Mercedes 190e 2.5-16v

[KenJ]

So I've been lurking around here for a while and have finally decided to post some pics of my 'weekend car!' It's a 1990 Mercedes 190e 2.5-16v in blue-black metallic. The car has done 104000 miles and has a full service history.

I've not been able to use it as much as I'd like due to the weather and other commitments, but today it passed its MOT with flying colours!!

I've had it since November last year and so far have treated it to a full service including new oil, coolant, transmission and brake fluid change, spark plugs, leads and distributor cap. Runs really well and pulls hard after 3500rpm.

Plans are to use it more, attend some shows and have some bodywork done over the next few months. Pics below

[5potTurbo]

Lovely!

Always wanted one of these. I ran a high spec 190E from 98 - 00 and regret getting rid of it.

[benny.c]

Superb

[Highway Star]

Beauty. Any pics of the interior? I love the seats in these.

[deltashad]

As god made it and all the better for it. Thats lovely.

[E30M3SE]

Very nice.

[HAB]

Lovely. I will have me one of these at some point.

In the meantime - more photos. Now.

[norman156]

Great stuff! Loved mine, when it worked... Always important to get a good example with lots of service history, which sadly I didn't

You mentioned having some body work done, does it have the classic 190 16v under-bodykit rust?

Edited by norman156 on Sunday 19th May 08:58

[KenJ]

Thanks for all the kind comments. It's a really nice car; I've spent some time and money getting it back to original condition which I prefer! When I bought it someone had fitted some clear front and side indicator lenses which I've changed back to the orange originals. The steering wheel was a small momo one which obscured the clocks! I've swapped it for an original leather one - looks far better.

The seats are half leather with tartan cloth. I haven't got any pics at the moment, but will take some tomorrow and post up. Some more pics of the exterior below

[billzeebub]

That is a seriously cool car in the best colour. Top work

[neiljohnson]

Lovely

[simonrockman]

They are fantastic I've a cooking 190E and the Cosworth is a completely different car. The regular one is a lardy barge which has it's appeal but the 2.3/2.5-16 feels precise and a lot smaller

[Chunkychucky]

Nice, got one of these in 'Blauschwarz' the same as yours, do love the hard-edged growl they have after 5k rpm. Seriously underrated IMO, I think they'll probably rise in value when people realise these are alot closer to E30 M3s than people give them credit for! Enjoy!

[Slow]

Looks like the plastic at the back needs some back to black on it

Looked at getting one of these myself but insurance is a killer.

[mohitos]

Love it. When these were new and I was a kid with a local car washing round, I washed two of these. I still remember the build quality being second to none.

[Falsey]

One of my favourite cars. Yours looks awesome.

Ill own one one day

[KenJ]

Thanks all. Yes, the rear bumper does need some back to black or similar product applying. At some point in the near future I'll be removing the complete body kit to see what state it's in underneath......a job I'm somewhat dreading!! This will determine how much I have to save before it going into a body shop. As the car is in quite good condition overall I don't want to leave it too long before getting work done.

[dibblecorse]

Brilliant and I love your keep it original attitude, I worked in east London in the early 90's where you'd find Rude Mercs (yes, that was the dealers name) committing all sorts of wheels and body kit sins to these cars

[norman156]

KenJ said:

Thanks all. Yes, the rear bumper does need some back to black or similar product applying. At some point in the near future I'll be removing the complete body kit to see what state it's in underneath......a job I'm somewhat dreading!! This will determine how much I have to save before it going into a body shop. As the car is in quite good condition overall I don't want to leave it too long before getting work done.

The rear arches (one of the most common problem areas) were pretty far gone on mine, and I was quoted about £300 a side to sort them, if that gives you an idea.

You mentioned changing back to the original steering wheel. How do you find it size wise? I always thought it was a little too much on the large side, and made me feel like I was at the helm of a ship rather than a car... Ended up swapping it for a 190 sportline steering wheel (see the pic below) which was much more compact and looked alot better, I thought.

[KenJ]

Norman156; thanks for that, it does give me an indication of the cost and isn't too far away from what I'd budgeted either. In answer to your other question, yes the original steering wheel is quite big, although is a million times better than the tiny momo one the previous owner had fitted. I will look out for the Sportline one you mentioned, looks really good and still retains originality.

All, a pic below of some of the documentation / literature that came with the car or I've bought since. Original brochure, service and owners book, engine manual, parts book and Mercedes Club membership pack, who I've joined since buying the car. A bit of a geeky photo, but thought some might appreciate!