This is the fourth 190E I've owned. Although this car isn't the one in the picture (that was the one it replaced) it looks almost exactly the same, the only noticable difference being an aftermarket Avantgarde grille.

The last one went to the scrap yard purely because some idiot brakedown mechanic fitted the wrong ignition coil which caused a shortcircuit that burnt out the wiring loom.

A great thing about these cars is how well they're designed, which means that they are very easy to take apart and put back together. Consequently, having had nothing serious go wrong with the old car other than an electrical fire, I bought another (cheaper, and less well looked after) with the same engine and in the same colour, stripped the old one for any parts that were needed.

Performance and handling are reasonable given the spec, fuel economy is also pretty good (especially compared to the 2.6L version I own!) at around 28-32 MPG around town, to 37-41 MPG for motorway driving.

It's quiet and comfortable, quick enough in the city, though the 2.6L version really is much better for motorway driving.

I bought my first 190e new in 1993. It has now done 298,000km and is still going strong! I also had a second one which I sold at over 450,000km.

If someone were to get one... i suggest that they be prepared to pay for the high maintenance costs...

Ah my 190D ... i was so sad when i smashed it ... I has just passed 400000km !!!

I had enough mileage to go to the moon (300000km) and i was starting to come back ;)

It was nice, smooth and damn reliable ... and it was my first Mercedes-Benz

bargain car. Bet you cant but anything better for £1200