1991 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6 Sportline

This 1991 silver blue 190E is paired with grey cloth upholstery and it has 130k miles on the clock. The vendor bought this car on eBay 4-5 months ago. Before pulling the trigger, he did a fair amount of due diligence to validate that this is a genuine Sportline, so rest assured that this is the real deal. Sportline-specific features include the 2.6 litre engine; it sits lower than a usual 190 and it comes with a model-specific steering wheel. The quality of the image of the V5c is a bit ropey but this car looks to have had 10+ prior keepers. The vendor carried out an oil and filter service, but hasn’t driven it much over the brief period of ownership. The vendor believes the paintwork to be fully original; the sunroof works well; the only issue is that the heater fan switch has seized, but otherwise the vendor assures us that the mechanics and electrics are in fine working order. In the vendor’s words: “Generally I’ve enjoyed it. It’s in very good condition and it drives well. It’s a great car and a pleasure to drive. It just has some general wear and tear but no obvious dents or dinks”. The vendor is a fan of the 190 but, as a London resident, he is parting with this car due to the ULEZ restrictions that have been introduced.

There have been many variations on the three-box theme for saloon cars over the years but in many ways, if you had to pick one car that perfectly illustrated the design, the 190 would be it. The 190E 2.6 Sportline sits lower than a standard car thanks to its suspension, and on top of this performance package, the car also has headlamp wash-wipe units fitted, plus a steel sliding (electric of course) sunroof. The fact that it still looks current 40 years after its introduction marks its card as a design classic. The car rides on the iconic ‘gullideckel’ alloy wheels and the rear of the car features rectangular taillights and twin exhaust outlets.

The Sportline features a unique and sporty interior with some distinctive design elements, namely the wood veneer that furnishes the centre console and the door cards. The grey cloth seats are well-bolstered, designed to provide excellent support during spirited driving. The dashboard houses a set of clear and easy-to-read gauges, including a tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge, and warning lights. The centre console houses the climate control system, an ash tray (oh so ‘90s!) and a Bluetooth-enabled, modern Sony radio. Under the passenger seat, you’ll find a fire extinguisher. Aside from some markings to the carpet by the driver’s seat and staining to the driver’s seat bolster, the cabin - including the door cards and carpet - looks tidy throughout.

The engine is an inline-six configuration, which means it has six cylinders arranged in a straight line. It has a displacement of 2.6 litres, and the engine uses a multi-point fuel injection system, where fuel is injected directly into each cylinder intake port. The power output of the engine is around 164 horsepower (bhp), and the torque is approximately 162 lb-ft (pound-feet). The engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, which transfers power to the rear wheels. It is equipped with a liquid cooling system, which includes a radiator, water pump, and thermostat to regulate engine temperature

The car comes with a valid MoT which runs through to February 2024. This highlighted an advisory that the front exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases. This comes after failing its MoT in January due to issues with corrosion on the rear chassis, affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting. Aside from this, the car comes with a fairly comprehensive MoT history dating back to 2006 with the only missing years being 2013, 2017 and 2021.

If you’re considering dipping your toe in the classic car market then you’ll struggle to find a better entry point than this Mercedes 190. With a lusty six-cylinder engine and unrivalled build quality, a 1990s Merc really is the pain free way to classic Nirvana. This is a classic you could use every day if you so desired. Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t coddle it in a heated garage and bring it out for high days and holidays in the warmer months, but it’s nice to have the option. Price is available upon request.

We estimate this car will reach anywhere between £5,000 - £8,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.