Back in the early ’80s, Mercedes envisioned entering a hot version of their “baby benz” 190E into WRC competition. What they didn’t envision was the all-wheel drive competition from Audi and Lancia, which dominated the class. Realizing the error of their ways, Benz took their little Autobahner, with its Cosworth-modded mill, and attacked the DTM circuit. The Touring Car series required that competitors be based on a car available to the public, and hence Mercedes homologated a number of 190E 16Vs for you and me. And here’s one that’s one that’s for sale, and while it’s quick, who knows if it’ll go fast.
This dark blue 190E 16V is parked on our favorite curb-side used car lot, and looks a bit innocuous from afar as the model identifying badges have been scraped off. The AMG-inspired body cladding is still there, although, sadly, the OEM alloys and grill have been replaced with some vulgar aftermarket items.
Still there is the 5-speed stick, and the twin-cam, 167-bhp 2.3-litre four cylinder, which is an oversquare design at 95.50/80.25 mm bore/stroke. The seller is claiming that there’s only 5,000 miles on the rebuilt motor, and 159K on the car as a whole. At an asking price of $8,500 obo, there’s a lot to like here. Do you think, for that price, would it be Cosworth it to you?
Vulgar Aftermarket Items decided it. High miles, low engine miles: push. 2.3 litre four, 5-speed stick: push.$ 8500k, ugly rims and grill: Pass.
Crack….well, a bit expensive, maybe. Needs new grille, shifter knob, new (dark gray metallic) paint for those Brabus wheels……
Makes me nervous. Somebody must have beaten the living hell out of this car if it needed an engine rebuild that early (Don't Mercedes engines last much longer than that?). Who rebuilt the engine, some hack or someone reputable? And, after going through all that expense, why just sell it? Tranny about to go? Nah, I'd leave it alone.
"The seller is claiming that there’s only 5,000 miles on the rebuilt motor". With out paperwork to prove when the engine had been rebuilt and at what mileage it had been done at it's hard to justify, remember this isn't just a stock baseline mill here it's a Cosworth. Beyond that for me the grill and wheels are easy enough to change.
Off the production line this was one of the most perfect cars ever. However, this examples whispers of a dirty past and the dangers of undiagnosed hepatitis or genital warts.
At $5k, I'd be all over it.
Not so much anywhere near $8500.
With the original wheels, I would consider it. The 190E Evo II is still one of my favorites around the Gran Turismo Nurburgring.
This car is definitely overpriced. I'd pay that kind of coin for a nice one, though.
Here's my ode to these puppies:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-11011-LA-New-C...
[...] and he wants some performance. And yet, despite all my pleading, he won’t even look askance at a Merc 190E 2.3 16V (as seen earlier today), or an M3 of any variety. I need to switch this guy off the hard stuff and onto a more tractable [...]