1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16v

These seminal cars hail from an era when the Meister Technikers of Stuttgart were building cars up to a standard, not down to a price, and everything that rolled off the production line was splendidly over-engineered and vault-like in the solidity of its construction.

This car is no exception.

But it has another very attractive element to bring to the party.

It was exported new to Japan, where it remained until 10th October 2022, at which point it set sail for the UK.

We mention its Japanese provenance because, well, it really matters. 

It may be something of a cliché to talk about the roll of ‘honour’ in Japanese society and culture, but it’s no exaggeration to say that this tradition is alive and well in the Japanese motor trade, where there is no place for Trotter-san or Daley-san. 

People really look after their cars properly in Japan, and all the more so if the cars in question are expensive, prestigious and foreign.  

This is a world in which mechanics are assiduously diligent in their work, dealers are scrupulously honest in their valuations, and owners take OCD levels of pride in the care and attention they lavish upon their cars.

Japan is also a country where salt is thrown over the shoulders of sumo wrestlers, not chucked all over the roads in industrial quantities like it is in the UK. 

Consequently, Japanese imports almost always have panels and undersides with less corrosion than their British counterparts, and that’s very much the case with this fabulous example. 

And it’s got even better since taking up residence in the UK, the owner having spent a great deal of money on a professional respray, full mechanical fettling, a recent service and four new tyres – among plenty of other work. 

We have driven the car and can attest to the fact that it feels tight, taut, rattle-free and possessed of all the engineering integrity with which it left the production line.

It starts on the button and handles and performs with the considerable flair and competence for which the model was rightly lauded. 

The car’s standard, three-box saloon design and proportions belie its sporting pretensions and prowess – but that’s precisely the point.

This car is Bruce Wayne on the outside and Batman underneath.

You’ll be relieved to hear that the Bruce Wayne exterior is in very good, straight order.

There are no dinks, dimples or dents anywhere that we can find.

The panel gaps and shut-lines are as Teutonically crisp and exact as you’d want. 

The only slight exception to all this exactitude is the driver’s door, which is a bit stiff and notchy when closing from the fully-open position.

We were pleased to note that the rear spoiler is still firmly attached to the rest of the car. 

The car has been resprayed and, as such, the paintwork is largely devoid of any scratches, scuffs, splits or other aberrations of note.

There are a couple of ‘burn’ spots to the lacquer above the rear window, probably the result of some over-zealous machine polishing, and we noticed another small, flat spot on the n/s/r door.

Aside from those very minor deviations, there is an entirely standard number and distribution of small, driving-acquired stone chips in the usual places – around the front valance and the bonnet. 

There is some barely perceptible overspray on the windscreen and driver’s window, plus a chip to the driver’s side windscreen trim.

The car’s wheels are in broadly irreproachable condition and seem to have successfully avoided any unwanted encounters with kerbs or other roadside obstacles. 

All four of the rather prosaically named Goodyear Efficient Grip tyres are in good order and look to have many miles of life left in them. 

The car’s lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings appear to be in fine fettle.

The arial goes up and down upon request, and makes some charmingly old-school squeaks and grunts while doing so.

The interiors of this vintage of Mercedes-Benz are every bit as robust and over-engineered as their exterior counterparts.

If they’re well looked-after, they’re practically indestructible, as evidenced by this splendidly preserved space.

The black leather and check fabric upholstery has aged particularly well – both in terms of style and condition – and aside from a light crease around the bolsters, the comfortable and supportive seats are in first-class condition, front and back.

The headlining is taut and untroubled by any holes or splits, and we’re delighted to see that the recessed storage locker atop the parcel shelf still contains its first-aid kit.

The carpets have withstood the ravages of time and use with rare fortitude, as have the various black plastics on and around the dashboard, all of which have resisted any temptation to fade or crack.

The door cards are good, too, with the exception of the n/s/r example, which has started to split away from the underlying structure at the top.

The judicious application of some suitable adhesive would no doubt rectify the situation.

There’s also a very thin crack in the wood veneer around the gear selector.

As far as we’re aware, all dials, gauges, knobs, switches and levers do what they’re supposed to do without hesitation, deviation or repetition.

The very capacious boot is as good as the rest of it and contains a spare wheel (shod in Pirelli rubber), some tools and a warning triangle.

The impressive engine bay looks remarkably clean, dry and fresh and everything appears to be in its right and proper place. 

The undersides of the car are, as expected on a car that’s spent its life in Japan, entirely devoid of anything even remotely troubling.

Everything looks sound, solid, sturdy and possessed of oodles of structural integrity.

The car comes with its Japanese export documents, and plenty of bills, receipts and invoices attesting to maintenance, repair, respraying and fettling work carried out since the car arrived in the UK.

It also comes with a V5C, a clear HPI report and an MoT certificate – with no advisories whatsoever – that’s valid until 30th July 2026.

These are increasingly sought-after cars.

And so they should be.

Superbly engineered and still grin-inducingly good to drive today, they introduced a whole new genre of hot saloon cars to a world that turned out to be very keen to get them. 

This low mileage (fewer than 43,000 miles on the clock) example is in exemplary condition, has the inestimable benefit of a lifetime of Japanese ownership, and has had good money spent on the right things since it came to the UK.

We think it’s really very good indeed. 

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £27,000 - £32,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.