1993 Mercedes-Benz 190
Summary:
Fantastic car, still well made in old tradition of M-B, unlike today's models
Faults:
Coil springs.
Alternator.
Climate control vacuum unit.
Radio.
General Comments:
Bought the car from original owner with genuine 84.000 Km on it. Today my Baby-Benz has 162.500 Km, and it is a pleasure to have it.
The above listed parts replacement is reasonable considering the vehicle's age. Some parts, like coil springs, are naturally subject to fatigue.
The only problem is that the new parts from dealer are too expensive, and the availability from scrap yards is quickly diminishing.
While driving the car also in winter, the paint is original and there is not a single rusty spot showing yet. Possibly due to my regular application of oil spray before each winter season.
Truly a great car, which made me think of buying a new one when the time comes.
Regrettably, based on widely publicised reports of outrageously poor quality of today's M-B models, I definitely will not.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 20th March, 2011
5th Jan 2015, 18:38
Dependability and durability are what made Mercedes' name, and it did cost to build a car like that. Hence, being expensive by necessity, it became a so-called "luxury" car. Yet it was the durability which made them the best taxis for decades.
You'd find faster cars, plusher cars, cheaper cars, or better-equipped cars during those days than a Mercedes, but people blindly bought Mercedes because they were simply good. Like a Rolex watch. You can't say that now - luxury simply means leather (which I don't care for anyhow) and high-tech gadgets that break and are too expensive to put right. Plus now there is no guarantee of absolute drivetrain reliability, which WAS the Mercedes selling point. I doubt Rolex would still be where it is if the diamonds on the numerals kept falling off or too many of them need to be taken back for unscheduled servicing.
Bells and whistles aside, they're really just the same now as all premium brands. Pick an Audi. Or a BMW. Even a Volvo or a modern Cadillac. Whatever you want. They won't be too different. If you want an upmarket car that is less likely to break down, it'll have to be Lexus (note I said upmarket - not luxury; luxury is what you make it out to be).
6th Jan 2015, 21:39
Every sentence of your comment is very true. I do know exactly what you mean about Lexus. Great cars, but they lack the badge (which I don't care about, but many do, and keep putting this brand down just because it's not a German).
I personally own a BMW 06 e92 coupe, but do love Mercs and their build quality, especially the early ones. I think in recent days they have picked up the game again and are trying to maintain the standard. Early models till the early 90s are very solid. And also the later ones aren't as bad as people on the forum say they are.
The issue generally is that most people who can't afford expensive brands, buy them at a cheap price, when they are not well looked after, then they don't maintain it or look after it cheaply, and they break down. Then all the blame goes to the manufacturer.
BMW has lots of reliability complaints as well. I have owned 11 of them, and not even one had any issue, just because I look after them. Even my current one is clocking close to 160k, and to date I've paid nothing outside of services and tyres.
5th Jan 2015, 01:28
I think it's worth considering 2012 models onwards, as they have very good feedback. Not models from 1995-2009. The one you have - if I were you I'd just keep it for good. A simple engine and bullet proof quality. Hope you still have it today.