differences between a 190e and 300e - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 09-18-2002, 05:14 PM

Can anyone tell me the main differences between the 190e and the 300e. The 190's i'm looking at have the 2.6L I6 engine. Do the 300e (with the 2.6) share the same trans? I'm curious about reliability in general....is one model more reliable.....which is faster, easier to work on, and just how much bigger is the 300e. I currently have a 93 volvo 940 turbo and am looking to add another rwd car since my finace stole it from me. Anything to look out for?
Thanks

suginami · #2 09-18-2002, 05:23 PM

The 300E's with the 2.6 share the same engine and transmission with the 190E2 2.6.

The 2.6 liter engine is just a smaller version of the regular 3.0 liter engine. They are both M103 engines. The regular 300E's with the 3.0 liter engine have a different transmission.

They are both equally reliable, but the 300E (2.6 or not) should be a little easier to work on because there is so much more space in the engine compartment.

The dimensions of the 300E are nearly identical to the 1996-2001 E320. The dimensions are also almost identical to the current generation Honda Accord.

420SEL · #3 09-18-2002, 05:35 PM

The 190E is a much smaller car. Shorter in lenght and not as wide too.

#4 09-18-2002, 05:56 PM

how many miles can one expect out of a 190E 2.6? comparable to the 300e? Also when did MB switch to R134a, or did they in the 190.....is it a hard process?

BScottB · #5 09-18-2002, 06:11 PM

eebasist,

I have had my 1987 190E 2.6 for nine of its 15 years. It has 195,000 Km (approx 122,000 mile) and it is running just fine. I run it all year (including through Alberta winters) and mainly around town on short trips which are harder on it than long distance highway hauls and have had no problems. It has never not started (except one time I froze it in Edmonton) or left me stranded on the roadside. If I were you I would have no concerns about the motor but if given the choice , I would get the 300E chassis for the extra space and smoother (I believe) ride.

Scott.

#6 09-18-2002, 07:55 PM

at what point did they switch to r134a?

suginami · #7 09-18-2002, 09:23 PM

400E and 500E's got R134a in 1992.

All other models got it in 1993.

However, it is not a good idea to convert from R12 to R134a. The cars were not designed to use R134a, which doesn't cool as efficiently. The a/c will never blow nearly as cold, particularly at idle.

Besides, the R12 refrigerant is the cheapest part of your a/c system.

The longevity of a 2.6 is probably identical to that of a 3.0.

They will need the same maintenance and periodic rebuilds. Both will need a valve job / guides / seals between 225,000 to 250,000 miles. The engine will be good for another quarter of a million miles.

#8 09-18-2002, 10:45 PM

Cool, so the reliability is as good as my red block volvo. Are the transmissions robust enough to take the miles? Do the AC typically wear out and require evap or compressor replacement at a certain milage? How much does a rebuilt/new comp cost?

bobbyv · #9 09-18-2002, 10:56 PM

the W201 was the first of the benzes to have the 5-link rear suspension, so you can imagine that some refinements could have been incorporated into the one fitted on the W124.

the W124 has a longer wheelbase, and along with its higher mass, results in a better ride.

the W124 has a low-liftover trunk, which makes it easier to load large objects into; of course its trunk is also larger that that of the W201.

i believe that the W124 is more refined in terms of isolation from noise, vibration and harshness.

the larger size of the W124 not only means more room for the passengers and cargo, but more safety because of the larger crush zones.

the W124 can be had with the more powerful 3.0li M103, and 2.8li & 3.2li M104 engines.

the W201 has a smaller frontal area, but I don't know if the two have the same drag coefficient.

suginami · #10 09-18-2002, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by eebasist
Cool, so the reliability is as good as my red block volvo. Are the transmissions robust enough to take the miles? Do the AC typically wear out and require evap or compressor replacement at a certain milage? How much does a rebuilt/new comp cost?

Transmissions are not a weak point with these cars. They don't go out like other cars, and when they do they can be repaired. Even a total rebuild is about $1,600. Heck, my dad's 93 Buick LeSabre cost $2,600 to rebuild.

A/C systems are a weak spot with these cars, in particular evaporators. The earlier models had a higher failure rate. The evaporators are not expensive in and of themselves, but it takes about 22 hours of labor to replace one.

Jim Anderson · #11 09-19-2002, 12:55 AM

There are more standard transmission 190e's than 300e's

#12 09-19-2002, 01:04 PM

If i could find one cheap i'd buy it....but i have yet to see a single stick. I think I'm going to get a 190E 2.6 since it is cheaper than the 300e. I dont need a back seat anyway. Were there any interior changes between years in the 190e? Or any years to be warry of....i'm thinking about 1990+ for model year and 100K miles for my purchase

Jim Anderson · #13 09-19-2002, 01:11 PM

I see one local every couple of months or so (I keep searching just out of curiosity.) I saw a sportline 5 speed I thought about getting until I asked my wife

There's more of the 2.3 5 speeds, and a lot of the 2.3-16 are but there aren't many of those.

suginami · #14 09-19-2002, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by eebasist
If i could find one cheap i'd buy it....but i have yet to see a single stick. I think I'm going to get a 190E 2.6 since it is cheaper than the 300e. I dont need a back seat anyway. Were there any interior changes between years in the 190e? Or any years to be warry of....i'm thinking about 1990+ for model year and 100K miles for my purchase

I agree about buying the newest model possible.

I know that from reading Benzmac's postings that many small changes / refinements / upgrades were made every year, whether you can see or notice the change or not.

The 190E 2.6 was made until 1993, so I'd do my best to find a 1993 model, or one awfully close to it.

100,000 miles or more woudn't bother me at all. Maintenace is everything. Only buy a car with a verifiable maintenance history. If they don't have records to back it up, walk away.

We always say that the most expensive Mercedes to buy is the cheapest one. It is always better to pay more for a clean, well-maintained car than to get a good buy on a car that needs to be brought back to life.

c43amg · #15 09-19-2002, 02:54 PM

If possible, look for a '92 or '93 190E 2.6 with the factory Sportline -- excellent handling and recaro seats front and rear like the earlier 16v.

The rare Limited Edition cars (only 700 made in '93 at the end of the 190E model run) are particularly nice with special black paint, black leather with red panels and piping and all 190E options as well as the factory Sportline.