Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.0 Automatic

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The recession of the late-1970s / early-1980s caused many of the prestige motor manufacturers to reconsider their strategies and introduce cheaper entry-level models just in case.

With design guru Bruno Sacco at the helm, Mercedes-Benz did it in inimitable style. As it transpired, the recession of the early 1980s wasn't as deep as it might have been, and Mercedes had the resources to develop its new 190 Series to a very high level to fight its bitterest of rivals, the BMW 3-Series. It proved to be a huge hit, with almost two million examples built in a production run that spanned more than a decade.

Amongst the items that were a first for Mercedes was the 190's patented five-link suspension at the rear, used in subsequent E- and C- class models, and still being developed today. It had front and rear anti-roll bars and anti-dive, anti-squat geometry and a range of engines from a 1.8-litre four-cylinder unit to a 2.6-litre straight-six. Available with airbags, ABS brakes, seatbelt tensioners and other advanced safety features, the 190 is now regarded as one of the best Mercedes-Benz cars ever made. It was finally replaced by the much less impressive C-Class in 1993.

First registered in May 1993, this 190E has the 122bhp 2-litre fuel-injected engine and is finished in silver with a grey cloth interior. It has had just two owners from new, the vendor acquiring it in 1999 with around 25,000 miles on the clock, a total which has now only risen to some 57,800 miles. It has nine stamps in the service book (the first seven at main agents Hughes Merecedes of Beaconsfield) and was last serviced in 2002 at 36,000 miles.

Only for sale due to illness and retirement, it was last MOTd and on the road in 2012 so will doubtless benefit from some precautionary checks before use, although it certainly drove nicely as we moved it around for these photos. These beautifully built baby Benzes can clock up huge mileages without fuss so this one is hardly even run in yet. Being offered here at no reserve, it doubtless has years of useful life ahead of it.