1989 Mercedes-Benz 190 2.3 - 16V Cosworth LHD

Highlights

• 1986-built car ordered new by Saarbrucken, home of 190 DTM racers
• Original, free-revving, 2.3L car developed for homologation
• Fresh Japanese import with a Grade 3.5 auction rating
• Recently fully serviced
• The vendor reports the car passed its MOT without any advisories
• Very clean underside, open to any inspections

The Appeal

The greatness of the 190 Cosworth is all down to the Audi Quattro. Mercedes was putting the finishing touches to its RWD 190 WRC rally car when Audi unveiled the AWD Quattro. It was game over for that idea, but Mercedes quickly pivoted. The result: the Cosworth found its natural home in the German Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, or DTM, to you and me. By the early 1990s, with full factory backing, it was utterly dominant.

This Blue-Black 2.3-16 Cosworth quite possibly has a link to those DTM cars because it was originally ordered by the Saarbrucken Branch, home of the technical workshop for Mercedes-Benz Motorsport and AMG. We can’t confirm it, but it’s certainly tempting to imagine that it was ordered new by someone connected to the outfit, or a works driver.

What makes the Cosworth so good, and of course gives it the name, is the Formula One-derived DOHC 16V aluminium head fitted to the 2.3L M102 4cyl engine. Unlike the later cars, the early 2.3L 16V was built for homologation, so it is closest to the vision of those Stuttgart engineers. The smaller-engined car is particularly rated by enthusiasts for its free-revving nature and is considered the purists’ choice.

The car was ordered in July 1986, and the seller told us it was first registered in 1989. It appears to have spent much of its life in Japan before arriving recently in the UK. It is in very good order, appearing largely standard, save for a set of period split-rim lattice BBS gold alloys. The black checkered interior, with its correct sports seats, is particularly well-kept.

The vendor tells us that the car arrives on the market with a fresh service and a current MOT. It will require UK road registration. Once done, the buyer gets a scintillating 80s saloon to enjoy.

Key Information

• Mileage: 150,918 km (93,776 miles) indicated
• Country of origin: Japan (not currently UK registered)
• MOT status: vendor states car has passed its MOT without any advisories; expiry date not provided
• Technical specs: 2.3-litre 16V Cosworth four-cylinder petrol; 5spd dogleg manual gearbox
• Paperwork: not specified

The Detail

• Factory blue/black metallic paintwork in good overall condition
• Due to the age of the car and the mileage buyers should be realistic about condition
• Small scrape noted at the bottom of the front splitter
• Vendor describes car as clean apart from scrape noted above
• Vendor describes the underside as clean
• BBS split rim gold lattice alloys with polished rims in good overall condition
• Dunlop tyres fitted all round
• Car has been debadged
• Black checkered fabric interior is factory correct and in very good order
• Some light age to note inside such as apparent staining to passenger seat squab
• Fitted with period radio cassette
• Wood-rimmed three spoke wheel with Mercedes centre boss
• Features electric windows and steel sliding sunroof
• Vendor states the car is in great mechanical and physical condition with no issues
• Vendor reports the interior is in good condition for its age and mileage
• We are told the car is great fun and performs and handles well
• Vendor states the 2.3-litre 16V Cosworth engine and exhaust system sound great
• Current MOT with no advisories according to seller (not verified)
• Car freshly serviced prior to sale

BEFORE YOU BUY

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