Friday 7th May 2010

Pic Of The Week: '90s Homologation Specials

E30 M3 and 190E 2.5-16: two fantastic cars that always divide opinion

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This gorgeous pair of homologation German classics has sparked many discussions on PH long before our sister magazine Classic & Sports Car featured them within their June issue (which just so happens to be on sale now).

Eagle-eyed PHers had aleady spotted these particular cars advertised for sale in the classifieds, and a fierce discussion raged within the General Gassing forum as to which was best.

Here in the PH office I sit firmly in the Merc camp, as the 190E 2.5-16 was a car I fondly recall driving in my early 20s. I loved the Recaro seats, the subtle bodykit, the sheer performance offered by the 16v engine and the unusual dog leg gearbox. Ask my colleague Riggers, however, and he will stand up for the E30 M3, as he fondly remembers watching them race (rather sucessfully) in the BTCC when he was a lad.

This pair split opinion, and you either like one or the other. Sure, we'd all like to have a go in both but I bet that everyone reading this knows which one they would want to own were the opportunity to arise. Subtle 'minicab with bodykit' looks, or flared-arch race track refugee? It's a decision only you can make.

So enjoy looking at these cars and remember the wonderfully outrageous homologation specials we have seen over the years. Can you imagine the current C63 AMG and BMW M3 causing so much opinion-dividing excitement in 20 years time? No, neither can we.

Specs:

BMW E30 M3
Engine: iron-block, alloy head, dohc 2302cc 4 cylinder
Power: 215 bhp at 6750rpm
Torque: 170lb ft at 4600rpm
Price when new: £23,128 (1987)

Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16
Engine: iron-block, alloy head, dohc 2498cc 4 cylinder
Power: 197bhp at 6750rpm
Torque: 173lbft at 5000rpm
Price when new: £31,520 (1990)

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[E21_Ross]

2 lovely cars! didn't realise the 190E was around 50% more than the M3 though!!

i'd take either thank you very much

[sootyrumble]

I love them both but the one to have was the 190E Evo 2 as it had 224bhp and adjustable height suspension, all though i will allways prefer the M3 E30 as i still have a poster of it in the garage.

[ManOpener]

sootyrumble said:

I love them both but the one to have was the 190E Evo 2 as it had 224bhp and adjustable height suspension, all though i will allways prefer the M3 E30 as i still have a poster of it in the garage.

How about the M3 Evo Sport? They're what, 236bhp, and come with that awesome adjustable rear gurney spoiler.

[LukeBird]

Cosworth 190.




"Nurse, NURSE!

...

Yes, again."

[Lefty 200 Drams]

There's a 200k mile Cosworth 190e 2.5-16 on ebay very locally to me.

Was seriously tempted...

Sitting at about £1k...

[Dr G]

At last, one to replace the Lambo

I'll have the 190 please!

[Mermaid]

ManOpener said:

How about the M3 Evo Sport? They're what, 236bhp, and come with that awesome adjustable rear gurney spoiler.

238ps from it's 2.5 litre engine, and also a front adjustable spoiler

Nice pic

Edited by Mermaid on Friday 7th May 12:07

[leicesterboy15]

I went for a test drive in a 2.3 cossie and would have bought it had it not been for the dodgy seller, they look subtle but really they are mad as hell. I bought a 535i sport in the end and have stuck with BMs ever since but I would go for the Merc any day from this pair.

[soad]

E21_Ross said:

2 lovely cars! didn't realise the 190E was around 50% more than the M3 though!!

They are - me neither.

Now you're talking - both look grrrrreattttt!

[BeansOnToast]

My dad had the 190 cosworth brand new. Still goes on about it today as one of the best cars he's owned. I wish I could remember it, but I was only a young 'un at the time. Both cars look fantastic - would love to own either.

[soad]

M3 for me, please. Based purely on looks...just stirs my soul somehow.

[//dean]

Leith Hill car park. (Is that really strange/nerdy that I recognise the location?)


Won't be going on my desktop, I love the cars but the photo does nothing for me.

[sootyrumble]

ManOpener said:

sootyrumble said:

I love them both but the one to have was the 190E Evo 2 as it had 224bhp and adjustable height suspension, all though i will allways prefer the M3 E30 as i still have a poster of it in the garage.

How about the M3 Evo Sport? They're what, 236bhp, and come with that awesome adjustable rear gurney spoiler.

Thats the one i have on my poster such an awesome car, there was even a 3.2 AMG 190e not many people know about. I know someone who had both and he reckoned the 190e was a better car to drive on a daily basis but the M3 was the one he preferred he still says it was one of the alltime great handling cars and he has a CSL now.

[Shropshiremike]

sootyrumble said:

I love them both but the one to have was the 190E Evo 2 as it had 224bhp and adjustable height suspension,

Or even 235bhp for the EVO 2.

There was a Merc approved tuning pack for the 2.5-16 and EVO 1 to put power up to about 224 bhp though

[MarvinManUK]

Excluding price, I wouldn't be able to pick between the two of them. Briliant cars and a brilliant photo.

Top stuff .

[sootyrumble]

Shropshiremike said:

sootyrumble said:

I love them both but the one to have was the 190E Evo 2 as it had 224bhp and adjustable height suspension,

Or even 235bhp for the EVO 2.

There was a Merc approved tuning pack for the 2.5-16 and EVO 1 to put power up to about 224 bhp though

Now i just want one even more :-)

[tim200sx]

Two great cars and a great picture. The 'benz takes it for me (just)

[pSyCoSiS]

Two absolutely superb machines. Love them both. Been in both, however, driven neither of them.

For me - it has to be the E30 M3. It is one of my all time favourite cars. Looks so menacing with the flared arches.

An Evo Sport II, in Misano Red please!

Just try getting a half-decent example for less than £10k! I have seen some top examples for sale at over £30k!

[GFWilliams]

//dean said:

Leith Hill car park. (Is that really strange/nerdy that I recognise the location?)


Won't be going on my desktop, I love the cars but the photo does nothing for me.

Yes Dean, quite strange of you

The lighting just doesn't work on those cars. They're classics. They should be shot at dusk in natural light IMO..

[pSyCoSiS]

E21_Ross said:

2 lovely cars! didn't realise the 190E was around 50% more than the M3 though!!

I think the Cosworth was released in 1985 (2.3-16), where the E30 M3 appeared in 1986?