arcaidy

I have a chance to buy a 1988 190E 2.3 that has a dead #4 cylinder. The car has 200k mile on it. From speaking with the owner, there hasn't been much maintenance performed on the car since her son owned it, 6 years/50K miles. I haven't had a chance to look at the car yet, but over all it seems in good condition. I'm no master tech, but can turn a wrench. I've worked on Honda's at a Honda dealer, tinkered with Diesels and worked on jets in the military. My thoughts are along the lines of doing a head job on it with possibly doing a re-ring of the short block. Depending on what I find of course. I have looked online at some part prices and it doesn't look "to" bad. Not like the GM parts I am used to buying...
Any way, I can get the car for probably around $500. I have been looking for a new project and a commuter car. It wouldn't bother me to spend around $1000 to get the car right, but I don't want to spend too much more than that.
So, is it worth it? The only experience I have with MB's and engines was on an older diesel. I helped a friend rebuilt it. I remember the vacuum part being a pain in that *** because everything ran off of it, like the door locks... But other than that, it was just like anything else.
Will the rest of this car last past 200K? What about the tranny and the rest of the drive train?? I don't want to get in over my head. I bought an older Volvo that had a mechanical fuel injection that someone played with. That was a freaking nightmare. I don't want to do that again....
Thanks for your help.

James

Rod Spohn

I have an '84 that has been a great little car. It is the Baby Benz after all. But if you can do the labor end yourself you may be able to do it for $1000. Parts are easy to find since they made so many at a lower cost, wrecking yards should have plenty. As far as the tranny!, It all depends of course how it was treated but they are strong. If it slips a little that can be adjusted ( no need to rebuild) You see these cars with near 300,000 on them all the time. $1500 when finished is a good deal if its in good shape. I wouldn't sell my '84 for less than $3500.
Good luck

Rod
'84 190E 173,000mls
'96 S320 99,000mls

crapbuster

$500 is a great deal if you don't mind some work.

Mine is a 190 E 2.3 late 80's and it's got 106000 and is still humming along.

Great daily driver.

MTI

$500 is a paltry sum, but what do you know of other than dead cylinder? If the suspension needs work, that can easily be $1K to replace joints, motor mounts, flex discs, rear subframe mounts, struts and shocks. If the a/c condensor leaks or needs replacement, that's another $1K item. Then there's the belt tensioner and chain tensioners that should be looked at, and the cooling system. Without being sure about those subsystems, then you could be talking real money.