Real Road Test: Mercedes-Benz 190E (W201) - distinctive class
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- Опубликовано: 25 июл 2024
- The Bruno Sacco-era Mercedes-Benz cars are some of the best the company ever made. Unique style, thorough engineering and huge comfort. But does the baby Benz deliver in the same way as its larger stablemates?
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I feel ambivalent about this. On one hand, it's wonderful seeing a Benz from the tail end of the golden era. On the other hand, it's enough to make me weep over how far M-B has fallen over the past 25 years or so.
A proper Mercedes-Benz from a bygone age.
I should then sell my corolla and keep driving my 190 😂😂
From a time when Mercedes were built to a standard, not a cost.
Like most things these days.
1996E class was truly the beginning of the decline
A proper Mercedes, engineered and a classy car. Complete opposite to the awful, cheap crap that they churn out these days and the new A-Class is a dreadful car. This was when German engineering was actually a thing, not an image fest. You wouldn’t get such a cool wiper these days as it would cost too much. Great review Ian.
When Mercedes was reliable and with elegant timeless design
These days they're just trying to out-bling the Bavarians.
Early C-Classes were also good before the ill fated merger with Chrysler
I remember back in the late 1990s, the average age of a Mercedes when it was scrapped here in Norway, was something like 22 years old.
What a lovely example! I like the Mercedes-Benzs of this era before they went 'bling bling'.
Nearly 30 years ago when it was time to replace the family car I hoped that my dad would buy a secondhand 190 or a W/S124 but he was apprehensive about the running costs of owning a German car at the time.
Why? Mercedes were building some W201 in Jelcz-Laskowice, Poland 30 yr ago ... prior to EU Membership!
So many 1980s-dated sweet memories of the 190. Such a classy car. Very fashionable back in the day, and a masterpiece by fellow Italian Mr Bruno Sacco.
I had one of these as my first car. I bought it off my elderly neighbor who had decided to sop driving. It was in immaculate condition with 90000 miles. Frank was my trusty steed all through high school and college. He has been with me through thick and thin, I am planning a restoration to spruce him up a bit. Love a good old Merc
Along with my 280TE in that red, I have a 190 2.3 8V in gunmetal. 160K miles and still rock solid. Wonderful cars.
Did few laps in a Sixt rental 190E 2.0 1992 ....on the Nurburgring Nordschliffe....can confirm very good handling on the limit..on return " ze tyres are very worn Sir! " he said with a smile. Now drive '95 W124 E280 Masterpiece
I have the 2.0 automatic 190E.
Absolutely love it, and it's been my daily drive for over two years.
I don't think I could go back to a modern car now.
I like the way it's a very _carry_ looking car... If that makes sense?
No stupid childish rounded edges, or flashy LED's or screens. No ugly tiny brake lights, or annoying blue xenon headlights.
It's just a good, sensible, respectable, reliable car... from a time when cars were made for adults.
I had one of these on an H plate in the early 2000s. It was twelve years old when I bought it, I did about 30,000 miles a year in it for six years before it developed too many faults, and I sold it as a restoration project. Happy times!
Marvellous! At the time these cars came out, they were an incredible success from the beginning. Customers had to wait two years and longer to get one. Workers in the Daimler-Benz Imperium could buy the 190 earlier and for a reduced price; but they had to keep them at least for one year before selling them (Jahreswagen). And they did sell them: to impatient folks for a higher price. In my surrounding there are still so many as daily drivers on the roads - it’s fantastic! Very well told story. The German word “Einspritzung” you did pronounce correctly. Cheers • Martin
Loved the end where Miss HubNut realizes she'd been abandoned 😂Great car, it's in very good condition and I love the colour on it!
My favourite bit haha
That car is in excellent condition. Looks like it’s very comfortable to ride in.
The great great majority of them in Greece were equipped with this engine (of course due to tax)
So much class
An all time classic design
Back in the days, I really really wanted one of these.... and I still do !
Timeless! Best looking Mercedes ever made.
A Mercedes as you remember a Mercedes! This is a very good copy.
I used to own a 1986 example. It even had wind up windows! Everything you said about it is spot on. I passed it on to my nephew and I should have kept it really. These Benz's don't do anything out of the ordinary, they are just brilliant at being an everyday car.
