This 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 is finished in Blue-Black Metallic (199) over Anthracite Leather (271) and is powered by a Cosworth-enhanced 2.3-liter 16-valve four-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Equipment includes power operated front sport seats with individual rear bucket seats, a power tilt/slide sunroof, aerodynamic bodywork with a rear spoiler, self-leveling rear suspension, central locking, automatic climate control and a Becker Grand Prix radio with bluetooth connectivity. Service records from 2007 are included with the most recent maintenance items consisting of new tires, refinished wheels, new springs and shocks, and new pads and rotors on all four corners. This 190E 2.3-16 now shows 38k miles and is offered for sale by the current owner in Malvern, Pennsylvania with both keys, original manufacturer’s literature, a clean Carfax report and a clean Pennsylvania title.
The exterior is finished in Blue-Black Metallic (199) and features aerodynamic bodywork specific to the 16-valve which included sculpted front and rear bumpers, side skirts and a trunk-mounted rear spoiler. Exterior equipment includes euro-spec headlights with integrated fog lights, a power tilt/slide sunroof, central locking and a power adjustable passenger-side door mirror. The car received a full repaint in 2010 which is documented in the service history. Paint meter readings have been included by the seller and are viewable in the photo gallery.
The factory 15” Gullideckel wheels were refinished under current ownership along with the spare and have been wrapped in a new set of Kumho Ecsta PS31 tires measuring 205/55 on all four corners showing 2022 date codes. Multi-link rear suspension is equipped with hydropneumatic self-leveling struts while four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are mounted on all four corners. The seller notes that all four pads and rotors were recently replaced along with new springs and shocks.
The cabin is upholstered in Anthracite Leather (271) featuring bolstered sport seats in the front with individual bucket seats in the rear. Zebrano wood trim can be found lining the center console and shows no signs of cracking or fading. Both front seats are power adjustable with the driver side including two-position memory. Additional features include automatic climate control, cruise control and the original Becker Grand Prix radio which was recently retrofitted with bluetooth by Becker AutoSound. The center console features additional instrumentation including an engine oil temperature gauge, an analog voltmeter and a digital stopwatch. The interior trim and upholstery received re-dyeing and repair under current ownership.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel frames VDO instrumentation including a 160-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer and gauges for fuel level, economy, oil pressure and coolant temperature. A digital outside temperature sensor can be found mounted in the row of warning lights. The six-digit odometer currently reads 38k miles with 300 being added by the current owner over the past six months. Mileage is TMU due to prior repairs to the instrument cluster in 2012.
This W201 is powered by an 2.3-liter M102 engine featuring a Cosworth-developed aluminum cylinder head featuring four valves per cylinder and an increased compression ratio of 9.7:1. These improvements allow the engine to produce 167 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential.
The Carfax first shows mileage reported in 1989 with registration listed in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. No accidents or damage reports are listed. Extensive service history starting in 2007 is included with documents included in the photo gallery below. Now showing 38k miles, this 190E 2.3-16 is offered with both keys, the original manufacturer’s literature, tool kit, first aid kit, a clean Carfax report and a clean Pennsylvania title.
A cold-start/driving video and walk-around video have been provided by the seller below.
With a new compact model in their lineup, Mercedes saw an opportunity to replace their larger C107 SLC rally cars with a smaller and more nimble package. After creating a rally-spec W201 with legendary engine builder Cosworth, the all-wheel drive Audis began to dominate WRC and made it clear that rear-wheel drive was no longer viable. With an uncompetitive W201, Mercedes decided to instead turn to DTM while also offering a detuned street version known as the 2.3-16. With four valves per cylinder, a dog-leg manual transmission and new aerodynamic bodywork, the 2.3-16 offered a new type of vehicle not traditionally found in the Mercedes lineup. While in today’s market the 2.3-16’s DTM rival, the E30 M3, commands collector-level prices, the W201 has largely flown under the radar. With clean cars being hard to find, collectors are quickly scooping up low mileage examples such as these which are sure to provide serious value. With refinished Gullideckel wheels, the original Becker radio and a binder full of service receipts, this example is as clean as they come and is sure to be enjoyed for years by its lucky new owner.
