Steve,

Check this site out:

http://mb.braingears.com/

Your 190 is a w201 chassis and i believe you have the m103 engine (in benz-speak, 'w' is always a body code, 'm' is always an engine code, a good descriptor for your car would then be 201.103).

Yes, i'm fairly sure the center vent is only for outside air, but you can check the owners manual on that site to be 100%.

You may have a center support bearing (i'm just not sure about automatics!), but I believe the failure mode for them is a vibration, not a harsh shift into gear. If the engine mounts really are shot, they may also cause a harsh shift. I would start with the mounts if they need to be replaced anyway-it improves the idle to no end! Do both of the mounts if you do.

If you are interested in benz (and you shold be! ), I would look for a 190 with a stick shift, though not necessarily a diesel. The car is just too small and nimble to be stuck with a slush box, IMOHO!

I can't tell you anything about the price...in 2001 i payed 8k for mine with half the mileage, but the 16v version is a different beast entirely(it was a DTM car made for kicking the m3 all over the track ). 190e's have a tendancy to be in worse shape than their larger counterparts, mostly though being purchased by owners who do not keep up on maintence. When they are well maintained, I think they are every bit the quality of a larger benz, though many times more utilitarian. The fiddley bits break first...

The best part of benz ownership may be this board, if you are the DIY type.

cheers,
dan r.