1985 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth (W201) ●

The Mercedes-Benz W201 was a compact executive saloon car manufactured by Mercedes-Benz from 1982 to 1993. Mercedes had enjoyed some good results competing in rallying, with V8-powered R107 Series Coupés and naturally they were keen to build on this success by taking the 190E on a similar path. Not having the expertise in-house at the time, Mercedes approached British engineering company Cosworth, to develop a competitive engine for the rally car, however this project took off just as the Audi Quattro, with its all-wheel drive and turbocharger, was launched, making the 2.3-16v appear somewhat outclassed. With a continued desire for the 190 to succeed in high-profile motorsport and also now a state of the art engine with which to do it, Mercedes turned to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) (German Touring Car Championship) motorsport series instead. However, cars racing in this championship had to be based on a road-going model, a minimum number of which had been sold to the public, so Mercedes, therefore, had to put the 190 into series production with a detuned version of the Cosworth engine.

This high-performance model was known as the 190E 2.3-16 and debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 1983. In road-going trim, the 2.3-litre 16-valve engine produced 185bhp with acceleration from 0-62mph in less than eight seconds and a top speed of 143mph. The engine is considered to be remarkably flexible with a very flat torque curve and a wide powerband. There were other notable changes over the standard 190 including the body-kit which reduced the drag coefficient to 0.32, one of the lowest CD values on a four-door saloon at the time, whilst also reducing lift at speed. The steering ratio was quicker and the steering wheel smaller than that on other 190s, whilst the fuel tank was enlarged from 55 to 70 litres. The Getrag 5-speed manual gearbox was unique to the 16-valve and featured a 'racing' gear pattern with a 'dog-leg' first gear. An oil cooler was fitted to ensure sufficient oil cooling for the inevitable track use for which many of these cars were destined. The strictly four-seat interior featured Recaro sports seats with strong side bolsters for front and rear passengers and three extra dials, an oil temperature gauge, stopwatch and voltmeter, were included in the centre console. The suspension on 16-valve models is very different from the standard 190, as well as being lower and stiffer, it has quicker dampers, larger anti-roll bars, harder bushes, a limited-slip differential and hydraulic self-levelling suspension (SLS) on the rear, allowing the rear ride height to remain constant even when the car is fully loaded.

Finished in gleaming Smoke Silver, this impressive, left-hand drive, manual gearbox 190E 2.3-16 was originally purchased in the UK, first registered as C704 GVR in January 1986, and had its initial service in Gibraltar on 22nd May 1986. Its English owner was a yacht broker in Palma and used the car to drive from Spain back to the UK when he occasionally returned home. Our vendor purchased the Mercedes from him and shipped it back to the UK where it was granted the Cherished Registration Number 9005 GPL. For the last seven or eight years, it has lived in Ireland (Éire) and was registered there, pre-Brexit, as ZV 12688. Importantly, this means that, as the car was initially UK-registered, it would be eligible - should it return here - for the reduced rate of VAT at 5%, however, its current Irish registration offers free movement within the EU.

It has covered just 57,000 miles from new and appears in excellent condition all round. The black leather interior looks comfortable and would be a wonderful environment in which to traverse the Continent which is exactly what our vendor did last summer with a prolonged tour of Spain and Portugal. The Mercedes is accompanied by a history file containing a large number of service invoices (UK, Ireland and Spain) indicating that it has been diligently maintained, as well as several magazine articles on the model, and an original 2.3-16 Sales Brochure. 

This is a delightful example of a sought after performance Mercedes saloon, low-mileage, low-ownership and cherished by our fastidious vendor and we invite and encourage your viewing at our Race Retro Sale.