I bought a German car here in Canada....but it's not a VW

Greetings Folks,
I haven't been on for the last while (long story) but I've finally bitten the bullet and bought an older car to tinker with over on this side of the pond, God knows when I'll be able to drive my Mk2/E28 back in Ireland.

I bought a 1990 MB 190e (W201) 2.6 - has 174K kilometres on it but in very good condition overall and was well minded by the last owner and his brother before him.

In my defense, I tried to get a Mk2 over here but it's nigh on impossible and the Mk5's are too expensive for my budget.

The biggest problem with it is a couple of the door cards are starting to peel away - common problem and a pain in the nads to fix - best solution is to get replacement door cards which is unicorn territory.

Couple of pics attached if you want to have a look.

Cheers

 

Built like the proverbial brick s!!t-house, I'm surprised how well spec'd they are for a 1990 - all electric windows, electric sunroof, cruise control, heated seats and an airbag.

 

Looks very tidy.

 

This is in a league of its own! Very nice.

 

It's an automatic (I know..) but that is the North American way. God knows how many times I will stall the Mk2 when I finally get to drive it.
They are either 2.6/2.3 or diesel over here, 2.0 and 1.8 were never available here. In spite of my one having a 2.6, the performance can only be described as 'leisurely', I can't imagine what a 190D is like but you would probably need a calendar for 0-60 times.

 

very nice, reminds me of my Volvo!

 

Hi All - just an update on the work I've done to the old 190
Replaced rear diff oil - (it was manky)
New front shocks and top mounts (the old one's were the original and it drives more solid now)
Replaced Spark Plugs - (Managed to get NOS Bosch plugs in Germany)
Flushed Power Steering Fluid and replaced the Power Steering Fluid Filter (never knew such a thing existed)
New Front Brake Pads & Discs (They were in poor enough shape)
New Rear Pads & Discs
New Flexible Brake Pipes (The old one's were original - Sept.'89)
Flushed Brake Fluid - (was dark and dirty)
Replaced 2 cracked headlights
That's it for now...

 

Right chaps - the electric aerial is goosed on the 190e. It won't extend or retract from it's current mid-way position. It's a Hirschmann unit and if anyone knows anything about these, they are a complete ballache (NLA and people ask lawless money for secondhand units)
I'm trying to get a suitable manual aerial but it's proving more difficult than I thought it would, I've located one on e-bay that I think might work: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Mercedes-Be...-Telescopic-with-Accessories-Set/353231563728 but for reasons best known doesn't post to Canada which doesn't make a lick of sense to me.
Anyone have any experience of this - apparently it's the angle on the rear wing that causes the issue - never thought there would be such an issue with a feckin aerial.

 

Very nice. I very nearly bought one last year. I looked at a few 2.6's Need to be careful of rust at the bottom of the C pillar and in the boot gutter.
Enjoyed wafting along in the auto. lovely!

That looks a very tidy garage...How do you find anything

 

The rest of the house could be in complete shambles but the garage has to be tidy - that’s how I roll

 

I will RJ but I’m not a fan of electric aerials in general. My dad had a Fiat 132 many moons ago and the car damn near went up in flames because of an electric aerial

 

Not exactly as I had to take a hacksaw to the aerial in order to physically remove it - you can get replacement aerials though - I want to put a cover over the car for the winter and that bugger was in the way

 

I might try that German one but get him to send it to Ireland and pick it up in January and bring it back - if this plague doesn’t take us all out by then
I’m limited to using the same grommet/seal in order to properly seal and secure it - even the bloody hole on the rear wing is oval for it

 

I like these.

 

And what would they be exactly Tristan?

 

The 190? Dad had one when I was small, great car. I still regret not buying a 2.3 16v 10 years ago...