Swap 1993 Mercedes 190e - MOT Win

[stripped fred]

The autoshite way around this problem is to park the car up for a bit and buy another one while you have a think about what to do. If you have the time and space I would change it yourself even if it takes you a while to get it done. A spares car would be good again if you have space for it. Say something rusty but with a good, working engine?

[cort16]

Buy a spares car, realise it's better than the one you bought it to fix. Let the old one mature in the drive for a year or two then scrap when you get a letter from the council.

 

I think you'd really need to love it to spend the money putting a new engine in it. The truth being you could probably buy quite a nice 190 for the money the engine and transplant would cost by the time the work is done if you're paying someone to do it. Also buying a new engine that's already out the car is a minefield as you don't know how long it's been sitting around or any issues it has. You'd probably want to get the timing chain, crank seal etc done while it was out the car.

[forddeliveryboy]

Transferring an engine over into one of these isn't difficult at all, but having looked at the MoT history for yours, all I see is 'corroded', 'corroded' and  'excessively corroded'. I wouldn't want to spend another £ on it unless I was sure these advisories and fails from years gone by were all made by an over-zealous, Mercedes-hating MoT inspector. 

 

If you have to scratch the Benz itch, buy a C250td for £500 or less and with 9 months or more test. It should go better than the 190, will use less fuel and when it goes crunch or bang you'll have lost little (just make sure it starts having been left overnight, before buy). If it makes it to the next test, see how much it needs and do your manmaths.

 

I've used older Mercs in the past (and still have a soft spot for the 124s, with a 5-pot diesel estate in the fold) and love them because of how well they go about their work. But a rusty or non-functioning MB is ten times worse than a similar Jag, old Cit or old P-series Rover because there's nothing attractive or pleasant about them, beyond how they function.

[SiC]

This is such bad news and tremendously unlucky. No one on here seems to be having any luck with Mercedes cars at the moment.

Apart from Holi's (his only has a slight glitch though... ) - Ceri (ex. bo11), SOC and my Laguna 2 (is there anyone else? I can't remember!) are all seem to be mostly functioning. We must have taken all the good luck from Mercedes owners on here.

[billyboy406v6]

 

 

 

" This is such bad news and tremendously unlucky. No one on here seems to be having any luck with Mercedes cars at the moment. "

 

Mine takes me to work every day, just like a Mercedes motor car should.

[Honey Badger]

" This is such bad news and tremendously unlucky. No one on here seems to be having any luck with Mercedes cars at the moment. "

 

Mine takes me to work every day, just like a Mercedes motor car should.

 

In fairness your quality bar is set at Peugeot, so it's not like it has to be a really good Merc to feel so much better than a Pug 

 

Bornite it might be worth ringing HA Lock in Rushden to see if they have a breaker or an engine, he's got loads of cars near one of his workshops so you might get lucky, failing that he always has a few for sale and he's got a good rep, GordonBennett has had some work done by him i think and speaks well of them.

[Bren]

Bad news.

 

And also a damning indictment of some people in the trade.

 

I am having issues fitting the skirts to my audi - I can now see why they wanted £500.

 

However, despite me doing it myself at home, they would only do what I have done.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Transferring an engine over into one of these isn't difficult at all, but having looked at the MoT history for yours, all I see is 'corroded', 'corroded' and  'excessively corroded'. I wouldn't want to spend another £ on it unless I was sure these advisories and fails from years gone by were all made by an over-zealous, Mercedes-hating MoT inspector. 

 

If you have to scratch the Benz itch, buy a C250td for £500 or less and with 9 months or more test. It should go better than the 190, will use less fuel and when it goes crunch or bang you'll have lost little (just make sure it starts having been left overnight, before buy). If it makes it to the next test, see how much it needs and do your manmaths.

 

I've used older Mercs in the past (and still have a soft spot for the 124s, with a 5-pot diesel estate in the fold) and love them because of how well they go about their work. But a rusty or non-functioning MB is ten times worse than a similar Jag, old Cit or old P-series Rover because there's nothing attractive or pleasant about them, beyond how they function.

