Already a popular used buy, the baby Mercedes is an easy car to love. Forget the image problems for one second (‘kevved up geezer’, ‘elderly squire’, ‘minicabber’) and consider an overriding positive – this is a Mercedes even poor people can own.

Funny Looking:

It is an ugly way to get a three-pronged star on your keyring, granted. However, what the Mercedes 190 lacks in looks it more than makes up for with performance. Not speed, you understand; ride, cornering, comfort and sheer G Unit pleasure. There will always be something about a Merc that makes you want to wear platinum jewellery and oversized vests.

The Mercedes 190 was produced between 1983 and 1993. It came in a typically wide range of Mercedes engine sizes and trim levels. Number one was an amazing 16v 200bhp cat, costing over thirty grand new. As cool as owning a six-cylinder taxi would be, these models are still holding their ground as a used buy. A cheap 16v will mean an Elastoplast 16v. We much prefer the simplicity of the 1.8 litre, anyway. It takes about another three seconds over the 16v’s 7.1 second 0-60 time and trim levels are meagre (can-opener sunroof, cloth everywhere), but the budgetability factor is far, far increased. The smaller engine is more straightforward for mechanics to work on, service history is less likely to be forged and for minus £1,500 you can find a more than decent one on eBay.

Start Her Up:

It purrs like a sedated tiger. An auto ‘box is the sensible choice, as it’s generally trouble free and, in any case, a manual Mercedes somehow seems like a getting a Nikko RC car instead of a Tamiya one; just that little bit further down the trough.

If you hear whinging and moaning from the cogs, get out and run like Jesse Owens. Repair work on a Mercedes will never be cheap, no matter how much room is in the engine bay. Gearbox tinkering will often lead to more and more calls from the garage until you cry or they laugh, whichever comes first.

We found the Mercedes 190 creeps up its speedometer rather than jumps. It is not slow – well, not embarrassingly so – but you are not in racing territory here. The gently-gently ride however is something else. If you have piles you’ll be delighted and if you don’t you’ll want some to know just how much relief you could get. The 190’s multi-link suspension is a joy to experience. Which is probably why cab drivers love them so much.

Not Rubbish:

Image issues again. Even at the peak of its popularity the baby M was seen as the pauper’s choice. You can look a bit too desperate to have a big name on your cover note when you buy a Mercedes 190. Not all your crew will appreciate the way its Sta-Prest sides contrast with their bejewelled bling. As usual, we say dump your friends and find new ones that don’t actually think it’s necessary to update their registration plate every year. You are the smart one. A 190 will do over 200,000 miles with regular servicing.

Seek and Ye Shall Find:

If you want a good 1.8 or 2.0 litre 190 you can find one quite easily. Your main worry is the history. We stress this so often it verges on patronising, but you’ll thank us come MOT time. Don’t be a nugget and buy with anything less than a full book of stamps. Try and find some old gent with a handlebar moustache who won’t let his grandchildren on the back seats – his car will probably look cleaner than your kitchen. Garaged, pampered, scrubbed on Sunday, you want all of that and more. The cars are out there; you just need the patience and determination to find them.

On an eBay hunt we located this promising 190. We cannot verify the age of the vendor, but you should get a good scope on things with a visit. If some thirtysomething wanders out carrying a blue pocket book and a Biro with an elastic band around the top, walk on and bide your time. The longer you wait the more the 190 will appreciate, so do try and make a decision before your heart packs up. Just hold out for that handlebar moustache. You will find one eventually and, by God, they can be such magnificent specimens to behold.

Not an original choice for us, but credible enough. Everyone is cottoning on to the Mercedes 190. If you can’t beat the crowd (or subdue them with forth-hand Mondeos), then you better get on and join them. Quick.

[story by Chris Laverty]