Poll: Help me pick an old Mercedes to build piece by piece

[John Hubertz]

I'm thinking about starting to collect parts for a project car.  I would want it to be a low-to-medium miles (no more than 130,000)automatic equipped Mercedes sedan.

I've been thinking 190D or perhaps an early fuel-injected four cylinder car (if that exists).  I really don't know much about it.  What I plan to do is wait as long as it takes to find an absolutely rust-free body and chassis - then install all the sundry parts and do a complete respray.



or perhaps;

[Squiggle Dog]

I'm thinking a ponton or a fintail would be nice. Both require the usual diligence in searching for rust as one would a W116. A 1966 or newer (late 1967 or 1968 are the best in my opinion--they have a collapsible steering column and wheel for one thing) fintail would be a more practical driver because they have power disc brakes and quite a few safety features that the early ones lack.

I had a 1968 200D fintail as a daily driver to work and drove it from Washington to Utah and back one summer. Even though it only had 55 horsepower, it had good acceleration and could do 80 on the freeway. People joke about how slow the cars are, but to be honest, it never felt underpowered to me--in fact, it was faster than most 4 cylinder gas econoboxes I have driven. I'd still be driving it now if the rust didn't kill it (it looked nice from a distance, but the floors, firewall, and rear taillight mounting area were gone).

Parts are readily available from Mercedes-Benz, though rubber parts like windshield and door seals will set you back $100-$200 a piece.





Now I've got myself a fintail wagon project car that I hope to restore into a daily driver some day. I put an OM617 engine in it and it fits rather well.

[Kjhall65]

I like the compacts.  I have had the W115 for 20 years now and dad bought it new.  They are simple to work on, handle well, the ride is supple and it has a reasonable amount of torque.  It has been really reliable.

[Tony66_au]

190E/230E are a good car if you get one that hasnt been neglected too much, Parts are available no probs and fairly cheap and the sedans dont usually have SLS unlike the wagons.

Costly and possible items to replace are heater fan motor (easy peasy, replaced from under the wiper motor with the hood up) and the Duo valve which controls hot water flow and gives you the left and right individual climate control for the front seats.

Vacuum central locking can also be an issue but as its similar to the W116 apart from an electric vac pump instead of engine vac feed it too is a simple enough fix.

Mostly MB tex interiors they are a pleasant cruiser and will handle fast driving well if the mood strikes you.

economy on my half million km example is still 9 to 10 km per lt (.264 US Gal per 6.214 miles or 23.5 Mpg I think)

[Tony66_au]

Oh and avoid 4matic lol

[jbrasile]

If it has to be a 4 cylinder then I would try to find an EURO 230E (W123), preferably with a manual transmission, but they are rare even in Europe so an auto would do, good all around performer, very frugal on fuel and with legendary 123 build quality.

For something with a little more of a "classic look, I'd try a 115. Most 115's in the States are either Diesel (200D, 220D and 240D) or the not so good 230 with a single Zenith carb. 240D's are ok but with only 60 or so hp performance is really low, a 300D is quite acceptable.

A 115 would offer you one of the best rides ever in an MB, they have a certain period charm and are very easy to work on. Solidly built these little cars can be lived with on a daily basis just like any modern vehicle, their a/c system when in working order is incredibly efficient by any standards. A 220 stick shift with a/c wouldn't be a bad choice.

Ponton's and Finnies are very nice but they are just to old school for my taste so you have to limit their use, no a/c, sometimes no power steering, 1950's brakes, etc + parts can be extremely expensive, especially chrome and trim items.

Tks,

Joe

[Kjhall65]

I have to agree with Joe re: the 115 220.  Mine is a stick shift but no A/C.  It's great to drive and easy to work on.
Ken