Greetings,

I'd like to sum it all up for you in a few words, but I can't, perhaps someone else on this site can. In my perception of Mercedes ownership, now a two Mercedes owner, one a '80 diesel wagon and also a '86 300E I have found problems with both and have fixed most of them on my ride, the 300TD. I am newly familarizing myself with my wifes 300E and made a list and now am in possession of about $400.00 dollars worth of parts (bought on this site I might add) that will pretty much get the major bugs fixed with new parts and running like it ought too. I think the largest expense in any of the repairs or replacements you have mentioned is the labor they are going to charge you for their time and expertise. For those poor folks out there like myself that would love to enjoy the ride these cars have to offer as well as their longevity, you basically have to be willing to do the work yourself to keep from getting buried in labor costs. The parts alone I have purchased to repair mine would cost over two grand in labor to install let alone the jacked up retail they are gonna charge you for the part. I could never concieve of spending four grand on repair costs, the car would become a monument in my front yard first. Granted, you said this was a 190E and like many have said, this was an entry level Mercedes for the guy that didn't have the money for the 200 or 300 series. It's basic economics, you aren't going to get a Camaro at a Chevette price tag regardless of who's manufacturer you decide to purchase from. The other fact, and I'd almost be willing to take a poll on this one is that a person that owns a Benz that cost him used $7,000 will take better care of it than the new pick-up he spent over $25,000 for. The squeaky wheel always gets the grease.
My personal opinion in your case is to either pay the labor if you can't do the work yourself or buy that Acura. You have basically spent more on your last routine repairs than most of us would have given for the car off the lot.
I must admit that since I have owned my Benz's they have a way of letting you know through normal driving that something is either not working right, or just plain broken. It's these whispers from the car with the radio off on the way to work once a week that let's me know that everything is doing fine, or somethings amiss. Need to listen to the car to keep expenses to a minimum and fix what needs fixing when it tells you so.

Charles

Here's the wife's new to her 300E Your repair cost exceed the price of her car.

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"Tell me and I will listen, Teach me and I will learn, Show me and I will accomplish, Involve me and I will succeed."
'84 300SD 256,000 Gold on Brown (Mileage Award)
'86 300E 246,000 Blue on Tan