190e Reliability?
 

Hey y'all. I have a friend who is in need of a "new" car because her Saturn has electrical gremlins that aren't worth fixing. She doesn't really care about her car, it's just a tool to get from A to B when it's too far to ride a bike. I'm trying to convince her to look at an 80s/early 90s Mercedes cos, let's face it, they're bulletproof and they just won't die. My E300D has 271k on the clock and all I've put in into it in the past 20k miles is a new thermostat, oil, diesel, and tires.

So my question is this: is the 190e this reliable? I assume it is, because it's cut from what amounts to the same cloth, but if I'm to convince a good friend who still believes the FUD about Mercs being expensive to fix, and is soured on German cars from her terrible experiences with 90s VW products, I need more than "Oh yeah, it'll prolly be as reliable as mine, totes!"

Help me help a friend see the Stuttgart light!

Not the car for her. She needs a Honda.

Definitely a no. Mercedes are expensive cars!

Mercedea are awesome for the DIYer but for someone who takes it in to get an oil change or something, a 20 year old MB will rack up the bills in no time. And furthermore, without DIYing, that's a huge part of the car's charm that will be missed.

I think that they are reliable cars. I've not had any major issues on the 420, 190e that prevented me from driving them. both are decently maintained vehicles. both are approaching the age were a suspension rebuild is necessary. you'll probably find the same true for most MB's in the 80/90s vintage.

But I agree with the other posters, not cheap, and not working on them take the fun out of it because all you get a nice bills from the shop.

W201's, W124's, W126's and all models previous are now enthusiasts vehicles. - Not for your average daily driver non technical person.
Honda's are reliable until some part made from unobtainium breaks. (Where I live, a Honda transmission cost twice the cost to rebuild as a MB one does)