Mercedes 190 MPG?

[kramer81]

Can anyone tell me what kind of MPG I would expect from a Merc 190 (manual) 1.8 or 2.0 petrol, or 2.0 diesel.

Anything particular I should look out for when buying?

[rojash]

Can't tell you mpg, but don't get the 1.8 it's WAAAAAYYY under-powered.

[tali122]

maybe he's not in a hurry.....anyway
What's Good
Build quality, solidity, door latching system. 14' 7" long by 5. 6" wide and from 1,080kg. Takes age and mileage very well indeed if properly maintained. 1989 model-year facelift brought more legroom in back. Hard, flat seats like those of W123 are longest-lasting seats I know. Good autoboxes. 190 2.0 carb engine has 90 bhp, 1.8 injection 113 bhp, 2.0 injection 122 bhp. Was a 136 bhp 2.3 injection in Europe, LHD only. Better built than C Class which followed. Useful online forum www.mbclub.co.uk Usergroup www.mercedesclub.org.uk


What's Bad
Hard, flat seats not comfortable for everyone. 'Simplex' timing chains on pre-1989 model-year cars prone to snap at around 60,000 miles. Some facelift cars (with lower body side-moulding) used up old stocks of 'Simplex' engines. Tinny boot lid. Clumsy manual gearbox. Mechanism of single arm wiper needs freqent greasing and is not included in normal Mercedes service schedules.
What to Watch Out For
If buying an 'F' or 'G' four-cylinder 190 or 190E, open the oil filler cap and look at timing chain underneath. Single link = 'Simplex'; Double link = 'Duplex'. If buying high mileage, make sure service records show 5,000-mile oil changes. 190s more than 10 years old may have started to rust. Clonking autoboxes. Noisy rear axles. Power steering leaks. Kerb damage to front suspension (look for uneven tyre wear). Clocking of these cars is rife so a full service history with receipts and old MOTs tells you a lot more than that the car has been properly serviced.