190-series Reliability?
 

So I've heard and seen quite a bit about the MB 300-series, esp b/c I'm interested in getting a MB diesel and converting it to run on WVO.

It seems like a lot of people gravitate towards the 300-series because they are supposed to have had pretty good reliability over the years, but I'm wondering if any of you can confirm or deny this and also I'm wondering how the 190-series stacks up?

Were the 190's just lemons or were they good for a while but had too many parts which would fail after a certain time?

Thanks in advance

No, and no..........

lots of folks like to knock the 190. i dont see it that way at all. i just see it as a smaller version of the e class with less gee gaws on it.

i have not owned one but i did two 124s. i wouldnt hesitate to buy a 190 if it were something i wanted and it was nice.

tom w

cool, thanks for the responses

I owned a 190d for a little over a year and put 30k on it with minimal problems. The biggest problem was replacing the ignition switch. I replaced the glow plugs and brake pads as well. It was a great little car, I averaged around 35mpg on dino. Now I have a 300td wagon, it's much faster but I only get around 25mpg.

I'm also intrested in purchasing a 190 E or D, to replace my 300D. I have heard about problems with topend lubrication on some of the gas models. I also heard about transmission rattles on the manual trans cars. Another concern of mine is the need for having the head rebuilt at 150k miles. Thats sounds like alot of time and money.

I'd like to hear more input on the 190s's.

the manual trannys rattle in neutral....just like a beemer. that is normal.

tom w

190's
 

I'm on my 3rd 190D - not because the previous 2 werent fine cars, but because I can't get enough of them. They can be everything from very economical (my latest 190D 2.2 5-speed) to true screaming race cars (think DTM, 16 valve 2.3's, Euro 2.5's, and 6 cylinder 2.6's)

If you want a ton of 190 E and D info, check out the 190revolution.net. there are a lot of guys there who are very "deep into" 190 class cars.

These cars were very much ahead of their time when released, and still look modern today.

My 2 cents,

SteveM.