From the days when four-door sedans and manual transmissions still freely mixed, we have this 1991 Mercedes 190E for your review. This example is in fantastic condition, in spite of its claimed 157K miles (yeah I know, no biggie for an M-B) and it is harboring an interesting feature besides its third pedal. This beautiful Benz is located in Miami, Florida and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $13,900.
The Mercedes-Benz W201 platform, the underpinnings for all things 190-ish, was a big sales hit with 1.8MM copies hitting the road between model years ’83 and ’93. Being an “E” series means a mid-sized platform in four-door sedan form only. Both diesel and gasoline versions were offered.
Being a gasoline version, this 190E has a 107 HP, 1.8 liter, in-line, four-cylinder engine working through the previously mentioned five-speed manual transmission. The seller claims, “Ready to drive anywhere…Runs really good, and is quick“. This video shows this Benz sitting and driving – it’s a great-looking car in really fine shape!
But…there’s more. Worried about gasoline supply and price? Go with propane! This 190E has been dealer converted to run on propane as well. The tank is empty but the seller claims that it can be used as a fuel source. And if you don’t want to run the car on it, I suppose you could hook up a bar-b-que grille and do some tailgating.
The exterior shows no signs of any demerits and the seller states, “The body is straight as an arrow. All doors, trunk are all aligned as they should from the factory. Has your normal wear and tear and a couple of little paint chips from age“. He also states that the wheels are M-B pieces but I don’t believe that I have ever seen a set quite like these. The black rubber bumper trim looks just right too – no fade or splits. This photo link will give you the full business with 140 photos, including the underside; nothing appears to be out of place or in need of attention.
Inside is the same story. I’ll readily admit to not being any sort of a knowledge base around M-B cars but I don’t believe that I have encountered one with patterned upholstery like this example. It’s smart looking as well as clean and non-worn, but different from what I’ve spied before. The entire environment, particularly the instrument panel, has that no-nonsense Teutonic vibe about it that that sets German cars apart from their non-Germanic counterparts.
The seller suggests, “This car would be a great base for those that want to build an EVO II or AMG tribute car.” Why? Why not leave it as is? It’s great in its own right. The five-speed manual gearbox puts the driver in a connection with this 190E in a way that no automatic transmission ever will. And as for alternative fuel sources? This Mercedes-Benz is oh-so current and ahead of its time, right?
Pretty sure this is a Euro-spec car, Jim. No big deal, as the “25-year Rule” applies…. I can’t recall seeing any U.S.-spec 190s with manual transmissions except the 2.3-16 model — an M-B expert can correct me, if necessary — nor any with this cloth upholstery. All the 190s I saw and drove had either leather or MB-Tex.
The only real downside is that the rear seat is not friendly to fullsize adults, which for me would be no problem. I’d lose to bottled-gas conversion, but otherwise leave it exactly as-is. Fun little cars, even if 107 bhp doesn’t exactly make for rocket sled performance.Fun little cars, and built like bank vaults.
You are correct, this is European spec, smaller bumpers ( fenders sorry I’m in UK!), and one piece headlights ,not sealed beam units as mandatory in US. I had a 89 190E with a 2.0 4cyl motor and auto box. MB manuals at the time are not highly regarded, unless you wanted a taxi.
You had it right. A bumper is a bumper. A fender is what you would call a wing.
Also, could you get cloth upholstery in the U.S.? That’s what I noticed as being different.
What is the 0 – 60 on a model like this?
yeah, I think it’s fine. W/that transmis I wish it wuz the 16v Cosworth. So in this 1 I’d like the auto (couldn’t afford the speed bomb) as that’s a DD for me. Manni is racer(ish) or truck…
These are original hubcaps. This car is a normal German plane Jane. These w201 were extremely common in Germany. If someone has questions about german car szene contact me! I am a German Lover of US cars. I drive a 2008 Mustang GT
Speedo in km/h should have been a big clue, it’s an import…