Nice brings back memories of my Dad he had one of these and even now says it was the best car he ever had.
The ultimate euro taxi, especially in 2litre diesel form. Paris and Brussels swarmed with them. Very Pinto-esque air box on this one.
I had a 1992 2.5d in pearl blue and it was a fantastic motor. No ball of fire but would cruise all day, effortlessly at motorway speeds. I do like Cambrian Classics example. Almandinerot is a good colour on the W201 and W124. A true, timeless, modern classic.
Mercedes Benz cars from this era stood out from all other brands as they were properly engineered and rigorously tested. I would not buy any Mercedes Benz from the year 2000 onwards as they are no better than any other car and in many cases worse. Very good review
What happy memories that you have given me by seeing a car that family friends use to drive and I use to see quite often and not any more. What an amazing version of the Mercedes Benz 190E.
I loved my old 109e. One of the techs at my old job did a twin turbo conversion on his 2.6
In Portugal, the 190D (Diesel is/was king here) was the top Taxi vehicle for many many years, and I still see some around in my town. I also have a family member that has one.
I love those wheel covers. I don't think they were ever even offered here in the States.
I had a 2 litre carb manual 1984. It had single wiper and the interior was the same as what you have just expertly tested. The interior is called quartz, and the optional extra console called a taxi console is made from a wood called zebrano. Like most of my past cars, Iwish I still had it. Great upload.
Very nice vid and spot on comments. You’re welcome to come try my 300CE, the BisMerc, any time!
when the 190 was launched i worked for a MB dealer in germany as a summer job delivering cars to customers. my fave was the 190D 2.5Turbo. great fun, fuel efficient, and i loved the sound. Quite fast on the Autobahn as well. The 190E 2.6 was a completely different car. enjoyed how effortless you could drive it. 5-speed. got to chauffeur some managers around in one. Very competent road handling. Only thing i didn't like was the lack of traction, tire squealing is unbecoming to a Benz. we delivered a pair of 190s, a 230 and a 2.5 TD to Cologne. going flat out on the A3 past frankfurt, drafting if you will :) one a long flat out lefthander we saw a car on its roof on fire in the left lane. we both nailed the (ABS) brakes, and made it around the burning car with smoke coming out of the wheel wells :) Love these cars.
Was tempted to buy one years ago just because John peel had one!
I can see you enjoyed floating around in the 190 by the smile on your face 😊
I had that exact car back in the day. Im looking for another one. Awesome car.
Thanks for the review. Great cars, I've owned two: a 190e with the auto box and a 190 with 4-speed manual transmission. The latter was a bit slow but amazingly quiet and refined. Every passenger would comment on that. My German uncle had a brand new 190E in 1986 with manual gearbox. I remember the near total silence and the amazing build quality. I got over 30 mpg from the 190e auto despite driving in town. Amazing cars!
Love the Chris Goffey style sign off there. Just wanted top gear continuity music to kick in.
Ian, you forgot to mention the asymmetrical door mirrors and the fact that only one is electrically adjustable. I was surprised that your test model didn't have headlamp wash/wipe - I thought it was standard because mine has it.
I think headlamp wipers were part of a winter pack. The W124 I drove also lacked them.
My first car was a 1986 2.0 Manual pre facelift , I loved every minute of it , mine had a stainless steel exhaust system which sounded great . Miss it tremendously, but needed a bigger car due to family life ( Mk3 Mondeo ST) I’m glad it’s in good hands with it’s current owner , who’s slowly refurbing it.
Thanks for a fine road test HubNut. I've been tempted by these and indeed drove one. In keeping with your findings, I was much impressed, though enjoyment of the 4 cyl engine would have been quite limited. If the right 2.6 comes along, I may end up in one yet. Cheers.
Martin Brundle reckoned these had the best chassis of any car he had driven at the time….allegedly.
Waiting for that comment 🤣
Hi Ian, great review. My own 1990 190E on which my RUclips channel was launched is a faithful companion, build quality is rock solid and the ride and seat comfort is incredible for a 32 year old vehicle and near 40 year old design. I’ve filmed an A’ plater with the early superset up recently and another LHD one last year, rare, but they’re out there. Lovely touches include that warning triangle and that you can switch on for the rear passenger interior light. Not a car to hustle but the chassis is better than you imagine when pushing on.
