questions regarding buying a 190e
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Joined: Nov 2004
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questions regarding buying a 190e
I am looking at a 1986 190e 2.3 16v Cosworth with 121000 miles. I am considering offering ~3000-3500. The car has a clear record and looks clean. I was wondering what problem areas to look for (ie. bushings, rust under trunk carpet, in spare well...) and around this mileage what kind of problems should I be looking for (or expecting in the future). The seller has all maintenence records so I can check what repairs have been made. I will be sure to get a mechanic to completely look it over before I purchace, but wanted to so some of the initial inspection to save some money. Thanks, AO
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2004
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1992 190E 2.6L
Hey man- I just bought a 190E myself- and I've have to make a couple minor repaids, but overall this thing has held up very very well.
1. Oxygen sensor
2. Front exhaust (the rear was already replaced)
Good luck
1. Oxygen sensor
2. Front exhaust (the rear was already replaced)
Good luck
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74
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From: Bay Area
1987 190E 2.3-16V
i bought my first 2.3-16v back in 2001 for bout $7000. but it already had some mods done. when i test drove it, it felt a bit slower that the others i tested, but i thought it was due to the high mileage (145,000 miles). but when i bought it and tried to get it to pass smog, it wouldnt...it had low pressure in the third cylinder. so make sure when u go to test a 16v...try and see if the owner has all the records of maintenance. tell the owner when ur out for the test drive to drive it hard to make sure everything is in order. and since it has 122,000 miles...check and see if the owner changed the timing chain, tensioner, and rails, if not, and it still runs really well, that would b the first thing u would need to fix....its about 450 bucks to do from wut i remember. also check and see if the rear SLS (self-leveling rear suspension) is still working. if its not working, the back will sag a lot and its very costly to repair. again...when test driving the car...do one or two hard braking to make sure the ABS is working and the front brakes are biting proportionally.
