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The 2.6 engine is pretty bullet proof if cared for. The top end might need some attention some time, but the bottom end will last virtually forever. The four speed AT is also durable.
We have a 1990 190E 2.6 that I rarely drive anymore (in favour of newer cars) but it has 512,000km (about 300K-miles) and the engine has never been opened (timing chains only) and the trans is original. Yes, the car is on it's last legs in many ways, but is shocking how well it has held up. One surprise: the cruise control has never broken!!
Problems over the years: some ball joint replacements, the driver's rear window is broken, the ACC control unit has some problems but is mostly working, the alternator was rebuilt and the rad was replaced. The top end of the engine is getting soft now and should have seals/guides, but the car has literally no value, so that won't get done. The antenna quit years ago, so I "broke" it in the up position. The rear window defroster won't work, and it's not a fuse and I can't find the wiring problem. The ABS sensors are kaput, but still work 75% of the time. The SRS module quit in about 1998 and I put some tape over the SRS light. We are seat-belt wearers anyway. The steering damper needs replacing, again.
But, this summer, there were some vandals loose in the mountains and I didn't like the idea of leaving my C or the Scoob at the trailhead for days for someone to smash to bits, so we took the 'ol 190E. She purred down the highway, never missing a beat. Three good sized trips to the mountains and back with no problems at all. Despite her age, mileage and obvious neglect over the last few years (oil gets changed, etc. but other stuff goes without fixing) she is still a reliable car.
Oh, and 130,000miles is nothing. My 1998 C230 has more than that and is like new...
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