190 series advice for my son - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jim B. · #16 08-21-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10fords

Since I can't convince my just turned 16 son that a 240D is the right car for him, he has been considering a 190D or a 190E. I really don't know anything about these as the 123 and 126 diesels are the models I like. What are the good and bad points of the 190 series? From what little I know I would lean towards a diesel with a stickshift or the 4 cylinder with a stickshift (if there is such a thing). Priorities are reliability, mileage, ease of service, and parts availability. Any advice such as what years, engines, etc are most desireable would be appreciated. Thanks

Since he is newly licensed and 16, I'd go for the 2.2 diesel model.

But later on, clue him onto the 1987 190E 2.3 16v manual. That's what I would love to have in the W201. But definately buy a garage queen, not something that's been thrashed, as many have been. Even if such an example costs more it is worth it.

JamesDean · #17 08-21-2010, 03:56 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W201
http://wikicars.org/en/Mercedes-Benz_W201

When I was 16, I started out with a 300SD. I'd think a 240D would/could be too slow (speaking on acceleration)? I've never driven one but I've heard they arent the quickest. When I graduated high school, I picked up a 190E 2.6, paid $3900 or so, for the most part it was a trouble free car, It had 190k on it and was heavily modded. First major thing that needed replaced was the master cylinder. A few months later an axle half shaft (boot tore, joint died), about two years after that the head gasket on the 2.6 went. It was leaking oil out the back of the engine. This was around 213k. The transmission was also leaking from a couple of the servos. So I had the engine replaced with a low mileage 3L variant and the tranny resealed. Total for all that was $1900, $500 motor, $600 tranny work, $800 for shop to pull/install everything. 190's are fun cars. My 3L gets around 21mpg. I'm pretty heavy on the pedal. If fuel economy is high in your list, I'd go with a 190E 2.3. 190's are also very mod-able. Might help keep your son keep interest in his car and other things I'm sure. I have all the records for my car in a spreadsheet if you'd like to take look for more info on costs/parts failures/etc. Parts aren't too terribly expensive for the 201s either. I just pretty much rebuilt my rear suspension (not including springs/shocks--they're good still) for around $300.

I'd go for the 190 over the 240D. Not that the 240D is a bad car but the 190 is more modern and "cool" looking. It also a safe car. MB spent some $600million on R&D. Strong car too.

I had an accident a few years ago in mine, I took a offramp too quickly and a sway bar link in the back snapped (plastic...upgraded to metal now) throwing my back end into a spin, I ended up doing a few spins, pegging a road sign, spinning across to the other side of the on ramp and ended backed into a ditch. Car started back up, drove home fine. Only damage was when the sign hit the bumper.

The Swede · #18 08-21-2010, 04:31 PM

How about a 1990 230E manual-trans? A euro of course...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290464630076&viewitem=#ht_564wt_1167

JamesDean · #19 08-21-2010, 05:40 PM

You know the only thing I never liked about the 124 is the tail light design. I like the 126/201 style.

aklim · #20 08-21-2010, 06:04 PM

I had a 201 with the 103 engine. Major trouble was when the distributor cap had issues and it started running like a turd. The head was already done. Unfortunately, it got eaten up by the WI salt. Other than that, it ran really well. I had to clean the injectors to get rid of a hard start. I also threw in a performance camshaft and made it better.

JamesDean · #21 08-21-2010, 08:56 PM

performance camshaft? oh?

10fords · #22 08-21-2010, 10:08 PM

Thanks for all the advice so far and the links. I'm gonna study those tonite. Sounds like they are a decent usable car with no major design flaws. I like the safety factor too. I didn't realize they were safer than a 240D in a collision. I just assumed since the 240D was bigger that it was safer. How are they compared to a 300SD?

