190e 2.0 manual or Auto for all round use?

[BrackBenz]

Hi all,
I would like to buy a 190e.
I like the shape and know that the 2.0 engines were solid and durable enough.

I have seen many adverts and nearly all are for the auto's.
I can appreciate these were the more common of the two........but what is the ride/ownership like between the manual and the auto?

I am learning so bear with me.
Did the engine have a timing chain and if so when should it be replaced and are there any rollers/guides that need replacing at the same time.

I have placed a post in the 'Wanted' section as I'm looking for one....and yes...Im genuine with cash waiting.

Thanks all

Steve

 

[recycled]

manual all the way for me, but that is just me.i have had both and i prefer the manual
Most prefer autos but they do have their problems.
they all use chains. i think the older ones used simplex which is a bit worrying. newer ones used duplex chains . no specified change intervals

 

[television]

Welcome to the forum,, the 190 is an all time great and one of the best benz ever built.

A timing chain fault can always be heard on a cold start up.

I would go for an auto

 

[neilrr]

recycled,

You are the only person I have EVER come across who favours a manual gearbox in a (non 16 valve) W201 over an auto. I know it's personal preference, but there's a very good reason about 98% of these cars were automatics!

Auto every time I'd say. Nicer by miles to drive & much easier to resell.

BTW, I've had countless 201s of every stripe, from pristine 2.5-16s to lowly & horrible diesel manuals (got 5 of them at the moment, 201s that is, not horrible diesels) & I've never had a problem with a gearbox, auto or manual.

Brack, IMHO the 2.6 auto is far & away the best for everyday use (got two of those!)

 

[grober]

Auto every time for a 190 unless its a 16V Model. The change from single to duplex timing chain referred to by recycled was around 1989. Don't bother with the diesel or carburetor engined cars they last for ever, but are very sluggish to drive by today's standards. Most cars have cloth seats and trim-leather is fairly rare except on the 16v cars. Most cars have hydraulic tappets which should be fairly quiet when warmed up tho they may rattle briefly on cold start up. body rust usually starts around the rear sill jacking points so if you find rust there look further. Check the cylinder head gasket as its a fairly common fault and front springs can break with corrosion induced fatigue cracks. Great cars all the same if you get a good un.

 

[GRAV888]

I have one for sale.
Email me : [email protected]

 

[Swiss Toni]

I have had two 2.0 Autos and agree that (unless it is a Cosworth 16v) then the autos are miles better.

Good luck and enjoy.

(I found the LE worth searching for - the last of the line)

 

[Mark300SL]

I have a 2.6 auto and I'm about to buy another tomorow Auto every time for me
IF the one I am buying tomorrow is up to scratch then the one I bought recently will be for sale too. If not there will be a lot of bits being swapped between 2 cars

Auto or manual - just make sure you buy a clean one with no rot in it, they are out there as my recent purchase proves.


Mark

 

[BrackBenz]

Thanks for your replies.
I was chatting with the guys at work and they said not to bother with a 190 and get a cheap C class......but Im not sure you see.
I have always always been a Jap car enthusiast and know that cars like Toyota's last forever if well maintained. My Clio is just a runabout for now.

In comparison which would be the better for all round everyday use....the 190 ( a good one ) or a C Class (probably a C200 or C220 diesel)?

Sorry to spring all the Q's on you all and thanks for your patience.....

Steve

 

[nick mercedes]

Thanks for your replies.
I was chatting with the guys at work and they said not to bother with a 190 and get a cheap C class......but Im not sure you see.
I have always always been a Jap car enthusiast and know that cars like Toyota's last forever if well maintained. My Clio is just a runabout for now.

In comparison which would be the better for all round everyday use....the 190 ( a good one ) or a C Class (probably a C200 or C220 diesel)?

Sorry to spring all the Q's on you all and thanks for your patience.....

Steve

An early C200, or C220 petrol auto should be a fairly solid car.

And not any more expensive than a clean 190E.

 

[grober]

The 190's have single cam engines with simple electromechanical fuel injection that never goes wrong if looked after. They have a separate distributor ignition system with a electronic "ignition pack" which are becoming increasingly difficult to source if they go wrong- the heat sink compound that is sandwiched between the unit and the inner wing can dry out allowing it to overheat. If the unit is OK then its wise to"reheatsink" the unit as a precaution. Engines are strong as long as you get the post 89 duplex timing chain ones. They can blow head gaskets at high mileage also. The twin cam engines in the C class are also very strong units but the combined injection/ignition units can be expensive to repair if they go wrong and the early ones can be effected by poor wiring insulation breakdown. On balance I would say the 190's are the slightly more reliable car and easier to DIY than the C class but there's not much in it. The difference is not so great such that the service history is much more important.The C class is a slightly bigger heavier car also whereas the injected 190's have a slightly lighter handling feel on the road. The 190'S were designed to compete with sportier BMW series 3 so are a slightly better drivers car IMHO

 

[BrackBenz]

I suppose with a more modern car there will be less items coming to the end of their lives.....well thats the theory....

Are C Class petrols better with Auto?

Are the C220 Diesel (non turbo) reliable enough?

Basically I could make it easier and say which is the best car for up to £1500?
I will be using it as an everyday car you see....so reliability is required and frugal enough for my 40 miles per day (Mon-Fri).

Steve

 

[nick mercedes]

I suppose with a more modern car there will be less items coming to the end of their lives.....well thats the theory....

Are C Class petrols better with Auto?

Are the C220 Diesel (non turbo) reliable enough?

Basically I could make it easier and say which is the best car for up to £1500?
I will be using it as an everyday car you see....so reliability is required and frugal enough for my £40 miles per day (Mon-Fri).

Steve

Keep away from C220 diesels, the C250s are a better car.

 

[grober]

All non turbo diesels are SLOOOOOW . Altho reliable and capable of mega miles diesels can be expensive to repair if they go wrong. Always get an auto benz part of their charm and difficult to sell on without it. You can manually shift up and down the box 2-3-4 with the selector lever anyway-NOT A TIPTRONIC more like a gearlever

 

[BrackBenz]

Cheers guys.

Looks like I need to broaden my horizons in terms of what to look for.

 

[neilrr]

Thanks for your replies.
I was chatting with the guys at work and they said not to bother with a 190 and get a cheap C class.....
Steve

Bawhahahahahahaha!

 

[BrackBenz]

Bawhahahahahahaha!

I take it from your reply that your a 190 fan?

They are Truck tech guys....not car tech guys.

Biased opinions apart though which is the better for day to day useage?

Perhaps I should do a poll????

 

[GRAV888]

Thye are Truck tech guys....

Tell me more

 

[BrackBenz]

A couple of them said 190's were better than the C Class....and another few Vice Versa.....again...it's down to personal preference as with most cars.
I'll just have to take a look myself and learn.

 

[GRAV888]

A couple of them said 190's were better than the C Class....and another few Vice Versa.....again...it's down to personal preference as with most cars.
I'll just have to take a look myself and learn.

No, about the truck techie bit