Information on 190E?

[500E]

Hello all,

I'm thinking of changing my 95' BMW 316i for a Merc 190E (1.8 or 2.0 Auto) soon...I was wondering about the following:

- Common faults
- MPG
- What mileage etc?
- What trim to look for?

I've got a budget of around £2000 max and taking insurance etc into consideration (im 19 years old however have been driving for 2 1/2 years) can't afford the 2.3/2.5 Cosworth yet!

I'm mainly concerned about the MPG and effeciency and really don't want a car thats going to drink fuel like no tomorrow as I do alot of miles.

I've always liked the W124/W201 shape and can finally afford to buy one! I've also noticed the LE version, what is this?

Thanks in advance,
Bill

 

[Smiley]

get a 2.6 auto - no difference in fuel consumption in my experience and much nicer to drive. Super super cars. Common probs, head gasket, whining differential. Some seem to rust esp around wheel arches others completely rust free.

 

[3 phase]

I love W124s but IMHO the 190 is arguably the most together and properly proportioned looking MB ever, if you can find a nice 2.6 get it and keep it.

 

[neilrr]

The 2.6 is the one to have. 166 bhp in a small, nimble car is more than adequate, especialy if you are in London.

Very few faults if you buy right. Look for rust, FSH helps. AC hardly ever works unless you spend a lot to basically rebuild the system.

Parts are cheap & readily available. Advice & help is all over the place.

Sportline suspension is nice but v. rare, Sportline interior is v.v.v.v. rare.

The LE is an end of model run where they threw in a few extra options gratis & painted them lurid colours to clear the last of the production run. 1.8s & 2.0s only. Nothing special IMHO.

I'm averaging about 28.5 mpg in the winter, higher in the summer.

 

[Roger Jones]

MB figures for MPG -- 2.6 auto with cat:

City 22.78
90kph 34.45
120kph 27.69

Figures are slightly higher for the manual gearbox.

 

[Skintia99]

I've had my 190E since new (1989) and it's still very reliable. There werent any trims officially, however if you can find the 'LE' model from 1993 I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Any model is fine, I agree 2.6 is the one to have (mines a 2.0), ideally go for '88 on facelift models.

 

[Big_Jon]

2.6 Auto, I cant understand why anyone would want a manual MB personally but thats just my own ignorant preference!

£2000 should get you something very decent.

If you dont fancy the 2.6, avoid the 1.8, its just a little bit inadequate.

Be careful that you get something with plenty of S/H, too many people want the flash, but without spending the cash and buy MB cars that they run to death as they either dont have the money to, or are simply too ingnorant to, maintain and service the car.

 

[jpskiller]

I have a 190e 2.0 89' for past 2 years, apart fron rust on front wings, due mainly to cosworth bodykit I may add, supurb car also has full leather int. not sure how common that is, fuel is pretty good but them i'm used to my thirsty w124 300e

but for around 2000 you should be able to pick something up which is mint

also check jacking points, my rear drivers side fell out leaving a hole I've had to get welded to pass MOT

 

[manalishi]

£2000 should get a 2.0 with plenty of history and relattively low miles. A few with about 40-60,000m have come up on the classic car web sites. If you can find another £1000 you can get Felicity Kendall's (swoon) old car - it's on Ebay at the mo).

Look on Autotrader and PH and there are some 2.6s at £1.5kish that just aren't shifting after many months; could be worth making an offer.

Annoyingly, for some reason, well looked after and low mileage 2.6s are often in 'unloved' colours like Beryl Blue, Beige, etc. Almost everyone wants a less dated colour, such as blue/black, 040 black, astral silver, etc.

Good luck

 

[Big_Jon]

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...icleYearOfManufacture=1993&vehicleRegLetter=L

WELL worth I look I woukld say as an LE model with good mileage and Full history with no rust or scratches either. Could be the bargain of the year!

 

[stwat]

With a budget of £2000 you will get a very nice car and have some left over to be honest.

Id also recommend the 2.6 auto models. The straight 6 M103 engine mated to the auto box in the relatively light 190 body is a fantastic combination. And if you get bored of that, you can chuck a 3.0l straight in with the ecu's I find the fuel consumption almost identical to my old 2.0l 190. The engines are very torquey and you can almost drive around on tickover all day long.

The front wings can rust, as can the sills around the jacking points. Under the rear screen is also a known area which can rust so stick your head under there and have a good look. Also take the boot linings out and check the inside of the rear arches and spare wheel well.

The diffs can whine a little but they can go on for ever doing that, its not really a problem. The engines can leak a little oil from the head gasket around the front of the engine but that also is nothing really to worry about. As long as its not pouring out it can be left without causing any harm.

Mine has done over 164.000 miles and is still going very strong indeed.

Good luck with the search.

Stu

 

[mustang]

190

go for the 2.6 auto. once you have saved up enough you must by the 2.3 or 2.5 cosworth. i had one when i was 19 and it kick started me into cars. what a machine. dog leg gear box and pulled all day long. 195 bhp got mine to. will be buying a evoultion 2 when i have some spare cash. lovely looking car as well. probs i had with my 2.3 cosworth ( if some bits are the same ?) rear air suspension , electrical fault in main wiring harness under the bonnet right next to the ecu. basically everyting stopped. i replaced the main injetor unit and fuel pump. watch out for rust by the rear number plates and dents in the rear quarters due to objects in the boot flying from side to side. that was all in 3 years