sportline vs. standard 2.6

190E Sportline

I have owned my 2.3 Sportline 5-speed manual for a few months now. The only reason I purchased it was due to its rarity here in Australia (possibly the only manual Sportline). I must admit that I really am enjoying it. It is nice to drive a manual again (although presumably you are looking at an auto). The suspension offers great cornering with minimal body roll and the faster steering ratio and smaller leather wheel gives nice steering feel. The ride is ok until you get onto poor surfaces, initially it seemed little different from the 180E (190E 1.8) I owned a few years ago. I would need to drive a non Sportline again to confirm that impression.

I find that the front seats look more comfortable than they are. This is the first car I have had where I have to remove my wallet from my back pocket to avoid discomfort. On a long trip recently it also took me several attempts at adjusting the seat to avoid lower back pain. The leather also squeaks. The front seats in our 300TE are more comfortable and don't squeak (MB Tex). The bucket style rear seats on the other hand feel great.

As much as I would like to have the 2.6 (I love the 3.0 M103 in our TE), I find the 2.3 (M102 8v) suits the 190E well. It is surprisingly torquey and tractable from low revs and whilst not as smooth as the six, cruises quietly. On my recent interstate trip "tyre roar" on our coarse bitumen roads was the only noticeable noise. The four also fits the engine bay well making for easy repair and maintenance. Presumably the less mass out front would also make for sharper handling.

The Sportline looks the part with its lower ride height, 7 x 15 wheels with 205/55 tyres, rear spoiler and deep bucket seats front and back.

Hi guys,
Has anyone done a compare of the sportline vs. standard 2.6? I'm trying to decide which to go for. I like the feel of the seats of the sportline. I've never driven one but I have driven a 2.3-16. The last standard 2.6 I drove seemed to have lots of road and tire noise.

Also, I'm looking at a 1993 sportline at Chequered Flag International with about 103K miles on it. Asking price is $6k. Has anyone out there in San Diego looked at the car? I was told there were no records with the car when I calle the dealer, and that makes me highly suspicious.

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I just took a deposit for mine last Sunday for $3200. 1993 190E 2.6 Sportline 5-speed Manual, 170K, but it has some electrical problems. The handling and suspension on this car are freakin' AMAZING.

Hi Guys,

Happy New Year.

It is an old thread but embodies what I want to do.

Idle hands are the devil’s playthings….

I am “thinking” of making my spare 190E 2.6 1987 into a Sportline. From what I understand the list is:
*Seats
*Lower suspension
Shocks
Springs
Anti-roll bar
*Lower ratio Steering box
*390mm steering wheel
*Rims
*??? anything else?

Do any of these parts appear in other Mercedes? The population of 190E W201’s is small, and it would be (in my opinion) difficult to impossible to expect to find a W201 2.6 Sportline in a wrecking yard.

Any other sources of these parts?

Dan
Orange AU.