Mercedes-Benz C-Class (from 1993 to 2000, the year of issue)

Mercedes 190 - four middle-class sedan series W201. Motorists have named the car of one hundred and ninety of the most common 2-liter (petrol and diesel) versions, the trunk lid that adorn the label 190. It refers to the encrypted volume of the engine (1985 cm3), which manufacturers rounded downwards.

Mercedes 190 debuted in November 1982 .. Mercedes 190 production began in Sindelfingen, in the same thread of the conveyor where collected W123. With the advent of a Mercedes in the back of W201 Mercedes-Benz company took the lead to the prestige in the European segment D, and became close to compete with the famous "third" series BMW. Reducing the length of the body by 300 mm compared to conventional sedans Mercedes-Benz W123, and the use of new lightweight alloys allowed to win the 160 kg curb weight. Four sedan body was (for the first time Mercedes-Benz) wedge-shaped silhouette, glass and door flush with the surface and the pad instead of gutters on the roof, which reduced the drag coefficient Cx to 0.33 and, in turn, significantly reduced fuel consumption.

The forms, which received the body of a small Mercedes, have undeniable advantages, despite the fact that they had been some criticism of the conservatism of the developers W201. This design eventually becomes what is rightly called the classics: the clarity of the forms gives the impression of rigor and sophistication. About quality paints and anticorrosive coatings body says car high resistance against rust W201 series that allows you to keep the car quite a decent appearance even after 20 years. However, the body of the 190th has several weaknesses: the trunk, which gets water through leaky seals the rear lights, the lower edge of the door at dorestaylingovoy versions (later underbody wore wide protective plastic lining) around the hood and headlights.

A rigorous and democratic interior is designed in a corporate style of the company. Once inside, I do not doubt that it is Mercedes-Benz. However, direct without any frills front panel, steering wheel and a large round scale switches instruments (speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, coolant temperature, oil pressure and econometrics) may seem too strict. Laconically and center console, and the wide front seats are more like ordinary household chairs, wide, without a hint of lateral and lumbar support. Although still be noted that after the modernization in 1988 down form has improved significantly. It should also be noted that in the back seat W201 can normally accommodate only two passengers. The three will be a bit crowded, and rear legroom is not too much. But the heating system is to be commended. Oven allows the driver and front passenger individual temperature control of the supply air. Cargo space hundred ninety not very roomy, its volume - 410 liters, while the main competitor of the BMW 3 Series (E30) - 425 liters.

On the other cars early 80s Mercedes 190 features a high degree of implicit active and passive safety. From the beginning of production "190th" was equipped with disc brakes (front and rear) brakes, but only as an option. Very easy to use multi-function light switch and the "janitorial" also rightly be regarded as one of the means of security, especially when reliability and functionality such that it can not ignore it. 190th - the only one of all Mercedes-Benz models 80s, which is equipped with traditional hand-operated parking brake. On all other versions it is activated by a floor pedal.

The suspension of all Mercedes-Benz has excellent smoothness. However, the 190th - the first Mercedes, which is equipped with an independent rear suspension, which allowed to achieve a high ride comfort and good stability when cornering, so that during the trip the driver and his passengers created a false impression that it is not too bad our roads as they are painted.

Concern Daimler-Benz has always made every effort to remedy these drawbacks of the classical layout, and as a result of extensive research has equipped the W201 series of sophisticated five-link independent rear suspension, and

Steering Mercedes 190 provides high precision and no shock loads transmitted to the steering wheel when driving irregularities. In addition, most versions equipped with hydraulic booster. However, eventually the steering gear backlash occurs, which can for some time to eliminate via the adjusting screw. On average, the steering mechanism is able to serve up to 250 thousand. Km.

Initially, the 190th was completed with only a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engines M102.921 (90-horsepower carbureted) - Model 190, as well as M102.961 (122 hp Injection) - Model 190E. These units are offered with a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-band "automatic."

In September 1983 at the Frankfurt Motor Show premiere of the model 190D with the 2.0-liter 75-horsepower diesel engine OM601.911 cost, which immediately became popular with taxi drivers. A fast car a competitor to BMW countered charged version of the 190E 2.3-16V with expressive 185-horsepower 16-valve engine M102.983 accelerates polutoratonny sports sedan to 225 km / h and allows stokilometrovy barrier taking in 7.5 seconds. It is on this machine in the summer of 1983 was set a world record on a circular track in Nardo. This version is distinguished by the developed aerodynamic bumpers and sills, spoiler on the trunk lid, low profile tires 205/55 ZR15 and a strict, no wooden trim inserts. The dynamic quality of Mercedes-Benz models are well known, but we should not forget about their propensity to excessive demolition of the rear axle during cornering and on slippery roads nonrectilinear freewheel.

