Mercedes-benz 190 ─ All 190 Models W201 Series 1982 to 1993

The 190 (W 201) was a landmark car for Mercedes-Benz: the predecessor to today's C-Class models, it was the company's first compact saloon (sedan) and combined advanced engineering with a new direction in body styling, later followed by the W124 and R129 series. Engines available included robust petrol and diesel 'fours', as well as a silky ‘straight-six'. The sporting 190 E 2.3-16 and 2.5-16 models, initially developed with Cosworth, took Mercedes to new levels of performance. Altogether, nearly 1.9 million cars were produced, and today the 190 is an increasingly sought-after modern classic.

This guide will help you learn about the differences between models, and what to look for when buying. What are the true running costs, and what issues - with the mechanicals, body or interior - should you be wary of? Is a restoration worth considering?

This handy guide will take you step-by-step through the process of finding and evaluating a good 190 and making a successful purchase. Essential data and information about clubs and specialists will help you look after and enjoy your 190.

A lifelong motoring enthusiast, Julian Parish has lived in both the UK and France, and has driven more than half a million miles throughout Europe and North America. After a career in book and software publishing, he now spends much of his time writing and translating motoring books and articles, many of them devoted to the pleasures of driving on the Continent. He has been a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists in the UK for nearly thirty years, is a member of AFPA, the association of French motoring journalists, and speaks French and German fluently.