I've got a mint, brand-new brochure specific to this model (the 190E-16, W201.034) for sale if anyone wants it. I've been meaning to post it on eBay with a pile of other stuff but haven't gotten around to it. Anyway, some comments on the post below:
1) They all had SLS. There were two additional models, the Evolution I (210.035) and Evolution II (210.036), that were never sold in the USA. The .036 was built in ridiculously small numbers, like 300 total or something- it was intended to be a homologation special as a race car or something. One or the other (or both) also had *front* SLS. (Seriously.) There was a switch inside the car where you could select the ride height - normal for the street, slammed for the track. WAY cool stuff. Also, one or both (Evo I/II) had a larger engine with more power... a 2.5L, I think. 2) The differential is a plain old limited slip with clutches that wear out, and need to be replaced every so often (probably 100-200kmi depending on how much abuse the car had.) No Torsen stuff here. 3) The 500E had electronic traction control (applies brake and/or reduces power) with a standard open diff. You can NOT switch this off. Enterprising individuals discovered a way to do so, and BergWerks sold a kit to add a switch to the dash that allows the ASR to be disabled. This allows smoky burnouts to impress your friends, and other tail-wagging antics that would likely result in uncomfortable discussions with the local constabulary. You would not want to drive the car on the street with the ASR disabled, particularly on wet or dirty pavement. 4) You can take the limited-slip diff and put in any gears you want, AFAIK... the problem is, this is not a DIY procedure, and paying a shop to do it costs a lot of money. Some of the folks who seriously looked into this found it would cost $1000-$1500 to build a proper limited-slip diff. If you don't need to change axle ratios, just buy the LSD unit from a wrecked 190E-16 and bolt it in. =) > ------------------------------ > Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 09:16:41 -0400 > From: Mitch Haley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [MBZ] W201 engine swapping > > TimothyPilgrim wrote: > > > > You want to do WHAT with a precious 16-valve???? > > I got out my March '86 Car&Driver to check out the 16V > (I bought this issue on the newsstand for that article) > and it's a little more special than I remembered, 1880 > units planned for USA in 1986. 167hp, 0-60 7.8sec and > 15.8 would make for a very close race with a 2005 > Special Value Cavalier. The test car had SLS, which I > had forgotten. Is that optional, or did they all have it? > Is that the same style double PS/SLS pump as used on > the 124TD? Was the differential limited slip with clutches, > or was it something you could turn on and off like the > 500E has? Or better yet, did it have a Torsen diff? > I hope the LSD would work with 190D ring and pinion, > 3.27 with 1:1 fifth gear makes for high rpm on the > highway. Hey, if you put a 190DT ring and pinion > in a 2.3-16, would it get decent mpg? 18 city, > 26 hwy (with the optimism shown by the EPA in > the 1980s) makes it a weekend toy, I won't use > something that thirsty for a daily driver. > > $35,000 was a lot to pay for a W201 20 years > ago, even if it could outrun a turbo Saab. > Fortunately, it could probably also outrun > the cheaper 300E. > >
