Just a couple comments to add to yhliem's comprehensive posting. The 190E 2.3-16 is lower, wider, shorter and lighter than the standard 190E. Not only are the front seats Recaros, but also the rear seats (in my Euro model). The Euro models have cloth centers so you don't slide around as is the case with full leather seats. Horsepower on the US/Euro is 167/185 and the Euro model is about 350 lbs lighter than the US model which would make the Euro model feel like 210 HP compared to the heavier US model. The engine comes alive at 3800 rpms.

Mr Benz asked about brake squeak in this thread. Sounds to me like you didn't use MB pads.