And they were not mistaken. Despite retaining the classic rear-wheel-drive layout, the new Mercedes-Benz 190 on the road demonstrated behavior similar to front-wheel-drive models. For the early 80s, its handling was considered exemplary.
This material continues the series of Autoportal publications dedicated to the selection and purchase of used cars. Current offers can be found in the "Used cars" section.
Description
- Body type: 4-door sedan
- Dimensions Length/Width/Height, mm: 4448/1690/1390
- Wheelbase, mm: 2665
- Curb/Gross weight, kg: 1200/1750
- Trunk volume, l: 410
- Fuel tank volume, l: 55
- Drive type: rear
- Transmission: 4- and 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic
- Suspension front/rear: independent/independent
- Engines
- Petrol 4-cylinder:
- carburetor: 2.0 l/90 hp, 2.0 l/105 hp
- multi-point injection: 1.8 l/109 hp, 2.0 l / 122 hp,
- 2.3 l/132 hp, 2.3 l/185 hp (16V), 2.5 l/204 hp (16V)
- Petrol 6-cylinder: 2.6 l/160 hp
- Diesel 4-cylinder: 2.0 l/75 hp
- 5-cylinder: 2.5 l/90 hp, 2.5 l/122 hp (Turbo)
History
- 11.1982 Start of production of the 4-door sedan MB-190 with W201 body
- 09.1983 Debut of the 190D model and the "hot" 190E 2.3-16
- 09.1984 Output of the 2.0 l carburetor engine M 102.924 increased to 105 hp
- 05.1985 A new 5-cylinder diesel 602.911 with a displacement of 2.5 l appeared in the lineup
- 06.1985 All "190s" received a telescopic windshield wiper and 15-inch wheels
- 09.1985 All petrol versions are equipped with catalytic converters
- 09.1988 The "190" model range underwent a facelift
- 09.1988 The 190E 2.3-16 was replaced by the more extreme 190E 2.5-16, and the most powerful diesel modification 190D 2.5 Turbo also appeared
- 03.1990 The 190E 1.8 model was released, replacing the 2.0 l carburetor version
- 01.1991 ABS became standard equipment
- 10.1992 All models equipped with central locking
- 05.1993 MB-190 gave way to the new generation of C-class sedans
The most compact Mercedes-Benz with W201 body first appeared in November 1982. All "190s" were produced exclusively as 4-door sedans. It was a completely new development that did not inherit the previous generation, but became the first Mercedes-Benz model in the European D-class segment.
Initially, the car was given the designation "190" (the first two digits of MB indicate the engine displacement, which was rounded down - 1985 cm3). Contrary to company tradition, this name continued to be used for all other modifications of the "190", regardless of engine displacement.
In an effort to win over buyers from its main competitor BMW, the company introduced a sporty version of the "190" in 1983 with a 185-horsepower 16-valve 2.3-liter engine. With it, the one-and-a-half-ton car reaches a speed of 225 km/h and accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. The "hot" version is distinguished by wide aerodynamic bumpers and sills, a spoiler on the trunk lid, and low-profile tires. A little later, this version was replaced by another sporty modification of the MB-190 with a more powerful and advanced 195-horsepower 2.5-liter engine.
Since 1985, all "190" models began to be equipped with one active telescopic wiper, significantly increasing the windshield cleaning area, as well as hydraulic valve lifters.
In September 1988, the MB-190 model range underwent a facelift: the lower side panels of the doors received a wide protective plastic trim (the so-called "leaf"), the front and rear bumpers changed, and the seat shape was also improved.
Realizing that modernization of the "190" alone was not enough to maintain its market position, the company replaced the W201 models with new-generation C-class sedans with W202 body in May 1993.
Body
Factory anti-corrosion treatment can be called high-quality. But for our conditions, and given the age, especially, this "good" is not enough.
The trunk (of ancient specimens) can corrode from the inside. In addition, the paint on Mercedes cars is traditionally very durable, and because of this, traces of rust may go unnoticed under it. It happens like this: on the outside everything is flawless, but inside the metal has long since "rotted". The most "rust-prone areas" are the same as on many other cars: sills, wheel arches, trunk edge, bottom of doors.
An interesting point - the front fenders are bolted on, which is very convenient for repairs. Seams and joints are covered with sealing mastic, which should be heated during repairs.
Interior
Three people fit in the back seat with difficulty, and there is a catastrophic lack of legroom. Interestingly, due to some crampedness in the back, the "one-ninety" was nicknamed a four-door coupe.
The strict interior is in the company's signature style. Once inside, you have no doubt that this is a Mercedes-Benz. If desired, you can find interesting modifications with electric windows on all windows and electric seat adjustment (for European cars of the 80s, an unimaginable luxury). Interestingly, the Mercedes 190 was one of the first to receive an airbag. The main feature of the heater is separate control for the left and right sides of the cabin.
It's a pity that the cramped interior did not benefit the trunk. Its volume is only 410 liters. The culprit is the fuel tank, located right behind the rear seat. Because of it, the backrest does not fold down either.
Another purely Mercedes drawback is related to the front seats. Over the years, they sag on all cars. Moreover, the seats in cars before the 1988 modernization are most vulnerable; after that, the design was changed and the frame did not bend as quickly.
Electric sunroofs do not work on every third car. Mechanical ones, understandably, are much more reliable.
