Pick 1
 

With similar low mileage and condition (very good-no rust) which one would be the better overall daily driver and easiest to maintain?:

1991 300E
1991 190E

I know the 300 has a bigger trunk and back seat, but is there any other real world difference?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

George

Choice
 

I had both and each were just fine. Depends if you want a smaller car with a 4 banger in it.

The 190 is the 2.6.

Maintenance wise, they are virtually identical, having the same drivetrain, suspension and cooling system.

The 300E clearly has the rear seat room and wheelbase to make it a "cruiser" for highway trips, its also much more "luxe" than the W201. While seemingly a minor thing, the lower trunk overhang makes getting stuff in the trunk a bit easier.

The 190E has a "sport sedan" feel, very nice balance in twisty roads, excellent turning radius, fits well in smaller parking spaces (width). The M103 six is so smooth in that smaller chassis and you still get that "bank vault" feel when you close the door.

300E > 190E

190
 

Oh, that's right. I had an older 1986 model with a four banger. The six really would make that car more spirited.

The 2.3 is not slow at all in the 190....not to mention easier to work on. It'd be a tough call between a 190e 2.6 and a 300E though, the 300E is bigger but the 190 is way sportier and almost as comfortable, just a bit *small* in the cockpit. Who cares about rear legroom, I'm not sitting back there! :D

I work on both of them regularly and they're about the same, some things on the 190 are a bit more cramped.

What he said. We have both and this seems to be pretty spot on. The 124 is a great cruiser. I must say that I am not a huge fan of the seats in the 124 compared to my 201. I can sit in my 201 for hours and not feel any fatigue. After a short time in the 124 my back starts to hurt a bit. Other than that I have no complaints about either.