190E vs 124 200E
 

Hi All

I'm considering between a 1991 124 model 200E and and similar year 190E 1.8 litre. I am not familiar with the 190 range of cars. Can anyone share their experience and advice for the choices above please?

Best Regards
Oreo

The W201 (190) is smaller, perhaps a bit more nimble than it's big brother the W124. They share many suspension and chassis components. The W201 is more of a sport sedan, although with the 1.8 it's certainly being kind to call it sport. The 1.8 was popular in Australia, where it was imported as an entry level car with very few standard options compared to the Euro and North American trim cars.

Hi MTI

Any maintainence or common problems that you know of? I have heard opposing views that it's more problematic than the 124 and also very reliable at the same time!

Oreo

Hello,
The W124 is a MUCH better car than any 190E and the 1.8 is a SLUG that will need full throttle just to keep up with traffic.
Remember this, the 190 (and it's rival BMW 3 series) were *entry level* cars, so were built down to a cost.
Among the W124 in Asia, the 200 or 200E in the four cylinder range(230E blow head gaskets) and the 260E in the sixes are among the best driving and durable. Of course, if the 200E is an automatic, it will be a bit sluggish of the line, but you do not buy a 200/E to win traffic lite grand prixs :square:

All of them blow head gaskettes. Its a common thing in the model range. I'd get the one in better condition and with records.

many advantages come from the 124 being bigger:
- you have better crash protection, due to bigger crumple zones
- you have more internal volume
- the trunk of the 124 has a low liftover height, which makes it easier to load it up, as well as presenting a larger opening.
- the higher vehicle mass, as well as the longer wheelbase mean that you have a smoother ride

The pre-93 200E used the M102 block with 122 BHP, while the 1.8 puts out 109 BHP. The 200E probably has 500 pounds on the 1.8, so the performance is probably comparable, with a slight edge to the 1.8 in getting off the line and fuel economy, but not by much.

Based on the same M102 engine, the two cars have the same issues, particularly the head gasket, chain tensioner, valve seals and undersized a/c system (assuming that the 1.8 has that option.)

Thanks for the input guys. I think I'll stay with the 124 models for the size.

Oreo