Finished in 147 Arctic White with blue cloth interior, this little 190D highlights the individuality of specification that was available to Mercedes-Benz customers during the golden era.
To explain the specification, the interesting backstory of this car is also needed. Originally ordered by an Australian couple for Tourist Delivery (factory collection), for the purpose of touring Europe during their summer holidays. The car was to be based at their UK home, from which they went off in the 190D every year for almost 30 years, racking up over 300, 000km - or roughly, 200, 000 miles all done while on holiday in an age before average speed cameras and "low emission" zones: bliss. I've gone off topic.
The original sales invoice shows the car delivered to the following specification: 190D 2. 5 Turbo, automatic transmission, electric sunroof, ABS, electric aerial, Becker radio and speakers, front armrest, Air conditioning, Insulating (green tinted) glass, ASD limited slip differential and rear courtesy light. In a world of that'll be a black C Class with a black interior, glass wheels, black trim and blacked out glass with an AMG Night Edition Premium Pack, the 190 is totally refreshing and shows it's not that difficult to offer a car to the spec people want!
The car was brought straight back to the UK when new and registered at the local dealer which was Caffyns Sailsbury (it still wears its original dealer plates) and was always garaged when not in use on continental tours...
As a result of careful storage and really only use in fine European weather, the 190 has avoided a lifetime of British winters and significant use on salted roads. The condition of the underside is remarkably clean with no rust to report in the usual jacking point, sub-frame or inner wing areas.
The paintwork is bright and consistent, I think it has had bits of paint over the years but presents extremely well. To freshen the car for the Mercedes Club's 40th Anniversary of W201 celebration this year I had the bumpers repainted, some dents attended to and the wheel trims refinished.
Inside, the car has only really been occupied by two passengers, and all of the seats are in excellent order, the dash is free of cracks, the dash needles are un-faded and the MB Tex wheel retains its original texture finish and hasn't gone smooth from lots of hustling in town driving. This car really feels like it could be a 60, 000 mile car - it shows the difference use case can make to the way a vehicle ages! With the car is quite a good history file. For most of its life it was maintained by the Mercedes agent in Sailsbury and was serviced prior to every trip abroad. There is the original bill of sale and two magazine features of the car's story in the file.
Last summer ahead of quite a lot of use, I had a major service and round of preventative maintenance carried out. It had an engine and gearbox service carried out as well as renewing brake fluid, the bonnet sound insulation and through refurbishment of the factory AC system - which now blows ice cold. We attended a number of club events with the car last year and used it on many days out over the summer and also in the early part of this year have done around 500 miles so far. It achieves over 40mpg in mixed use and has plenty of get up and go from the turbo OM602 - better actually than a 190E 2. 0 in terms of mid range power. It has and continues to be totally reliable and is ready for its next adventure. It will be available for trial and inspection and will not disappoint. Please feel free to call me for more information.
