The 190E was the first move Mercedes made into the sub-compact market which was then dominated by the BMW 3-Series. Produced from 1982 to 1993, the W201, or Baby Benz as it was known was the result of £600 million of research and development spend and has only been slow to reach recognition as a classic because of the fact that nearly 1.9m were produced.
Deciding to take the 190E into motor racing Mercedes partnered with Cosworth Engineering to develop their 4-cylinder engine and the resulting 2.3 16 valve engine proved to be make the 190E a serious contender in Touring Car Championships. The engine was then later developed and bored out to 2.5 litres which produced a very healthy 200bhp.
The 190E is a great all-round small sports saloon with excellent handling and dynamics, proven reliability and plenty of Mercedes style making it a very engaging car, especially with its 2.5 litre Cosworth developed engine.
With very few owners, a complete service record and being in excellent original condition this is a great example of one of the best small saloons that Mercedes ever made.
Bought new from Woking Motors in 1992 the first lady owner kept the car for 10 years. It then went through a few owners who continued to service and maintain the car with a Mercedes Dealer, until it ended up with 190E enthusiasts from 2012 onwards.
The car has remained unmolested and well cared for with regular maintenance and appears completely free from any corrosion, looking very smart and presentable in Smoke Silver with a black leather interior.
The black leather interior is in truly great overall condition with very slight signs of wear and tear throughout the cabin, but there’s no missing trim or areas of damage or rips or tears to report.
The sports seats all have headrests with the rear seats looking almost unused and the electric tilt/slide sunroof and all electrics and switches all function as they should do. The door cards, dashboard and black carpets and mats are all in good condition and the headlining is clean with no sign of any sagging, though the front passenger door trim looks like it is coming adrift from its correct position.
A clean and carpeted boot contains the spare wheel and jack, together with a 6-CD changer and the fitted warning triangle.
The Mercedes presents extremely well with a nice deep shine to its Smoke Silver paintwork, with hardly a mark or blemish to report thanks to some recent remedial attention to a few small areas that were irritating its owner.
The front and rear spoiler and subtle side skirts help give the car a more sporting and eager look than most other 190Es while still retaining that stylish Mercedes elegance.
The car has nice straight panels and good shut lines and sits nice and squarely on 16”, rather than the standard 15”, correct style ‘bottletop’ alloy wheels, which are without damage and have good matching tyres.
All the chrome, external trim and badges are present and in nice condition, with all lights and lenses being clear and free from any damage. Under the bonnet and underneath the car everything looks to be in excellent condition and free from any obvious issues or concerns.
The car’s extensive service history, regular maintenance and long-term enthusiast ownership has helped to keep everything in tip-top shape mechanically, with any arising issues being promptly dealt with.
The car has just had an oil and filter change and drives superbly, with plenty of power, smooth gear changes, beautifully balanced handling and a good tight feel to the whole car.
An all original and well cared for example of the classic Mercedes small saloon that is rare to find in such excellent all-round condition and has that all important full service history.
Motorsport success and the Cosworth developed engine will ensure the future desirability of this car that, with less than 6,000 made, is already a rare and highly collectable model.
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This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
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1992 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5 Cosworth
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