Transmission replaced at 165,000 miles. Cost: $2500.
Sunroof repaired around 120,000. Cost: $1200.
Replaced water-pump at 180,000 miles. Cost: $1700.
Lower radiator leak at 180,000 miles, was repaired.
Entire suspension (front struts, ball joints, etc.. and rear shocks) replaced at 170,000 miles. Cost: $2500 (approximately)
Brake Rotors replaced at 170,000 miles.
Air conditioning repaired at 170,000 miles.
The sound-dampening pad under the hood has deteriorated very badly and needs to be replaced, for about $150.
The automatic antenna no longer goes up.
2 of 4 air vents on the dashboard no longer close.
I have loved this car and will hate to give it up, but it is beginning to cost A LOT of money.
The handling is impressive, and while it is not quick from a stop the engine always has more left to give you, no matter what speed you are going.
Braking is incredible, and coupled with the great handling, the car feels very safe at any speed.
The interior has held up remarkably well, the leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter still look good, and the wood on the dash is mainly intact. The wood around the shifter has cracked a bit from sun damage, but the car is never garaged. The seats have not cracked or ripped at all.
It's a much better car than I think its designation as the "baby Benz" would have you believe. There is really no comparison between it and the 3 series BMW's from the same era; it is more comparable to the 5 series in performance and appointments. According to two mechanics I have spoken with it also has a better engine than the 300Es, which have a tendency to blow their head gaskets over about 125,000 miles, a $3000 repair.
You paid $1700 to get your Water Pump replaced, that's a lot. Maybe you need a new Mechanic. My Brother and I replaced the Water Pump on our 1991 190E in 9 hours. It only cost us $216.
I'm considering a 1992 190E 2.3 4-cyl with 5-speed manual for $2500. It has approx 100k miles and is in very good condition visually inside and out. The clutch recently failed and was replaced. I drive about 300 miles per week; mostly uncrowded freeway miles.
I'm concerned about some of the maintenance costs mentioned in this and some other posts. I can handle much routine maintenance and I'm certainly not poor, but I can't afford (time or money) to fix the car every other weekend. I've never owned a "premium brand" car before, but have always liked most of the German brands. It's just that I'm used to Japanese reliability. No offense, but most European car owners tend to rave about how great their cars are right before they tell you about the $3000 they just spent on maintenance. If this is really the deal with these cars please tell me and I'll pass.
I believe this car is good deal (even though it has the most basic drivetrain available in this model) as long as I don't get stuck putting two or three thousand dollars per year into it. It's getting to that age!
I like the car, but can't afford an expensive headache. Any opinions? Thanks in advance.
Re: previous post. I'm the 2nd owner of a '91 190E 2.3 5 speed. In the two years that I've owned it I've only changed oil and tires. The car is slow, yet it's nice to drive and is well built. It isn't sporty in the least. I've installed sheepskins as the seats are rather firm. I would check previous owner's paperwork/history before buying. Also, ask Mercedes owners where they take their cars to be serviced. Perhaps have it checked before buying. My friend had the car serviced in Tel Aviv and was always ripped off by the dealer. The Mercedes dealers near me in Southern California aren't any different.
I am the second owner of an 86 190e 2.3. I bought the car in 1997 with 56,000 miles on it. I drove it sparingly for three years and then stored it while I was overseas for three years. A year after taking it out of storage in 2004, I happily motored for about a year until I had to replace the radiator, followed shortly by a complete engine head rebuild. Six months later everything has just broke starting with the automatic transmission failing, antenna motor has failed, drivers door lock broke, belt tensioner failed, water pump failed, clock failed. I have spent almost every weekend and hundreds of dollars just keeping it running. Most of the work I am doing on my own now since I have easily surpassed the small value of the car. The car has 81,000 miles on it and has been garaged its whole life. In the cars defense, it is 20 years old, the build of the car remains impressive, and it is still a nice driver. Unfortunately, I can't totally rely on it anymore and it is a love/hate relationship. Regretfully, time to sell and find something newer.
Currently I own a 1991 Baby Benz. I bought it in March from a second owner, who had the repair bills he did in an envelope. He took good care of the vehicle.
Lately the engine has started to overheat. Well today it steamed a little bit, so I am in a quandary of what the issue may be. I did notice when the temp of the car is warm, no air conditioning, so that also concerns me.
Otherwise I love the car, I hope it will not be an expensive repair bill. But they say when you buy luxury, expect to pay luxury repair bills.
I am the owner of a 1991 Mercedes 300 SE. It is currently in the shop getting brake pads, a radiator leak checked out and a mid-shift bearing (not quite sure if this is how it is spelled).
Unfortunately, I have just found out that I do not have a radiator leak, but I have a blown head gasket. I just bought this car in October from a used car dealer - no warranty - was just curious if there is a mechanic that can replace it for less than $3000.
I love my car and I can't afford to buy another anything since I have only had this for 2 months.
