Manual M-B 190E 2.6 - any good?

http://appleton.craigslist.org/cto/3875968678.html

I'm looking for a new DD and while an E36 was my prime target there aren't any really thrilling deals in the area on them right now. I did come across this though; manual Benzes seem to be uncommon and the 2.6 offers an interesting alternative to the neat but expensive 2.3-16.

Anyone have any experience with or thoughts on these?

Most of the stick specific I6 190e bits are straight unobtanium. You can not buy a flywheel for that car for any amount of money, new or used, anywhere on earth, last I checked.

You found a unicorn. I would consider it.

Up 'der by Fon du Lac, an hour north of Oconomowoc, ya hey der.

(Sorry - I know, I'm a FIB)

Buy it

I'm of the understanding that in its day, Martin Brundle said that this had one of the best handling saloon car chassis anywhere in the world, or not.

Note that a W201 benz is pretty far from a 3 series in terms of driving dynamics, the baby benz still drives like a benz. Its far more of a cruiser than a corner carver. Overall, think German Volvo, not BMW.

You should still buy it because they're rare as hell. The whole 5 speed setup diff to flywheel is probably worth 2/3s what they're asking for the whole car on a good day. MB only built a few hundred of them as I understand it.

Oh wow. I'm so excited about that car I actually just checked airfare to Appleton from Seattle.

I assume a car driven in winter in WI is presumed a rust bucket?

I'd buy the E36 M3 out of that, don't care how they drive.

They used to be good autocross and showroom stock cars when they were new, I haven't ever driven one though.

Shucks, the car is still available but the seller is traveling until early August.

Mezz, the roads are salted up here, but cars that are washed regularly tend to survive just fine, and factory galvanized vehicles like M-B and Audi do real well.

Hold out for a 500E...

Manual trans? Check...

Straight 6? Check...

Purchased and in your driveway yet? No? WHY NOT!

pinchvalve wrote: Hold out for a 500E...

I would own a 500E right now if it weren't for the lack of Manual transmission. I test drove one a while back and almost pulled the trigger even with the auto. Such an awesome car.

I noticed that car too. You're in luck, I'm not in the market for another car so there is no worries on your end. Good luck.

Spiffy.

I would want to drive it. My dad had a 2.3-16 that he bought new and the manual was fantastic, however my mother had a euro spec 84 280sl and the manual was like churning butter.

In reply to cdowd:

The dogleg box is also far removed from the other 5 speeds, or so I've been told.

WOW... What a tempting 190E.. The arch-nemesis of my old E30 M3. (Cosworth)

Kenny_McCormic wrote: In reply to cdowd: The dogleg box is also far removed from the other 5 speeds, or so I've been told.

Does the 2.6 come with the 2.3's dogleg transmission?

That dogleg is the same as the one supplied in euro e30 M3s.

The 2.6 is not a dogleg box, AFAIK.

I intend to buy this as soon as the seller is back in town.

And then you must promptly start a build thread.

You can use the 350SDL exhaust manifold to mount your turbo.

e30s are far better and cheap but 190es are cool so this would be a hard choice for me.

A member of the 190rev site sells delrin shifter bushings that help tighten up the shift action. I have a friend parting out a 16v and has a nice recaro interior f/s.