The diesel 190D occupies its own niche: owners describe glacial acceleration paired with tank-like durability and 40+ mpg, and a manual diesel is considered a genuine unicorn in the US. The characteristic clatter at idle prompts recurring 'bad lifter/injector' debates that diesel veterans dismiss as normal.
The 190D diesel: slow but indestructible
Mercedes-Benz 190E / 190D (W201) · driving