1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16v, 5 speed manual, 108,000 miles, Smoke Silver, Recaro Interior, Extensive History, Stunning Condition Throughout.

*1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 (Cosworth)
*UK car in Right Hand Drive
*5 Speed Manual (dog-leg) Transmission
*108,000 miles
*Smoke Silver Metallic
*Leather & Cloth Recaro Interior
*Electric Sunroof
*15” Light Alloy Wheels
*Extensive Restoration in 2009
*Stunning Condition Throughout
*Extensive History File
*HPi Clear

CSC offer for sale this simply stunning example of Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16. This 1986 car is finished in Smoke Silver with Leather & Cloth Recaro interior and the much acclaimed 5 speed ‘dog-leg’ gearbox. This is the car which formed the relationship with Mercedes and AMG and the forerunner to models such as todays C63. With around just 225 2.3-16’s remaining registered in the UK, these historical cars are becoming increasingly sought after and collectable.

INTRODUCTION
Mercedes launched the W201 based 190 in December 1982, with right hand drive models becoming available for the UK market in September 1983. The car was initially sold in 190 and 190E variants (E for Einspritzung or Fuel Injection) which gave the car more power and refinement. In September 1983 the 190E 2.3 was launched.

Cosworth’s involvement with the 190 started when Mercedes wished to take the 190E rallying and the British engineering company were asked to develop the 2.3 engine to achieve 320bhp for the rally car. However, a certain other German car company happened to arrive on the rally scene with their new ‘Quattro’ which took the sport by storm and outclassed all competition including the 190E.

Mercedes still wished to enter the 190E in motorsport and so turned to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft – DTM (German Touring Car Championship) instead. The rules of DTM stated that the racing cars had to be based on a road going production homologation model and so Mercedes would have to put the 190E 2.3 into production with the Cosworth engine fitted – all be it in de-tuned form.

This performance model was launched at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show and was named the 190E 2.3-16V on the back of three world records set that August at the Nardo test facility in Italy which recorded a combined average speed of 150.06mph over a 50,000km / 200 hour test, driving through three service intervals and establishing no less than 12 international endurance records along the way.

The road going Cosworth model featured revised inlet and exhaust ports, a performance camshaft and Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection giving the car 183bhp in detuned form whilst still offering a very flexible and drivable engine with a flat torque curve and wide power band.

Cosworth engine was based on the M102 four cylinder 2.3 litre 8 valve unit which produced 136bhp as fitted to the 190 and E-class cars. Cosworth developed a new cylinder head, with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. The revised cylinder heads were cast at Cosworth’s own factory in Worcester UK and then shipped to Germany to be fitted.

Other engine parts were also upgraded including light pressed alloy pistons, and uprated rings to withstand the higher engine speeds whilst an oil cooler was fitted to ensure sufficient oil cooling during performance driving. In road-going trim, the 2.3 16v engine reached maximum output of 183bhp engine at 6,200rpm and redlined at 7,100rpm.

All 2.3-16v 190’s were fitted with a Limited Slip Differential as standard whilst the steering ratio was quicker and the fuel tank was enlarged from the standard 55 litres to 70 litres. Manual transmission cars shared the 5 speed Getrag gearbox with the BMW E30 M3 and featuring a dog-leg change pattern with 1st gear being left and down. Performance wise the car could reach 62mph in under 8 seconds and could reach a V max of 143mph (impressive for a family saloon in the early 80’s).

Externally the 16v cars featured an aerodynamic body kit with a deep front air dam, side skirts, wheel arch extensions and a rear wing which reduced lift at high speed and gave a drag coefficient of 0.32, one of the lowest CD values of a four door saloon at the time. The car sat lower on new firmer multi-link firmer suspension which featured MacPherson struts at the front and a five link hydraulic Self-Levelling suspension (SLS) on the rear which allowed the rear ride height to remain constant when carrying a full load.

Internally the 2.3-16v was a strict four seater with deeply side bolstered sports seats for front and rear passengers. The leather trimmed steering wheel was reduced in size to 390mm whilst three two extra dials, an oil temperature and voltmeter joined a stopwatch in the lower centre console.

A total of 19,487 2.3-16v cars were built in total with around 700 Right hand drive cars believed to have been sold in the UK before the revised 2.5 model was launched in 1988. The 2.3-16 Cosworth model was only available in two factory colours, Pearl Black metallic and Smoke Silver metallic.

