190E or 230E or 260E

[raquino]

I'm always fascinated with Euro cars. For MB's, I always loved the 190E.
If you were to choose for a daily driver, what would you suggest? 190E, 230E or 260E? Would like to purchase a 2nd car which I coul drive daily like bringing kids to school. What troubles me though is that a lot of people keep telling me that maintaining an old MB car would be difficult and magastos daw. Mahirap ba talaga maintain ang MB? Gusto ko sana 260E. Kumusta fuel consumption ng 190E, 230E or 260E? Since these are old cars, kumusta pyesa? di ba sirain and lagi ako paayos. Can you compare the 3 models and which would you prefer? Will these cars be also good for long distance driving without worries? Madali ba makahanaop ng good conditioned car if ever? Need your inputs.

[Benzmizer]

I'm always fascinated with Euro cars. For MB's, I always loved the 190E.
If you were to choose for a daily driver, what would you suggest? 190E, 230E or 260E? Would like to purchase a 2nd car which I coul drive daily like bringing kids to school. What troubles me though is that a lot of people keep telling me that maintaining an old MB car would be difficult and magastos daw. Mahirap ba talaga maintain ang MB? Gusto ko sana 260E. Kumusta fuel consumption ng 190E, 230E or 260E? Since these are old cars, kumusta pyesa? di ba sirain and lagi ako paayos. Can you compare the 3 models and which would you prefer? Will these cars be also good for long distance driving without worries? Madali ba makahanaop ng good conditioned car if ever? Need your inputs.

The 190e wins in terms of maneuverability. being a C-Class, it's smaller in size vs. the 124 (E-Class). Quite ideal -- specially when used mostly in the Metro.

In terms of interior space comfort, the 124 wins over the 201 (190e). The kids would surely enjoy the space it provides when they go to school.

Maintenance parts for these MB models are available. They may be a little more expensive than Japanese parts you may be accustomed to buying BUT is proven to last longer. Ergo, when you fix an MB, make sure you use it (and not sell it right after the fix).

It is a known fact that any car (any brand) with age would require more maintenance/TLC. This does not single out MB models. One way you could reduce the risk of getting a "problematic" MB is by acquiring one from which you know the level of maintenance the current owner gives it. Makes sure to bring a reputable/trusted mechanic knowledgeable on MB cars when you see a unit.

Personally, I would go for a 124 260e. It has the space and power to weight ratio is ideal.

Hope this helps and Good luck!

[lowslowbenz]

The 190e wins in terms of maneuverability. being a C-Class, it's smaller in size vs. the 124 (E-Class). Quite ideal -- specially when used mostly in the Metro.

In terms of interior space comfort, the 124 wins over the 201 (190e). The kids would surely enjoy the space it provides when they go to school.

Maintenance parts for these MB models are available. They may be a little more expensive than Japanese parts you may be accustomed to buying BUT is proven to last longer. Ergo, when you fix an MB, make sure you use it (and not sell it right after the fix).

It is a known fact that any car (any brand) with age would require more maintenance/TLC. This does not single out MB models. One way you could reduce the risk of getting a "problematic" MB is by acquiring one from which you know the level of maintenance the current owner gives it. Makes sure to bring a reputable/trusted mechanic knowledgeable on MB cars when you see a unit.

Personally, I would go for a 124 260e. It has the space and power to weight ratio is ideal.

Hope this helps and Good luck!

+ 1 on the 260E

Fuel consumption among the three variants is a close fight ....

So don't assume that if its a 4 banger ... it will consume less fuel than the 6 inline ... in some occasions ... the sixer can be more economical ...

Good luck on your first MB.

[ronw123w124]

I'm always fascinated with Euro cars. For MB's, I always loved the 190E.
If you were to choose for a daily driver, what would you suggest? 190E, 230E or 260E? Would like to purchase a 2nd car which I coul drive daily like bringing kids to school. What troubles me though is that a lot of people keep telling me that maintaining an old MB car would be difficult and magastos daw. Mahirap ba talaga maintain ang MB? Gusto ko sana 260E. Kumusta fuel consumption ng 190E, 230E or 260E? Since these are old cars, kumusta pyesa? di ba sirain and lagi ako paayos. Can you compare the 3 models and which would you prefer? Will these cars be also good for long distance driving without worries? Madali ba makahanaop ng good conditioned car if ever? Need your inputs.

