GEDaggett

How do they compare when it comes to performance. I am considering a change and selling the E320 and going to the 190e 2.6. My 320 has too much that I don't want to have to work on and there are some really nice low mile 190's out there. Anyone with experience in both?

JSe420

In my opinion stick with the e320. The 124 is, in my opinion, better built and more durable. As far as performance the e320 comes with 50+ more horsepower. And you can truly make these cars stick to the road with the right suspension setup and tires. In my opinion i think you would be disappointed if you switched to the 190.

RBYCC

If you intend to purchase a W201 with the 16V Cosworth and five speed you won't be disappointed....
High revs and nimble handling...
Luck out and maybe an EVO I, II, III

Glen

I've owned an early W124 300E with a 5-speed and 190E 2.3-16 at the same time and currently have a '95 E320 wagon and 190E 2.6 5-speed in the stable. If space is important to you, stick with the E320. It's definitely more refined, more powerful, and built better.

If you don't need the space, the 190E is more fun to drive, especially with a manual trans but stock for stock it's not as quick. And without suspension upgrades, the 190E doesn't really handle better then an E320 by the numbers, although, like I said, it is more fun to drive because it's lighter.

19666falcon

if you're talking about a straight line race, the E320 will win, no problem. I raced a 2.6 5spd that had work done to it and I beat it. It jumped out a little because of his stick, but I caught up fast and left him...I have a video of me racing a similar BMW that I video taped and it was sorta the same race, I'll try to find it and post it for you

190E 16V

As an owner of both cars, IMHO...

W201: Hi revs, nimble handling and great fun! I loved mine.

Aesthetically, more pleasing than the W124 sedan.

However, there's only 167hp in a 2.3-16V and you can't get anything more out of it - it's a dead end.

16V bodykit leaves openings for the demon rust in rear wheelwells.

The 2.6 has almost as much hp and it can be enlarged to a 3 litre for more power. 3.2 AMG's are available from Japan.

Check out 2phast's web sit for extensive, but inexpensive, modding to the 201.

Some W124 parts can be used on the 201 for an upgrade, but aftermarket sport springs or performance items are getting hard to find.

Electrics, I'm told, are hard to work on.

I think you'll find the W124 more rewarding, esp. a coupe.

Good luck on your next project.

GEDaggett

Background,

When it was time to buy my wife her car 5 years ago the only car she wanted was a Chevy Malibu. I tried to talk her out of it but to no avail and if mamma ain't happy ain't nobody happy, so I bought her a 2002 Malibu. Fast forward 5 years. I have had to do a full pull engine rebuild @ 80K and there are so many phantom electrical problems that you can play relay buzzing bingo while driving across town. Needless to say when we pay off the car(next month) I am launching it for what I can get for it.

My 320 is on the teetering edge of still having value and being worth more parting it out because of rust issues and some other things. The engine is a beast and it is in perfect running order so it is hard to give her up. I am going to use the money toward getting my wife a Land rover Discovery (insert negative LR comments here). After selling her car I am going to pick up something cheap for the time being for her to drive till we pull the trigger on the disco and I will eventually take over that car. So $2000 is not going to get me the e420 I would really want so I am looking at Benz 190 2.6 or an old Volvo 240 DL 24v turbo 2.4 (rare and fast). There are quite a few 190's out there in the range I am looking for with no rust and good interiors. So that is why I am looking at the down grade.

Understand the W124 is the car I want to drive but the 190e is fitting more to where the situation is. After all is said and done I will start my e420 fund.

Thanks for the input

190E 16V

I think you'll be very happy with either ride. Had a 240 (4cyl.). Nice solid car.
The MB is classier though - and your wife will need something to drive on those occasions that the Land Rover is in the shop. ;-)

Seriously, Best of luck.

GEDaggett

"the shop" is my 2 car garage so more than likely she will need a car to go get parts for me. With the Volvo I think you can bounce it off trees at 45mph and it barely dents the things so it is safety is a plus on those. The Volvo 2.4l engines are very easy to work on. I could have one torn down and back together on a Saturday.

190E 16V

I think you have this already figured out, pretty well.

190E 16V

off topic:

A guy around here developed some local fame for dropping 302 ci Ford V8's into old Volvos.
Only a little lowered, they were the ultimate sleeper!

GEDaggett

They are pretty open under the hood and in the back end being that they are just a box on wheels.