1992 Mercedes-Benz 190 E from North America - Comments

My head gasket blew at 35,000 miles (car was five years old). Mercedes paid half the cost of replacement.

I needed a new radiator at 55,000 miles when the car was seven years old.

I needed new valve seals at 64,000 miles when the car was nine years old.

I needed a new right rear window motor at 65,200 miles when the car was nine years old.

The seat belt has worn the seam of the MB-TEX on the driver's seat.

This car is built to last. Although I have had to put money into maintaining it, it runs like new. The car is solid and there is not a rattle in it after close to ten years of mainly urban driving.

I feel confident on the road with this car. It is stable and secure. On the highway, the car feels like it can run forever.

I read your review. I think some of your problems stem from the fact that you bought the car from someone who did not do basic maintenence. I have a 93 190. It has only been maintained up to 80,000 miles. Maintenence has been a little expensive, 500 every 15,000 miles + oil changes. Just brakes and a strut type of product up to now.

I did just have a $1300 air conditioning issue. It is just such an excellent car, it is worth the maintenance costs.

I understand that the radiator and rear window problems are quite common on this car. The valve seals problem does indeed sound like a poor maintenance issue.

In response to the comments, I purchased the car new, and maintained it not only in accordance to the maintenance schedule, but in excess of the maintenance schedule. I had the scheduled maintenance done when called for by the manual, and changed the oil every 3,0000 miles. I had the brakes flushed every year and the coolant changed every two years. In addition, I used only synthetic oil for eight years of the car's life. In short, the valve seal problem was not due to poor maintenance, but due to the passage of time.

Hi. In 1992, I purchased my first 1992 Mercedes-Benz SL 500: Triple Black. I respect the maintenance schedule up to this day, 6-30-03. I have not had any problems with my car.

Presently, it has 50k miles (I bought it with 2 miles.) -- it is fast, strong, and reliable, and I just love the design. In my opinion, barring lemons and just plain bad luck, if you keep the maintenance schedule, you should not have any major problems with this car other than those associated to wear.

In the city, San Francisco, the 500 SL feels a bit heavy; however, the freeway, highway, and winding roads, accentuates the 500 SL's performance package, and you come away feeling that you have an exclusive well-balanced sports/luxury car.

I drive a Ferrari on the weekends; the 500 SL is my daily driver along with my 1997 C280. The Mercedes-Benz provides me with weekday fun, of which my Ferrari is incapable -- a nice alternative to the Ferrari.

Synthetic oil? my car runs on mineral oil, has 17 years now and still reaches 180kmp/h!!! 210 000kms I am the 4th owner and push it all the time! It doesn't BREAK! amazing!!! redlining a 2000cc diesel isn't the thing to do, bu t I've done it for the past 70 K, and it... just isn't enough... with a 5 gear speed box 200kmph would be achievable...