These are outstanding cars. I have a 124 Coupe and am staggered what a fine machine it is every time.
Great road test with excellent camera work - thanks Miss HubNut 😊😊
Love the look of these. I was born in 94 but much prefer 80s & 90s cars compared to the modern day production line dribble. So much character from brand to brand
Really enjoyed this comprehensive review of this fine example 190e. As usual the camera work is excellent, smooth panning, leading the eye to the subject matter, loved that shot down the length of the bonnet with the 3 pointed star as your target sight. Love the sweet sound of my 2.6 but the 2.0 are quieter around town when pottering. Hope you went back for Mrs Hubnut. One fog lamp you say, mmm, I'll have to go check mine now, I'm sure it has two?
i just bought a 91 190e last week, im blown away by how rock solid and pleasurable this car is.
ruclips.net/user/shortsQt1xc-AIGBs
I was a bit worried at the end when you raced off leaving Miss Hubnut stranded. It's a long walk home! Saw a lot of these in the 90's and I never thought that they looked the usual Mercedes quality. This review has changed my mind. 🙂 Great stuff as usual 🙂
A great review, yet again, and fantastic camera work from Miss HubNut!
Great to watch. My mum had one of these when I was little. Dark grey with the same wheel trims.
great review! Love my 2ltr 190e! As you say as mine is a manual and lowered the handling with that multi point suspension is fantastic and totally " chuck able" around corners as you described! :) but then just likes to waft as well and with the passenger space and massive boot its a brilliant classic daily car.
30 years later and MB is back to 2.0 litre 4 cylinder engines! Great video. My family switched to one of these from a Rover SD1 2.6 6 cylinder. The engine had to be revved much harder than the Rover and sounded nowhere near as refined. But the MB was a HUGE step up from the Rover in every other category.
Lovely car, got to drive a friends 190D unexpectedly last night. Had the 2.5 N/A Diesel in it I think. It was an 87 car and had been owned by his grandparents since 89. 190k on the clock and just felt really good to drive. I noticed your car had external mirrors both the same size whereas the 190D had a rectangular driver’s mirror and a square passenger mirror apparently to do with depictions and blind spots. Great videos, thanks
Excellent review as always, what a stunning example of a 190E. Car still looks good 30 years down the line.
Worked at a Merc Dealer many moons ago and drove the 1.8, 2.0, 2.3/2,5 -16V Cosworth (Dog-leg 1st gear gearbox version - quite a few in the bodyshop with rear end damage with that one) and the 2.6. You're right about the 2.6 really being the one to go for in terms of refinement, but the 4 cylinder ones still good fun to drive. Lots of options could be with these as well, funny thing was you got an electric sunroof with keep fit windows as standard equipment. I'm guessing the electric ones all round we're an optional extra, like just about everything else on them. Great review as always Ian and brought back some fond memories about driving these cars and just how well built they were.
US viewer here, ironically the only one of these W201s I've ever driven was a 190 E 2.6, never a 4 cylinder model. Can agree that it is arguably the way to go if you cannot get a hold of a 16v model. Lovely engine for a car this size.
In the U.S. we never actually got a true 190E (or 190D); they all had larger engines, but for some reason Mercedes called it the 190 anyway. The rarest was the one-year-only turbodiesel model, the 190D 2.5 Turbo. And the 190E 2.6 had the same engine as the larger W124-based 260E, later renamed the 300E 2.6.
@@vwestlife I wasn't sure if we ever got any of the lesser variants, as I've only ever seen a few 2.6s.
@@vwestlife The W201s were all called 190, 190E or 190D worldwide, often with an additional engine size badge on the right side of the boot lid.
@@AliceC993 In the US we got the 190E 2.3, 190E 2.6, 190E 2.3-16, 190D 2.2, 190D 2.5, and 190D 2.5 Turbo. Although not all at the same time.
Epic wheel trims. Looked so good at the time
Haven't tuned in in a while but must may say Ian the reviews have gone from strength to strength - really great. Keep up the great work!
Just an absolutely excellent review!
l have a 91 Sportline edition of this car with the 2.0 automatic.
suspension is much stiffer with quicker steering box.
