190E history lesson - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mel Weaver · #1 03-05-2003, 11:46 PM

Hello, I just joined a society I'm in love with. I've had the car 1 week-total strangers ask me how I like the car,how many miles-very friendly lot!
Where did the 190 come from? It seems like the model year started in '84 ? Did it replace a model? Was it simply a new model?
I read posts and see the stables-I'm not the only one "hooked" !!!!!!! (and maybe a little impressed)
My Brother has an '85 w/ over 320 thousand! His BMW (3 series-'mid 90's) breaks all the time. Trusts his M.B.,very good luck with it! Alluded to the fact that M.B. has a first aid kit...BMW has a tool kit. I had to laugh!
I love her! Any thoughts,advice,tid-bits of info would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance-Mel

#2 03-06-2003, 12:34 AM

Hi Mel,

Welcome to the "society", as you put it. I own a different kind of 190 being the 16 valve version. I LOVE that car. It's truely a joy to drive, reliabe, and fits me well. Unfortunately, I'm also probably going to sell it. (No, this isn't a subtle selling tactic.

)

I wish I knew more about the history of the car to tell you. There is a great book about Mercedes that you may try picking up. It's called Mercedes by photographer Rainer W. Schlegelmilch. The publisher is (I think) Konemann Verlagsgesellschaft, 1997. Expensive, but a great coffee table book with outstaning photography.

#3 03-06-2003, 12:46 AM

mel, if you bought a good car, get it up to spec, and pull the recommended maint, i am SURE that you will be throughly pleased with your purchase of an MB and enjoy many miles of motoring smiles!

there is a thriving 190 community, and the extensive knowledge base here will be a HUGE help.

BMW tool kit: i also have a 535i, and the tool kit is amazing. it is integrated into the trunck lid. loosen the closing knob, and the deck drops down to level to expose the kit. molded for each tool and includes cushioned spaces for extra bulbs and fuses as well. i really wished my MB included the same feature. mine has been little used, but GREATLY admired by me and others.

enjoy your new MB. - benton

Limited Edition · #4 03-06-2003, 08:33 AM

Check out this 190E Specific Forum: 190Rev

Regards,

Don

tvpierce · #5 03-06-2003, 12:26 PM

Mel,

Welcome to the "family". I have a '92 190E/2.3 and it is a wonderful car.
The 190E as we know it was introduced in '84, but MB did make a 190 much earlier. I have no specifics on when.
I've found it educational and fun to browse ebay. If you go to the "ebay motors" section, the choose MB, and 190, then I'm sure you'll see some of these older versions (along with some fine specimines of the more recent vintage)
Additionally, I have a Word doc that lists specs on our cars from '84-'93. If your interested, e-mail me at [email protected] and I'd be happy to send it to you as an attachment.

Again, welcome.

Jeff Pierce

MTI · #6 03-06-2003, 02:08 PM

Mel, welcome to the W201 family! The "Baby Benz" has a very proud history at Mercedes. Consider that it was the first MB with the single wiper, the first with a computer designed multi-link rear suspension, the lightest MB made since the 1930's, has 50 German Touring Car series victories (DTM), the 16V was the platform that MB used to return to road racing in conjunction with AMG and after it's introduction in 1983, was MB's best selling vehicle.

pentoman · #7 03-06-2003, 05:38 PM

Yes the 190E pioneered the multi-link independant rear suspension, developments of which are still being used in current model Mercedes. I read that Mercedes went through 40 different suspensions before deciding on the final one.

Mel Weaver · #8 03-07-2003, 12:16 AM

Thanks for the replies/info.
Great community! (where did the other term come from?)
-Mel

mbdad · #9 03-07-2003, 09:25 PM

I purchased my 190 last year from the original owner.
I have learned so much with the help from many of the knowledgable people on this site.
When I first purchased my car, I was always worried about something going wrong and being expensive to repair.
With the help of other Mercedes owners, I have accomplished the following:
Tune Up
Change Power Steering Fluid/Filter
Install & Adjust Euro Headlights
Install Rear Headrests
Change Shifter Bushings
Change out Shifter Knob/Shaft
Fix Window Switch
....plus many other items that would have cost me dearly at
the dealership. So far, the cost of ownership for this car has been equal to any other car that I have owned.
Read the posts on this forum often and SAVE, SAVE, SAVE the
instructional posts to your Favorites file and don't be afraid
to tackle the job yourself.
Good Luck with your car and enjoy it!

#10 03-09-2003, 01:00 PM

A great book to read is Mercedes-Benz Volume 4 The 1980's by James Taylor ISBN 0-947981-77-2
Tells you all about all MBs in the 80's , about how the 190 could have been FWD when canges were made,how many of each model were built in a certain year and performance figures
A must buy!!

Bazza

Mel Weaver · #11 03-09-2003, 11:54 PM

Thanks for the hearty welcome/support! -Mel

G-Benz · #12 03-10-2003, 03:31 PM

I've got to find the pic, but my Dad's first MB was a 190...1959!

blackmercedes · #13 03-10-2003, 11:56 PM

If you check my siggy, you'll see I like compact MB sedans.

The W201 sedan arrived on our shores for MY1984. It came only in a small engine 2.2L diesel or 2.3L gas engine. It was designed along with the W124, and they share the same basic design and many bits.

Later, we got the 16V four cylinder performance sedan and the 2.6L six cylinder car.

The five link suspension was used until at least 2000 in it's basic form. First seen on the 190E.

The ROTW (rest of the world) got the 190E with all kinds of gas and diesel engines.

I have driven several to VERY high mileages, and find them robust and reliable. The main problem today with buying one is the cheap price. Huh? It means that people buy them as cheap transport, and don't care for them. Many examples are buckets, and it gives them a bad rep.