When I look at this car, the phrase beater with a heater comes to mind. This once-handsome 1993 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3 appears to have been discovered in the remains of an abandoned house, or maybe one that was forclosed on unexpectedly. The classic 190E shape is still there, but much of its grandeur has been washed away by time and neglect. The seller reports it fires up but won’t stay running, but he’s at least done enough homework to confirm it goes into gear. Find the 190E here on Facebook Marketplace for the dirt cheap price of $600.
There’s easily $600 in parts here, and likely more when you factor in the very respectable interior. As we know, I have the Cosworth edition currently gathering dust at a local shop, and I actually drove this exact model many years ago as a commuter car. They are fine highway machines even in base model spec, with a surprising amount of grunt in the upper ranges of the tach once you’re moving on the interstate. As you can see here, the keys are obviously missing, replaced with a handy screwdriver as your source of ignition.
The 190E could be spec’d with the 2.3 four-cylinder or the 2.6 inline-six engine. Either option will yield a fairly silky driving experience, but the six is the way to go for the best of all worlds. The seller’s car appears to have an aftermarket exhaust of sorts, so someone was messing with this 190E for one reason or another. It’s not a great platform for modifying, admittedly, and most W201 enthusiasts would focus their modification dollars on a genuine Cosworth or at least a 190E with the rare Sportline package.
The parts I see of value here include the full interior; center stack controls with woodgrain trim; steering wheel; crack-free dashboard; 2.3 liter four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission; wheels and tires; ABS pump; power seat controls (if so equipped); headlights and grill; and plenty more I’m forgetting. Unfortunately, you may be waiting a while for those parts to sell given the small market of enthusiasts restoring the non-Cosworth 190Es.
I love the design of these baby Benz’s. I have been looking for a cheap 2.6 version but while I’m looking I will continue to enjoy my W126 and C126 drivers. I like being different in a sea of bland new cars.
There’s nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes.
Except a cheap Ferrari or Lamborghini or any other cheep “supercar” lol
Or a cheap Avanti!
Except one with a cheap owner (or on a tight budget).
The ultimate in lazy posting, MetaMarketplace! What are people gonna do when “they” start watching every transaction? For us that do not deal with Brag-Book, the owner is missing out on so much more! LOL
Ashland is a beautiful town. The car looks well worth the 600 bucks, Its the rest of the money you have to spend that is a mystery :)
Why part it out.
Fix what sounds like a fairly small fuel delivery problem , get a new ignition assembly , and drive it.
I had a $600. Mercedes 300 D and drove it for years.
Hmm, screwdriver ignition…theft recovery? “Bill of Sale only”? $600 and takes your chances, maybe.
Seller says there is a clean title in hand.
I’d wager that after a good wash and detail this would shine like a new penny. At that price, it could really make a cheap daily beater with some style. I doubt the problem is anything more than a minor fuel delivery issue. Even if you put a grand or two into it to tidy it up, you still have a fine and cheap DD.
I believe the issue may be related to vacuum lines. I think this is a good buy for a local kid looking for a project!