Highlights
- Presents in excellent order
- Great useable example of one of the finest Mercedes models
- Desirable 2.6 litre variant
- Advisory free MOT
The Appeal
Well engineered, timeless, exquisite in every way. Could it be anything other than a Mercedes 190e?
One of the Marque’s most iconic models, the 190e found fame courtesy of its legendary build quality, great styling and all round usability, something which still brings the model notoriety to this day.
One of the Marque’s most iconic models, the 190e found fame courtesy of its legendary build quality, great styling and all round usability, something which still brings the model notoriety to this day.
No stranger to this notion, the example we see here presents in great shape, and with just over 125 thousand miles on the clock, has many more years worth of enjoyment under its belt.
Having been well looked after by its current owner, an avid Mercedes enthusiast, G161 XMO wants for very little and is ready to spend the next sector of its life being admired and enjoyed by a new owner.
Having been well looked after by its current owner, an avid Mercedes enthusiast, G161 XMO wants for very little and is ready to spend the next sector of its life being admired and enjoyed by a new owner.
With the prices of Cosworth 190s reaching astronomical levels, the 2.6 variant presents a great opportunity to put a foot into the world of classic mercedes and 190 ownership and a far more attainable level, without a compromise on quality and power
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 03/10/1989
- Accompanied by comprehensive selection of invoices for work undertaken on the car both by the current and previous owner
- Mercedes Benz service book with several stamped services
- Current MOT valid until October 2022
- Correct V5 registration document present with the car
The Interior
- Great clean interior in largely original condition
- Mushroom cloth upholstery
- Upgraded radio system
- Well specced interior with electric sunroof and windows
Presenting excellently, with very little to be seen in the way of wear, the 190 has worn its miles well. The mushroom cloth upholstery has borne the test of time brilliantly and still looks to be in good solid order.
Front and rear we find great quality seating, draped in the aforementioned mushroom cloth, these are in great condition, distinctly lacking in wear or damage, with strong bolstering and tight, high quality stitching, there is just the average wear one would expect to see located on the driver's seat, however nothing to detract from the looks inside the cabin. The rear seats are of an impeccable standard and garner the question as to whether anyone has ever sat in them.
At the sides we find four great clean door panels, embellished with smart wood veneer trim. Housed within are the electronic window controls, whilst these function fully at the front, the current owner of the vehicle reports that the rear windows do not open at present.
Looking above, one is presented with a tight, high quality roofliner and the electronically operated sunroof which opens and closes quickly and with ease.
Looking above, one is presented with a tight, high quality roofliner and the electronically operated sunroof which opens and closes quickly and with ease.
Nestled at the front end of the cabin, the contrasting black dashboard is of a good standard, still rich with colour as opposed to the more common sight of colour fading and sun damage.
The wood veneer panels still present with a great shine and the black leather steering wheel that protrudes outwards is of an equally high quality.
The wood veneer panels still present with a great shine and the black leather steering wheel that protrudes outwards is of an equally high quality.
The smart gauge cluster and switchgear dotted around the front of the cabin are all of a clean nature, with all of it bar the switches for the rear windows reported to function correctly.
In the centre we find an upgraded radio head unit which contains a USB to further help with modern usability.
In the centre we find an upgraded radio head unit which contains a USB to further help with modern usability.
Opening the rear tailgate we are shown a neat and clean boot area, complete with original breakdown triangle.
The Exterior
- Excellent smoke silver paintwork
- In great clean overall condition
- Mercedes alloy wheels
Throughout the Mercedes 190s production, the exterior styling remained largely unchanged, and for good reason.
The simplistic, square body lines were a winning combination from the first release in 1982, and Mercedes very much stuck to the old adage of “if it ain't broke, dont fix it!”.
The model we see here, a 1989 190, boasts excellent smoke silver paintwork to really compliment that mushroom interior and presents in a good clean original fashion.
The simplistic, square body lines were a winning combination from the first release in 1982, and Mercedes very much stuck to the old adage of “if it ain't broke, dont fix it!”.
The model we see here, a 1989 190, boasts excellent smoke silver paintwork to really compliment that mushroom interior and presents in a good clean original fashion.
The paintwork itself is in good standing, still with a deep shine, there is very little to be seen in terms of wear and blemshing aside from the to be expected minor stone chips and general patina found on a car of this age.
Thankfully however, we find nothing on the exterior to detract from the car’s excellent aesthetics.
Thankfully however, we find nothing on the exterior to detract from the car’s excellent aesthetics.
The front and rear plastic bumpers, trim and brightwork are all in great shape and present as such with just some minor scuffing to be seen at the corners. The same can also be said for that absolutely iconic Mercedes chrome front grille which is near impeccable.
At ground level, we are presented with four quality Mercedes 15” alloy wheels, whilst all in good standing these could ideally benefit from some light refurbishment to live up to the quality the rest of the car sits in.
The Mechanics
- Desirable 2.6 straight six engine
- £1500 recently spent on mechanical recommissioning
- Great performer with excellent six cylinder soundtrack
When thinking of the Mercedes 190e there is of course one main phrase that comes to mind. Over engineered and dependable.
Mercedes spent over £600 million developing the model and it really shows in the quality of the cars that came off of the production line. An all too common sight is to see these cars working well into the high six figure mileages because of their unrivalled reliability and dependability.
Mercedes spent over £600 million developing the model and it really shows in the quality of the cars that came off of the production line. An all too common sight is to see these cars working well into the high six figure mileages because of their unrivalled reliability and dependability.
This particular example has the mighty 2.6 litre six cylinder motor shoehorned under the bonnet, the far rarer and highly desirable variant of the 190e, the engine is in great order and presents as such.
Providing an excellent six cylinder soundtrack and a brilliant and rewarding drive, with plenty of power on tap at the request of the driver and their right foot.
Providing an excellent six cylinder soundtrack and a brilliant and rewarding drive, with plenty of power on tap at the request of the driver and their right foot.
Under its current ownership, the Mercedes has been treated to a light refurbishment from a mechanical perspective, with around £1500 being spent to replace the front springs, front bushes and fuel relay.
The current owner does note however, that the central locking is not functioning at present.
Summary
A brilliant alternative to the Cosworth 190e, the 2.6 litre variant combines famed reliability, quality engineering and an absolute gem of a six cylinder power plant.
This particular example is in genuinely great shape, with clean and solid mechanicals, exterior and interior, this is one that can be used right from the first moment of ownership, but is also an example that with just a small investment, can be a true show piece in near concours condition.
Notice to bidders
This particular example is in genuinely great shape, with clean and solid mechanicals, exterior and interior, this is one that can be used right from the first moment of ownership, but is also an example that with just a small investment, can be a true show piece in near concours condition.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
