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

10fords · #1 08-21-2010, 12:21 AM

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

jt20 · #2 08-21-2010, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10fords

Priorities are reliability, mileage, ease of service, and parts availability.

the 190d is your car, then.

Body parts fail more than on the w123, but they are, for the most part, just luxuries.

you don't really need your windows to open and close or your rear doors to open from the outside.... right?

jt20 · #3 08-21-2010, 12:44 AM

there is a four cylinder 5 speed.

t walgamuth · #4 08-21-2010, 05:47 AM

Were 190s available with crank windows?

aklim · #5 08-21-2010, 07:27 AM

I had a 190E 2.6 and so did my wife's friend. Solid cars but the headgasket could be a problem if not done. Still, not a big deal.

layback40 · #6 08-21-2010, 08:14 AM

Best get a small 4 cyl, not a 6, a 16yo doesnt need to start with the fastest car in the street !! A 240D would have been ideal but then I guess he wants something to impress others.

lee polowczuk · #7 08-21-2010, 08:22 AM

When our son was 17 we got him a 300e....5 and half years later he still has it...although I am about to take it off the road... it has about 215k on it and needs ball joints.

getting back to your point..it all boils down to the kid. we are fortunate...no accidents or speeding tickets...

aklim · #8 08-21-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

Best get a small 4 cyl, not a 6, a 16yo doesnt need to start with the fastest car in the street !! A 240D would have been ideal but then I guess he wants something to impress others.

I have had the 6 cylinder and it isn't that fast. A 240D is a diesel. Unless you are traveling great distances daily, I wouldn't think it would be worth it. I'd trade my diesel but it at 300K, it doesn't have much value.

#9 08-21-2010, 10:24 AM

I thought about a 190 series for my daughter, but decided I want something newer, safer, and more reliable; probably a used c-class, maybe a e-class if I find a better deal.

t walgamuth · #10 08-21-2010, 11:02 AM

I provided 3 240d's and one 300d for my kids. Two were rear ended heavily and walked away.

I like the old 123s because they were pretty safe with excellent handling, steering, brakes and not much speed.

My youngest daughter is starting grad school with the 82 300cd she has been driving since she got her license. She calls it Neville and is very emotiionally attached to him.

I spoke about taking Neville's engine to revive my latest 85 300SD acquisition and she nearly started crying!

That gal has good taste in cars!

MTI · #11 08-21-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Were 190s available with crank windows?

Not in the MBUSA cars, which were "fully loaded" for the American market. The rest of the world had different trim levels available, including non-sunroof models.

My Euro 2.3-16 has crank windows in the back door; has no cruise control; no ambient temp display; no lighted sunvisor mirrors; no rear seat lighting.

The W201 190 is a great platform. First, the car was engineered to be safe in frontal, offset and rear impacts, utilizing crumple zones and special lightweight steel sections. In nearly all accident photos I've seen of the W201, the passenger cell is typically intact and the doors fully operable.

The size of the car also makes handling and parking a snap; great turning radius.

From an aesthetics point of view, the "diamond cut" angular design marked a departure from the previous rounded design.

10fords · #12 08-21-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

Best get a small 4 cyl, not a 6, a 16yo doesnt need to start with the fastest car in the street !! A 240D would have been ideal but then I guess he wants something to impress others.

I offered him my 240D to use for free, but he wants something a little cooler

so I told him he can pay for whatever car he wants. Round trip to school is about 80 miles per day so fuel economy is a concern. He seems to like the 190 style and they are plentiful and inexpensive, but I'm looking for some advice on things that are good and things to avoid. From what I have gathered so far there are three engines- the 2.3 4 cyl, the 2.6 6 cyl, and the diesel, and a 5 speed or an auto. (don't know if the 5 speed was available with all engines?). What are everyones experiences with these engines/ transmissions? Are there ones to be avoided and are they the same through the years, or are some better than others? I am all for a slower 4 cylinder with a manual trans if it is more reliable and gets better mileage, but if it's not up to the task then a 6 cyl or a diesel is OK to. For the record he is a very responsible young man who has already been driving for over three years. He even seems to be over cautious to me (which I don't discourage) probably from me telling him all the gory details of dead and maimed teenagers I have had to extract from mangled vehicles on our road. Like most kids his age he is not very financially realistic though, so I would like to have some info to save him from buying a turd. In the end it will be his decision and he will have to live with it, but I would like to be able to give him some advice so please keep it coming. Thanks. BTW- is there a website that has a history etc. of the 190?

MTI · #13 08-21-2010, 11:38 AM

First, the 5-speeds, offered on all engines, are somewhat rare, but they aren't impossible to find. There's no doubt that except in congested traffic, the manual trans is a good choice for mpg, performance and those odd times when a jump start is needed.

The automatic transmission is the same as fitted in the W124 models, the venerable 722.xxx units.

davidmash · #14 08-21-2010, 11:57 AM

Add one extra engine to that list .... 2.3-16 OK probably not an option for a new driver but I did not want my girl left out.

Not sure about the previous poster about the doors,windows and things. I have had mine since 1989 and have not had any door or window problems. I have had issue (she is 22yrs old) but none of what he mentioned.

t walgamuth · #15 08-21-2010, 01:59 PM

Also two diesels, the 2.2 four cyl and the 2.5 5 cyl. They are sibling engines with many similar parts so durabilbity wise they should be equal.

The four cylinder cars will have better balance, the six and five cylinder cars are a bit nose heavy I feel....not much difference.

For a starter car any of them should be fine. Go for the best condition you can afford.