1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E

Finished in Pearl Grey (colour code 1229), a shade we’re told is very rare, this wonderful left-hand drive Mercedes 190E has a grey cloth (trim code 068A) and many optional extras, including:

• 412: electric sliding roof with tilt
• 750: Becker Europa radio cassette
• 331: cassette compartment
• 531: automatic antenna
• 682: fire extinguisher
• 591: green glass all round plus a heated rear screen
• 430: head rest rear left and right
• 420: automatic transmission with four gears
• 400: folding arm rest in rear
• 470: anti-lock braking system

Said to be still in “totally original” condition by the seller, it’s showing just three owners from new, all of which are known about.

The first was a Herr Krug, a German bookseller who kept the car from new through to 2002, at which time he sold it to a Mr Clarke of Oxon. Mr Clarke registered it in the UK at 155,000kms; clearly Herr Krug had enjoyed life with his 190E.

It was put into storage in 2007 when the odometer was reading 170,000kms. It was brought out of hibernation in and recommissioned by independent Mercedes-Benz specialists Edward Hall. This light refurbishment involved lots of skill and a new head gasket, plus a little attention to the braking system.

New tyres too, of course, plus fresh filters and fluids in the M102 petrol engine, making this the two-litre version with 112bhp and a top speed of more than two miles per minute.

And, this performance was about to come in handy because the seller obtained it in September 2022 to use to travel to and from Germany. The “real world recommissioning” these treks demanded included new ball joints and front bushes, a water pump, a prop-shaft coupling and a replacement catalytic convertor.

It sailed through an MoT on the 25th of May with no advisories.

Obviously.

With 180,000kms, or just over 110,000 miles, it’s just about run-in by now and is ready to serve its new owner as faithfully as it has served the previous ones.

With more than 180,000kms under its belt, you could forgive the 190 for looking a little jaded and the fact it doesn’t tells you all you need to know about M-B build quality of the period.

Designed by engineers rather than bean counters, the 190’s solidity shines through, making itself known via consistent and tight shutlines, and very neatly aligned panels and lower-body cladding.

The paintwork is good, too. Pearl Grey suits the 190’s sober reputation and if you think we’re damning with faint praise nothing could be further from the truth because sober and reliable is exactly what you want when you’re aiming to rack up 150,000km in a dozen years.

The light lenses are bright and undamaged. The factory green-tinted windows are good. The chromework, including the huge radiator grille, has a good shine to it and a remarkable lack of pitting given the car’s age and use.

The 15-inch steel wheels, which are hidden behind full-width plastic hubcaps, are fitted with a good set of Falken tyres, all of which have good tread left on them.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

The factory metal sunroof slides open as it should, sealing tightly when it’s closed.

The front doors have ClimAir wind deflectors fitted. Made in Germany, they allow the front windows to be cracked open at speed without the car getting too noisy or the occupants disturbed by turbulent air. They also help keep rain out when the weather’s inclement. Plus, they look very retro, so their presence is an all-round win.

It’s not without a patina, obviously. The offside rear wheelarch is a little scabby (e.g. #51), there are small scuffs on both corners of the rear bumper (#38 and #42), one on the rear wing (#22), another on the lower section of the rear nearside door (#24), and the nearside door mirror base is perished (#41).

Trifling details, therefore.

Look, we all know you could write this yourselves by now but bear with us, eh?

Because the interior is just as impressive as everywhere else. The door cards, for example, are excellent and free of rips, tears and other damage bar a couple of small tears in the rear (#113 and #116).

The 190’s got manual window winders too, electric windows just being one more thing that could go wrong. This is an analogue car, and all the better for it.

This means the seats adjust manually via hefty handles and sturdy wheels. Obviously, they’re in a very good condition remaining firm and springy and free of any obvious wear.

They’re also covered with cloth rather than leather, so they’ll be warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, and grippier all year round.

The rear seat passengers are pampered with the optional centre armrest and head restraints plus that factory tinted glass.

There’s a smattering of wood trim too, although perhaps we should write it “wood” as it looks decidedly synthetic. Origins aside, it’s in great shape.

The top-of-the-range Becker Europa headunit is present and correct, as is the cassette holder above it. It’s a lovely, authentic touch that takes us straight back to the heady days of the late eighties and early nineties.

The interior also benefits from a new set of ribbed carpet mats plus protective rubber overmats.

The ashtray may well have never been used. Ditto the first aid kit. And the jack. Probably the fire extinguisher too, and maybe even the tool kit, the latter being as comprehensive as you’d expect of a firm as conscientious as Mercedes-Benz.

The boot floor is utterly solid. The tyre on the full-size spare wheel is new.

Need we go on?

The 190’s service history booklet is fantastic, recording the following:

• 30.11.1990 – 1,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 12.04.1991 – 10,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 07.08.1991 – 20,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 27.11.1991 – 30,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 09.04.1992 – 40,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 02.07.1992 – 50,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 02.06.1993 – 60,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 19.09.1994 – 70,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 23.11.1995 – 80,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 05.08.1996 – 90,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 27.02.1997 – 100,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 31.10.1997 – 110,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 18.06.1998 – 120,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 06.04.1999 – 130,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 11.09.2000 – 140,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst
• 27.08.2002 – 150,000km service by Mercedes-Benz Kundendienst

The Mercedes was off the road between 2008 and 2022, at which time the servicing picks up again:

• 23.06.2022 – 160,000km service by Edward Hall, independent Mercedes-Benz specialist
• 12.01.2023 – service plus miscellaneous bits and bobs by MB of Medway, independent Mercedes-Benz specialist
• 24.04.2023 – new propshaft coupling, water pump, pulley and coolant by MB of Medway, independent Mercedes-Benz specialist

As you’d expect, it starts on the button, idles perfectly, and revs very nicely. The also seller drove it to us here in Abingdon, which is always reassuring.

The engine bay is decent, although we can see the new owner is almost certainly going to repaint the air filter’s metal lid (#171).

The underside is remarkably good, and the fact we’re reduced to pointing out the underseal is cracked on a towing eye (#204) says it all.

The 190’s MoT certificate is valid until the beginning of June 2024, so that’s not something you’re going to have to worry about for a while.

Further reassurance comes via the presence of the book pack, the (very well-stamped) service history booklet, a thick wad of invoices from its time in Germany plus those relating to its time here in the United Kingdom.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

Look, we know that a two-litre, bog-standard Mercedes-Benz 190E is not going to get anyone’s pulse racing but if you’re looking for a rock-solid, ultra-reliable modern classic to trundle around in then they have got an awful lot going for them.

Especially one like this, one that’s been used properly and maintained in line with the factory’s requirements; while little-used Garage Queens have their place in the classic car canon, we love the idea of continuing to rack up the miles in a proven winner like this.

Ideal for export back to Europe (good ones are hard to find, even in their home country) it’s not as if the price of entry is especially steep because we think this one is only going to fetch somewhere between £4,000 and £6,000 – but as it’s being offered with no reserve, it’s going to sell, no matter how derisory the bidding.

Form an orderly queue and play nicely, eh?

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at the Bonhams|Cars Online 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’.