It seems the general feeling is that the rattle is not something to be concerned about. I must admit it has not really worried me, more just a case of wondering whether or not it is "normal". In fact, my confidence in the car is such that I have just returned from a vacation with my family in this car (the reason for my absence over the last week and a bit). Normally we use the 300TE for our longer trips but since the wagon did a long trip at Christmas I decided to give the 190E a run on this trip. It drove like dream and the Sportline suspension and manual gearbox was fun on some of the twisty bits. Even with all four seats occupied and a full load of luggage the fuel consumption was just 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres (better than 13km/litre or around 38 miles per imperial gallon - don't ask me what that is in US mpg).

Thanks for all the replies.

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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.

62/(7.5/0.946/4) = 31.3 MPG

Impressive!

Duke

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread but thought this might be of interest to the stick owners in the forum.

I've just replaced the clutch in my 300E, full set plus both master cylinders.

1) The clutch still rattles in neutral even though there's a new release bearing in there so I guess this is something I will have to live with.

2) No more juddering from the clutch when cold.

Look away now if you're of sensitive disposition, but the prices were as follows: the equivalent of US$189 for the complete clutch set, including release and pilot bearings; $18 for the lower cylinder and $34 for the upper. Two mechanics slaving under the vehicle for a full day plus follow up to re-bleed the system, $70.

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1987 300e manual 250,000 km (sold)

I have the same noise with my car since the start (+/- 1988), and especially after long rides more than 500km. One day I adjusted the MAS just a little bit more rich and there was no more noise.

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Keep us posted especially if your problem is solved
Present cars:
My car: E-class 420CDI, 2008, W211, V8, 180 000km

Wife's one: C-class 220CDI Sport Coupé, Euro, 2002, W203. 345 000km

Son's one: GLK class 220CDI, 2009, W204

Sold E class 260E, W124, 1988 beloved car sold after 489 000 kilometres of reliable services (engine M103, clutch and 5 speed manual gear box all original).

E-class, W210 320CDI, 2000[/B], 225 000km, Sold

I have just replaced the clutch and dual mass flywheel in my 190E (see New issue with 5-speed manual in W201 - difficult shifting) and can report that the rattle was most likely due to the damaged flywheel (sheared pins between two sections of the flywheel). Obviously the rattle when stopping the engine was not "normal".

__________________
107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.