 1987-89
Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6 National Market Reports Red Book:
$6375-$10,625There’s something bold and bulletproof about the Mercedes-Benz 190-series. It appeals to the same emotion that tells us old Nakamichi audio equipment is good and Rolex Submariners are the world’s most beautiful timepieces. It has flair while others have flash, style while others have fashion. Ten grand can get you a honey of a 1989 model. In-service history dictates that a second-owner 2.6 can outlast a second marriage, and the three-pointed star on the hood dictates the car will have some pizazz left when it comes time to look for bride number three. First introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1985, the 190E 2.6 was the eighth American version of Mercedes’ W201 body style. The 2.6 was the fastest of the bunch (save for the special high-performance 190E 2.3-16), powered by a slightly smaller, 158-bhp version of the six-cylinder twelve-valve from the acclaimed 300E. Enthusiasts who go searching for one should note the Steinbrenner-like lineup changes throughout the late ’80s for the W201. Mercedes never had the same team on the field two years in a row, going from five different 190 models in 1987 to just two in 1989 and one in 1990. The 2.6, which hit U.S. dealerships in 1987, was offered with a five-speed manual for shift-it-yourselfers beginning in 1988. The in-line six, while blistering in the late Eighties, is a bit labored these days and greatly benefits from the manual transmission if you can find one. The automatic slightly embarrasses the honorable 2.6 around town. As a result, this model feels better on the highway, stretching its legs as it cuts through the wind with 1980s boxiness.--Reilly Brennan Like most Mercedes-Benzes, the 190E 2.6 is built like a tank and will run nearly forever if properly taken care of. Engines will generally outlast the automatic transmissions. Check for oil leaking at the rear of the head gasket. The tensioner for the serpentine belt should be replaced at 150,000 miles, and brake rotors often need replacement at 50,000-mile intervals. With high mileage, the bushings in the five-link rear suspension begin to wear out. Make sure the climate control system is functioning properly. The 2.6-liter six-cylinder engine is a tight fit in the 190E engine bay, which creates some accessibility problems for mechanics.--Keith Martin |
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