190e Opinions wanted - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lee polowczuk · #1 10-06-2010, 03:42 PM

I am now looking a a 190e 1993 with the 2.3

I don't care about power.... just about a/c, trans, and braking.

What kind of mileage

Can a 6 foot man drive comfortably in the car?

I have been looking at another 300ce, but i think it has a blown headgasket or other head problems.

mbdoc · #2 10-07-2010, 08:33 AM

OF course with a almost 20 year old car....a good pre-purchase inspection is a good idea.

The normal mileage for a late 2.3 was 20-22 city & 24-25 highway.

I am 6ft 2in & have had 4 190E's.

Belt tensioner & motor mounts were weak points. But almost all MB's had those same weak points.

lee polowczuk · #3 10-07-2010, 09:10 AM

thanks, Doc. You and Arthur Dalton are tops on my list!

MTI · #4 10-07-2010, 10:20 AM

In addition to the above:

The W201 weak points at this age might also include the front and rear suspension bushings and links, if they haven't been refreshed by previous owners.

There are known issues with leaking heater cores, the same issue that affected VW and BMW from the same period.

Rust at the jackholes and in the deep wells of the trunk floor and at the front corners by the headlights can occur if the drain weeps were blocked by debris and dirt.

Tassie · #5 10-08-2010, 04:01 AM

I just went through looking at 190E's for my daughter. All had major issues - oil leaks, worn out suspensions, broken interior trim pieces, non-working A/C, worn out driver's seat, and tired or heavily scratched paint. Couldn't find a good one in a month of looking all over south west BC. There were many for sale - and for good reason but I wasn't prepared to dump an easy $3K into these cars.

I did end up getting a 1999 C230 Kompressor. Although not without issues - it is in good condition, was well looked after, the interior is much larger, and probably better fuel economy. The supercharger and newer electronics adds complexity I don't really care for but it was the best value in the month that I spent looking for another vehicle.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Paul

Gilly · #6 10-08-2010, 07:29 AM

Many times the owner of a 190 wasn't prepared to properly care for the car. It was an easy entry to get the 3 pointed star at the front of the hood, then they never hardly brought it in for the service it required. So that's always an issue; was it properly cared for.

Another problem area, at least in the Rust Belt, was the spring towers breaking off, similar to the problems you see posted with the 210 models. With a 190 though, at least you see it coming (bad patches of rust surrounding the structure). In FLA maybe not as bad a problem, unless you are in the salt air most of the time.

I do like them though. Some of these deserve to be saved, I think the nice ones are getting scarce.

Would LOVE to find a 1993 "Limited Edition":
http://www.examiner.com/classic-cars-in-newark/a-look-back-at-the-1993-mercedes-190e-2-6-limited-edition-a-classic-ahead-of-its-time

Gilly

MTI · #7 10-08-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

Many times the owner of a 190 wasn't prepared to properly care for the car. It was an easy entry to get the 3 pointed star at the front of the hood, then they never hardly brought it in for the service it required. So that's always an issue; was it properly cared for.

That's pretty much the fate for the entry level models, including the subsequent W202 and 203 C-Class. The cars end up on the resale/used market at even lower purchase prices and typically that equates into owners that have little interest in putting money into the car for "proper" maintenance. Buying from original owners who keep records helps.

lee polowczuk · #8 10-08-2010, 12:02 PM

the one I am looking at is a two owner car. 94k miles on it.

I am going to go see it tomorrow, I think

#9 10-09-2010, 05:46 PM

There is no end to the things that are wrong with a 190e & keep going wrong with a 190e! If you like working on cars now, a 190e will make you hate working on cars in just a short while...milage on them makes no difference. They will take you from the top.

lee polowczuk · #10 10-09-2010, 09:04 PM

thanks .....the one i looked at today was garbage....

have another one in mind.... all i know is that it should be like a 300e only easier since there is a 102 instead of the 103

MTI · #11 10-11-2010, 01:37 PM

Hah, asking for rational behavior in a brand enthusiast site . . .

lee polowczuk · #12 10-11-2010, 01:39 PM

i don't know...looking one in this area with 65k.... i have to go see it Wednesday...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170549670979&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT