W201/190E Baby Benz, 9 Month Review!

[@KUNIQUE]

Thanks for the nice words, Simon! I appreciate it very much! I am very happy to hear that I was able to encourage you. By the way, very great review and I have to admit that I'm a little jealous of the general condition of your car. You were really lucky. The fact that the entire history was present is also very valuable. Looking forward to more 190e content over the next year. I wish you a happy new year! Cheers

[@Nesboy85]

I 've been driving a '99 esprit C180 w202 for 8 years now. I 've put 100.000km (62137 miles) on the odometer since I bought it, giving it a total of 236.000km (146.644 miles) since new. I 've been very careful and detailed on the maintenance of the cars I 've owned, so the same happens with the w202. Never had any mechanical or electrical issues. The only thing that begun breaking was the AC pump that was leaking and had to full R134A every year. So 3 years ago I replaced it with a new. The car has been great. Great to daily drive & maintain, reliable & comfortable. The only thing I 've regretted was NOT buying it with an auto gear box. That is the biggest reason I am considering replacing it with a 2000-02 w210 e200 Kompressor. The fact that I am considering as a replacement an also 20+ year old car doesn't scare me at all, in contrast to my friends. I am very happy driving an older car and especially a Mercedes of that era. Most of my friends are giving a load of money buying new cars they can't afford or ENJOY road tripping because of the expense of their car leases or car debts. I 've enjoyed every debt-free KM driven in my w202, road tripping her every chance I get. Daily driving an older car is a way of life you can't get out of once you 've enjoyed...

[@spicynoodles11]

Any reason for the preference in transmission?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

You have just demonstrated, sir, that it fitted very nicely within the Sensible Secondhand Classics format when I drove it back in the autumn with the price that was paid for it. I did enjoy it very much! Thank you once again.

[@mattbourne1308]

Love what you did with this 190,l owned one when I lived in the UK,it was one of the last 1000 ever produced so it was a 1993, on a L reg. However I had a R129 SL 24V,so I emigrated with that car plus it also had AC which is a must in Queensland Australia

[@Lot76CARS]

Thanks for the comment, you must’ve had an LE I guess? An R129 is tempting and after this summer the lack of AC iis the only downer!

[@markonmotoring]

Channel name makes more sense having seen this. An old neighbour had a white 190 in period with a body kit on, not sure if it was a Cosworth or not. He swapped it in 1997 for a brand new C class direct from the factory. He still drives that very car today. Many people say that the 190 and early.C class are perhaps the last of the real quality built Mercedes.

[@Lot76CARS]

I’d agree on the build and can’t think of many 30 year old cars still capable of daily use. The channel happened because of the car and I was able to learn and share along the way. “Lot76” as I was struggling to be creative 😉

[@markonmotoring]

@@Lot76CARS A very similar story to my channel starting at a similar time based around a car purchase.

[@Lot76CARS]

@@markonmotoring I’m hopeful of getting the Merc up to Yorkshire for the Walton event next year fingers crossed.

[@markonmotoring]

@@Lot76CARS Excellent. I enjoyed last year's. Will have to try and catch up on the day.

[@tardeliesmagic]

Had one in 2001, 1988 2.0E. Been driving small cars for 10yrs non stop so decided to go bigger,it was fine for me & not too big for town,i wasn't nervous getting in a bigger car as it was just right for me. The ride was so comfy!

[@Lot76CARS]

You’re right they’re not big cars (compared with modern cars). I agree ride quality is far better than almost any current car in the same class today.

[@wtl7009]

Great video ! Also have 1 myself, it's a great car !

[@RuperScooper]

Love your videos. I purchased one in November and love it to bits. I’ve had a few frights with front wishbones replacement and rear springs etc not easy to find I can tell you and a bill for £1600 but hey when the big jobs are squared away she’s a beauty. Keep your videos coming a very useful source of ownership experience. 👍

[@Lot76CARS]

Thanks for the feedback. It’s great that these cars can still be kept on the road and being a global car means that there is often a good supply of parts still.

