Don't worry about performance stats. If your worried about that, you buy an AMG vehicle and you better to be able to afford it. These are not high performance by any means. As for reliability look at things like fuel pumps, EHA valves, O2 sensors, IAC valves, OVP relay's make sure these things have been done. Its a Mercedes not a Civic. Lots of people think there getting a good deal on some of these older Mercedes but in maintenance costs alone its worth more than the car which people do not realize. Look for one that's been cared for. Make sure everything works! Function test EVERYTHING. There is nothing worse than buying someone else's problems. When I was 16 I bought a 89 S-Class, just in maintenance alone it was more than what I paid for the car. Since your 16 my best recommendation would be buying a 190E that has everything done to it already such as wheels, nice tires, stereo and one that has been maintained! This is a prime example of what i'm talking about.
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bn...055191358.html
W201's are great cars, I have one with a 2.3 its great, but owning a C55 AMG as well, I am power hungry. If your looking to get one with a little more pep then get one with the 2.6. There again there is always a downside to these advantages more power means poorer fuel consumption my 190E 2.3 when driven easy will only get 450 kilometers to a tank. With fuel prices these days a 2.3 might be your best bet.