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26 Comments
$48,500 bid placed by @herewegoagain
$48,000 bid placed by @Rado
$47,500 bid placed by @herewegoagain
$47,000 bid placed by @Rado
$46,500 bid placed by @herewegoagain
$46,000 bid placed by @Rado
$45,500 bid placed by @herewegoagain
$45,000 bid placed by @Rado
$44,500 bid placed by @herewegoagain
$44,000 bid placed by @Rado
$43,500 bid placed by @herewegoagain
$43,000 bid placed by @Rado
$42,500 bid placed by @herewegoagain
$42,000 bid placed by @Rado
$41,500 bid placed by @AOcado
$41,000 bid placed by @Rado
$40,500 bid placed by @AOcado
$40,000 bid placed by @Rado
$39,500 bid placed by @herewegoagain
$39,000 bid placed by @Rado
$38,500 bid placed by @AOcado
$38,000 bid placed by @Rado
$37,500 bid placed by @herewegoagain
$37,000 bid placed by @AOcado
$36,500 bid placed by @kyang
$36,000 bid placed by @AOcado
$35,500 bid placed by @JWestling
$35,000 bid placed by @Rado
$34,500 bid placed by @JWestling
Hi everyone: Good luck bidding on this amazing car in the final hours. I will be available to answer any questions.$34,000 bid placed by @kyang
$32,000 bid placed by @GreenbrierCC
@wilhit10 Car was in Virginia and North Carolina most of its life. Since I have had it it has been in my garage and we didn't get 1 inch of snow last year.It’s a shame this one has seen some salt/snow in its life, as otherwise it’d be a 10. Then again, since it’s not, the car can be driven and enjoyed.This was NOT the car which sold on BaT within the last month. That is a different car with a different VIN.@kyang Yes@Ntrepid NoForgot to ask, but all the emission stuff is there right?Are the EVO rims which were on the car when you bought it included in the sale?I know the seller well have seen this and his other cars in person. He has owned dozens of MBs over the years and is always meticulous in maintaining them. This particular car shows even better in person. I have no doubts the mileage to be correct. The winning bidder will not be disappointed.Hi everyone, thanks for looking at the auction for this incredible 190E Cosworth. I know the prior public auction of this car stated that “ The speedometer was repaired in March 2011 and the instrument cluster was repaired in October 2012, thus total mileage is unknown”, however, I purchased the car from that auction feeling confident that the documentation clearly showed the mileage to be true. The documentation I used to arrive at this decision is all provided in the gallery for the current auction and it shows the following documented mileages on inspection reports or other repair orders prepared by a third party: 8/10/2007- 21,974 1/12/2008- 22,235 3/09/2009- 25,602 6/03/2010- 27,511 3/09/2011- 27,886 Therefore, in my opinion, there is no reason to believe the true mileage is “unknown” and I believe the condition of the car supports that thesis strongly. We all know that the gears sometimes break on older, analog MB odometers and my personal belief is that IF this one broke, it was promptly repaired by the prior owner based on the incremental mileage(s) documented throughout its life and the lack of an aberrational “low mileage” period. The mileage increase(s) are extremely consistent throughout the life of the car. Again, I bought this car feeling very comfortable that the actual miles are showing on the car now and the condition of the car upon receiving it confirmed that belief for me. I encourage any other bidders to bid with the same confidence. This is an excellent example with thorough records and it’s a joy to drive. I also encourage anyone to come look at the quality of this car. I will make myself available. Thanks and GOOD LUCK!Seller owes nobody any explanation as to why they are reselling. You don't want the car do to that reason move on but getting into how the other bidder would have wanted the car??? Come on. I have zero issue with pointing out past auction as its public. getting back to the facts the lack of supporting info or bidders view of the TMU is what hurt last auctions final sale price. Beautiful car and they are getting rarer with low miles.Would also like to better understand why TMU Enjoy! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8edfo_8LdOUlow mileage - tmu im confusedCorrect - this example sold on BAT in Sept 2022 There was a different 190 2.3 16v that sold recently on BAT - it was a west coast car… check the vin, not the same car@BabyBenzFan wasn’t this purchased in September 2022? Where did you get the 3/4/23 from?@993tats, not to belabor the point but this same car sold on BAT on March 4, 2023. Not cool imho to sell a car so quickly. I hope the new owner will keep this car for many years and enjoy it as good ones like this one will only continue to go up in value.$25,000 bid placed by @kyang
$12,000 bid placed by @Vancouver
$10,000 bid placed by @993tats
@babybenzfan It looks like the seller purchased the car 6 months ago. Not a few weeks ago. I’ve purchased cars, made them perfect to my OCD level, then sold them. Sometimes the chase, the purchase, then the minor restoration is the fun. To each his own…no judgment$5,250 bid placed by @rockingchairmoto
$5,000 bid placed by @Ramrattan
No offense @Enzoturbo but it seems pretty ridiculous to me to buy a car only to put it up for sale a couple of weeks later. No doubt the other BAT bidders would've loved to have won that auction and likely would've kept the car for longer. Just my 2 cents.@ferrari1971 I bought another car and am out of space.@993tats Sure. Anytime.@kyang No rust or leaks of any kind. Car is in pristine condition.I saw this car in BAT , why are you selling it so fast?any rust / leak issues to be aware of? Thanks.@seller Im local to you - can I arrange to see the car in person?$4,000 bid placed by @Samaanalseman
$2,000 bid placed by @dennyleeb
They will be up soon. ThanksNo under body pictures?$1,500 bid placed by @Ramrattan
$1,250 bid placed by @ckhoskins