[@annapoliti7049]

Great Video. Thanks. I have just bought one. What a wonderful machine.

[@johnchant5965]

Hi just found this. I’ve owned mine for 2 years now. This is my third one. As with both the others I’ve had the water leaks from the sun roof where the small metal pipes for the drains fail. The front ones are relatively easy to repair in situ, but, if the rears have failed the whole sun roof has to come out. I’ve had a little bit of welding done underneath where sitting water from the sun roof leaks had caused rust. Other than that I’ve had no problems. On a 350 mile journey the other week to the Mercedes Club concourse day I actually managed 41.6 mpg.

[@Lot76CARS]

@@johnchant5965 I still have this car and it’s probably the longest I’ve ever owned one car. I have a (long overdue) update video planned in the next few weeks.

[@gaztambo139]

41.6 mpg, wow that’s encouraging. Sorely tempted to finally get one of these, and that’s quite impressive economy. Can I ask is it a 190E or 190D ? Which engine do you have. That sounds more like Diesel efficiency ?

[@Lot76CARS]

@gaztambo139 last tankful on a 300 mile trip I got 38 from my 2.0 petrol which I was pleased with.

[@gaztambo139]

@@Lot76CARS That’s pretty good, I only get 42 in my Mk4 Mondeo Diesel, although that’s pottering around town, which is not ideal for diesels with DPFs.

[@Lot76CARS]

@gaztambo139 i was surprised too, normally I’m getting 36 ish but it was a long run. Also I only ever use Esso E5 which is pricey but it does appear to run well on it

[@adrianseifi3285]

Fantastic video, subscribed! Would love to know more about the adapters for the stereo, am actually considering getting a 190E this year and already have my eyes set on the very same Continental radio.

[@Lot76CARS]

amzn.eu/d/9eIXwpD I used this adapter although it mentions S Class it worked fine.

[@colinleaford7317]

Great review. I have always fancied one of these having driven a brand new hired one in the late 80s. I agree about the Star on the bonnet, particularly in the dark.

[@Lot76CARS]

I have loved to have driven one new instead of my Ford Sierra 1.8GL

[@TheRealSpeedWolf]

The fuel pump and the alternator were always faulty on those models. Also, the rubber band that holds the exhaust in the back always seems to crack every one or two years. The heater works fine, but the air conditioner has a mind of its own. This is coming from someone who owns three 190. 190E 2.6, a 190D 2.4 turbo, and a 190E 2.3. They were all manufactured in 1993 and have similar issues.

[@Lot76CARS]

I must have got a bit luckier as mines a 1990, sadly almost none had air con here as it was an expensive option… more than 10% of the cars UK cost new,

[@TheRealSpeedWolf]

@@Lot76CARS The air conditioner is rubbish, especially if you're living in a hot climate. Even back then, when I purchased my first one back in 1997, it was only a few years old. The air conditioner was functional on occasion, but sometimes not at all. Frankly speaking, these are common problems with BMW and Mercedes-Benz. They are actually worse now, considering most of the components are plastic, and you don't have to be a genius to realize plastic components in the engine compartment will eventually break down. American and European cars have the best-looking designs in my opinion, but they are the least reliable. after owning a Lexus, Toyota, or Honda. You can never go back to owning such a vehicle again besides nostalgia. I actually owned a Jaguar that had a Toyota engine, which was perfect as I got the beauty of a Jaguar and the reliability of a Toyota. Another thing I remember about the 190, and this was a problem with all of them that I owned, was that if you turned the steering wheel to the maximum degree, you would misalign the steering, meaning the steering wheel would not be centered and you would have to realign it and add steering wheel fluid again. Overall, it is a fun car to drive. Granted, I can get the same experience on a Honda Civic without worrying about something breaking down or falling apart and then seeing the repair bill. obviously my opinion, :D

[@Andrew.bergin]

Nice, like you I hankered after a 90s car from new. Mine was the Mazda Xedos 6, finally I got one this year, now that I can afford the insurance 😂 a car I very much doubt I will sell. These 190s are a great looking car.

