HOW GOOD ARE THE 190E
 

Came across a 1988 190e with 120k, with manual 5 speed transmission. Lady wants 2500 which sounds high, car looks good and is a one owner car.

I would like to know what kind of problems these cars have and what will be a fair price for it.

Will appreciate any info.

BM

A thorough examination and inspection of the car should be in order. How well has it been taken care of? Are there service records? One owner sounds promising. I see lots of these for sale but almost all of them have been driven hard and thrashed.

It's a 22-year-old car. It's NOT going to be problem free.

5 speed manual is pretty rare. I bet that would be a blast to run around in. It's a 6 right? A 2.6 M103?
120k is only 5500 miles per year. If you can document that and the car isn't beat or rusty, probably not too bad a price.

I'd pay 2500 to get my '91 back today in the condition it was in when my daughter totaled it! (Insurance payoff value in 2001 was 7500 w/144k on the odo)
Where is the car? If you're not interested, let me know.;)
That said, yeah, it is a 22 year old car, but so's my head turnin' 88 300CE.:cool:

My brother just bought a 1990 190E 2.6 with a 5 speed. One owner car with all the records. He paid a few hundred less than that and it needed tie rods, tires and a coolant bypass hose. It took 8 hours to replace the $1.50 bypass hose.:eek:

It's a great car, but there's hardly any room in the engine compartment to do anything. Lots of disassembly to get anything done in there. He's been getting less than 20 mpg as well. It's hard to listen to the economy gauge.:D

My wife purchased my 1992 190E 2.6 nearly new. It was essentially trouble free until 150k. I took it over then and she got an E430. From 150k to now (186K) I replaced a lot of stuff. I do a lot of work myself and find it relatively easy to work on(with the help of this forum) and satisfying to drive.

Thanks all, any known problems with these cars?

I would like to know how a w201 2.6 with the 5spd drives.

I concur. You can easily spend up to the purchase price getting the car to a daily driver condition.

However a 190e 2.6 5 speed is a very desirable car.
A 2.3Litre 16valve 5 speed is even a more desirable car.

I had a 190e 2.6 auto - a great car - I regretted selling it.

Contemporary cars are much more economic and realistic to drive however 99% have no soul.

You really need a bit of self reliance - i.e. d.i.y. ability to own one of these cars - taking them for professional repair can be daunting to the hip pocket.

The air vent system will or is now inoperative because the vacuum pods diaphrams tear causing most of the air to go to the windshield instead of vents. The pods can be repaired for less than $10 each or new ones are $50 - 60 each. I think there are 5. Some of the pods require the dash to be removed to replace. Nice car if you can do your own repairs otherwise $$$$$. May be cruise control issues - used ones avail, window motors and or the plastic clip that holds the motor cable. Used motors ~ $50, plastic clips ~ $8. Maybe someone else can add more to answer your question. I think price is good for a well cared for 190.

tHANK YOU GOOD PEOPLE
 

i LOVE THIS SITE

So many nice people willing to share their experiences....

Thank you all!!!!

BM

Ive seen the front spring perches rust off, but I am up in the Rust Belt. Pretty bad day when it happens. At least the rust will be pretty obvious. Unlike another Mercedes chassis i can mention that will break off with no real notice.

I have had over 10 M-benzes and my 91 190 2.6 was the most non MB like one I ever owned. Cheaply built to a price point -crappy cable drive windows,thin console wood, poor grade seat appointments ,card board door panels that lose their covering. whine whine. Mine had many wierd problems that were stumping the best of the MB experts .

It died via a 40 mph rear hit from a 72 Caddy- and my wife is still alive to drive her 300e so I can't complain too much!

But opn a positive note with the 2.6 a car was a great performer and the and with the 5 speed I would imagine a ball of fire.

Just my .02

i hope you realize some day that your families health is all that matters....

who cares about a ball of fire??? wtf????

I believe that his "ball of fire" comment was praise for the car's nible performance and power. The W201 car was designed from the ground up to be a small, affordable benz with S-class handling. When properly maintained, it still has it.

Thx -CTH