be frustrating. A silly sensor gone bad can be hard to find as most items are dependent on something else. Good news is there's help on these forums.

The worst thing to do would to be to let her sit. We have guys asking for help all the time who pick up a 190 cheap that has been parked for a couple of years and have lots of fuel issues to sort out. Around here the main culprit is Ethanol in our fuel which absorbs water and messes fuel lines/ filters up, or rubber goods.

She looks to be in really good shape except for that rust. Low miles, I would fix her up but if Daughter is going to be far away where you can't help out,,,,, don't know but new anything might be a good choice as well.

I have a pretty good idea what the answer might be if you asked the same on a VW forum.. :-) We are kinda partial around here to 190's.

Good luck with your decision
Dan

Eric Le Vasseur

Sounds like I'm going to fix Dad's car

Still on the fence about the aftermarket suspension, it's almost the same price to upgrade with H&R's Kit vs using OEM parts.

I don't want to transform the 190 into a racer, but
What's your opinion on that?

Logon_Bob

Soft in the front is most likely just the stuts not the springs. These young guys go for the H&R's lowered versions and with and 17" wheels with rubber band tires rubbing on every turn or bump,, :-) Not my bag. You know, lowered with 4K in wheels and 5K in a sound system but it doesn't start very well and it smokes just a bit. But I look and sound good. :-)

Transforming to a racer is rather difficult or expensive anyway. There's very little in the USA as bolt on performance for either the 2.3 or the 2.6 which is a shame as I too would like to bolt on a bit myself. Europe has the "Tuners" but I bet that not cheap.

ds190

I rec:
1. OEM front struts, front strut mounts, and sway bar bushings.
2. Replace transmission bushings and motor mounts.

Please have a good mechanic check the two flew disks and the ball joints. If those fail, you will have very expensive problem.

Now, drive the car around for a few weeks. Don't like It? Sell it and buy the VW.

But if you do like it, then:
3. Is the cracking noise speakers or radio? Replace.
4. Find used hood in junk yard or repair yours.
5. Change all fluids and filters per MB schedule in your owner's manual.

Eric Le Vasseur

Huh...What's a flew disks? Do you mean Flex disc? (I had to look it up)

Logon_Bob

Eric

Yup, Flex Disc(s). One at each end of the driveshaft, pretty easy to check yourself. From the manual, you're looking for cracks and elongation of the rubber around each bolt.

My front let go at 140K ( miles ). It's not a really bad job to replace em, not fun but not so bad. I still have a new rear sitting here just for the heck of it and while in there the center bearing as well.

First indication is a vibration under load, then less and less load will bring on the vibration. It's more like , what was that? at first. Not a bad idea to take a look. Pics in the manual.

Nola

1. Sorry for your loss. 2. Keep it!

Eric Le Vasseur

ds190

I said two flew disks

I've been lucky to replace the flex disks before failure, but I did have a ball joint fail while turning around in a driveway. I was very lucky it did not happen on the highway before I got home.

Gullwing

Suspension is easy enough, if you replace the front struts also do the top caps!
Also check the rest of the suspension (play in the ball joints and other bushings)
Flex discs if original def replace them
Motor and trans mounts are "easy" to replace.
Speakers are easy enough, might toss in a new stereo

With little work the little tank will last a long time.

Sincity

Keep it. I now have my parents '86 and loved it since they brought it home new.

190eRaul

If I was you I would fix it, keep it and treasure it.

It used to be your fathers, doesn't it have some special value to you? It certainly would for me. ☺️

DocWalla

Go for bilstein b4 struts up front, close to oem. And I have a clarion radio with jl audio 4" up front (drop right in). Pull new wire to the deck because the fader wheel is a ***** to get working right with the stock wiring as its wired in series on the negative side. (If you are not replace the deck, not an issue though.) transmission mount is quick and easy. Engine mounts are another store. The driver side is a pain and required pulling the intake manifold and everything attached to it to get any wiggle room. If that's the case there is a hose that goes onto the bottom of the phluem directly below the throttle body. If you have skinny hands it can be done from the top side, but the intake will not come out without taking it off. Tie rods and drag link are a good one to do with struts and strut mounts. You will need a bah and a pickle fork or a cup ball joint puller, a fork puller won't work as the forks are too far apart, even on the smallest one i could find. Best of luck! If you need any advice pm me.

mercedes4ever

May your Dad rest in peace. Only keep it if you can afford to maintain it.

SuprHasan

Fix the 190E and maintaining it over the next 20 years will be cheaper than buying a new car and maintaining it for the same period.
Also, driving an old and maintained Merc is bad ***.