Mercedes W201s-Thoughts?

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

A140driver

Active Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
299
Location
Dumfries and Galloway
After more than a year of ownership, I've decided that now's the time to sell my 1967 Rover 2000, and replace it with something slightly more modern which I can use daily, and still enjoy. I've decided that a Mercedes 190 is an option which is definitely worth exploring. So, what's the general consensus on 190s?
I'm considering 1.8 and 2.0 autos, but I'd be open to other options. There's a budget of around £1250 to play with. If anyone knows of nice ones for that sort of money which aren't at the other end of the country, I'd be most interested.
Thanks in advance!
 
After more than a year of ownership, I've decided that now's the time to sell my 1967 Rover 2000, and replace it with something slightly more modern which I can use daily, and still enjoy. I've decided that a Mercedes 190 is an option which is definitely worth exploring. So, what's the general consensus on 190s?
I'm considering 1.8 and 2.0 autos, but I'd be open to other options. There's a budget of around £1250 to play with. If anyone knows of nice ones for that sort of money which aren't at the other end of the country, I'd be most interested.
Thanks in advance!

We have had 10 mercedes including 2 A160's, C250 estate, C220cdi salloon, R129 500SL but the best built one was a 1993 190e manual!
 
1993 MERCEDES 190E 2.0 Automatic FSH Long MOT LOW MILES | eBay

This one is in Bonny Scotland. One of the very last its "L" Reg.Should be worth a look at.

Good car the 190. Had a couple and loved 'em.

I love 190's also, but always annoys me when I see one with a nose down stance, makes them look like they are broken. If you fit new rear springs, get the right ones and fit new fronts too! The one in the Ebay ad looks like this. Grrr.. almost as bad as chrome arches! :devil:
 
I collected a new 190 (1.8 Automatic) from Sindelfingen in 1991 for a friend... then drove it for a while. Very comfortable and sturdy car, one of the last good ones. :thumb:
 
The 2.6 auto is just a joy to own and drive; probably why I have three! One of them has over 200k miles on it and still drives superbly. They are supremely well-engineered cars. Inexpensive to run and insure and depreciation is virtually non-existent. There's a world of difference between the four and six cylinder engined cars - I've owned 1.8 and 2.0 autos, which are good cars, but the 2.6 is the best version and that 6-cylinder engine is just so smooth. In a nutshell - reliable, low cost luxury motoring in a modern classic. This one is for sale by a Mercedes-Benz Club member in Warrington who is a lovely straight bloke and having seen the car, it's well worth the £1500 he is asking.

eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace
 
I spotted that on ebay last night. My only concern with a 2.6 is the insurance, since I'm only 20, and my insurance is over £1k for the 1.8 and 2.0. Are 190Ds worth a look too, or am I better to stick to petrol?
 
190 diesels are reliable, reasonably economical, but slow. To be honest, the way insurance is for 20 year olds, sadly whatever 190 you buy, petrol or diesel, insurance is going to cost you a lot.
 
W201s are extraordinary value for money at the moment and they are cheap to run. I sold a 2-litre 190E auto to Mike Duff from Autocar (he's now at EVO) for a planned trip to Africa. He didn't make it to Africa but on a trip to Scotland he reported 39 mpg and 30-33 in normal driving

I'd get the nicest example you can find and put it on a classic insurance policy - shouldn't cost more than £200 pa

Nick Froome
the independent Mercedes Estate specialists
 
I collected a new 190 (1.8 Automatic) from Sindelfingen in 1991 for a friend... then drove it for a while. Very comfortable and sturdy car, one of the last good ones. :thumb:


Come to think of it... we actually managed to crash it a year later :doh: - my friend was driving with me in the passenger seat when we were rammed at the back by a very very large lorry. The car protected us amazingly well :thumb: (though at the cost of having the entire boot erased!).
 
201s are superb. The 6 cylinder ones are indeed excellent but the 2.5 diesel is also well worth considering. Absolutely bullet proof.
Early 190 were 2.0 carburetted with the E being fuel injected.
I have an '87 190 coming in this week that's one owner and only 32000m!!
I've got no idea how I'm going to value it....
 
We’ve had both 190 2.0/2.5 diesels, there very reliable but so slow to accelerate. I’d stick to looking for a petrol but it depends on how many miles you’ll be doing.
 
My friend swears by his 2.6 - Getting a classic ins. policy may be difficult due to age restrictions, but it's worth a try
 
My Rover 2000 was on a classic policy with a 6k limit TPFT for £1k last year, and that was tough getting it that cheap. A 190 is going to be around the same, with 2.6s being a fair bit pricier, even on a classic policy. At present the Rover is on a modern policy, unlimited miles, with Lancaster, agreed value, for £1080, with me earning NCB.
 
I doubt you’ll find anywhere to insure a 190 for less than a thousand. One Call insurance quoted me £32,750 last week on my W202, i’m 20 as well.
 
I don't expect to find anything cheaper really, but expect it to be about the same, likely a little more.

For classics FJ were the best - but yanks took them over and now have "lets rip off dumb ass brits" policy
Try Peter Best -i am with them -if they can insure me they will insure anyone!
Sorry 2.6 and Cosworths apart not really a big fan of 190s
 
W201s are extraordinary value for money at the moment and they are cheap to run. I sold a 2-litre 190E auto to Mike Duff from Autocar (he's now at EVO) for a planned trip to Africa. He didn't make it to Africa but on a trip to Scotland he reported 39 mpg and 30-33 in normal driving

I'd get the nicest example you can find and put it on a classic insurance policy - shouldn't cost more than £200 pa

Nick Froome
the independent Mercedes Estate specialists

That tallies with my B reg 190E auto when I did the trip to Wales and back : 1100 mile round trip , keeping to 70 on the motorways , and loaded with three doors in the back plus one on the roofrack coming back , returned 38 mpg brim-brim .
 
I run a 2.5 190D auto and it's great as a daily drive.

My commute is across country roads and I get around 45Mpg on average.

They get a thumbs up from me too. :thumb:
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom