Mercedes 190E - hit me with facts & opinions PLZ.

[Pete-M]

I bought my 190E after having owned a W124 260E I'd quite liked. The 190E had all the 260's negatives: terrible wiper, chocolate window switches, thing for eating water pumps, 'Play School' steering, lack of rear room, less than brilliant auto transmission but without the 124s solid feel or reasonable ride quality. My 190E was forever going wrong so was sold for spares after a couple of months trying to keep it running. I wouldn't have another, but I'd quite happily have a W124.

 

Mine may have just been a very bad one, a car abusing friend of mine had a 190E 2.0 that survived a couple of years of utter maltreatment and never have him cause for concern. Mine had full MB service history and rarely completed even a shopping trip without something going wrong.

[Spiny Norman]

Of course, if I'd wanted a smart old Merc from the late 80s, I should have really have bought the Shitpeas 230CE, shouldn't I?

 

It'll likely be a few days before I can get back for a proper look at this one, but some testing the water insurance wise for both a 190 and a W124 230 has been quite encouraging so I may be onto something here.

[Pete-M]

W124s are best in 280 form from my experience, a nice 280 will go well and use less fuel than a 260, barely more than a 230. 260 was nice for having a six but slightly pointless as it was a pretty juicy without being at all quick. The 280 at least goes quite well.

[trigger]

Did you go and look at it in the end Spiny Norman?. This one is for sale around the corner for £1000ono, It's a good spec with all the electrics and air con but it's done 198000 miles, it was immaculate inside and out mind.

 

 

 

 

That said mine could be available for £900 fixed if anyone wanted it.