84 300D vs 87 190E 2.3 Comparison Contrast??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Eric Eliel · #1 07-27-2004, 08:26 PM

I have posted this same question on the Tech Forum.
I have a well taken care of 84 300D.

I ran across a 87 190E 2.3 today. Light Creme color with Palamino interior. 142K, no dash cracks, seats look good. Paint could use a good detail. I spoke to the owner via phone and his mechanic (who I kind of know btw). Car is well taken care of and everything works. Had the head redone a few years ago, although I haven't seen the service records. Mechanic doesn't remember changing the timing chain. This is a one owner car and always maintained well (oil changes, fix whatever needs fixing). The wife has been driving it for quite sometime. I have not test drove it yet. Asking $2,000.

I would purchase this car for better around town mileage and driveability. Performance is not an issue, hey I have driven 300's since 1988. This could be a second car too.

My questions:
What kind of mileage should I expect in town and highway?
Does it require premium fuel or regular? How long should I expect the engine to last (on average with regular oil changes as has been done so far)?
How long does the auto trans generally last in these 190's?

BTW she replaced it with a Lexus SUV.

Thank you in advance.

Eric Eliel · #2 07-28-2004, 02:15 PM

Bump?

#3 07-28-2004, 02:32 PM

Unless you have a bunch of money burning a hole in your pocket that you can use for repairs, you should probally stay away from the W201's. I've test drove a few, and they are nice cars, but the high repair costs have kept me away from them...

dieseldiehard · #4 07-28-2004, 03:51 PM

An associate recently bought a 190E 2.6
I recommended it for replacing an old Volvo he had been driving and he likes the car. It is a bit small for me, being 6ft2in, My head hits the roof and its a bit narrow, but hey, the roof line on my W124 is too low for my likes too but I learn to live with it by slumping in the seat at times.
A 123 chassis is roomier in both respects so if you are a large person a 201 chassis might be something you will find to be an issue on size.
Gas is another thing, I suggested using mid grade or top grade, based on what I was told by the owner of another 190E 2.6. I suspect the 2.3 is similar to avoid valve clatter. The way an engine is tuned and the type of spark plugs will affect what type of fuel to use.
If you buy it you should plan on changing the O2 sensor if it has not been changed (records help here!) and the serpentine belt tensioner too. Automatic transmissions are always a gamble to some degree, it should feel tight and settle into gear (power forward) a second or two after selecting F from N. Check the color and smell of the fluid, all the things one should do when buying a used car. My likes are for the W124 over the 201, they are getting cheap nowdays (meaning fairly hi mileage cars in the $2K- 3K range) but finding a used hi mileage car in really good condition is always difficult.
And remember that a repair to the AC can run from $200 to $1500 or more if the dash has to come out, and can be a job on the par with resurfacing the head (which it sounds like this car wouldn't need!)
DDH

gsxr · #5 07-28-2004, 04:01 PM

Depends what you want. The 190 is a LOT more fun to drive - handling is an order of magnitude better than the 123. To answer your questions -

1) The EPA ratings are 21/24 for the automatic and 21/28 for the rare 5-speed stick. I'd expect low to mid 20's.

2) Probably mid grade? The engine computer may retard timing, and reduce power/MPG, if you use lower octane than the engine needs. If it runs fine on 87 octane and doesn't run better on 91+, feed it 87. This will vary with engine condition - carbon buildup, etc.

3) The auto trannys usually last between 150-300kmi. Shorter life span for city driven cars, longer for freeway cruisers.

4) The engine should last 500kmi+ with only a top-end job in the middle when oil consumption gets annoying, same as almost all Mercedes gas engines.

5) The A/C can be expensive to fix on the W201, and they tend to have issues with the (undersized, IMO) brakes and electrical system. Cost of maintenance is not much higher than your 1984 but it is more technical, you really need to use the factory manual for DIY work (actually, you should be using it for the 1984 also!)

The 201 would be a LOT nicer to drive around town - light, nimble, great handling, easy to park, etc. If you want great MPG (30-40mpg), look for a 190D that hasn't been abused or neglected - they're hard to find...

Eric Eliel · #6 07-28-2004, 06:01 PM

The car has been very well taken care. Has all the service records. I think I will test drive it. The evap problems were on the 124 chassis not the 201's. I'm not to thrilled about the mileage, my diesel doesn't quite get the mileage a 2.3 would, BUUTTTTT diesel is less expensive. AND I know the 300D very well. I'm 6ft and the fit is something I'll have to check out.

This could be a 2nd car for the wife, the Explorer is 13mpg around our hills and the short distances she drives with the kids. Although she loves the CD in the Ford.

BTW for a 5,000 lb truck on a long SO CA to San Francisco to Sacramento back to SO CA 1 week vacation (2 adults, 2 kids), I averaged 22.5 mpg. That included all the streets in SF. Not bad and regular too.

Any wiring harness issues with the 2.3???

toddo · #7 07-30-2004, 01:26 PM

I'm 6' tall and fit pretty well into my 190. The only issue I have with it is when my son's car seat is in it. It's a tight fight with the car seat in backwards. It shouldn't be too bad when we get to put it in forward.

I can't help with the gas mileage because I have a Cossie and usually only get about 17-18 mpg with the way I drive it.