for the wife - 190, or 300?

[dunl]

I'm looking at getting my wife a Mercedes. She's been harping on me and my cars for a few years now, but an ad for a 86 190D caught her eye last night - unfortunately, it was sold.

She's kind of the typical lady....doesn't want something "a thousand years old", something that looks more modern than my 116 or even the 126 (although she admits it's modern for its age), something SHORTER than my boats, and of course, it has to be "pretty". Also, she's fed up with paying for gas for the minivan.

If you were buying for your wife, who is 5'2" (in case that helps), any considerations of one over the other that you'd look at?

Thanks,
Dunl

[JimFreeh]

....or carry passengers n the backseat?

Then get the W124.

I had a 87 190D 5 speed in '97, lasted less then a year because my 3 kids could not fit in the backseat at the same time.....

Jim

[dunl]

That helps. 3 kids, but usually she only has two with her at a time.

On the other hand, we can all fit into the 126 or the 116.

[Brian Carlton]

Which "300" are you comparing to a 190?

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by dunl

That helps. 3 kids, but usually she only has two with her at a time.

On the other hand, we can all fit into the 126 or the 116.

I (6'-1") also had to run the seat back a ways which gave minimal legroom behind it.

A 5' 2" wife and two kids, one in front, one in back would be fine.

Jim

[dunl]

Sorry Brian....a later 80's model than the w126....w124, I'm guessing? My experience is limited really to w115,116, and 126 chassis.

[JimFreeh]

Also consider that the newest 190D is a 1988, 300Ds run up to 95.

The early ones 84-85 with the 2.2 are bog slow with an automatic.
The 2.5s are more like a w123 N/A 300D.
A 2.5 turbo is real nice car, but only sold for one year.
Same turbo engine is in early nineties W124s.
The 95 300D was a 4 valve non turbo 6, 87 300Ds were turbo 6.

87 300TD wagon is a great mommy car, we had ours for 13 years and my wife still misses it. Unfortunately, it now lives next door, so she gets reminded of it often....... but she is getting used to the 95 wagon 2 years later, until she fills it up with premium.


Jim

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by dunl

Sorry Brian....a later 80's model than the w126....w124, I'm guessing? My experience is limited really to w115,116, and 126 chassis.

I think you'd be quite pleased with a W124 in the years '90-'95. As Jim mentioned, the 190 is getting a bit old and it's quite a bit smaller than you might prefer.

If you could find an '87 in very good condition, it's an automatic purchase if the price is reasonable.

[POS]

Get the w124 - the good ones still feel like a modern car.

[dunl]

Actually Brian, I'd prefer to be driving an SDL if I could afford one (there's one for sale right now, but three mercedes, one jeep, and a mini-van while looking for a Mercedes for the wife kind of puts that out of reach....not affording the vehicle, just affording the land to build the parking lot.)

Is there anything else from that era that is diesel? And how is the mileage on the 300E's....comparable, or gas guzzlers? There's one for sale nearby for $995.

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by dunl

Actually Brian, I'd prefer to be driving an SDL if I could afford one (there's one for sale right now, but three mercedes, one jeep, and a mini-van while looking for a Mercedes for the wife kind of puts that out of reach....not affording the vehicle, just affording the land to build the parking lot.)

Is there anything else from that era that is diesel? And how is the mileage on the 300E's....comparable, or gas guzzlers? There's one for sale nearby for $995.

Our 300TD W124 would get 24 in town, 28-29 on the road. Sedan will do about 1mpg better.

An early 300E M103 can drop below 20 in town, and will do 24-25 on the road. Late E320, with the M104 will do better due to electronic FI and lower numeric rear end ratio. A 400E will just about duplicate the 300E milage, if you are light on the go pedal.

All depends on how you drive it. I drive to conserve momentum and fuel..... Unless I don't. One reason I sold my 400E. Too much fun, too much gas, too much money, too little room under the hood.

Jim

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by dunl

Actually Brian, I'd prefer to be driving an SDL if I could afford one (there's one for sale right now, but three mercedes, one jeep, and a mini-van while looking for a Mercedes for the wife kind of puts that out of reach....not affording the vehicle, just affording the land to build the parking lot.)

Is there anything else from that era that is diesel? And how is the mileage on the 300E's....comparable, or gas guzzlers? There's one for sale nearby for $995.

A 300SDL is not a good vehicle for the wife. Too big.......difficult to park......slow around town........primadonna..........I'd advise against it.

Don't know the specifics of the gassers for mileage. The diesel with the 2.5 gets above 30 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

[dunl]

[QUOTE=Brian Carlton;1574150]A 300SDL is not a good vehicle for the wife. Too big.......difficult to park......slow around town........primadonna..........I'd advise against it.

QUOTE]


Nah......that would be for ME, not her. lol

Guess we'll keep looking...hopefully something comes up before she sells the mini-van and buys some other brand of something or other.

Thanks for all the help!

[SwampYankee]

With 3 kids, an '87 300TD sounds like the ideal choice. I suppose it comes down to finding one for the right price since there is a pretty good market for them right now.

[dunl]

Rare as hen's teeth up here, I'm afraid.