MB 190E?

[DrMaxwellEdison]

Are there any people here with experience owning/maintaining 90's mercedes? I've found one for a good price and I'm wondering about common problems with the MB 190E. The one I'm looking at is a 93 (last year of production, seems coincidental to me)

[getnpsi]

Before you even start it and hear it run, sit in the seat and push all of the buttons is my only advice. This goes for all cars, but the stereotype of european cars is stronger here.

[DrMaxwellEdison]

I've had a number of problems with my Festivas (even though I've always thought they were awesome, still love them, just need something a little more reliable) and I've always had a soft spot for European cars (BMW, MB, Volvo, VW, Audi, etc, etc......) for a long time (since I was old enough to know what a car was) I just wanted to know from someone that knows more about them than I do about the choice I'll be making in the next week

[kumalaba]

parts $$$$$$ on most euro cars, ive been lucky with my festivas my last one i put over 300k on top of the 150 k it already had on it & only did the front & rear bearings twice & axles once, never changed the clutch & maybe one alternator(that was my 88 lx) my current 93 gl 197k miles no problems yet. maybe you can buy a benz & still keep the festy for fun!

[DrMaxwellEdison]

That's what I'm hoping I've got my two Festies (90LX and 93GL) and I'm driving my fiancee's 1985 Volvo (everything still has Volvo on it) and I'm looking to get the MB just because it's been sitting there for awhile....
There have been alot of Mercedes in the yard lately for what looks like no other reason than operator neglect and error.... so that takes care of the expensive parts for the most part...

[eurotiva]

Resurwrecked.... He's got a few

[DrMaxwellEdison]

doesn't like me because I accidently said something...

[getnpsi]

Id just worry about the climate control then. if you can replace a window in another car you can replace window switches and motors on a MB with JY components too.

[seattlestiva]

One cool thing about Mercedes. No matter how old it is, or who you bought it from, if you dial their certain 1-800 # ,they will tow you or give you a gal. of fuel no charge (I did it- '85 300TD Free tow, 3 years ago).

[blkfordsedan]

I have a good friend who is an avid Benz enthusiast. He restores them, shows them, drives them and even has an early Gullwing (restored) that he drove in highschool back in the '60s. He owned a couple of the 190E's from the '90s and does not have a lot of positive things to say about them. He bought them because they were cheap and got rid of them as soon as he could due to poor reliability and other issues. He refers to them as being from "Mercedes' Dark Period"..........he's a little bit snobby!

I have no personal experience with them, so take it for what it's worth (hear-say).

[getnpsi]

I'd just sign up on a forum and poke around the repair /maintenance area and see if its neglect for the reason of each post or the experts will chime in on the inherent issues they all tend to have.

[FB71]

MB = Massive Bucks... Just my opinion.

[DrMaxwellEdison]

Started talking with a friend from high school about the car and he offered me an 84 300TD, so I might try to get both if I can line up the extra $$$

[getnpsi]

The diesel is a whole different deal. Those are the more classic ones too. I like the really old ones with the headlights on top of each other if I could choose one that isn't among the rare examples. I havent done my research but it would be safe to say you can do some significant mods to them and still have the same economy. Auto trans are very picky though, those are the running ones you see on craigslist for 800 bucks. Solid engine, dead trans.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2620809146.html yeah right windshield only

[IdealSociety]

MB = Massive Bucks... Just my opinion.

Actually the older ones arent too bad as long as the electronics are properly sorted.

Are you looking at the standard 190E or the Cossie? Is it a 1.8/2.0/2.3/Etc? 16v? Details

The Cosworths are wicked fun, albeit more expensive due to being much more rare, however the 2.3L's are more durable and due to decent build quality by MB in those years last quite a long time into the 200k+ club when maintained.

The only major problem as previously stated with all the W201 chassis are electrical gremlins. MB has been putting options in their cars for decades that were ahead of their time, and much like BMW because they pushed what electronics in automobiles could do at the time when things go wrong it can be an absolute mess to fix.

So as someone said, take a look at it, but press EVERY button and try every switch. If something seems awry, run away quickly! Otherwise if the electrics are good and you dont beat it to death the car will likely outlast your festiva (and with leather interior!)

Downside it will likely never break 30mpg