90s German tat. R129, W124, W201, Mk1 Golf.
Discussion
Many years ago I did start a thread on my mk1 Golf but I can’t find it and I probably last updated it 8-9 years ago. I’ll start with a photo dump of what’s in the garage in its their current state and eventually I’ll update the back story on each.
W201 190E 2.6 automatic, Carat Duchatelet.
W124 E320 Sportline Cabriolet
R129 300-24v
Mk1 Golf Clipper Cabriolet
Mk1 Golf GTi
Finally a Mk5 Golf Edition 30 which is the most modern except for our daily cars. I'll slowly go through the cars one by one in subsequent posts but that’s an introduction for now.
W201 190E 2.6 automatic, Carat Duchatelet.
W124 E320 Sportline Cabriolet
R129 300-24v
Mk1 Golf Clipper Cabriolet
Mk1 Golf GTi
Finally a Mk5 Golf Edition 30 which is the most modern except for our daily cars. I'll slowly go through the cars one by one in subsequent posts but that’s an introduction for now.
Starting with the 190, it’s a 2 owner from new full service history 2.6 auto. Original order form, old style V5, gentleman I bought it from was giving up driving and said that the rear seats had never been sat in. It came from new with a dealer fit Carat Duchatelet bodykit consisting of front and rear bumpers and the spoiler.
It unfortunately was missing the period wheels but a friend of mine found a set of 5 that looked correct on Facebook marketplace for a steal, albeit they needed a full refurb and one centre cap was missing.
I took a punt and bought them for £150 and they turned out to be genuine. I’ve managed to find a centre cap to match and had the logos scanned to be reproduced before getting them refurbished. Still missing 2 steel rings that fit behind the centre caps which hold the tension in the clips to keep the caps on. I may end up using Velcro or siliconing them on.
The driver side wing was looking pretty grim so i sourced a good genuine second hand wing and I booked it to have both sides painted.
There was a little bit of rust showing in the corners of the screen.
This escalated quickly.
And finally after what seems like months and going from painting both sides to the whole car it’s being put back together and hopefully it will be back in the next couple of weeks.
Tyre sizes are all wrong at the moment so it looks a bit stupid but I’ve ordered a set of 205/50/15s to go on which will be a lot more authentic to how it would have been back in its day. I’ll also be lowering it a bit at some point soon.
0a said:
I also have a 190 2.6, W124 E320, and r129 500sl combination! This era of Mercedes really gets under your skin.
What does the kit add to the 190? Is it purely cosmetic?
It’s the full set isn’t it? I was originally looking out for an early contrasting Sacco panelled early 500SL in black but this 300-24 came up at a good price and it was local so I couldn’t turn it down, I’m still on the hunt for a 500 but will wait until the E320 is sorted.What does the kit add to the 190? Is it purely cosmetic?
Purely cosmetic, they were quite a well known dealer fit accessory company back in the 90s and aimed more at luxury than tuning like AMG. I had a 2.5-16v many years ago and it looks similar but is easier to live with and drive/own being a 2.6.
Also managed to track down an English brochure of how it would have/should have looked when new.
Thanks for kind comments above.
Edited by NicDale on Thursday 16th September 13:53
NicDale said:
It’s the full set isn’t it? I was originally looking out for an early contrasting Sacco panelled early 500SL in black but this 300-24 came up at a good price and it was local so I couldn’t turn it down, I’m still on the hunt for a 500 but will wait until the E320 is sorted.
Purely cosmetic, they were quite a well known dealer fit accessory company back in the 90s and aimed more at luxury than tuning like AMG. I had a 2.5-16v many years ago and it looks similar but is easier to live with and drive/own being a 2.6.
Also managed to track down an English brochure of how it would have/should have looked when new.
Thanks for kind comments above.
From your post above it is going to be lovely once done.Purely cosmetic, they were quite a well known dealer fit accessory company back in the 90s and aimed more at luxury than tuning like AMG. I had a 2.5-16v many years ago and it looks similar but is easier to live with and drive/own being a 2.6.
Also managed to track down an English brochure of how it would have/should have looked when new.
Thanks for kind comments above.
Edited by NicDale on Thursday 16th September 13:53
My 500sl has been out of action for a few years for various reasons… it will be recommissioned soon.
It’s a 1991 model.
MDMA . said:
That does. I’ll update about that later on, thanks.2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
I always thought it odd they kept the MK1 shape for the cabriolet through MK2 production. Not many other cars have been like that I bet!
Nice looking thing though
So this next, my brother when we were kids had a GTi Cabriolet in moonstone blue and I have great memories of being in it and for a while I had custodianship of it. He sold it but has recently bought it back which is a story in itself.
This came up locally, I had first refusal and bought it as it invoked childhood memories and I felt it had a place in future for my kids to enjoy. It’s needed a new weber carb, new fuel tank, new fuel lines, leads, plugs, new rotor arm and an ignition amplifier to get it running well but none of those bar the carb cost a fortune.
The real stupid reason for buying it was I had those wheels on my white tintop GTi and I really liked them on that, I didn’t want to sell the wheels when I put split rims on the tintop so I bought this car to put them on. They’re OZ turbines, 15x7 ET12 and would originally have been on an e21 BMW and as far as I know one of very sets in 15” with 14” being much more common. I’ve seen 2 other sets in the last 5 years.
It’s a fun nostalgic place to be be when the suns out.
Thanks. Forgot to mention that it was pretty neglected when I bought it.
