190E 2.5-16v Evolution II
Discussion
After nearly 12 years since I stupidly sold my Evo I, this is staying.. Just collected and drove him back from sunny Portugal, 1,700k road trip in two days and didn't miss a beat. 
More pics: https://www.flickr.com/gp/133746415@N08/372292
More pics: https://www.flickr.com/gp/133746415@N08/372292
Car is in great condition seeing as it's 25 years old, it's not perfect as it's covered 70k miles, but that's reasonably low mileage for one of these. My Evo 1 had 120,000 mls on it and a friend has an Evo II with 300,000kms + and it's as in as good condition as mine. My car has only had one owner it's entire life so it's been babied I think. It was from Luxembourg initially and I think registered by the dealer, then sold to Switzerland to a Portuguese guy. He kept it there until 2004 then moved back to Portugal with it where's it's stayed ever since. It's got no rust that I can see, anywhere, for example there's only a tiny bit of surface rust on the original exhaust system. Doesn't look like it's ever been driven in the wet!
I've had a lot of Mercs and I've currently got a W140 and a 300SEL, but the 190 was really a very well built car. They have their issues, but they are simple to fix. The interior in these are so hard wearing like Mercs used to be before 1999.
As for the wood, that's a difficult one. The wood stereo is hilarious I've never seen one like that before. In the boot is the most ridiculous array of HiFi gear, all Alpine, class A amps, DSP's, and a bloody big subwoofer. It's also got a tape holder all in wood too (Zebrano).
The wood is dealer fit, a lot of Evo's had this applied, particularly in Switzerland. There are bits that look awful like the bit around the heater controls, and the stereo (I've got a last model Becker with Nav that's going to go in it), but I'm not sure if to remove the rest as the trim below it could be damaged. Also being dealer fit, it's kind of distorting the history removing it.
Here's a photo under the car.
I've had a lot of Mercs and I've currently got a W140 and a 300SEL, but the 190 was really a very well built car. They have their issues, but they are simple to fix. The interior in these are so hard wearing like Mercs used to be before 1999.
As for the wood, that's a difficult one. The wood stereo is hilarious I've never seen one like that before. In the boot is the most ridiculous array of HiFi gear, all Alpine, class A amps, DSP's, and a bloody big subwoofer. It's also got a tape holder all in wood too (Zebrano).
The wood is dealer fit, a lot of Evo's had this applied, particularly in Switzerland. There are bits that look awful like the bit around the heater controls, and the stereo (I've got a last model Becker with Nav that's going to go in it), but I'm not sure if to remove the rest as the trim below it could be damaged. Also being dealer fit, it's kind of distorting the history removing it.
Here's a photo under the car.
Edited by Lagerlout on Sunday 21st May 10:53
Quick update. Car has had to have a few things doing to it to get it through the mot and registered including making some repeater mirror indicators to avoid having to drill holes in the wings. Sounds odd but it's reversible and doesn't mess up the car or any of the special evo bits.
All the wood trim is going and the massive old alpine system is being replaced with a period Becker unit. Lights also have to be changed of course.
Luke at LG Autoworx has been pouring over the car and we are fours days into the mother of all detailing jobs. Engine is done and the paintwork corrected got the interior to do next and the detail items but it looks astounding now almost better than new which is brilliant for a 25 year old car! Here's a few pics.
All the wood trim is going and the massive old alpine system is being replaced with a period Becker unit. Lights also have to be changed of course.
Luke at LG Autoworx has been pouring over the car and we are fours days into the mother of all detailing jobs. Engine is done and the paintwork corrected got the interior to do next and the detail items but it looks astounding now almost better than new which is brilliant for a 25 year old car! Here's a few pics.
Edited by Lagerlout on Sunday 3rd January 21:32
Edited by Lagerlout on Saturday 7th January 22:54
Finally got my Evo II on the road last month, and then pulled it off straight again to install a new cam chain (preventative) and reset the valve clearances. Installed a new stereo and speakers as the old one had blown up and the speakers had disintegrated. Oil service next job but lovely just to get him out on the road today in the shining sun.
Engine appears in tip top health as it was clean as whistle when we took the head off. I guess that's thanks to it having a great service history and being 1 owner it's entire life apart from me. Hopefully the weather will stay sunny and I can get some proper driving in even over the winter.
There was quite a bit to do to get it through the MOT (side indicators being a PITA for example) and then DVLA had me jumping through hoops for a while too. All done though now and can't wait to do some Euro trips in it next year. 13 years after I sold my Evo 1 it's great to be back in a 190E and my dream Evo II at that too!
Engine appears in tip top health as it was clean as whistle when we took the head off. I guess that's thanks to it having a great service history and being 1 owner it's entire life apart from me. Hopefully the weather will stay sunny and I can get some proper driving in even over the winter.
There was quite a bit to do to get it through the MOT (side indicators being a PITA for example) and then DVLA had me jumping through hoops for a while too. All done though now and can't wait to do some Euro trips in it next year. 13 years after I sold my Evo 1 it's great to be back in a 190E and my dream Evo II at that too!
Edited by Lagerlout on Saturday 7th January 22:52
Hi all, can anyone help me with an issue I've got with my door cards? As you can see from the earlier pictures my car came with a lot of dealer installed wood trim. I've removed nearly all of it now, from the dashboard, the centre console etc. Unfortunately, they drilled into the door cards to fit the wood and they also used a huge amount of glue to fit it. 
Annoying as the door cards are all mint apart from that! I've tried to remove the glue with acetone nut not having any luck. I'm not sure what type of glue it is, it looks like silicone but it's harder than that. See pics. Oh yeah, I also finally got my splitter fitted! Loving it. lol
Annoying as the door cards are all mint apart from that! I've tried to remove the glue with acetone nut not having any luck. I'm not sure what type of glue it is, it looks like silicone but it's harder than that. See pics. Oh yeah, I also finally got my splitter fitted! Loving it. lol Edited by Lagerlout on Saturday 7th January 22:51
Cheers guys. The wood is actually pretty nice on the doors, it's Zebrano like the wood used on much older Mercs. I know there's these smart repair companies out there but not sure I trust them with my P&J. If I can find a way to remove the glue I might either make some small plugs for the holes or refit the wood.
Got my front splitter on and finally finished all the work bar sorting the door cards out. Have to find a 1.8 190E with front and rear electric windows to source a set of door cards... Needle/haystack.. bah.
So took him our for his first drive yesterday cruise along the M27. Car almost rides like a limo with it's new tyres and suspension spheres. Very comfy car to drive long distances in. Since we did the valve clearances and new chain, the car is much peppier engine feels great. Can't wait to take him out and about more and more!
So took him our for his first drive yesterday cruise along the M27. Car almost rides like a limo with it's new tyres and suspension spheres. Very comfy car to drive long distances in. Since we did the valve clearances and new chain, the car is much peppier engine feels great. Can't wait to take him out and about more and more!
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