∙Last-of-the-line 190E in rare colour scheme
∙Extensive recent service work
∙MoT until February 2022
∙Factory fitted steel sunroof

The 190E was a car that revolutionised Mercedes-Benz. Sure, it didn’t look dramatically unusual – though it was inarguably handsome and well-proportioned. But what it did do was introduce the iconic three-pointed star to a whole new audience, taking on the BMW 3-Series as one of the world’s first compact executive cars. 

With its clearly defined wedge shape and finely chiseled contours, the Bruno Sacco design was subtle but imposing, with the baby Benz having far more car park presence than others the same size (and length wise, it was shorter than a Vauxhall Cavalier). 

It also ushered in new levels of safety thanks to its crash-channel body structure, while its aerodynamics were optimised to deliver class-leading economy and efficiency.

The 190 also had a revolutionary new chassis design, developed specifically for the new model, which proved a great success. The main feature was the multi-link independent rear suspension. Each of the rear wheels was located by five independent links for optimum wheel control, with lateral and longitudinal forces effectively balanced in all driving situations. 

This improved steering precision and ensured very well-behaved handling characteristics which carried the car through an impressively lengthy 12-year production life. By the time it was replaced in late 1993, it still felt able and class-competitive thanks to being so over-engineered to begin with. 

The car we have here is one of the very last – an October 1993 model registered after the C-Class replacement had already been announced. It’s a 1.8 Auto Special Equipment model with the automatic gearbox, which is a sought after option in any Mercedes of this era.

The current owner acquired the Mercedes in mid-2020 with a view to fully recommissioning it after the previous elderly keeper elected to give up driving. 

He had owned the car for the past six years, using it infrequently and keeping it in good running order. Prior to that it was kept in the same family from new and has always lived in the Essex/Herts area, where it has been maintained by specialists throughout its life.

Unfortunately the previous owner has lost some of the service history but the car comes with lots of recent bills and has clearly been cherished, as its overall condition testifies. 

It does have the original service wallet and owner’s manual, along with a folder from when the car was sold as a Mercedes-Benz ‘Signature’ used car in the mid-Nineties, plus a recent all-clear HPI check and stacks of receipts for recent parts purchased, of which there were many.

The car has also just had brand new MOT, so the next one will not be due until February next year. 

Unlike earlier 190Es, which had some quite outrageous colour themes, the later cars were far more civilised inside and this one is very subtle indeed, with dark wood veneers and black cloth trim, matched by black carpets. 

The interior is as good as you’ll find as it has been protected by seat covers for significant periods of its life. The seat covers have all been removed and front n/s and rear covers are now folded up in the boot.

All carpets, door cards and switchgear are in similarly excellent condition, while it also comes with a period Goodyear waterproof boot liner and tailored Mercedes-Benz floor mats. 

In car entertainment comes courtesy of a 21st century Kenwood CD player, with excellent sound quality. Additionally, the car also benefits from front electric windows and central locking.

Overall, the black pearlescent paint looks absolutely stunning with no notable damage, and with only a couple of touched-in stone chips on the bonnet. There’s a scuff on the right hand bumper corner, but this is barely noticeable as it is on the black plastic area. 

It has been lovingly polished and detailed, while new number plates have been sourced via the car’s original supplying dealer to round off its external appearance, while underneath the 190E is extremely solid. It has had two small welded repairs to the inner rear arches, but these have been very neatly executed and are barely noticeable. 

The original alloys are in excellent order, with decent tyres all-round, while the exhaust system is also relatively new.

Having covered just 125,000 miles from new, it’s no surprise to discover that the 190E is in fine fettle, starting on the first turn of the key and sounding healthy and eager.

Within the last two years the following have been replaced; both front coil springs, both front discs and brake pads, new drop link, a new exhaust, new battery, track rod ends, ball joints, fuel lines, two new front tyres and alignment, plug leads, plugs, new interior lights, , new brake pipes and a new alternator at 93,973 miles.  

The auto transmission engages all forward and reverse gears as it should and provides smooth, relaxed progress.

In many respects, the 190E is one of the most seminal cars of its era as by taking the game to arch-rival BMW it was responsible – in part – for creating the compact executive car market and all that came with it, including the growth of German cars in the UK.

It’s a great car to drive, if not especially quick, and an extremely handsome one with a decent history. In this colour scheme it’s also one of the best-looking 190Es of its era. It’s a beautifully engineered, well-presented and extremely original car that’s every bit an everyday car as it is a future investment opportunity, especially given the heightened interest in modern classic Mercedes-Benzes of late.