Also, a friend recently came across this photo from 15 plus years ago when I had my 2.5-16. Slowest car out of that trio but i loved it. Classic sold for a house move and a long time regret hence snapping up the 2.6 with its similar to a 16v kit but not trying to be one.
The edition 30 was a bit of an impulse buy, we had a new mk5 GTi in 2005 and really liked it and I’d always hankered after another one. My cayenne turbo had just s
t itself by doing in a piston and it was on eBay as spares and repairs and I needed something that wasn’t going to cost the earth to run, didn’t take £200 a week in fuel but was still relatively quick and enjoyable. Something that hopefully would at the very least hold it’s value if not slowly increase over the next few years.
This is a 2 owner from new car, an early one too (number 90) and the right spec for me, 3 door, dsg and black. Full history with lots of receipts and what’s considered to be the correct mods, mapped by r tech, walnut blasted valves, new cam follower, R32 brake conversion and it did have a stupid exhaust on it but I’ve refitted the standard exhaust and that’s tamed it down a bit for daily use. Still has a massive induction kit so sounds a bit darth vadar with the turbo noises but it’s liveable. It’s also had the dsg remapped/controller fitted (it’s in the history but I can’t remember right now). It’s got 30mm h&r lowering springs fitted but I’ll probably go back to standard springs at some point as it can bottom out a bit on fast bumpy roads. Had a new set of Goodyear F1’s fitted before I bought it.
The only real negative with this was that it turned up really dirty, my own fault as I bought it unseen by just speaking to the owner and then sending my usual delivery guy to fetch it.
A damn good clean later and it feels like ‘mine’.
I’m glad I’ve got this but I’m not really sure where it fits in so I may move it on.
Also, a friend recently came across this photo from 15 plus years ago when I had my 2.5-16. Slowest car out of that trio but i loved it. Classic sold for a house move and a long time regret hence snapping up the 2.6 with its similar to a 16v kit but not trying to be one.
The edition 30 was a bit of an impulse buy, we had a new mk5 GTi in 2005 and really liked it and I’d always hankered after another one. My cayenne turbo had just s
t itself by doing in a piston and it was on eBay as spares and repairs and I needed something that wasn’t going to cost the earth to run, didn’t take £200 a week in fuel but was still relatively quick and enjoyable. Something that hopefully would at the very least hold it’s value if not slowly increase over the next few years.This is a 2 owner from new car, an early one too (number 90) and the right spec for me, 3 door, dsg and black. Full history with lots of receipts and what’s considered to be the correct mods, mapped by r tech, walnut blasted valves, new cam follower, R32 brake conversion and it did have a stupid exhaust on it but I’ve refitted the standard exhaust and that’s tamed it down a bit for daily use. Still has a massive induction kit so sounds a bit darth vadar with the turbo noises but it’s liveable. It’s also had the dsg remapped/controller fitted (it’s in the history but I can’t remember right now). It’s got 30mm h&r lowering springs fitted but I’ll probably go back to standard springs at some point as it can bottom out a bit on fast bumpy roads. Had a new set of Goodyear F1’s fitted before I bought it.
The only real negative with this was that it turned up really dirty, my own fault as I bought it unseen by just speaking to the owner and then sending my usual delivery guy to fetch it.
A damn good clean later and it feels like ‘mine’.
I’m glad I’ve got this but I’m not really sure where it fits in so I may move it on.
Bookmarked and thanks for making the thread. I am a VW fan but stepping over to Mercedes now I am in my late 30s. I love your collection and whilst I am looking for a S124 or 190 with bodykit has got me eyes darting that way.
I currently have a Corrado VR6, Corrado 16v, Golf GTI 16v. Plan is to sell the Corrado 16v and get a Merc. Or Buy a G60 and a Merc. Probably the latter.
I should update my own thread really.
I currently have a Corrado VR6, Corrado 16v, Golf GTI 16v. Plan is to sell the Corrado 16v and get a Merc. Or Buy a G60 and a Merc. Probably the latter.
I should update my own thread really.
A nice collection there, thanks for posting up the details. I've always liked the MK1/2 Cabrio g a chap in York has a P reg one imported from South Africa which is always a nice sight to see.
A very nice collection of Mercs too! The 190 always makes me think Mafia Sentinel from GTA3....
A very nice collection of Mercs too! The 190 always makes me think Mafia Sentinel from GTA3....
Hey Nic,
(Dave from evo forum - you bought my Rallye)
That’s a nice collection mate. The Clipper looks particularly good.
I’m trying to resist the obvious comment about the value of a 2.5 16 and a Rallye in today’s market but sadly we didn’t have crystal balls but we’ve undoubtedly got good memories so that’ll have to do.
Hope all well with you.
(Dave from evo forum - you bought my Rallye)
That’s a nice collection mate. The Clipper looks particularly good.
I’m trying to resist the obvious comment about the value of a 2.5 16 and a Rallye in today’s market but sadly we didn’t have crystal balls but we’ve undoubtedly got good memories so that’ll have to do.
Hope all well with you.
RC1807 said:
I love the 190 & 320.
I'd have really loved a 320 sport line Cab ... Still would, in fact.
I had a 320 cabrio, although not a sport line, for around 5 years. I liked it a great deal, but it proved a tricky thing to sell. The market for these is small and picky. I'd have really loved a 320 sport line Cab ... Still would, in fact.
Forgive the interjection OP.
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