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| Sluggish 2.0; But we wants it, precious, we wants it | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Thu Jun 9, 2011 2:44 am (1,131 Views) | |
| Paul_Bottomley | Thu Jun 9, 2011 2:44 am Post #1 |
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Newbie
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Hello guys, Yesterday I test drove a rather lovely 190, and it seemed very nice except for one or two odd little niggles I hoped you could help me gauge the seriousness of. The first is simple - I've never driven an automatic car before, and was surprised by the amount of play in the accelerator pedal in which it's simply not doing anything at all. I'm told that's what all auto cars do, but bloody hell it feels strange. The second is the aforementioned sluggishness - when I do summon the balls to really stomp on the loud pedal - I really am used to the tiniest touch being all that's needed - and find some power, there just isn't nearly as much as I'm expecting. This probably has something to do with being spoiled by my dad's much more modern Jaguar, but he too (the owner of quite a few W123's in the past) noticed that it felt a bit sluggish. So what's likely to be going on? Is it just that I'm spoiled by modern shiny engines, or is there something more serious that I should be concerned about potentially going on? It might, of course, just be that its been standing for a while; it did sharpen up a bit even on a 15 minute test drive. Then there's the perceptible whine from the rear axle. I suspect that's going to be unavoidable in a 19 year old car, but since I don't want to buy something I'm going to immediately have to spend a bunch of money on if I can help it, is this something I should be particularly bothered by? Almost forgot, there also appears to be an aftermarket Mercedes alarm/immobiliser fitted apparently by a main dealer. I've had interesting experiences with such devices (in the experience of my family, they tend to work too well and don't let us drive anywhere!) I have no idea how or even if it works, all I know is that there are some weird plastic oblongs with the Mercedes badge on the keyring and little motion detectors inside the car. Aside from those points, it seems a really good car for what the guy's asking. So what if its been almost two thirds of the way to the Moon, its got a huge wadge of service logs and receipts, bodywork is fine, interior is pristine... The 6-tape (yes, tape!) changer might have to go bye bye at some point though. Just perturbed by the small things above. Oh, here's the advert, if anyone's interested. http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C229874 So what do you guys think? Snatch the guy's hand off or act with a little more discretion? Edited by Paul_Bottomley, Thu Jun 9, 2011 2:53 am.
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| merc190uk | Thu Jun 9, 2011 7:22 am Post #2 |
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The Godfather
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Hi there If your spending that much on a190 then I suggest you drive and compare it to one our two other cars before spending your hard earned cash. You will get a good idea then if its slow our not All the best finding one |
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| Neil | Thu Jun 9, 2011 8:18 am Post #3 |
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Newbie
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Looks really nice, the price is good if it's as straight and clean as the photos suggest. These 1.8s and 2.0s are not 'fast' cars in that they will never deliver a sudden burst of power. They can gather pace quickly enough though. I recall the first few months with mine, I would be driving through a built-up area at what I thought was normal speed, look down and find that I was doing 45mph. They build speed wonderfully on the motorway too, I'd say they're happiest cruising at 75-90mph. Not sure if you already knew, but these cars move off from standstill in 2nd gear, under normal acceleration. You would have to shift down to '2' and back to 'D' or nail the throttle to the carpet in 'S' to get it to move off in 1st. Don't be afraid to give them a bootful, it would have to be pouring down with rain for the car to truly catch you out. Very predictable, progressive slides from the rear end, I love the handling. After driving mine for nearly 7 years, I've gotten used to the throttle-pedal travel, the lack of low-down response and the predictability of the rear end. As for the immobiliser, mine's got a Sigma unit and it's remained switched off (locked-off with the key) since I got the car. Previous owner said it went off in high winds too much, and the fob was on its way out anyway. I live in Central London and don't feel the need for an alarm on mine. 190s seem quite 'below the radar' compared to other stuff. |
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| alan | Thu Jun 9, 2011 9:02 am Post #4 |
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hmmmm interesting
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looks a good car the pedal could just be 190 pedal give there is a bit of slack before it starts doing anything and or the cable could need an adjustment by the air filter price wise seems a little high compared to other cars available with what looks like a low spec just elec windows and c-class hub caps mileage seems fine nothing to worry about with a good service history alarm seems to have the same sensors I do mine has recently gone funny and had to be turned off by the key I go back to it now and then to try and fix but it is still acting up I will be ripping it out and replacing sooner or latter Good luck with your car shoping |
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| Paul_Bottomley | Thu Jun 9, 2011 11:21 am Post #5 |
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Newbie
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Ah, it might well just be me expecting too much of the car then, by the sound of it. Driving it wrong. Sounds like the play in the accelerator pedal is also just what these automatical cars do. Suppose its just one of those things I'll have to get used to, like the single stalk, which took me by surprise, flailing my left arm about wildly looking for the indicator I'll definitely be trying out a couple of others to get a more general feel for how they should (and shouldn't) behave, though. Oh! I've just figured out what the little round keys provided were for. They must be to turn the immobiliser on and off. Hopefully. That was puzzling me. That that's an option I can't say doesn't appeal, given our track record with the damn things. It doesn't look like you've had any more luck either, so at least I don't feel alone in that. <-- come to think of it why is this dude driving a LHD car if the majority of us are in the UK?
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| Neil | Thu Jun 9, 2011 12:01 pm Post #6 |
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Newbie
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After a few years you'll be cleaning the windscreen every time you go to indicate in other cars Accelerator does take a bit of getting used to.Good luck, hope you find a good one
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| chrismatheou | Thu Jun 9, 2011 12:15 pm Post #7 |
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Enthusiastic Bad Boy
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So true! |
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| G3MAW | Thu Jun 9, 2011 12:15 pm Post #8 |
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Part of things
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Looks like the one Rebus had ( and you know what happened to that...). Seriously, you'd be hard put to find a cleaner example - just have a close look at the bonnet shut lines and compare the front head lights for any signs of a replacement. These cars can be repaired very well, due to replaceable panels being available. The Germanic origins of the design show up well on a motorway - a higher axle ratio was fitted round about '86 and they cruise like a locomotive.This is probably why the brakes are so good! This is the last model to embody the traditional Merc virtues of over-engineering combined with owner accessibility for servicing and most repairs. Afterwards came the water based paint for bodywork, attendant corrosion and electrical problems by the score ( due to sourcing cheaper components, eg wiper motor, but £1,000 to have replaced). But it's a car to keep, so you'll need some personal commitment to deal with the potential eccentricities which can arise. Just browse this forum - this where it's at! |
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| Paul_Bottomley | Wed Jun 15, 2011 11:29 pm Post #9 |
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Newbie
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So, I went ahead and bought this thing. Boy was I wrong. I take it all back, the car moves like a dream. Must have just been because it was cold, had been standing, and me being a great big wet pansy on the test drive. Loving everything about it now. Pics coming soon in a more appropriate thread.
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| alan | Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:58 am Post #10 |
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hmmmm interesting
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Congrats now just enjoy that 190 feeling lol |
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<-- come to think of it why is this dude driving a LHD car if the majority of us are in the UK?
Accelerator does take a bit of getting used to.
3:54 PM Jul 11