Beschreibung
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 little 190D every year for almost 30 years, racking up over 300, 000km - just this, 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 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 unfaded 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 thru difference use case can make to the way a vehicle ages!
Mechanically the 190 is perfect - what else would you expect from an OM602 powered Merc? One warm of the glow plugs and she fires straight up and settles in to the familiar Mercedes diesel clatter. The car drives well and goes really well. It feels sprightlier than a 190E 2. 0 thanks to the turbo and makes a nice 5 cylinder sound under load. The engine is lovely and dry and passes the old 'blow by' test with flying colours. In my ownership it has been serviced, new filters, fresh coolant and has had a thorough refresh of the AC system, a new blower motor, fresh refrigerant and serval heating valves freed off and lubricated. A new steering damper and wheel alignment have sharpened up the handling and the car drives delightfully.
This summer I used the car extensively and have been all over the country in it to shows and other events. It consistently achieves over 40mpg and gains admiring comments wherever it goes.
I'm somewhat reluctant to let it go as a good turbo diesel is a bit of a unicorn, especially with such a good backstory and excellent optional spec. For more information or to arrange viewing, please feel free to give me a call.
Thanks for reading.