Before the 1988 modernization, the design of the ignition switch caused problems, which, by tradition, was located not on the steering column, but directly on the front panel.
Engines
The name 190 clearly hints at a displacement of approximately two liters. Initially, the car was equipped with a carburetor 2.0-liter engine with a power of 90-105 hp. Almost simultaneously, a 2.0-liter engine with 118-122 hp with mechanical K (KE)-Jetronic injection saw the light of day.
Next came 2.3-liter engines with 136 hp (KE-Jetronic injection) with two valves per cylinder and their variant with four valves per cylinder (177-185 hp), as well as a 2.6-liter 166 hp (injection). In addition, engines of 1.8 liters with 109 hp (injection), 2.5 liters with 195 hp for the sports model 190E 2.6 were installed. For those who value economy and torque at low speeds, diesels of 2.0 liters with 72 hp and 2.5 liters with 90-95 hp were offered, as well as a five-cylinder turbodiesel of 2.5 liters with 126 hp.
All engines are inline, longitudinally mounted. The number of cylinders, except for the 2.6-liter and 2.5-liter diesel, is four. The cylinder blocks are cast iron, the heads are aluminum. The camshaft drive is chain-driven and has a long service life. The oil pump is driven in the same way. Among the pleasant little things that greatly facilitate maintenance, we note hydraulic valve lifters. True, for reliable operation they require high-quality oil and timely maintenance.
On engines with a displacement of 2.0 liters, the Stromberg-175 carburetor can present unpleasant surprises: difficult starting, "dips" in operation, increased consumption. But the KE-Jetronic injection system is quite reliable. If, of course, you do not forget to clean the injectors and do not allow long downtime (about a month). In this case, the fuel equipment can be damaged by water.
The drive of the high-pressure fuel pumps of diesels is driven by a chain. They treat our diesel fuel, let's say, better than Common Rail, but it is better to drain water from fuel filters more often. A common drawback of engines is the failure of the fan clutch. This can end in overheating. In addition, when buying a W201 series, check the condition of the engine mounts. Especially hydraulic ones. Due to their age, they may well fail.
Transmission
There are many gearbox modifications. So even in gearboxes similar in design for diesels and petrol engines, there are quite a few non-interchangeable parts. All of them are very reliable and require only regular oil changes. The only transmission drawback of the "Merc" of this model is the rapid wear of the center support bearing of the driveshaft. But the ease of gear shifting leaves much to be desired.
The car's clutch is equipped with a central pressure spring and hydraulic drive. The basket and pressure plate often last up to 200 thousand km, but such mileage is usually not withstood by the release bearing. Therefore, having heard a characteristic squeak, hurry to replace it. Otherwise, a much more serious and expensive repair cannot be avoided: having jammed, the bearing will break the petals of the basket.
When buying, you should pay attention to the damping couplings of the driveshaft. There are two of them, next to the gearbox and on the rear axle. It is important that there are no visible tears on them. Otherwise, they will have to be replaced
Chassis
The front suspension is somewhat unusual: coil springs are located not around the shock absorbers, but next to them and rest at the bottom on powerful triangular levers, and at the top on support cups. With such a suspension, there are never cracks in the upper attachment points of the struts to the body. By the way, springs and support cups are selected according to a special company table, so their replacement, if necessary, is best entrusted to knowledgeable people. Camber-toe adjustment is very convenient, using eccentric bolts.
At the rear, the famous Mercedes multi-link suspension is installed. It is complex: 24 silent blocks, five levers per wheel. Despite the intricate design, it has a decent resource before replacing most levers and silent blocks - up to 200 thousand km. Naturally, provided that high-quality parts are installed. It's just that a complete overhaul of the suspension is not cheap.
Most modifications of the "190" are equipped with power steering. The main drawback of the steering is that with age, the steering mechanism develops increased play, which can be eliminated for a while with an adjusting screw.
The brakes of all MB-190 are very effective, since there are disc brake mechanisms at the front and rear. Moreover, there are versions equipped with ABS. A specific feature of the rear brakes is the parking brake - it is blocked by drum pads installed inside the disc. Therefore, many cars have problems with the parking brake.
Prices for parts and maintenance
Original parts still cost good money, but they also last accordingly. Some items, due to the age of the car, have already been discontinued, so you need to be prepared for this. But all the main spare parts are still in production.
Regarding service stations. Most people repair themselves, some stations may not even want to take it on.
There are currently problems with disassembly. Cars for parts are becoming less and less common, and almost no one brings them from Europe. In extreme cases, you will have to restore the factory part.
Summary
30 years ago, Mercedes-Benz really built amazingly reliable cars. But age, our roads, services, spare parts... And bringing the 190 into proper shape will be quite expensive.
Before buying, think: do you need it, a Mercedes-Benz? After all, the previous owner's incentive to buy was about the same: I want a super-reliable car. And he drove, most likely, accordingly. That is, until it started to fall apart completely, he only changed oil and filters. And when it "crumbled" - he decided to sell.
On the other hand, Mercedes-Benz is an extremely liquid product. Having bought not the most "killed" specimen, you can drive for a year or a year and a half without repairing anything, and sell it. In our country, even completely "dead" Mercedes-Benz cars are in good demand.
In terms of prices, this is expressed as follows: from $3000 for "driving" options of the first years and around $6500 for the most decent specimens of 1993.
You can view the catalog of used cars on our pages by going to the "Used cars" section.
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