1992 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6

“A lady originally bought and used this Mercedes-Benz 190E as her company car, before selling it to her brother,” explains vendor. “I acquired it three or four years ago and sold it to a gentleman in Gloucestershire, so it has only had three owners from new.”

The odometer currently reads 72,709 miles and it comes with a strong, full Mercedes-Benz service history with the following stamps in the original service book:

· Pre-delivery inspection – Maloney & Rhodes, Cambridge (18/05/92)

· Inspection – Maloney & Rhodes, Cambridge (03/09/92)

· Service jobs – Vardy, Cambridge (21/05/93)

· Maintenance jobs – Vardy, Cambridge (30/12/93)

· Service jobs – Vardy, Cambridge (21/05/93)

· Oil Change – Vardy, Cambridge (14/12/95)

· Maintenance jobs – Vardy, Cambridge (12/09/96)

· Service jobs – Vardy, Cambridge (14/08/98)

· Maintenance jobs – Mercedes-Benz, Croydon (06/06/02)

· Maintenance jobs – Merclass, London (30/01/09)

· Service jobs – Merclass, London (19/11/09)

· Service jobs – Merclass, London (07/10/11)

· Service jobs – Merclass, London (03/07/13)

· Maintenance jobs – Merclass, London (08/05/15)

· Service jobs – Locardi Motors, London (20/07/16)

· Maintenance jobs – Locardi Motors, London (31/07/17)

· Service jobs – Locardi Motors, London (23/07/18)

The car’s general condition is good and appears very clean and original on the underside. The interior is particularly well preserved, and it has just had new shock absorbers and ball joints fitted, which means that it now drives especially well.

“It’s a really original, low-mileage and low number of owners example of the rarer 190E 2.6, which is nearly as quick as the Cosworth version.”

Like many manufacturers the modern Mercedes-Benz design ethos is a bit all over the shop. Could you honestly describe it concisely? No, me neither. Once upon a time however, on the road, the company’s products defined their age. Think Nineties and the boxy 190 profile comes immediately to mind – it’s iconic.

It still looks smart on the road today and this car’s rare Almandine Red Metallic hue is both interesting and satisfying – it will certainly stand out in modern traffic.

There are one or two small blemishes here and there (such as the light cracking on the spoiler’s extremities) but generally it retains bright, with a nice lustre; panel fit is very good – shutting a door, any door, results in that quality Mercedes ‘thunk’ that saw this car and its predecessors over many decades sell by the proverbial barrowload.

It’s well specced with front and rear electric windows, electric tilt sunroof, headlamp wash/wipe and the very rare optional alloy wheels that were ordered new by its first lady owner. The sunroof gutters remain clean and free from debris and the alloys are excellent

The private numberplate is also included in the sale.

Nice.

As our photos and video both show, the interior has survived in remarkably good condition. Its crème beige and sand colour scheme ensures a lovely light cabin, which feels uplifting once you’re ensconced in it.

The door cards and seats themselves are in fine fettle with reasonably little wear and the carpets too are quite free of marks or stains. Up top, the headlining is nice and clean. Whilst back below you’ll find fitted, colour-coordinated protective mats in situ. The centre column panels have also survived very well.

Optional extra rear headrests, a centre armrest and a leather steering wheel and gear knob help to further lift the interior’s sophisticated feel. Pop the storage compartment on the rear shelf and you’ll find the original first aid kit – although, that’s more than likely best left for show now.

There are one or two small marks here and there, such as on the back of the driver’s headrest, but it’s generally very nice indeed.

A period perfect Motorola mobile phone is also included.

Cosworths are perky beasts but, you know what? So is this car. Charles says it drives very nicely and we’ve had the chance for a spin and can confirm that; the relatively recent addition of new shock absorbers and ball joints means that the suspension is particularly taut and cosseting. The best bit? Flooring the throttle and enjoying the 2.6-litre straight-six engine’s nicely urgent pick-up.

The boot compartment is excellent with no apparent stains to the carpeting; underneath, you’ll find the spare wheel and jack. A warning triangle is also fitted to the underside of the boot itself. A spare Pioneer CD player (with wood effect fascia) is also present.

Up front, the engine bay is supremely clean and indicative of the amount of regular servicing and maintenance that the car has received through the years.

The underside is a touch dusty but does look very good.

As well as that lovely comprehensive service history (which will keep you going for a while flicking through it in our Photo Gallery, below), you will also find all the 190E’s original manuals including the Recommended Price List for Cars and Factory Fitted Extras, the Kenwood Stereo instructions, and a Dealer map. In addition, there’s also a model brochure.

The included V5c confirms three owners from new and the 01/06/1992 date of first registration. There’s a huge array of expired MOT test certificates, as well as the current one which runs until 08/06/2023.

Expired tax discs are also present as are multitude of invoices from the car’s life. It is worth taking your time to see what’s been done to the car over the years and it will also give you a further indication (after that service book!) that it has received love and attention when required.

A recent one dated 09/06/21 indicates fitment of a new Bosch battery (£95.36), while another on 16/08/21 confirms the fitment of those new front and rear shock absorbers and steering arm ball joints (at a cost of £990.66); the car received a full transmission, auto-box, and differential service at the same time.

The 190E comes with two sets of keys.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has a very comprehensive service history from new and has been maintained to an excellent standard.

If you’ve always lusted after a bit of fast Mercedes-Benz 190 action but Cosworth prices have always been just a touch out of reach, or you simply prefer your performance a touch more under the radar, then this could be the car for you.

As the vendor stated earlier, this model’s get up and go is almost as pokey as its Cosworth brethren’s. You will however, pay substantially less; Cosworth prices start around the £15k mark for a high mileage example and disappear into the sunset for the very best. This 190E, with low mileage, a low number of owners, and its substantive service history, will we believe achieve somewhere between just £6000 and £9000.

That is surely criminal (in a good sense, you understand) in terms of just how much car and sheer 190 go, the next owner will receive.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.