[@Lot76CARS]

I remember the Xedos 6 being on sale when I bought my first MX5 in the mid 90’s. The styling is spot on and the mechanicals totally Japanese reliable, such a pity so few sold and very few are left, I’d love to see one close up and have even been tempted to buy one to see but would have problems explaining that at home...

[@markotango54]

I owned 2 of the beauties a 2.0 190E auto l bought from my Brother in law. And a 2.0 190D manual which l bought for £750 and did 90k trouble free miles in.

[@mehrzahl2219]

Volvo 850 has a 90 deg opening bonnet too.

[@Lot76CARS]

Ah! I didn't know that! Thanks

[@El-Mariachi-Classics]

Yup, same as Old beemers and SAAB although they were in opposite direction

[@7beast298]

Wow so just to confirm, the dogleg transmission wasn't offered on any usdm 190e's? 🤔

[@Lot76CARS]

From memory wasn't the 2.3/2.5 16v Cosworth a dogleg manual?

[@peterjanvanbijnen226]

nice video

[@Lot76CARS]

Thanks, much appreciated!

[@adebrade172]

Out of interest what fuel are you putting in super unleaded or e10

[@Lot76CARS]

Exclusively E5, didn’t run so well on E10 and mpg was low anyway (from 36 down to 31/32). Wherever possible I use Esso E5 as (in most parts of the UK) it has NO ethanol added (despite the labelling which is a legal requirement).

[@Jonathan-dy7gq]

Good review but what's with the flippin mind numbing music? What are we? Nursery school?

[@Lot76CARS]

Thanks, I’ll take the complement. I recorded this the back end of last year and have changed/dumbed down the soundtrack which I accept could be irritating.

[@Backwardlooking]

Had ours 1993 from nearly new.

[@Lot76CARS]

I’ve just past the one year mark and whilst tempted to own other cars/brands not sure what I’d replace it with.

[@Backwardlooking]

@@Lot76CARS 👍🏻 There isn’t an alternative as regards Mercedes. The Bruno Secco equivalents such as the W124 are larger. The SL’s are complex and have issues. Even the later W124’s had the appalling eco wiring looms which literally disintegrate. After these a new Chief Executive insisted that the cars were ‘over-engineered’, they were and represented a period where the engineers dominated. For example if the Bosch injection failed they could still function mechanically. His arrival signified a disastrous downturn in quality and reliability as vehicles were built to a cost. Vid., J.D.Power. Only with the W/S212 did M.-B. return to quality and reliability. Everything about the W201 was special. I still have my 1983 Car Magazine where it was remarked that it was an S Klasse in miniature with the same standards of excellence and safety. That was echoed by J.K. Setwright (sic).

[@Lot76CARS]

@@Backwardlooking interesting, thanks. If I had four times my budget a 2.3/2.6 16v would be tempting or a 2.6 man. Left field would a a RHD 2.3 that sold in Australia.. and yes I’ve priced them up🤦‍♀️

[@Backwardlooking]

@@Lot76CARS A Merc Specialist remarked that the Cosworth 16v engines were “horrible “, and that the ‘best’ engine was the 2.6. However, if you have something such as your own “Better the Devil you know “. Enjoy what you have and like. “Looking doesn’t cost anything.” And that (male) remark applies to other desirable items but those reinforce my comments above.

[@roygardiner2229]

Saloon.....

[@adrianogatti7328]

2.0?

[@Lot76CARS]

Yes mine is a 2.0 )apparently the 1.8 engines has les torque but I haven’t experienced it). To be honest the 2.6 six cylinder would be lovely car it a friend tell me fuel consumption is a big penalty.