RE: PH Heroes: Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo II
Discussion
My old man used to have a 190 Evo 1 many moons ago. It was in fact the first properly fast car I ever drove. Imagine being 18-19 and used to driving a 1.6 Golf and then "borrowing" the keys to one of these monsters. I just could not believe a car could rev so hungrily, feel so fast and be so tail happy. I'm geniunely surprised I didn't stack it, it was such a step up from my lowly car and definately beyond my ability to control properly at the time. I also remember the dog leg gearbox confusing the hell out of me for about 10 minutes. Still the car was awesome and handling was sublime.
Still one of best sounding 4 pot engines IMO and I actually prefer the styling of the EVO 1 as it doesn't have that ridiculous picnic table stuck on the back. My ideal would be one with an EVO 2 engine but with the EVO 1 kit.
Still one of best sounding 4 pot engines IMO and I actually prefer the styling of the EVO 1 as it doesn't have that ridiculous picnic table stuck on the back. My ideal would be one with an EVO 2 engine but with the EVO 1 kit.
Ellieb10 said:
A mate used to have a 2.3-16 (admittedly an auto) - great fun flooring it half way through a corner but not so great when the self levelling rear suspension needed to be replaced. Fantastic cars with excellent, direct steering and balance.
I have a 92 230 E, fantastic engine completely ruined by the auto box however :-(
E30M3SE said:
Mermaid said:
Nice.
I suppose the obvious comparison is to the BMW Sport Evo - AFAIK that has 238ps, 1200kgs.
Yep, the Merc's were however about £50K IIRC, and SE cost a paltry £35K.I suppose the obvious comparison is to the BMW Sport Evo - AFAIK that has 238ps, 1200kgs.
The steering feel accusation was often levelled at the recirculating ball system on the Merc
A fast lap at the 'Ring by Klaus Ludwig, one of the most successful drivers of the 190E, together with Armin Hahne
Loud volume so beware
http://www.kewego.com/video/iLyROoaftrui.html
Loud volume so beware
http://www.kewego.com/video/iLyROoaftrui.html
One of my favourite homologation specials. I love the looks, they may be brash but with so many marques subscribing to the 'bland is better' school of thought they are refreshing. That said, to suggest they look like the tat featured in Max
Power is just insulting.
The 80's and early 90's truely were a great time for fast saloons!
Power is just insulting.
The 80's and early 90's truely were a great time for fast saloons!
Veeayt said:
I'm sorry, but "steering lacking in feel"? Have you chaps actually driven it? It has the best steering feel this side of the Elise. As for the rest, good reading.
Imagine track duel with this and E30 Evo2
Veeyat (and Riggers!), to answer the question, yes, I have driven it! And I ran a 2.3-16 in a previous life for a number of years so there's my credentials for you! To be fair the Evo does have different steering - 15.4:1 and 2.8 turns lock to lock against 15.14:1 and three turns for the regular 2.3-16 - and the smaller wheel helps too. The standard one in the 2.3 is a proper Merc taxi wheel and huge! But they're both recirculating ball and while they're OK while loaded up and reasonably direct there's just this odd springiness in the weighting and odd transition off-centre that, to me, doesn't feel as direct and natural as contemporary BMWs. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Merc fan and if you're used to the way they did things at the time it all makes sense. But if there's a weak spot in the set-up the steering is it. That and the dreadful pedal placing! Imagine track duel with this and E30 Evo2
We'll just have to beg to differ on the 'best steering feel this side of the Elise' I'm afraid!
And, Guvernator, I'm with you on an Evo with the Evo II engine! Much as I like the bodykit I think the Evo was the better looking of the two. That's so cool your dad used to have one too, major respect!
Edited by Dan Trent on Thursday 28th July 22:38
I owned a Sport Evolution (yes Mercedes referred to these internally as Sport Evolution and Sport Evolution II) and what a fantastic car it was. I wish I'd never got rid of it. There is probably pictures on here in some ancient thread.
They do need a lot of TLC and you soon become an expert on KE-Jetronic if yours isn't running right! Bodywork and interiors are completely bullet proof.
They do need a lot of TLC and you soon become an expert on KE-Jetronic if yours isn't running right! Bodywork and interiors are completely bullet proof.
I have had my 2.5.16V now for 9 years and love it to bits..mine is fitted with an Evo2 Rear roll bar and Evo2 Brakes
It gets used hard very often, it gets tracked every so often too!
In fact i took it to Essen last year 4 in car will full luggage, travelled at ridiculous speeds coming back late at night, cant think of many 20 year old cars that has over 150k on the clock that inspired confidence...love it!
I was also fortunate enough to have a 500E at the same time for a period,when one had to go there was no way i was parting the 16V, get a good one and it will give a great sense of satisfaction
It gets used hard very often, it gets tracked every so often too!
In fact i took it to Essen last year 4 in car will full luggage, travelled at ridiculous speeds coming back late at night, cant think of many 20 year old cars that has over 150k on the clock that inspired confidence...love it!
I was also fortunate enough to have a 500E at the same time for a period,when one had to go there was no way i was parting the 16V, get a good one and it will give a great sense of satisfaction
Interesting stats from the howmanyleft website ( if they're accurate and the logbooks have the correct id on )
http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?q=mercedes+190E+Evol...
According to articles, only 6 were sold over here new but I presume some others have been imported over the years
http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?q=mercedes+190E+Evol...
According to articles, only 6 were sold over here new but I presume some others have been imported over the years
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