Been offered a /very/ tidy Merc 190E 2.0 Auto.. '87 D reg, don't know the mileage but it's bound to be starship, but like I care about that kinda thing ( points at 250000 mile Golf in garage)..
*Good bits*Full unmarked black leather, headlamp wipers etc, sunroof, 'lecky front windows (one of which doesn't work), alloys etc.
New exhaust, timing chain, brake discs, tyres look a bit recent, and I believe it's a full history job.
Bloke flogging it is a total krautmotorophile, has a selection of S-classes of early 80's vintage, and a 730i on an E as well.
*Bad bits*It's Gold. (but it's actually quite nice in an 80's retro kinda way)
The alloys are genuine mid '80s crosswire BBS jobs.
It's got the full AMG mid 80's bodykit, which I suppose could be worse, it could be an RGA one or similar.
£500. Taxed and tested for a couple of months.Now, the question is, do I flog ye olde Alfa for £400 and buy the Merc?
The Alfa is a nice car [1], it's reliable [1], it's quick [1], it's bloody good on fuel [1], it's comfy, and it handles well [1] and is rust free [1+2].
I'm just in the mood for driving something 80's tastic, and I can't find a nice 3.0 Capri anywhere for similar money. Besides, I'm in the mood for leather.
So, sages of uk.rec.mods, chuck your advice this way.
I'm off to look at the Merc properly at about 7pm, so if you've got something nasty and constructive to say about Mercs, chuck it this way.
[1] for a big old executive 2.0 barge type thing. [2] even though it's Italian, I've seen less rusty 164s than 190Es.