Hi all,
I recently purchased a 1993 190 2.6 from dealer with 54kmi and perfect service records. Car is in immaculate shape, just passed through the 60kmi service no problem. So far, only new tires, brakes, rear struts and one flex coupling replaced (the coupling was a surprise, BTW).

I love the car. It makes me happy.

My questions are fairly generic, but I hear this-and-that about the quality of certain models and I'd like some reputable info from the pros on this stuff. I've heard:

1) Only a matter of time before head gasket blows and costs $5k.
2) Tranny will last until 130kmi and then cost $5k for a rebuild.
3) Water pumps go every 75kmi.
4) Engine is SUPPOSED to run at 100-degree mark (ie the next slash above the 80-mark) in stop-and-go traffic and at long idle periods, then cool down quickly once underway in clean air. Supposedly, this is not detrimental.
5) Learning to repair window switches and motors at home will save thousands of dollars a year.

Okay, so I'm being a little over-the-top here, but the bottom line question is:

What are the problems endemic to this model-year car?

Personally I like the styling of the 190 over the C-class, but I bought the last production year to also get away from new-model gremlins that even MBZ suffers from.

Thank you for the imput - I do appreciate knowing what I might prepare for. And please, no horror stories from those of you foolish enough to think you have acquired the knowledge by simply owning one mid-80's 190 2.3 for a couple of months. I can find those stories anywhere.

Best regards,
Matt

If you do the services as you are supposed to, you will find that your car will not have many of these problems. The head gaskests are mostly failing because of the lack of coolant changes and so on!

I have owned a 92 190 2.6 for close to 4 years. got it at 50k and now has 107,000. Didnt spend hardly anything on it except brakes and tires
up till around 100k. Since then i had to spend around $1500 on several small items. Great car but now I want to trade it in on a 400e. Or maybe a 113 and an older 300e. Or maybe....

I agree with Benzmac. If the car is maintained properly you should not have any problems like those you listed. The 190 2.6 is a good little car. Sure you may occaisionally need a flex-disc or routine stuff like brakes etc., but these things are not very expensive to do. The few "updates" that were needed on this model are actually pretty cheap. For example, look at your thermostat cover. If it is black plastic, they have a tendancy to(crack) fail. But, not to worry, an aluminum replacement is available and it's cheap.

Mickey, sarcasm doesn't come through well via this medium, hence the confusion about first statement. Say what you really mean!

Matt, if you are mechanically inclined, many maintenance items are easily performed on your car which may save you some money. I personally am a Mercedes owner who couldn't afford one if I hadn't bought an older model, and didn't do most of my own maintenance.

If I could just get my wife to let me drive it once in a while!

I agree with Benzmac, if you keep it in good shape it will perform for you. But that's probably true of most vehicles. (Case-in-point, my other car is an...ugh...3 cylinder 1990 Geo Metro, which has been well maintained (by me) and has 115,000 miles on it, and still runs like a top, although it's not much bigger than a top.)

Tim
88' 190E 2.3
126,500 mi.

[This message has been edited by TimBru99 (edited 09-24-1999).]