Nowturbo · #23 08-22-2010, 10:04 PM

Hello, I would like to wade in on this also. I have a couple of 123s, a couple of 126s, and a 201. The 190 is a 2.3 that I paid 650. for, put a small amount more in and have been driving it every day for the last 3 years. It runs well, is very dependable, feels safe and comfortable and gets darn good mileage. I love my diesels, and would never change, but the 190 is very cute, and classy looking and I am awfully glad that I got it and decided to keep it. (just bought it to fix and sell, was real nice and reaaaal cheap) Thanx Bob

Pooka · #24 08-22-2010, 10:41 PM

I had a 'base' 190E, a 1986 I think, and it was a good car except for long trips. I am very tall and the seat never did fit me as good as any other Mercedes has.

There always seem to be a few of these in every Pick N Pull I have ever been in, so used parts are normally easy to come by.

I would stay away from the 16 valve as although they are a lot of fun to drive the parts for them cost about twice as much as for an 8 valve car. At least, that's what I was told one day when buying parts at the dealer. Any previous owners here could likely speak to this better than I could.

Parts are readily available.

The big killer of single wiper systems, the gear rack, is not plastic in the early cars as it was in later cars. The rack in the early 190E cars is made of bronze and lasts forever.

By the way, the bronze rack from a 190 wiper gear box is a direct drop in for the 124 wiper gear box.

pawoSD · #25 08-22-2010, 10:53 PM

190d 2.2 diesel would be best for a new driver.

The 190E 2.3 is not a slow car, that thing can move. My sister has one. It is easier to work on than a 2.6 as that engine is really crammed in there!

The 2.6 is probably VERY fast. My 300E is fast, so I imagine that engine in the tiny 190 must be a rocket!

colincoon · #26 08-23-2010, 01:02 AM

I've been driving a 190E since I was 17, and I actually enjoy it more then my wagon. However it just sits in the garage most of the time because I enjoy putting miles on Norm!

It's a fantastic car for someone to start out on. It's small, like no legroom in the back at all unless you move the seats up almost all the way, but I typically have someone else drive when more then one other person needs a ride. They are very smooth and quiet cars, easy to work on, and fairly fuel efficient. They can also get you out of a pinch if you need to, the 2.3 is a fun little engine.

t walgamuth · #27 08-23-2010, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

190d 2.2 diesel would be best for a new driver.

The 190E 2.3 is not a slow car, that thing can move. My sister has one. It is easier to work on than a 2.6 as that engine is really crammed in there!

The 2.6 is probably VERY fast. My 300E is fast, so I imagine that engine in the tiny 190 must be a rocket!

The 2.2 diesels are rare around here. I have only seen one or two since they came out.

aklim · #28 08-23-2010, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

190d 2.2 diesel would be best for a new driver.

The 190E 2.3 is not a slow car, that thing can move. My sister has one. It is easier to work on than a 2.6 as that engine is really crammed in there!

The 2.6 is probably VERY fast. My 300E is fast, so I imagine that engine in the tiny 190 must be a rocket!

From a diesel car perspective, sure. Other than that, it isn't that fast. In fact, it is a pooch.

JamesDean · #29 08-23-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colincoon

It's small, like no legroom in the back at all unless you move the seats up almost all the way, but I typically have someone else drive when more then one other person needs a ride. .

We took my 190 up to New York City a few years back. It was a two car caravan, a G6 and the 190. The 190 was packed with myself 250, a 150lb kid in the passenger side, and two 220+ people in the back seat. An interesting trip to say the least. I had to take out my subs in the trunk so that I had enough suspension clearance. It was a 6-7 hour drive to nyc from my place. Meanwhile in the G6, there wasnt a person over 180 in there...

Oh, and the back seat mounts were broken. So the seat slid around. I didnt realized I could fix this until we were in NJ. I ended up using two screw drivers to hold the seat in properly lol.

Mark DiSilvestro · #30 08-23-2010, 03:01 PM

My experience with the W201 190 - more modern chasis & handling than W123. Wonderful straight-six. But interior door panels deterioate and some items - climate control, window regulators, mono-wiper more touble-prone.
A friend had an '85 190D 2.2. Timing-cover broke open at the belt-tensioner mount. The new cover had added metal in this area. This car did have alot of miles, but I've seen this problem mentioned before on these Forus. Also, all these newer diesels have aluminum heads, so more vulnerable to overheat-damage.

Happy Motoring, Mark