jasper Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 (edited) I have the option to buy this car for $3000.00 130,000 miles. VERY CLEAN. Currently in SAFE MODE, stuck in 2nd gear. Trans was replaced by owner, also NEW MB valve body. Same problem. I don't think this guy has any benz experience.(SUBARU MECHANIC) I did some research, and reliability is not a halmark of the latter benz's. Any thoughts?? FYI; I have put 80K on my 1992 190E 2.6 with essentialy no problems (last of the good ones?) Edited January 22, 2011 by jasper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSM Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 (edited) I did some research, and reliability is not a halmark of the latter benz's. I'd run based on your own research, but to me it depends if you have extra money to throw around. Since your looking at a broke car I assume, you do not, otherwise you would buy a fixed one, unless your really cheap which is okay too. (Not a bash.) I'm in the same boat, but I want a BMW. Finding a clean, well mainted, inexpensive, relaible BWM in the model I want seems to be kind of unreasonable, however, I'm real cheap! Maybe my requirement list is unreasonable. Either way, it's a want, not a need. Edited January 22, 2011 by JSM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakeoster Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 These cars are finicky so unless you know what your doing and got some cash on hand to make the necessary repairs I would hold back. It looks like a nice car and I would imagine that if the problem was easy/affordable to fix the guy would have done it even though he doesnt specialize in Benz's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAG58 Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Did he use the same model transmission? You can get a free EPC code (google it), and type in the VIN, it should tell you which transmission you can should be using. It should be the latter 722.6 transmission which went to full electronic after they did away with the 722.3 4 speed. Safemode is a hallmark of the TCM and ECU not communicating. These W202's were the start of the fall of merc in the 90's but still relatively reliable if kept correctly. If not, put the C36 motor in your 190, it will make it a nice little E36 killer. There have been many people that contend these last 2 years for the 36 before the 43 were every bit as fast as the later 43's, since the 43 was repudedly over-rated and the last two years 36 were under-rated. After 1993, they pulled enrichment from the top ends on these cars and there's a bunch of headway that can be made on them by tuning them back in. imo, a quick code-read at the dealer would rapidly solve the issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 I'm a seasoned technician, and I'm sure I can fix this car. Not sure how much it will cost, though. I'm a bit concerned with other seemingly inherent problems that may appear. It seems cheap enough, with similar RUNNING examples going for 2 to 3 times as much. Although it shares MANY parts with it's standard cousins, C36 parts might be pricey. And no, funds are not unlimited. I also enjoy automotive challenges. I LOVE to fix, what others cannot. Thanks for the input, looking for additional thoughts,experience.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 Did he use the same model transmission? You can get a free EPC code (google it), and type in the VIN, it should tell you which transmission you can should be using. It should be the latter 722.6 transmission which went to full electronic after they did away with the 722.3 4 speed. Safemode is a hallmark of the TCM and ECU not communicating. These W202's were the start of the fall of merc in the 90's but still relatively reliable if kept correctly. If not, put the C36 motor in your 190, it will make it a nice little E36 killer. There have been many people that contend these last 2 years for the 36 before the 43 were every bit as fast as the later 43's, since the 43 was repudedly over-rated and the last two years 36 were under-rated. After 1993, they pulled enrichment from the top ends on these cars and there's a bunch of headway that can be made on them by tuning them back in. imo, a quick code-read at the dealer would rapidly solve the issues. I have my own personal Snap-On scanner. I haven't used it on any newer benz's. Would this scanner give me the info/codes I need to know to locate the area to concentrate in. I am well aware scanners don't fix cars. Technicians with good skills and INFORMATION do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 I have my own personal Snap-On scanner. I haven't used it on any newer benz's. Would this scanner give me the info/codes I need to know to locate the area to concentrate in. I am well aware scanners don't fix cars. Technicians with good skills and INFORMATION do. [/quote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAG58 Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 It should, yes. If it's in safe-mode, it'll be spitting out codes like crazy. The issue there would be sifting through them and see which codes are being caused by other problems, also throwing codes. Either way, for 3k, I don't think you can go wrong.I know for sure you can probably double your money parting the car. Other option: Many 4cyl W202's came with manual's. The pedals interchange in all 202's, and the 16v getrag bolts right in (w201). It's a fairly simple process to trick an earlier computer to run with a manual. Then you'd have a dog-leg 5 speed in a C36. I believe on peachparts.com there is one guy doing this with his 2.6 5-speed box (still strong enough for a stock C36, and has overdrive). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 After wrestling with this, I called the guy to say I'm passing this one up. I have enough projects, I'm not debt free(but who is), and floors in my house would be nice, I already have a RUNNING Benz, etc.... Da,da,da,....I offered to trade one of my (less desirable) Z's for the benz. Sent him pics of the '73 240 auto. Hell, I'll even throw a little cash on top if he bites and waffles. I've cast out the bait........now we wait......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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