Welcome to the world of MB's, all your choices seem to be good candidates for a daily driver, one word of advice I can give is wag kang papadala sa mga sabi-sabi na mahirap mag-maintain ng MB, assuming you're able to buy a well maintained unit then you will only need to look after it very well (religiously following your PMS schedule). Between your choices, ang bibilhin ko eh kung ano yung pinakamagandang condition na pasok sa budget ko. If fuel consumption is one of your priorities then I would suggest a diesel MB. I myself drive a w123 300D on a daily basis.

[Benzmizer]

.....wag kang papadala sa mga sabi-sabi na mahirap mag-maintain ng MB, assuming you're able to buy a well maintained unit then you will only need to look after it very well.....

+1 to this too. Believe me when I say, "There is no such thing as a PERFECT vehicle.".... not even brand new ones are spared from this fact.

Hope you get yourself an MB soon..... and join the club!

[raquino]

Thank you so much for the replies. Am really looking forward to get one basta pumayag si kumander. hahaha always the case when talking about gastos, lalo na ngayon that we're in the process of building a house. Will be scouting for one soon pag uwi ko. I may need your help when choosing one. 124 ang gusto ko kasi it looks more comfortable and bigger though nasa isip ko pa rin ang 190E. Is it true that it's easier to find a well maitained 260 than a 190?
What is the going rate for both cars?

[mbeige]

The 190E is a PERFECT city car. Small, very maneuverable, light and has great handling. On the highway, it can get a little bit too tight, meaning it's a bit fidgety because it's a light chassis and the suspension is geared to performance (remember, the 190E had pedigree with the 2.3-16v and 2.5-16v). They are VERY good cars to own, a little bit temperamental if you do not know what you are doing, but can get very lovable once you know what makes it happy.

The 260E has the same engine as a 190E 2.6, but as mentioned above is in a larger chassis. Fuel efficiency is not as good as the 190E due to the larger chassis (more weight to lug around) but if you do a lot of highway driving, the 260E is more comfortable on the highway than the 190E. Both cars have legendary MB maneuverability. The 260E's larger chassis does not exempt it from being good in tight spaces.

However, the 260E is a base model W124. Not many amenities, if that's what you're looking for. That makes it more reliable, because there are less items to break down.

With regards to the 230E, which chassis did you want to look at? W123 and W124 both had 230E variants. W123 is the chassis before the W124, different suspension setup and altogether a different car. If you compare the W123 and W124, you can see MB used the existing W123 design and made it more modern and more ergonomic in the W124.

If you want a W124 (seems like you do), get the diesel. Matipid, has the looks of the W124, and if you get lucky you can get the turbo diesel model (very powerful engine for a car of its vintage and size). Sarap ihataw sa highway, matipid around town. Simpler engine to tune than comparable gasoline model din siya. Meron din 300D 2.5 (or 250D), which is one cylinder less (300D has 6 cylinders, 300D 2.5 or 250D had 5).

[lowslowbenz]

Agree ..... a diesel Merc ...... the best of both worlds ... luxury and practicality ...

Lahat kami na sumagot dito sa thread mo drive a diesel MB as well ....

Yung akin ang pinaka-base model .. W123-200D manual everything ...

[the josh]

I like them all but I prefer the smaller 190e , I drive the 2.0L carburetted version and it's very reliable

[xoom]

Thank you so much for the replies. Am really looking forward to get one basta pumayag si kumander. hahaha always the case when talking about gastos, lalo na ngayon that we're in the process of building a house. Will be scouting for one soon pag uwi ko. I may need your help when choosing one. 124 ang gusto ko kasi it looks more comfortable and bigger though nasa isip ko pa rin ang 190E. Is it true that it's easier to find a well maitained 260 than a 190?
What is the going rate for both cars?

wala kang tulak-kabigin both sa w124 or w201, both are superb machines. i drive a w201 manual, 2.0, fuel injected and nothing makes me more happier than cruising with her, city or out of town. mas matipid pa nga sya relatively than my gli corolla. ang pintas ko lang sa 190e, maliit talaga ang leg room sa likod but it has never bothered me since ako lang naman lagi karga nya the wife and the kids... dun sila sa suv, kahit magpagulung-gulong pa sila sa loob

madali lang bihisan ang benz, the 190e in my case. di na kailangan ng maraming burloloy. salpakan mo lang ng 17" amg monobloc/lorinzer wheels with 40 series tires, semi-lowered and peel off the tints then itabi mo sa mga latest civics and rollas tingnan mo kung sino pa ang mas head turner iba pa rin ang tindig ng benz kahit pa 2 decades old na sya. a benz is a benz, period pag nakaluwag-luwag, i'll be hunting for a w124 turbo diesel wagon. yan ang dream family car ko.

good luck sir and happy hunting.

