one thing i appreciate about the 201 is the exterior styling, which is crisper than that of the 124 probably because it is smaller.

subtle details abound, which manage to impart that Benz look on such a small car (of course these are also found on the 124):

* the base of the A-pillar which does not blend into the fender, gives one (at least myself) the impression that this is part of some sort of "roll cage" that surrounds the passenger compartment (the Land Rover Defender is more explicit)

* the upswept trailing part of the hood together with the black windshield wiper and blacked-out lower part of the windshield, and the clean dashboard top, give the front view an uncluttered, elegant look.

* the prominent black trim that runs longitudinally from the edge of the A-pillar, and along the roof where it defines the rain gutter. This, together with the solid-looking side roof edges, give the car a distinctive look, that makes it easy to spot in parking lots. This is also reminescent of the 280SL "pagoda"-look.

* the C-pillar, which has that very crisp look, especially with that subtle crease that runs across the width of the rear roof, and the side vents

* the line that runs across from the top of the front fender, across the doors below the window, and into the rear of the car, further contributes to that solid look. It's as if the car had been extruded.

When the 190e was introduced in (around) 1983, there was also a new BMW 3-series introduced then. At that time, i thought that the 190e looked wierd, what with that new avant-garde pinched-up tail treatment, and the 3-series then looked more handsome. Place the same cars side-by-side now and there is simply no comparison. The 190e exterior design is simply timeless.

all this considering the near absence of chrome.