I had a problem with my car running hot; I just had the head gasket done on my 190E 2.3 for $1,100 plus $ $500 for a new aftermarket radiatior and all is well. You need to find a good mechanic NOT affiliated with a M/B dealership. Mine used to worh for one in the area and now has his own shop specializing in all models/years of Mercedes. I'm very lucky, I hope you can do so as well.
Why so expensive for the gasket replacement.
The repair kit will only cost USD 55.
http://www.autopartsworld.com/1990_mercedes-benz_190e-2-3_cylinder-head-gasket-set_parts.html
The head gasket itself costs $55, but the labor is going to kill you. This is typical for all cars, and is probably the single most labor-intensive task one can do on a car, when compared with the price of the parts involved.
I own a '91 190E 2.6 with a 5 speed. Great car. Very fun although mine is plagued by rust and a somewhat shady history. Nonetheless, I just wanted to comment about your repair bill. It's completely outrageous. You must be going to a dealer or the likes. I've replaced my water pump for 250$ CDN parts and labor included. My sunroof also only costed me 60$ labor, but it was only the seal.
Regardless, if you still own the car, you might want to change mechanic. As for the 300's engine, they're the same as the 2.6 (M103) they've only incresead the bore. Most parts are interchangeable between the 2.6 and 3.0. As for the gasket problem, mine only has around 100K miles so I couldn't tell you. We also own a 300E with over 200K miles, original engine/trans. and it still pulls strong.
Have owned a '91 190E 2.6 5 speed for several years. It now shows 158,000 miles on the clock, is still beautifully rust free despite living in the Chicago area, gets me 23 MPG in the city, and as high as 34 MPG on the highway.
Repairs are to be expected on a 17 year old car, keeping in mind that preventative maintenance goes a long way in a quality automobile.
It has been a fun ride, comfortable for long distance driving and won't beat you to death like the low priced machines. When all is said and done you get what you pay for.
I recently purchased a 1990 MBZ 190e 2.6 with 110k miles.
I bought it to replace a 91 Mazda MPV van. The MBZ was bought to be a work car. Then my wife drove it. She loves the seats (power) and refuses to give the car back! Bought it from the original owners (a family) for $1900! Doesn't drive like a $2000 car! After a week of research here's what I have found out.
MBZ was worried that this car might not be successful so it was over engineered! It has a five link rear suspension! Name another new car that is comparable. It will likely cost in the mid 5 figures. This car has 4 wheel ABS, and a drivers air bag. Central locking is handy! While the drivers mirror is manual the passenger mirror is power! The switch is on the center console within easy reach.
The 190e was designed by Bruno Sacco and you keep noticing little things about the design every time you wash it!
The tail light lenses are ribbed to help keep them clean!
Stand next to one of these tidy little sedans and notice how low it is. I cannot believe I never really noticed the 201 series MBZ cars. And I consider myself knowledgeable about cars. I am the service manager at an independent auto repair facility and have to admit this MBZ was not on my radar.
Now that these cars are close to 20 years old parts are reasonable if you shop around. Make sure you find a car with a good maintenance history or have a pre-purchase inspection done before you plunk done your money!
And of course go for the lowest mileage one you can find.
No less than Peter Egan of Road & Track and LJK Setright another auto scribe put the 190e 2.6 in their top 10 cars!
I never thought I would own a MBZ unless I won the lottery!The 2.6 has made me a believer! The ride has to be experienced to be believed.
Beat the Bushes! Watch Craig's List and Cars. com amd maybe you too will become a 2.6 owner! It's a GREAT car!
Best Regards,
RPH.
We have 2 1991 190E 2.6, one of which which had 100k kms on it when we bought it in 1999, the other with 64k kms on it when bought in 2000. The higher mileage one, now with 180k (my wife's winter car), had a spotty service record, the other was complete.
Since we bought them they have been serviced by the book except for more frequent, synthetic oil changes at 6k. Some differences as a result of service histories are instructive. Don't buy one where MB coolant change was not done every 3 years, because everything in the cooling system, starting with the hard to get at waterpump, radiator, heater core, etc. will go. On the lower mileage one, now 150k (I don't drive it to work), the water pump lasted until this year and nothing else in cooling system has gone. Ditto brake fluid. Change every 2 years.
In western Canada the mufflers last about 10 yrs, no matter how much or little you drive.
With a little care and a garage, the bodies and paint hold up very well. The cladded models stand up better around the doors than earlier, uncladded ones.
They don't have a lot of traction on snow & ice. I forgot how good stud tires are until we put them on one of them.
Amazingly, both have original shocks but steering shocks had to be replaced once.
AC is pretty bullet proof. Still working on the higher mileage one; the other, after conversion 6 yrs ago just packed it in: evaporator leaking -- looking at independents to fix because the dealer's $ 3,700 estimate (with new heater core, just in case) is prohibitive.
They're wonderful, strong cars and love a curvy highway. Preventative maintenance saves $$.
MM.
I don't know what you guys are talking about. Mine has 425000 miles, and I've owned it for 4 years, and had 1 oil change and never had a tune up. Did replace the water pump; they wanted to charge $800, but I had it done for $85, so I doubt there is fact on this page ha.
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