Highlights

• Genuine Dog leg Manual 2.5 litre Cosworth
• Same owner for the last 28 years
• Well presented in good honest form

The Appeal

It was in the mid 1980s the Mercedes saw the motorsport potential in the low slung saloon and so after some impressive engineering and assistance from performance legends Cosworth the 190e Cosworth was introduced to critical acclaim, it was dynamically excellent whilst remaining subtle and restrained from an aesthetic perspective, certainly the perfect blend for a Mercedes of the era. This 1989 model is a later and arguably more desirable higher capacity 2.5 litre 16 valve Cosworth, which has resided under the same enthusiast ownership since 1995. Backed by an impressive history file, it stands today in good honest, presentable form and will surely make a welcome addition to any Mercedes enthusiasts collection.

The History and Paperwork

• First registered 02/03/1989
• Purchased by the current owner, an avid Mercedes enthusiast, 1995 and has remained under their ownership since
• Mercedes Benz service book is present with an impressive collection of stamped services dating back to the original pre delivery inspection
• Services appear to have been predominantly performed by Mercedes Benz main dealers and independent Mercedes specialists
• Manual and owners guide for the Clifford alarm system fitted to the car when first purchased by the current owner
• Current MOT valid until March 2024
• V5 registration document also present with the car

The Interior

• Highly original, well preserved interior space
• Presents nicely with a gentle patina in place
• Leather sports style seating front and rear in good overall order, impressively lacking in wear or tarnishing
• Four matching black leather door panels, in presentable shape with clean door furniture and trim
• The leather does appear to be detaching in some areas of the drivers door panel
• Good clean angular black dash panel which appears to be notably lacking in fading, cracking or sun damage
• Clean well fitting headliner which houses the factory electric sunroof
• Unfortunately the sunroof could not be tested at the time of the photoshoot so we unable to report on its working condition
• Sizable carpeted rear boot space which presents well
• Interior trim and switchgear are of a great standard and highlight very minimal signs of use
• Leather finish on the manual gear knob does appear to be flawed and detaching in places
• Sony radio and CD head unit
• Rear mounted parcel shelf speakers

The Exterior

• Wonderful, iconic 1980s Mercedes Benz styling
• Subtle aesthetic tweaks to denote this as a Cosworth 190e
• Finished in a wonderful shade of what we understand to be Mercedes Blue Black metallic paint
• Paint is largely of a good standard, exhibiting with a high quality deep shine
• Some areas of blemishing and a gentle patina in places as to be expected of a car at this age point
• Four factory 190e 15” alloy wheels sit at ground level
• The paint finish on the alloys does appear to be deteriorating on the wheel faces and would perhaps benefit from refurbishment
• Exterior trim and badging is of a good high quality throughout
• Factory fitted rear boot spoiler
• Front chrome grille piece does present with something of a patina to the finish
• Panel gaps and shut lines appear straight and consistent throughout
• Overall a nicely presented, honest original 190e from an aesthetic perspective, with scope for improvement if one was looking to make cosmetically perfect

The Mechanics

• Later higher capacity 2.5 litre 16 valve engine
• Genuine factory example
• Engine and engine bay present well
• Impressively smooth “dog leg” style manual gearbox is still in great form
• Underside appears clean and solid throughout
• Fitted with a Clifford alarm system by the current owner when they initially purchased it
• The car fires into life comfortably and with ease, before settling into a comfortable idle
• Vendor reports of a brilliant driving experience from the Mercedes, having had it in regular use since 1995

Summary