 

 

This, really. A lot of that fabled 'bombproof' Merc stuff was a load of bollocks. W124's, 190E's etc aren't that good - Peugeot made much better cars in that period. The W202 C Class, despite being prone to unimportant scabby rust was a better car. The M111 engine is a tough old bastard and they drive a million times batter.

 

 

When working, the 190E is the automotive equivalent of Paul Carrack.

[Pete-M]

C class or face-lift 210 is hugely better to drive and a decent (petrol) one is easy to find at under a grand. Diesels tend to be about £500 more than the equivalent petrol engined ones.

 

By the time the C and W210 arrived Mercedes had finally discovered accurate steering.

[BorniteIdentity]

This, really. A lot of that fabled 'bombproof' Merc stuff was a load of bollocks. W124's, 190E's etc aren't that good - Peugeot made much better cars in that period. The W202 C Class, despite being prone to unimportant scabby rust was a better car. The M111 engine is a tough old bastard and they drive a million times batter.

 

 

When working, the 190E is the automotive equivalent of Paul Carrack.

This all makes perfect sense now.

 

 

 

I've always liked Paul Carrack.

 

 

 

 

Perhaps Mike and his mechanics could come over and have a stab at this Merc. (I thank you)

[richardmorris]

My local mobile merc specialist has put a 300 from an s class in his 190- anything is possible!

[BorniteIdentity]

My local mobile merc specialist has put a 300 from an s class in his 190- anything is possible!

It is... but it's easier to start with a 2.6 car. A 4 pot car has a smaller bay.

 

But it's possible with some tomfoolery and patience.

[richardmorris]

I don't know what he started with to be honest. I do feel for you- I've sunk thousands into cars only for them to be written off the month later or rust to worthlessness.

[greengartside]

Bornite!

 

UV BIN PAPD.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/128691640@N04/26921689660/in/dateposted/

 

So sorry to hear of the trouble with this, usually they are reliable as hell. FATHA has a W202 2.0 estate which has been faultless in five years he's had it.

[Pete-M]

I don't know what he started with to be honest. I do feel for you- I've sunk thousands into cars only for them to be written off the month later or rust to worthlessness.

You're not the only one. I lost a fortune on my 190E. Fitted a full new exhaust system the day before it popped its head gasket.

[BorniteIdentity]

Bornite!

 

UV BIN PAPD.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/128691640@N04/26921689660/in/dateposted/

 

So sorry to hear of the trouble with this, usually they are reliable as hell. FATHA has a W202 2.0 estate which has been faultless in five years he's had it.

Hilarious. Right outside my house... exactly where the AA left it.

 

Looks fit AF in that picture. Cheers for the heads up.

[gnorwebthgimi]

I don't think the mechanic is to blame. He took it apart and put it back together and it worked until it went wrong.

 

That was the regular cycle for my 190E. It would drive, break, consume huge amounts of money in order to be fixed and then it would break again shortly afterwards, expensively. Naturally every repair would trigger a chain reaction of new faults, breakdowns and expenses.

 

If I'd chased the mechanic who caused the original fault it would no doubt be someone called Heinrich or Norbert in the Stuttgart area.

 

I have used Heinrich or Norbert's Stuggart garage and can vouch that they are a reputable* garage.

[Bren]

Difficult times.

 

Do you pour the money into another car or do you carry on with this one and have trigger's broom?

[oldcars]

Difficult times.

 

Do you pour the money into another car or do you carry on with this one and have trigger's broom?

That's a bit harsh, the Audi looks nice 

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

 

 

 

I've always liked Paul Carrack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beige BHS cardigan of music.

 

Don't tell me................

[BorniteIdentity]

Absolutely gutted. The only shred of hope is now gone... it's dead.

 

Mechanic pressure tested the car and it's not holding pressure. Valve damage. Fubar.

 

If anybody wants a project then let me know. If you have any talent then I'd be dropping the 300 engine in (which is a proper old school straight six slogger) and an auto box.