By September 1984, the capacity of the 2.0-liter carburettor engine M102.924 raised to 105 hp Inline 5-cylinder diesel OM602.911 90 hp, which was set for Mercedes-Benz 190 D 2,5 in May 1985, had a reputation for not only high-speed (174 km / h), but also economical. Fuel consumption in the urban cycle until now not new engines rarely exceed 9 liters / 100 km. At the same time on the "190th" started to install active telescoping "janitor", significantly increase the area of glass cleaner (it can be distinguished by the location on the left side of the leash), and 15-inch wheels. Engine M102.962 significantly upgraded: there odnoremenno drive attachments and hydraulic valve lifters.

Since 1985, all petrol version of Mercedes-Benz 190 complement catalytic converters. At the same time a series W201 began to equip the 2.3-liter 132-horsepower six-cylinder engine M102.985 and 160-horsepower M103.942.

In October 1985, in Frankfurt rolled row versions with six (2.6 L, injection, 166 hp) Mercedes 190D 2.5 with a 5-cylinder 90-horsepower diesel engine.

In 1986, at an exhibition in Paris presented a modification 190E 2.6 ASD, equipped with a limited slip differential with a hydraulic actuator and a multi-disc "packages" couplings.

In September 1988, upgraded the lineup: the body W201 received wide plastic protective cover on the bottom of the door, the modified bumper and improved seats. Charged sports model 190E 2.3 liter 16-valve engine also changed 190E 16-valve, but more extreme and perfect 2.5-liter 195-horsepower engine M102.990. The most powerful alternative version at the same time became the 190D 2.5 Turbo with 122 hp turbo diesel (OM602.961) and additional embossments on the right front wing to improve vozduhopritoka. Then he rolled off the millionth "One hundred and ninety" ... A year later, there was a special model equipment Sportline with sports suspension (stiffer and with reduced clearance), as well as anatomical seats (available as an option).

In April 1990, an important event - the rejection of the carburetor to fuel injection. Concern has produced the most "midget" 109-strong version of the 190E 1.8 with a 1.8-liter engine M102.910 that ousted carburetor model 190.

Since January 1991, all models in the Mercedes-Benz W201 began to equip the ABS is already out of the box, and since October 1992 - and a central locking system, which was by no means superfluous, since many competitors have come close to that level execution and equipping of what is offered on their models (standard) Mercedes-Benz.

In 1992, Mercedes-Benz introduced the concept car trimmings Lines, for "one hundred and ninety" offers three options for registration: Azurro, Rosso, Verde.

In May 1993 Mercedes-Benz W201 was replaced by a new generation of cars - C-Class a body index W220. October 14, 1993 the latest Mercedes 190 silver went straight off the assembly line in the factory museum. Total company issued 1,879,630 cars with a body W201 ...

In general, one hundred and ninety - is of good quality and a good car, designed not for one hundred thousand kilometers. In the domestic market the so-called Baby-Benz the first generation (ie, 190 minutes) has long earned the respect of his enviable strength, durability and reliability. Begin rusting machines only the first half of 1980 release, and then only in small pockets of corrosion appears on the lower surface of the door. In this respect, the 190th has always been a cut above the competition. Note that confident Mercedes driver 190 can feel on dry pavement. Even the use of sophisticated rear suspension are not allowed to compensate for the shortcomings of the rear-drive handling on slippery surfaces. From: oversteer, followed by demolition of the rear axle, and the individual complaints on the non-straight run-down car. As for the engines, they are all durable and average in normal use can go up to 600 thousand. Km and diesel are generally considered one million people. From PPC which is equipped with 190-e (is a 4- or 5-speed manual transmission and 4-speed "automatic"), are considered to be more reliable mechanical boxes, because of the automatic transmissions often leaking oil, and operation of the box with insufficient lubrication leads its failure. But, despite these factors, the issue of "vitality", as the experience of operation we have, Mercedes 190 proved a cut above the rest of their classmates. The only significant disadvantage of it - expensive branded service and spare parts.

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