[Benzmizer]

.....i'll be hunting for a w124 turbo diesel wagon. yan ang dream family car ko.

I know of one in the market. If interested, PM me.

[xoom]

I know of one in the market. If interested, PM me.

sir could you email me pics of her? will PM you my email addie. as of now, hold muna ang plan ko bec. of cash liquidity still waiting for my 2 projects to push through a few months from now. election ban pa kase kaya di pa mahilot ang kontrata kay gov. at mayor

i'm dreaming of a white euro, manual 300TD W124 sana, the more stock condition, the better. pa-include na din sir ng VIN and price tag. oh, and sana merong dognet

TIA

[raquino]

You guys really make me more interested in getting one. Diesel would always be great and MB is really noted for diesels. Puro diesel ang sasakyan ko lately including my suv. Hirap tuloy pumili. Since most of you drive diesels then siguro first choice ko na rin siya. then 260E or 190 E para kaya ni misis drive. what is the estimated fuel consumption for these models? what is the prize range for a well maitained car? iba-iba kasi prizes nakikita ko sa ads. Thanks again.

[lowslowbenz]

RE: price range ... that really depends ... but its in the high 300's to the low 100's ... this of course is relevant to the condition of the vehicle ... (unless you come across a pristine example that's on suicide sale) .. so its best practise to really see the car personally before making any assumptions ... even better if you have an MB mechanic with you.

In an MB .... CONDITION is EVERYTHING ... mileage is irrelevant ... these cars can go on like forever given the proper manitenance and care it deserves. Some MBCP members have cars with mileage comparable to a trip to the moon and back .... the cars are still in tip-top shape .... used everyday ... come rain or shine ...

Shop around .... don't jump on the first juicy deal that comes your way .... nothing is MORE EXPENSIVE ... than a cheap Benz .... you'll end up spending more than the car's worth ... a nightmare of first time MB owners .. hence the proverbial "Mahal mag-maintain ng Benz" mentality ...

Research ... Google .... use the internet .... ask around ... it pays to have advance knowledge of the models you want. The World Wide Web is a treasure trove of ideas related to anything Mercedes.

RE: Diesel MB's .... Advance Welcome to you ... should you "really" decide on a diesel Merc .... The diesels are very well known for their sturdy and bulletproof engines ... (I think Pat, Bob, Ron and myself will agree on this) ... I suggest you get a W124-300D as what Pat mentioned ... again condition is everything ..... ask the owner for service records and other paperwork ... One clear advantage of the diesels over the gas models is that its worry free .... a religious routine of changing the appropriate lubricants and filters is recommended though ... (air, oil, fuel filters)

Mahaba na ... again goodluck on your first MB ..

[raquino]

Thanks to you all! you're very helpful. love this community. will search the net and learn about these MB's, shop around and see what suits me well. the diesel could be my first choice. will let you know when i'm decided and ask your help once more with a good mechanic to help me. will keep you posted.

[mbeige]

We took the 190E to a trip to Santa Barbara last Wednesday. Right now we are in Solvang, residing at the inn where the characters of Sideways also stayed. Car performed flawlessly.

My car is back in the garage. But it's ready for a trip at any time. That's my maintenance principle anyway.

Yes I'm one of those members with high mileage cars (215k miles on both 300D and 190E, 250k miles on the 300TE which is my mother's car). The 300TE received some transmission work recently as well as new serpentine belt, tensioner, tensioner shock and a thorough once over, and should be good to go once more.

Went on the highway with the 190E and computed 18mpg. It's pretty low but we forgot to top off before the trip (with 40 miles logged in). BUT, I was testing the car's AC and heating ability prior to the trip (replaced one part which I had to test with engine running to generate heat for side vent issue). So I had a lot of fuel used up just idling. Pero 18mpg pa rin siya despite that.

[HBOY]

any model you choose.. just choose the best one you can afford...:D

[busdriver]

I know of one in the market. If interested, PM me.

Hey Bob, ba't di ko ata alam yan? Ako din naghahanap nyan. He he...
Yung tulad nung kay D***, 300TD Turbo Sportsline meron?

[Benzmizer]

Hey Bob, ba't di ko ata alam yan? Ako din naghahanap nyan. He he...
Yung tulad nung kay D***, 300TD Turbo Sportsline meron?

Hehehe! In search ka pa ba? Nope, this aint a 90s diesel turbo estate.... moreover a Sportline such as D***'s. '87 300TDT AT eto pero may features (aesthetic) adapting it to look like a 92-93 model diesel turbo.

Interested?

[mbeige]

Sarap pormahan ang estate!






190E 2.3-16v or E320 Carlsson estate?