[mgill85258]

Hi all,

I've had a W202 C220, as well as a W140 S320 and I've loved both cars... I no longer own either due to an accident with one and financial circumstances on the other, but am going to be in the market for a reliable and inexpensive Mercedes-Benz in Spring time next year..

I've been considering either a W201 or maybe a W124 depending on what I can find... I like the idea of the 124 with some extra space and roominess inside, but I do like the "mini S-Class" look of the 201... also the sportiness.

Any pro's or con's? What to look for? Differences between the 2.3 and 2.6? I forget if these can be found in diesel in the U.S. but what about the 190D in comparison?

Anything to worry about in terms of reliability?

I'm excited to get back into a Mercedes-Benz, and I've seen 190's available in pretty good shape for only a couple thousand bucks (would fit my budget at this point in time)

Thanks in advance for all your feedback.

 

[93190E]

I've owned my 93 190E 2.6 for about a year, and I have all good things to say. Of course parts are a little expensive, but that is one of my only complaints. Overall it has been pretty reliable - the only time I was left stuck was when I had a problem with the ignition tumbler. For the price, I don't think you can go wrong. Take a close look before purchasing, and I think you will enjoy the car very much. One of the best things about the 190 is these forums, the guys around here really know their stuff, and are willing to share their knowledge. I don't know if I would buy a 190 if I wasn't able to perform the work myself. Overall the car is reasonable on gas, fun to drive, great forums, and I think they look pretty cool. I don't know much about the 190D, but I know they were available in the U.S.

Good luck with your purchase, I hope you find a great 190, and we see you on these boards in the future!

 

[SSL]

I have just sold a W124 E500 which I have run as a daily driver for the past 20 months and bought a 1991 190E 2.0 which was not sold in the US. It has a two litre four cylinder 8v engine which produces about 120bhp.

I have owned it one day but I already love it.

It has that old school Benz solidity about it more reminiscent of a W123 than the W124.

As for reliability well its too early for me to say but here in the UK the 190 has a first class reputation provided that you follow the usual rules when buying any older car but particularly an old Mercedes.

Of the 190 2.3 or 2.6 my personal choice would be the 2.6 with the M103 six cylinder.

Find a nice one and it will be a pleasure to own.

 

[aardvark]

I've had excellent reliability out of my 2.3, 8v.
Complaint? Underpowered.

Sitting at 185k mi., and the thing shows no sign of letting me down, and in fact I'm about ready to take her to Michigan from Chi-town, a 500+ mile run.
I do most of my own work, and parts costs have been acceptable. I've only had one major repair in the past 11 years, and it was a head gasket at 75k,mi., due to my own mistake (overheated it).
I won't lie and say it has been trouble free, but better than most cars I've owned, and waaay better than my other Benz(E320, up for sale). The E320 was purchased to replace the 190E. Guess what...fat chance. The creature comforts in the E320 are better, but what a nightmare it has been.

So bottom line is I see em as a good choice, if low miles, and well cared for
I do keep tabs on things under the hood and car. All is well.

Go with the larger engine, and I personally would like a manual tranny.

aardvark

 

[sranjesuper]

i have a 1991 2.6
My family owned it for about 10 years and for the last 5-6 yeras i was the one driving it. It had about 140K on it when i started driving it got it and the last owner said the odometer was switched but i dont remember what the original read. Anyway in 5-6 years i only put on about 70K on it so now its sitting at about 213K. At about 150K i blew a headgasket. It was my own fault because i had no coolant and never checked anything when i drove it as a teen. So one day after goin home from school my temp gauge started going up, but i guess i realized late because when i saw it, it was over 120C
then i saw smoke coming out of the engine bay and i pulled over. Thing was blowing smoke all over the place... So after the headgasket job, i also did distributor, spark plugs, wires, cleaned the intake since everythign was apart anyways. During that process i broke a few things like the power steering pump ( overtorqued and snaped the aluminum where the bolt goes lol )
Anyways after everything was tuned up, i have 213k on it and never had a problem and it gives good mpgs and runs strong. Starts up nice i also did the fuel injectors as they can get gummed up after 100K and it made a much better and smooth start and better throttle response. Anyway i love my 2.6 i also have heated seats and i wouldnt trade those for anything. And it just drives like a tank.

 

[twichel04]

I love the 2.6 I am currently on my 3rd m103 powered 190. The only major problems i have come across are transmission issues around 250k BUT its the same transmission in the 2.3. If taken care of properly they can last forever. I sold my previous one (shouldnt have done that, it was a great car) sold it to a friend of mine 2 years ago with over 350k on the clock, he is now getting close to hitting 400k and the car still runs strong. My current is a 92 with 170k and I have only had to do a few things to it, just because the PO did not take the best care of her. Yes parts can be a little pricey at times, however, you can always find good deals and people willing to help out on the forums here, and 190rev. So my advice, look for one that has been well maintained.... and my word of warning.... These cars are addicting!

 

[silarrow]

Have an 190E and travel like all of us in this forum..no question regards to these W201 great guys here too..that why I owned too many of them and still want some more if I have a barn ..hehehhe...Good luck.

 

[UncleBenz]

Hi,

I owned the following:

- 190e 2.3 1985

- E320 1997

and now since a year : 190e 2.6 1992.

I sold my E320 due to financial situation (lost of job, took many months to find a good job, etc).

The 190e and 300e are from the "old" Benz school as written above. Very strong and over engineered?

Can't say but the E320 was more luxurious and more tech than the 190e. BUT never as reliable and strong such them. Seats were too hard, many electronic issues, etc.

So yes in a way 190e are good to buy. It will depend how well the maintenance have been done thrue the time.

But please, keep in mind that these are getting old (18 years and older) so yes, be prepare to spend some USD on it. Some repairs can be done gradually, some not. Almost all M-B have their head gasket to be change. After a while, its normal that it start to leack.

With time, plastics and rubber are drying out. Its normal to spend some time and money but it is worth. I am very pleased with mine. I am ready to spend some money to keep her in shape.

Also, it depend what type of person you are. If you like only to turn the key and go without opening the hood, you might be disappointed.

For my opinion this generation (1984 to 1993) of M-B (190e - 300e) are one of the best generation that M-B ever made. Since 2008 they are very nice, well made and reliable. I wonder if they will last as much as the other generation. But in between, its almost a do-not...

 

[2.6_Steve]

You will like it, I have owned 2 190Es both with the 2.6 M103 inline-6 and automatic. Sadly the first one was totaled by some dilly on her cell phone driving mommy and daddy's SUV home from college, but with the settlement from her insurance I was able to buy my current 190E 2.6, a 1992 in black just like the first one. While waiting for the settlement to go through I also checked out a W202 base C230 which the halfwit used car lot guy bragged would be faster than my 190E 2.6 I was bereft of only to test drive it to find that although the handling was a dead ringer for my 190E the acceleration was crap. I have yet to test a 2.3 model but I have heard they are kind of weak and take an undue time getting up to speed. However some may be fine with that for the love of better fuel economy, which even with the 2.6 motor is still 20-22 MPG in the streets and 24-26 MPG on the highway. You could also check out a 190D which are as you'd figure are the diesel examples on the W201 which are probably of poky performance but hey, rock solid durability, mucho torque and really high MPG