| No, no, no, no, no.
The 2.3 is a fantastic engine, and it's life span is about the same as it's six cylinder counterpart. The 2.6 is comparatively a rocket ship, and the 2.3 has been described as sluggish, but I find it to be nearly perfect. The car I am familiar with gets around thirty miles per gallon in town, and thirty five to forty on the freeway. Keep in mind that it is maintained religiously. It has enough power to get you a few speeding tickets, but keep in mind this car comes from a different mind set than that of your town car- the pleasure in driving such a car as a 190E 2.3 is derived not from drag racing, but from taking curvy roads. It is a car of compromise, hence the excellent fuel economy, but it is still a mercedes, and feels like one on the road- in your case, I would definently test drive one, and you may want to go with a 2.6, which is a real kick in the pants to drive. But as far as longevity- I have no idea what putrid seedy place you dug that idea about 4 cylinder longevity- My grandfather has a 2.3 with about four-hundred-thousand miles on it, and his mechanic says it has about a hundred thou still left in it- and also, do not forget that the 240D, a diesel, but a four cylinder nonetheless, is considered one of the longest lasting, reliable cars ever made. |