Build quality was amazing. nothing you see today.
thanks for the really great review.
What a delightful Mercedes. It ticks a number of boxes for me - size, styling, four-cylinder, refinement, etc. Very nice review, thanks!
These things are a nugget. Well built and probably the last reliable and rugged generation of Mercedes.
My friends owned one in base spec - black plastic bumpers. I forget the engine spec, but suspect it might have been the 1.8
the first compact Merc. Exceptional build great car. I love Mercs from this era. Great review Mr. HN, good job.
Great detail, as usual you make me want one!
A touch of class.
I have had a few auto's, Peugeot 505, S type Jag etc. and I think, just like cameras, people tend to stick them in auto and forget there are options, I loved shifting to different gears to make my auto's drive like I wanted them to rather than how the intelligent car thought I should. Lovely period car. Nice film Ian.
Had one of these and in that colour but with a grey interior. The most accurate and fairest review I believe you have done. They were quite pricey to run in their day.
Nice car.
Back in the day, a neighbour of ours had a 190E…poverty spec, 1.8 petrol manual I think.
I do seem to remember the early version with a twin wiper arrangement, but operating much like that single wiper in the vid
I had an 1984 190E with the 2.0i engine and a 5 speed box. As you say, not a race car, but it would out class a Ford Escort of the time. No rattles or rust. Very smooth and quiet on the motorway. The single wiper, on mine, didn't wiggle. It was just was very big with a smaller one on the same arm for the centre.
Fondly remember the driving lessons I took in a 2.5 diesel! Fun review, this 190 is in great condition. Thank you HubNut, enjoy the classic reviews being back on the menu 😎 ✌
Wow, lessons in a 2.5D, so much torque it was probably impossible to stall. 😊
The 2.5 diesel is the one to have.
Brilliant video Ian 👍 I used to have the c180 on a m plate
I have seen a early example of this car at the Mercedes Benz museum in Stuttgart (well worth a visit if you do go near there). The wiper set up is definitely as you described on a earlier car which a mono wiper blade set up with two blades. They also have the aerodynamic test mule for this cars design.
Again Ian, top review, if only we had people who reviewed modern cars in an honest down to earth honest approach
I would say Johnny Smith and Harry Metcalfe are pretty good for the modern stuff. (Late Brake Show and Harry's Garage)
That 190E is in lovely condition. I had a manual version from 1984 -1986 in Barolo Red with the same light trim. It was a lovely car but it was just as gutless as the auto version.
A truly timeless design. If that came out now it would look current. My friends parents had one new in the early 90’s in white.
Because it allready looked old when it was new. Like the volvo 740.
@@rimmersbryggerimodel started already 1982, so I disagree that it looked outdated in early 80s. Cannot think of a car more modern looking at that time
@@El-Mariachi-Classics Even the passat MK2 looks at least equally modern. The mk1 Scorpio(EU)/MK3 Granada (UK) I believe came out in 1985 and that absolutely looked very little like it's predecessor while this body style merc looks very simular to the mk2 granada. The Sierra debuted in 1983 and looked very much more modern than any merc pre 2000s. It was very much of it's age to though unfortunately.
@@rimmersbryggeri True, the Sierra was designed beautiful. Unfortunately they rotted like hell, family had one in Denmark and rusted all over. Even the sunroof started leaking due to rust so finally was scrapped. Sierra was an outlier though, and other mentioned models are really not modern in the 80s imo. 190 had the best aerodynamic coefficient compared to other streetcars and that was obvious in the design
@@El-Mariachi-Classics Citroen BX. Yes those 80's fords were miserable rotboxes. So rare to see one now, I think it was even worse here in sweden than in denmark. My point was that the passat mk2 isnt a modern looking car. The mk3 was but it was miserably ugly and a rotbox, when did you last see one of those?
Thanks doing a review of the car model I own. Mine is also a 2.0l, but in silver with a 5-speed manual. The manual transmission does make for a more interesting driving experience. I agree, with many Benzes of this era you feel like you are piloting rather than driving - very relaxing. That was Zebrano wood veneer I think. The rear window is self-clearing at speed.
Reminds me of the guy how took the badge of his in a to b tales of modern motoring. Good vid Ian!
