1984 Mercedes-Benz 190 E review from North America

Bought used, 2 owner brother/sister, all original miles with rebuild top end (valve train) and rebuild manual 5 speed transmission. At least 2 front end "wrecks" on the car previously, both fixed with no further complicates.

Immediately replaced the final drive due to differential "roar" noise.

Ignition column went out which required significant "messing with" to get fixed.

Fuel pump quit, but it was only the hot lead, was reattached and worked.

Ball joint broke and dropped the front left suspension (but it's my fault cause I ignored my mechanics advice to replace).

Odometer broke about 2 months after purchase, current miles are guessed from my fuel log.

Tends to run hot, one wire frayed on the wiring harness for Aux fan, but even hot it never gets above 110 C in the summer except in stop and go.

Overall - it has many small items such as door locks don't work, antenna doesn't work right, speakers blown, etc. - but it's my daily driver.

Its not an "on the town" car, and supposedly the early 190E's had problems, but overall, mine has been solid as a rock.

It gets 20-30 mpg depending on the driving style and I can sometimes drive it hard.

5th gear on the manuals is basically worthless in the US cause you have to be going 75 or higher.

Great 1st car for a teen or something as long as you can find one that has been treated well.

How many reviews have cars with over 300,000 miles? :-)

I can tell you, going from a 1987 Civic to the 1984 190E was a huge step UP!

Not for sale, will drive it until it drops, will write another review in for the next 300,000 miles.