In 1984 the Nurburg Race of Champions saw a grid of identical 2.3-16v 190E’s driven by current, former and up and coming Formula 1 drivers was held at the inauguration of the new, shorter GP Nurburgring circuit. After a close fight for the lead with Niki Lauda, the race was won by Number 11, driven by a then largely unknown driver called Ayrton Senna four years before he would win his first F1 title. Senna went on to purchase himself a right hand drive Smoke Silver 2.3-16 for his personal use in the UK in 1985 until he moved to Monaco in 1987.

The Cosworth 190E went on to enter DTM touring car racing with private teams such as AMG with the car racing such legends as the BMW M3 and turbo charged Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. The car (now in 2.5-16v Evolution 2 form) took the constructors title in 1991 and then won 16 of 24 races with Klaus Ludwig driving for team AMG taking the drivers title and Mercedes taking the constructors title in 1992. The success of the 190E in DTM secured the relationship between Mercedes and AMG which would eventually see AMG becoming an ‘in house’ brand of the German manufacturer for its high performance models.

DESCTRIPTION
This example presents itself in stunning condition with beautifully straight bodywork, perfect panel gaps and unblemished Shadow Silver paintwork with nothing more than the odd light stone chip only noticeable on very close inspection. The 15 inch light alloy wheels are in superb undamaged condition and all fixtures and trim fit correctly.

Internally, the car features the superb large bolstered Recaro sports seats, trimmed in leather with plaid cloth centres and matching door car inserts. Again, the interior trim presents beautifully with minimal signs of wear for a car of 35 years such was the level of Mercedes build quality at the time. Carpets, trim and switchgear are all in superb condition with electrical items all operating as they should.

Start looking a little closer and you’ll find such things as the original first aid kit still stored in its rear shelf storage compartment, and in the boot a full size 15 inch spare alloy wheel with the original jack, toolkit and hazard triangle still present. The engine bay also presents in very clean, tidy and original condition.

EXTERNAL FEATURES INCLUDE:
Smoke Silver Metallic Paintwork
Aerodynamic Body Kit
15 inch Light Alloy Wheels

INTERIOR FEATURES INCLUDE:
Recaro Leather & Plaid Cloth Sports Seats and Trim
Leather Trimmed Steering Wheel
5 Speed Manual Transmission (dog-leg)
Electric Windows x 4
Central Locking
Electric Sun/Moon Roof
Electric Passenger Side Mirror
Radio Cassette Player
CD Multi-changer
Height Adjustable Front Seats
Fitted Carpet Over-mats

DRIVER AIDS:
Power Assisted Steering
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Rear Self Levelling Suspension

PERFORMANCE:
Engine: 2.3 16v
Drivetrain: Rear Wheel Drive
Power: 183bhp
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds
Top Speed: 144 mph

HISTORY:
The car had its pre-delivery inspection on 17th Septemer 1986. All other inspections and 6000 mile periodic services up to its 60,000 miles service on 25th September 1993 were carried out by Mercedes dealerships and recorded in the cars service booklet. In November 1993 when the car had covered 66,000 miles the 190E was purchased by a Mrs Griffiths who’s son owned Ashton Motors Services in Bristol who carried out servicing and maintenance of the car. The service book was not stamped during this period however the MOT history shows Ashton Motors Services as the regular MOT centre for the car which backs up this association. The car was purchased by from Mrs Griffiths by Mr Anthony Orley in July 2009 with the car having covered 90,000 miles. All servicing and maintenance on the car were again documented, including the 96,000 miles service carried out by Mercedes Specialists Parkway Automobile

RESTORATION
The 190E 2.3 was subject to a major bodywork restoration in August 2009 by Peels Motorkraft in Bristol. The bodywork was stripped down locate any areas of corrosion which were then cut out and repaired with new metal sections. The worst areas were recognised as the rear wheel arch areas including the inner arch areas, all of which were replaced. Once all repair fabrication work was completed, both sides of the car were repainted to match the existing paintwork which still remains in immaculate condition on the roof and bonnet.

Once the bodywork restoration and re-painting was completed, all inner body panels, vehicle underside, inner door panels, wheel arches and behind the body kit areas were all treated with waxoyl for preservation. The alloy wheels were also refurbished to a factory finish to complete the work. Full details of the restoration work by Peel’s Motorkraft are included in the documentation file along with a detailed history of the maintenance and repairs which comes with the car.

Peels Motorkraft - google: peelsmotorkraft

This superb Mercedes 190E 2.3-16 comes with the following:
*Spare Keys
*Owners Wallet, Handbooks & Information Pack
*Service History
*Extensive History File
*MOT History
*Original Mercedes Toolkit & Jack
*Original First Aid Kit
*Original Warning Triangle
*HPi Certificate

PRICE:
£SOLD