93 Manual 190E - $3k too much?
 

Hi all!

Looking to purchase an older manual Mercedes. I'd really like a 240d 4 speed but came across what seems like a good deal locally on a 190e 5 speed. The car has 170k miles and an excellent service record history. Owned by a couple of engineers. It needs front struts and rear shocks (which I priced at about 500) but rides fine and pulls strong. Clutch feels good, etc. It's the 2.3 4 cyl 8v. Has been driven consistently for duration of ownership (these are second owners, bought in 99).

I have no idea the value on these.

Is this a good deal? Ive included some pictures. It's got a large dent in the trunk but zero rust and few other blemishes. Paint job is a 2 stage maaco premium from a few years back (owner said factory paint clear coat peeled badly) that looks okay. No rust underneath at all. I enjoyed test driving it but don't want to jump in too quickly - I made an offer at 2500 but the owner seems firm at 3k. Had had cooling system work done and recent valve cover gasket work. Engine looks good save for a little rust on the exhaust header (not an issue I don't think? It's in the pictures).
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Definitely seems hard to find these! Thanks in advance for your expertise.

Manuals are definitely getting harder to find. If it runs well, and it’s just the trunk lid that’s bad, I’d say it’s a good deal at $3. If your near eastern PA I actually have a good 92 spare trunk lid in that same red color (almandine red??...) that you could have!

J.G.

If the car is rust free and nearly perfect 3k would be a fair price. I would say an average price for a good 2.3 is about 1500 and maybe 2000-2500 for a 5 speed. while rare you can swap a w203 5 speed into these care with relative ease.

These are very rare so I think $3,000 is a good price. Being cared for by engineers means it's a well cared for care. Given it's rarity, I would not swap the engine for a W203 engine as that will lower the value of the car. Also, the dent in the trunk can easily be repaired by a "Dent Wizard" type place where they use special tools to pull the dent out and make the trunk look like it was never dented.

Rarity does not dictate value. The value is based on demand. Fact is most people would rather have the auto that is why there is less of them. No one said put a w203 engine in the car. I said you can swap in a w203 trans. It is a better more modern transmission. That being said I would not do it to a manual 190 that was already running well.

beg to differ rarity does dictate along with demand. I don't want a 560sec and don’t think many do, but its a rare car and it sells for huge money. Same with classic american cars, a straight six mustang is worthless but a hippo code v8 goes for twice that of a normal gt. I would think that a 190e owner would look for a manual over a auto. I understand many just want the look without the effort of driving. If it was not for the 190e racing history or the Evos or the Cosworths no 190 would be worth anyting. 3k for a manual 190e is a great price, but you probably could talk them down a little cause the 190e is not the hottest car on the market.

i put zip code 90058 for maine

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so low retail is 2800 and that car is in good condition he is right ti ask 3k firm.

I dont think it is an unrealistic prince but the car would have to be in very good condition. The manual in the non 16v cars is not very desirable. These cars were mass produced all over the world. When i lived in CA there were no less than 20 190es' in the 2 junkyards by my house at any given time. If this was an e30 the manual would make a way bigger difference. Besides the few enthusiast the market for these cars are new drivers without a lot of money. To put in perspective I have a sportline auto that for about $3500 i have almost completely rebuilt. so I am $4500 to a car with a low mile motor/trans, fuel system, wheels, tires, suspension, braking system and a laundry list of other parts.

Low mileage pristine 190Es are now going up in value. 3 of them with no more than 64,000 miles on them have sold at Bring a Trailer for $11,00-$14,500. 190Es as such low miles in pristine condition are becoming much rarer. I also think the rise in value of the Evo II is helping to raise the value of all 190Es. I recently saw the 4,700 mile Evo II that sold for $390,000 + $44,000 fee for a total of $434,000. That car was spectacular. Another example is the VW Bus. They were a dime a dozen when I was growing up. Now high quality restored ones sell for 6 figures at the Barrett-Jackson auction. I think both NADA and Hagerty are way low on their 190E values as the actual marketplace is telling a different story.​​​​​​

A bit off-topic to the original post.. but you say a W203 5-speed in an easy drop-in for a W201? What about the 6 speed? I have a W203 Coupe 230 with a 6 speed and had been imagining putting that in my 5 speed 190d just for fun... do you happen to know about that tranny?

190s are no where near appreciating lol
if you think that bat dictates the price enjoy overpaying for a mass produced car

You completely missed my previous point. It's the low mileage like 10,000-15,000 miles, concours cosmetic condition, typically dealer maintained,1 owner cars with all of the service records that are the ones that are going up in value. It's now very rare to find a 190 in this condition. The stratospheric rise in value of the EVO II is also contributing to the rise in value of these low mileage examples I previously noted. The average 150,000 miles and up ones with multiple owners, poor cosmetic condition, poor to no maintenance and no service records bangers on Craig's List or Ebay will sell for far less and they should not be compared to the cars I'm referring to. . As for mass produced, VW buses were a dime a dozen when I was growing up and now restored 21 window versions sell for 6 figures at Barrett-Jackson. The W201 is part of the last generation of MB's designed by legendary designer Bruno Sacco and it was designed when the engineers ran MB and not the accountants and marketing departments.. This will also add value in the future..