Michael Riley's Blog: Hemmings Find of the Day – 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Hemmings Find of the Day – 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16

After partnering with Britain’s Cosworth Engineering to develop a 320-horsepower, 2.3-liter engine for its proposed 190 E rally car, Mercedes-Benz pulled the plug on the project when rival Audi debuted its soon-unbeatable Quattro. Left with a capable chassis and a willing engine, Mercedes turned to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) series, but racing its hot 190E meant building homologation versions for the street. The result was the limited-production 190E 2.3-16, a car sold in the United States for just two years, 1986 and 1987. Street-spec cars didn’t make race power, but the high-strung four still produced 167 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque (slightly more in European trim), enough to deliver a 0-60 time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 140 MPH.

This 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16, for sale on Hemmings.com, was one of roughly 2,000 examples sold in the U.S., and is said to be a two-owner car with extensive documentation. Enthusiast owned, it’s described as unmodified with the exception of an Alpine head unit, though the original Becker Grand Prix radio is also part of the sale. From the seller’s description:

1986 Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3 16 Valve Cosworth finished in “Smoke Silver” with Black leather Recaro interior. A pristine, near-museum-quality example in amazing condition – two owners, it has been always garaged from day one. These cars were hand-built by Mercedes from 1983 to 1987 and this car is totally original. It has the rare race style dogleg Getrag 5 speed manual gearbox, smaller diameter steering wheel, quicker steering ratio, front and rear spoilers, side skirts, Recaro Sport seat leather interior with side bolsters for both front and rear seats. Car has 104,795 very pampered, miles.

The 190E 2.3-16 offered here is a completely original, two-owner, fully documented example. Included with the sale comes the original manuals, all keys, an extensive service history, all books and tool kit, the original Becker Grand Prix radio/ cassette player and more (even has the original First Aid kit recessed into it’s compartment on the rear package shelf).

I bought this car 15 years ago from the original owner. It has been garaged since new by both owners (never the primary car for either of us). It has rarely been in the rain and NEVER in snow (or road-salt conditions). It is pristine throughout and rust-free – the original spare tire and wheel are brand new!!

Here is the story of it’s amazing condition: the original owner owned a beauty parlor whose long-time clients included the wife and daughter of the local Mercedes dealer’s Service Manager. He and the original owner were friendly and when the car was brought in for its final, under-warranty service, just prior to 50K miles, he said it would need to keep it a few days. When the car was picked up, the Service Manager presented him with a three page, single-spaced work order detailing the many items he had renewed under warranty as a gift to him (one wonders what Mercedes thought – the car was in reality completely OK – but many items were listed as “leaking” or “worn” !!) See my photo of this work order (included in the sale of course). The total bill was $128 – for 3 pages of Mercedes dealership work!!

Needless-to-say, that aspect sold me on the car as it was basically factory/ dealer rebuilt at 49,550 miles. It had about 85K miles when I bought it in April of 2000, and now has 104K miles. Runs perfectly of course. Since I bought it oil and filters were changed regularly and, in 2005, many AC components were replaced when the system was professionally converted to modern R134A refrigerant. Recent work last August, in preparation for my decision to sell, includes a new AC compressor (old one was leaking), new O2 sensor, new coolant temp sensor, new shift linkage bushings and one new shock. Now completely A-OK. The original cassette radio (a Becker Grand Prix, which will be included with sale) was replaced by an Alpine AM/FM/CD player with USB input (sounds great thru the original front/ rear speaker systems).