Best economical W201?

[whitebeach]

Thinking of buying my son an old Merc. Any suggestions?

[rjb190e]

Well you get the 1.8 gas and the diesels to choose from. Find the best examples of each and see what suits you.

[whitebeach]

no diesels in Australia.

[AMGViper]

economical, Mercedes and Australia don't make sense in the same sentence. It's going to be stupid expensive to own one of those there with limited parts availability. Just FYI
What about the 2.0 model?

[whitebeach]

Originally Posted by AMGViper

economical, Mercedes and Australia don't make sense in the same sentence. It's going to be stupid expensive to own one of those there with limited parts availability. Just FYI
What about the 2.0 model?

On the contrary I run a 1993 W124 3.2 and for several years spent zip.
PS
we do have something called the post office here where we can receive parts from anywhere.

[zephyrueffer]

Originally Posted by whitebeach

On the contrary I run a 1993 W124 3.2 and for several years spent zip.
PS
we do have something called the post office here where we can receive parts from anywhere.

I never knew that.
jk

If you can't get a diesel, your best bet is a small engine if you want good fuel economy.

[AMGViper]

holy shit. you mean to say that there's other continents with other people who have internet and mailing services? no. way. lol

I was just basing it off of two prior people on here. Try to get a 1.8 or a 2.0 stick shift

[Logon_Bob]

Side story - So what 's the deal on no Diesel? I really thought Diesel was big in Australia, no clue why I thought that.

I think I read how Merc came up with the 1.8 was over 2.0 was highly taxed, Gas Guzzler or a Luxury Tax ???

[Nfsjunkie91]

I've read the 1.8 is too small of an engine to be efficient, from what I've read the 2.0 stick is what to go with. 1.8 was to evade the luxury tax. The 180E was the most basic of base models.

[UncleBenz]

When an engine is too small, it will work much more than burn more fuel...so small does not always match economical.

First, try to find one that is manual. Today's car are more economical due to new generation of electronic automatic transmission. But during our 190e's production, I would strongly suggest you to find a manual trans for economical reasons.

Diesel would be the best. Can you import one or find a broker that could do it for you? A Diesel with a manual trans would be the perfect match in my sense.

Then, a 2.3 petrol engine would be the next choice. I drive a 2.6 (6 in line) it is the best engine I have if I compare with my previous 2.3 but, you pay more gaz for the same run.

Its winter for us right now and I do an average of 12 liter per 100 Kilometer (more city than highway) it is about 19.6 MPG (us). During summer it drop to 10.5 liter per 100 kilometer (22.4 MPG us).

FYI my 1997 e320 with its 5 speed electronic automatic trans was more economical...