 

Anybody?

 

Melodramatic as it may sound, I can't even bare to look at it. It was a present to myself (the first I've ever really bought) for getting a pay rise at work) and I wish I'd spent the money on the kids instead.

 

Anyone ?

 

Brief run down:

 

Mercedes-Benz 190e

Malachite

5 speed manual.

150,505 miles.

Factory air con.

Leather.

Full service history which is now quite irrelevant.

2 keys.

Few spares.

[mrbenn]

Bad news man

 

No offer to help make things right from the mechanic?

[BorniteIdentity]

He feels hugely uncomfortable but...at the end of the day... it is impossible to prove liability. Don't really have an appetite for an argument either. I was an idiot to buy it, and arguably this is my just desserts.

[mrbenn]

I was an idiot to buy it, and arguably this is my just desserts.

 

Hardly! You had the balls to go out and buy something you really wanted, this just really crappy luck.

 

ETA could have been worse, you could have sold the Avensis in the meantime.

[oldcars]

sad news indeed. Lovely colour as well. 

[trigger]

Oh man. I feel your pain, still you could have used the money as a deposit on a new car and lost more than this owes you in deprecation in that time.

 

I guess at least with a Sierra engine replacements will always be cheap and easy although they aren't quite a Merc.

[BorniteIdentity]

Oh man. I feel your pain, still you could have used the money as a deposit on a new car and lost more than this owes you in deprecation in that time.

 

I guess at least with a Sierra engine replacements will always be cheap and easy although they aren't quite a Merc.

Sierra will be on its way now. I have to try and recoup some money and dignity from this whole shitstorm.

 

Thanks for your kind words though.

[smellypoo]

When I joined the forum a few months back (I had lurked for a while prior to joining, although that does sound a bit dodgy) - I remember the excitement from when you picked the Merc up. I've not seen it in the metal, but in the pics it does look lovely, esp. in that green with the proper indicators and wheelcaps fitted. I was actually quite jealous as I hope to do the same at some point (bucket list and all that).

 

You bought it as a treat to yourself, much as any of us might - it's just that you've had some rotten luck. Don't beat yourself up over it, these things really do happen to all of us. Even new cars can be a bit of a gamble - yes, the odds of not losing money if things go pop are better (but in most cases you'll lose money on depreciation - but thats something completely different), but things do still go pop and often it can mean a bit of a fight to get it sorted. From what you've posted so far, it seems as though with the best of intentions it just hasn't worked out. 

 

I really do feel gutted for you. Hopefully it's sunny where you are and you are able to sit in a beer garden, enjoy a nice cold pint and not think about it. 

[mercrocker]

I think you are absolutely right to bale out of this one, lovely though it looks.   Let its charms beguile somebody else.....However, do not beat yourself up over making a mistake with a car, if indeed a mistake it can be called.

 

 I have done exactly the same with a lovely W124 260E (that I chopped my girlfriend's nice* cheap, reliable Micra in for), spent a fortune on a CHG at a local garage whilst enduring a Fiat Tipo for the duration (all that I could afford to buy) only to have the bastard shit itself top-end just after the long-suffering GF had agreed to marry.     

 

I didn't let it put me off running old Mercs (it was my third and by far the worst experience) and I went straight out and bought the 190E as soon as the nice Ghanian man had relieved me of the W124 for export.    

 

I do however remembering that the most important element of any road test / inspection was to sit and let the bastard idle for as long as humanly possible before the seller intervened.   At least two 190Es I looked at expired in a cloud of shit steam from which I slunk away wallet still in pocket... 

 

As SPoo so rightly advised, have a bloody good drink, a bloody good weekend and try and put it behind you.   They really aren't bad cars, but that's just my opinion (at the moment)

[Pete-M]

Sad times. I was somewhat annoyed when my 190E grenaded, more because of what it had done to my bank balance trying to keep it going before it finally expired.

 

Still, buy a C class and you'll wonder why you ever wanted a 190E.