Thanks Ian for a terrific, informative review of a wonderful classic. I loved these back in the day and preferred them to the equivalent BMW. I guess my love for deeply unfashionable motor cars and always preferring the underdog might just chime with you!
Lovely Jubbly video Mr HubNut. I think the trouble with Mercedes was they wanted to produce more cars like the other German brands that from the late 1990's they produce that many that you don't really notice the majority of them. In the 1980's I imagine most were sold to higher salaried people, but now with PCP deals almost anyone can lease one starting with the A Class.
I had a 1990 190E 2.6 for a few years. Awesome car!
Went in the cosworth version of this and it was great fun and very smooth at the same time.
I love the colour. I just bought a 1993 190e Le, in dark green with tan leather interior, I'm in the USA, I have owned two pervious Mercedes but both were w124s one a 1995 E420.. the poor man's E500, still a great car, and a 1990 300e, both were champagne gold.. I hope I have good luck with my new one.. well classic. Great video!
Love those 190s such excellent cars and solidly built i went in many as a junior tech at Mercedes’ at the times better than the newer c class and the 23-16 and 2.6 could really move
That is a great survivor and looking lovely in almandine red metallic great video Ian and miss hubnut
Always loved these cars, never afford one at the time sadly. This car is awesome !!
These were very popular in Portugal, mainly as Taxis where they went on and on and on. Great cars and a great starter classic in my view
Carly is absolutely rocking it with the camera work.
EDIT: You're a great team.
Great car & thanks to Miss Hubnut for the filming
another great video has always Ian and miss hubnut and hublets and hubmutts 👍
Just driven a 1998 W140 S280 so hubnut spec 1700 miles from Blackpool to Rome. Certainly the best era for usable classics.
I've always seen these more as a scaled down version of the W126 S-Class rather than the W124. The proportions and the lines from a side view really show this
Ian you didn't mention the asymmetrical mirrors! I'm devastated! Just kidding, great review of one of the best cars MB ever made. We had an '85 diesel, didn't have the robot wiper but it always coped very well in heavy rain. I suppose it's one way to avert the triangle of doom! Have a fantastic evening
Planning to buy one.
Love this vid.
My parents had a 2.5 liter 5-banger diesel. Loved it. Comfy yet small but the boot took luggage for family of 5
The only drawback is the high lifting to get anything into,/out of the boot.
The cozzy versions 2.3-16 was developed for rallye but while development ran, Audi launched the quattro. That immediately killed off all chances for 2-wheel drive rallye cars to a podium placing.
Hence they went for DTM racing instead. That allowed 2.5 liter engines, so the 2.5-16 evo II was developed with the homogeneous tail spolier.
Really love the 190e!
What a beautiful and unmolested example, still on wheel trims is brilliant. 👍
Yep bang on … always thought they sounded like a Cortina … same pinto induction and exhaust note (and diff groan …)
Aah, had my driving lessons in one, same color, 2.0 diesel. That was fun cruising with the sunroof opened.
The diesel was slooooooow, but I was allowed to give it an ‘Italian job’ one of my driving lessons, it reached 90MPH.
I had a faded old base model. 1.8 carb. Bottom of the range. It was automatic though. Very good car and no rust anywhere.
Having had a 201 and then a 202 C class back in the day, I loved most of the things about them except the huge single wiper, which I found horribly distracting and never really got used to. Also the seats were very hard and produced a numb bum on long journeys. I think they placed hard wearing above comfort then.
Auto transmission trick on many Benz of this era: At standstill in position 'D' shift from 'D' to '3' to '2' and then back to 'D' and these old girls will start off in 1st.
Loved the 2.6. the straight 6 was just fantastic. I worked for Merc some years ago, one customer had the 2.5 16 and wanted more speed. So a turbo was retro fitted.. thing was as mad as a box of frogs.. The C class was initially a very good car, and I fell for a Canary yellow sport variant. It seemed so very modern against the 190 at the time.
But I agree with the harshness of the engine sound though. Was the only thing that really detracted from the proper MB quality.
That initial close up on the front light and indicator reminded me of the S class of the time too..
I had one of these - same year and an auto, in white.... Excellent car, beautifully engineered, some say the last of the 'real' Benz's. Sadly, mine had to go as I needed a more economical drive and it required more work than I had time and facilities for. Still miss it...