MERCEDES-BENZ 190E

Mercedes-Benz introduced the 190 class of small sedans in 1983, the first group of smaller Mercedes sedans since 1962. Amazingly, the 190 remained on the market for more than a decade, until the C-class arrived in 1994.

Sure, the rather pricy Baby Benz had its detractors: those who said it really wasn't a Mercedes at all, and that it had a cramped back seat and a tiny trunk. Maintenance costs have proved to be higher than the average, too. 

On the other hand, the 190 was a fairly serious driver's car, with good ride control from a taut suspension, strong brakes and linear, responsive steering. 

The key to this car's good road manners was a rigid passenger compartment that had many parts made of a special high-strength steel alloy. That strong body shell also was a safety benefit, as were deformable front and rear "crumple zones" and forked frame members which helped disperse impact energy, especially in offset collisions. A driver's side airbag was standard from 1990 onward, as were anti-lock braking. Seatbelts came with emergency tensioning retractors for both driver and front passenger.

If you're looking for the sportiest of 190s, you want versions equipped with the optional Sportline package, offered for the first time in 1992 and available for the 190E 2.6 sedan. This package included firmer shocks and springs, wider wheels and tires, a faster steering ratio and four-place sport seating. You'll be able to spot a 190 Sportline by badging on the front quarter panel and shift knob. 
Of the two engine choices, the pick is a 2.6-litre six-cylinder rated at 158 horsepower. The six is notably quicker than the 2.3-litre four-cylinder, yet it sips only slightly more fuel. 
While smallish, the 190 was a luxury car, so you'll find used models equipped with such passenger comfort and convenience items as air conditioning, automatic climate control, heated outside mirrors and windshield washer nozzles, cruise control, AM/FM stereo cassette radio, power windows, and central locking. 

Prices have held up pretty well over the years, in part because quality has been very good, aside from some issues related to the automatic transmission and cruise control. The core Mercedes values remain intact-safety, performance, ride quality. So if you're shopping for a used BMW 3-series, don't leave the 190 off your list.

CURRENT RED BOOK PRICING (avg. retail): MERCEDES-BENZ 190E 2.6
1998-NA
1997-NA
1996-NA
1995-NA
1994-NA
1993-$19,000 (original MSRP: $45,050)


BUYER'S ALERTS: Note that some cars had problems with soft shifts or slipping of the transmission, as well as some issues related to harsh shifts and erratic shift quality (TSB ATRATB268, Jan. 95; ATRATB259, Jan. 94). Also be on the lookout for drivetrain noise and vibration (41_018, April 95) and inconsistent cruise control performance (30_002, July 90). 

THE VERDICT: Smallish but good Mercedes that now represents an affordable executive sedan.

CHECK THE SPECS

1993 MERCEDES-BENZ 190E 
Market segment: near-luxury sedan.

Typical market competition: Acura Vigor, Legend, BMW 325i, Cadillac Seville STS, Lexus ES300, LS400, Pontiac Bonneville SSEi, Volvo 960, Infiniti Q45.

Drive system: front engine, rear drive; 2.3-litre L4 SOHC; fuelinjected; 130 horsepower (hp) at 5,100 rpm; 146 lbs-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm. 

Transmission: five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.. 

Steering: power recirculating ball.

Brakes: discs front/rear disc with standard anti-lock braking system (ABS). 

Tires: 185/65HR-15 all-season steel-belted radials.
Fuel economy: litres/100 km--11.7 city/12.6 highway.

Pros
* Good driver's car-brakes, steering, handling
* Very strong safety design/features

Cons
* Smallish back seat and trunk
* Higher than average maintenance costs

OVERALL SCORE: 8.0 (out of 10)

ROAD TEST REPORT CARD for 
Access: B
Driving position: B
Instruments/Controls: B- 
Visibility: C+ 
Climate Control: B
Steering: B+
Brakes: B+
Handling: B+ 
Acceleration: C-
Engine: B
Transmission: B 
Interior space: C 
Trunk/Cargo: D+
Noise/Vibration/Harshness: B

DURABILITY/RELIABILITY REPORT CARD for

Overall: B
Mechanical: B 
Hardware/Body/Paint/Trim: B

SAFETY REPORT CARD

Anti-lock braking: yes
Airbags (driver/passenger): yes/optional 
Traction control: no
Driver/Passenger Crash Protection (0-5 stars with five stars the best): NA

INSURANCE HISTORY

Theft claim cost rating: NA
Collision cost rating: NA
Comprehensive cost rating: NA