190e MPG 1.8 Vs 2.0?

[MichaelMB]

I'm in the market for a 190e and have been targeting the 2.0 auto but a 1991 1.8 manual is in the frame as it meets all my other requirements.

Being manual I realise it will have better MPG than an auto but will the 1.8 have better MPG than the 2.0?

I am retired and no longer a speed merchant, so appreciate fuel economy over acceleration these days!

 

[fabes]

Are you intending to drive it enough in a year (or even a month) for it to make more than a few quid difference?

It's not a car many still use for motorway miles....

 

[carat 3.6]

I'm in the market for a 190e and have been targeting the 2.0 auto but a 1991 1.8 manual is in the frame as it meets all my other requirements.

Being manual I realise it will have better MPG than an auto but will the 1.8 have better MPG than the 2.0?

I am retired and no longer a speed merchant, so appreciate fuel economy over acceleration these days!

It's not much difference between the 1.8 and 2.0, but whichever one comes with the manual gearbox will always be better on fuel.

Not sure how different the 190 is to the w124 mpg wise, but in w124 I found the 4cyl engines needed to be worked harder than the 6cyl and so could actually use more fuel in some conditions.

 

[alabbasi]

You should expect about a 10-20% improvement between a manual and automatic. Problem is that the fuel mileage on a 190E is not going to be great either way. Maybe 2-3mpg.

 

[MichaelMB]

You should expect about a 10-20% improvement between a manual and automatic. Problem is that the fuel mileage on a 190E is not going to be great either way. Maybe 2-3mpg.

Thanks. Am wondering though whether 1.8 is better on fuel than 2.0

 

[ChipChop]

Have you checked on Fuelly?

Mercedes-Benz Mileage Reports | Fuelly

There might be a contemporary road test of a 190e 1.8 in this lot somewhere...

Trigger's Retro Road Tests!’s albums | Flickr

www.flickr.com

 

[nickgar]

Whichever one you choose make sure you try out the manual first, as the gearbox/clutch combination is very agricultural and not at all what you would expect from a MB. That's why in the UK probably 80% or so were originally ordered in auto, which is far better.

 

[DSM10000]

Thanks. Am wondering though whether 1.8 is better on fuel than 2.0

I doubt there is much diffeence in reality.

Often larger engines with better torque are not only more pleasant to drive but can be better on fuel.

 

[MichaelMB]

Have you checked on Fuelly?

Mercedes-Benz Mileage Reports | Fuelly

There might be a contemporary road test of a 190e 1.8 in this lot somewhere...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/triggerscarstuff/albums/[/U

http://

Whichever one you choose make sure you try out the manual first, as the gearbox/clutch combination is very agricultural and not at all what you would expect from a MB. That's why in the UK probably 80% or so were originally ordered in auto, which is far better.

Yes, Honest John describes the manual as agricultural and the auto as clonky, but is otherwise very complimentary about the model

 

[DSM10000]

http://

Yes, Honest John describes the manual as agricultural and the auto as clonky, but is otherwise very complimentary about the model

These are all old cars now and a facelift W 203 would possibly be a better choice?

 

[MichaelMB]

Have you checked on Fuelly?

Mercedes-Benz Mileage Reports | Fuelly

There might be a contemporary road test of a 190e 1.8 in this lot somewhere...

Trigger's Retro Road Tests!’s albums | Flickr

www.flickr.com

I did look at Fuelly but found the information pretty unconvincing, as usual with that site!

 

[MichaelMB]

These are all old cars now and a facelift W 203 would possibly be a better choice?

You may well be right and I appreciate the suggestion. Will look into it but I am weird and rather like old school.

 

[DSM10000]

You may well be right and I appreciate the suggestion. Will look into it but I am weird and rather like old school.

Nothing wrong with that!

One thing to consider if running the older vehicle, do you have someone near to you that has experience of these when repairs etc are required?

 

[poormansporsche]

With any 190 you must buy on condition.

The 2.0 Auto is the best to plod about in and any difference in fuel is going to be minimal.

The 1.8 is more likely to suffer head gasket failure than the 2.0. Although the 2.0 is not immune and sourcing a car that has a replacement is preferable.

The manual is plain nasty with any engine and I always found the Auto "satisfyingly" clunky. I actually prefer the 4 speed auto over the later 5 speed Auto.

 

[MichaelMB]

Nothing wrong with that!

One thing to consider if running the older vehicle, do you have someone near to you that has experience of these when repairs etc are required?

Luckily yes, I am a few miles away from an independent Mercedes specialist

 

[MichaelMB]

http://

Yes, Honest John describes the manual as agricultural and the auto as clonky, but is otherwise very complimentary about the model

My gearbox expectations are not high, based on my other cars. But I don't want rust and do want air con

 

[alabbasi]

The difference is negligible. Buy on condition

 

[ChipChop]

My gearbox expectations are not high, based on my other cars. But I don't want rust and do want air con

Maybe consider viewing any w201 for sale locally irrespective of engine & spec to see if one of these cars will suit you. Despite being one of the best built youngtimer Mercedes they do have their issues. A cramped cabin being one of them.

Never had a problem with the manual gearbox / clutch in my 190d but the diesel engines low down torque probably helps. I understand the old 4 speed auto is decent though and even allows you to still do a bump start when the inevitable old car failure to proceed happens. Talking of FTP's i understand the fuel injected petrol 190e's like to stall if not in tip top condition.

 

[MichaelMB]

The difference is negligible. Buy on condition

Thanks, good advice I am sure.

 

[MichaelMB]

Maybe consider viewing any w201 for sale locally irrespective of engine & spec to see if one of these cars will suit you. Despite being one of the best built youngtimer Mercedes they do have their issues. A cramped cabin being one of them.

Never had a problem with the manual gearbox / clutch in my 190d but the diesel engines low down torque probably helps. I understand the old 4 speed auto is decent though and even allows you to still do a bump start when the inevitable old car failure to proceed happens.

That's useful. Cramped rear is fine, hardly ever have rear passengers and want a fairly short car. Front cramped would not be good, but compared to my old Landy, a Bond and an MX5 it's all relative. Think my old Landy has the same auto, it has a 4 speed ZF box from a mid 90s Discovery.