Faults:

General wear and tear, eg exhaust, sensors for coolant and screenwash.

Recurrent carburettor trouble (see below).

Leak at rear window into boot - fixed using silicone sealant around rubber seal.

Lock for boot and ignition switch.

General Comments:

The 190 has the best seats I have ever had in a car. Sadly, the rear legroom is limited.

The boot is enormous.

It is extremely easy to drive and park, and has a tiny turning circle.

It feels very well put together, it runs quietly and smoothly, like a much larger car, and generally is a delight to own and use.

There has been one niggling problem, though. Some early 190s had a Pierburg carburettor. This requires a lot of expert adjustment, and needs to be kept topped up with oil if the car is to run properly. Not all mechanics, even those specializing in Mercs, seem able to adjust them correctly. If you can find one who knows (and cares) what he's doing, the car will run like a dream, otherwise, it will seem strangely underpowered. Significantly, Mercedes switched to fuel injection early on in the 190's history, and also used an alternative carburettor, the Stromberg.

I avoid the franchised dealers, as they are expensive, and use independent Merc specialists who, apart from apparent unfamiliarity with the Pierburg carburettor at one, have been excellent.

The number of old 190s and 190Es on the roads suggests that these are very robust, good value cars.

Faults:

My own fault:

Left the water cap off and blew the head gasket, but found out after 8 months (£795). Once they repaired it they never polished the head properly so they had to change it again.

Not my fault:

In four years failed only one MOT because the 50mm lowering springs were broken (£150).

Heater matrix went and cost £460.

General Comments:

I recommend this car for the youngsters, especially because you can do them out to the max. On mine I have got: Evo 2 wide arch bodykit with an Evo spoiler, Mongoose full stainless steel exhaust, 18" Khan wheels, sec look grille and many other extras.

Interior wise I have got full cream bucket seat leather (seats 4 people only), wooden gear knob and wheel. The whole dash and doors are wooden, but my insurance is a bomb!!!

Faults:

Exhaust needs welding on the join of a downpipe.

Sun visor loose.

Otherwise everything works like new on a 14 year old car - incredible.

General Comments:

Never driven anything like it, comfort is in a complete class of its own, roadholding superb, power steering to die for.

Nice alloys on mine, polished up she turns heads every day.

Proud to own one!

Faults:

Cold start relay (£122).

Water pump (£200).

Rear door window motor.

Radiator (Twice).

General Comments:

Good car, but main dealers don't seem to know too much about this model.

Faults:

In thirteen years:

Exhausts - 2

Batteries - 2

Rear shock absorbers

Ignition barrel

General Comments:

High performance, enjoyable drivers car.

For its age, still elegant, luxurious and desirable apart from the rear seating which some find uncomfortable but as I am the driver I'm not worried about this....